The truth is, gymnastics is a beautiful sport that has allowed me to grow and learn invaluable life lessons: sacrifice, dedication, discipline. Eventually, it led me to my voice.
If my Michael Jackson routine left even one person feeling uncomfortable or less joyful, I felt like it was in everyone's best interest to change the music to my routine.
There's days when my body's better than other days. It still gives me problems. But it's very manageable. Rehab is forever my friend.
It's not me standing on the podium with medals. It's me being able to walk out with a smile on my face and truly being happy with myself.
My back is permanently messed up.
Using my voice has empowered me to take complete ownership of my life. So, in return for speaking my truth, I listen.
When picking my original music, Tina Turner was someone I wanted in my routine because of the strong impact she has had on my life. I admire her courage and resilience.
I won the 2011 Visa Championships, the 2012 Pacific Rims, and then the 2013 American Cup (the first and only senior elite competition of my elite career).
Before bed, I just brush my teeth and fall asleep. I don't usually wear makeup, but if I do, I'll wipe it off. Then it's pajamas and falling into bed, no other routine; I'm pretty good at just falling asleep right away.
For dinner, I like to have a protein and veggies again. But because of my ulcerative colitis, really healthy foods are hard on my stomach. Sugars aren't good, and I have to be careful with vegetables. So it can be tough to find food that feels good.
By 2012, I probably had, like, three stress reactions in my back. Two stress fractures in my fibula.
I would have never guessed I have, like, senators reposting me.
In life, we are told to do or be so many different things and expected to fit so many different expectations; I think that's something I always had a hard time with.
I think just being able to experience college gymnastics the way I have has allowed me to really express myself and have so much fun in the sport.
As an athlete, you learn to keep pushing through the pain until the pain eventually becomes unbearable. Even then, you are told to continue.
I was unbeatable - until I wasn't.
I've always had an undeniable love for gymnastics.
In elite gymnastics, I was surrounded by this bubble, that gymnastics was literally all I knew, and I'd like to know about worldly issues.
