Untitled (Self Portrait) I have received hundreds of medals in my life, and the criticism and loath I felt towards myself when the color was anything but gold, couldn’t compare to the realization that self hatred shouldn’t come from a piece of metal attached to a ribbon.
Untitled (Anna) After Anna dislocated her shoulder after completing her floor routine, the paramedics had her hold onto a rope over her head so her shoulder would not fall out of the socket.
Untitled (Trophy) This trophy was awarded to me for graduating high school by my club gymnastics academy, alongside a pair of Tiger Paws that protect the wrists, and Grips that protect the hands. This trophy felt like a backhanded award, considering I had heard the phrase “Finish what you started” often when I had a bad day at practice, when I knew I wasn’t close to finishing my journey. As my club gym knew that too.
Untitled (Over Splits) Over splits is a form of stretching by doing a split on top of two panel matts to increase the intensity of the stretch. Over splits would be done sometimes both before and after practice, ranging from one to three minutes of holding.
Untitled (Pony Tail) While swinging bars, if the gymnast’s ponytail was too long, it would get caught under a grip on the bar. A form of measurement if the gymnast’s ponytail was too long, was if the ponytail touched the bar while in a handstand.
Untitled (Ari) The phrase “chin up” was often a constant reminder for gymnasts. The coach would sometimes put a toothpick in between the neck and the chin, so if the chin dropped past a certain point, the athlete would get poked by the wooden toothpick.
Untitled (Partner Split and Hip Flexor Stretch) A partner stretch is usually done at the end of practice.
Untitled (Edith) Edith, wearing my first ever leotard. I loved Winnie the Pooh and wore the leotard to my Father Tot class, which is where my gymnastics career began.
Untitled (Carley) Practice ranged anywhere from four to six hours after school. Gymnasts will multi-task homework while stretching for a long practice ahead, with minimal time after practice to complete work.