Strong From Within

What does being strong from within mean to you?

I think it means having your own story, your own type of drive. A lot of strength and power comes from within, and while external support is helpful, when it comes from the inside out, it makes the experience that much more special and personal to you.

What has gymnastics taught you about your body?

That it's fragile and it's something I really need to take care of and cherish, because you only get one. Gymnastics has taught me to do the best for my body and think about what would be most beneficial for me in each situation.

What do you wish younger female athletes understood about their body?

That it is perfect the way it is, and sometimes complications happen along the way, like injuries. I just wish they knew their body works and operates just as it should, and there's no reason to change it.

What does strong from within mean to you?

It comes back to the mental side of things. Your body physically might be strong, but if things start to go downhill mentally, it's a domino effect and nothing can get done. It's super important for athletes to stay mentally strong and work through our everyday problems — it's definitely overlooked, but it plays a huge part.

What do you want younger girls to understand about their bodies?

Our bodies are always changing. I'm still learning more about my body than I was last year. It's okay to accept change — we just need to understand what it means and go from there.

Finish the sentence: I am strong because…

I am strong because I'm me. I'm a pretty introverted person, and I've learned to see that as a quality — it lets me sit back, observe, and understand people better. I'm strong because I'm different from a lot of people I've met, and I think it's a good difference.