Personal Narrative-The London Gymnastics Academy

I work as a gymnastics coach at Trousdell Gymnastics Center. It is a recreational center that provides programs for all Tallahassee residents, specializing in gymnastics and exercise. The goal of this organization is to provide a safe and affordable program that keeps the community fit and engaged. They offer recreational gymnastics classes for boys and girls of all ages. There are also preschool and kindergarten programs for the younger children. On the other end of the spectrum there are adult classes that teach gymnastics and overall fitness. In addition, the gym offers classes for children with special needs. Finally, Trousdell offers a competitive gymnastics program for exceptional boys and girls. Three Olympic gymnasts have come through this program. Trousdell Gymnastics Center is named after a former Tallahassee Parks and Recreation Director Randy Trousdell, a man passionate about his community and the health of its children. Since it’s opening over 60 years ago the gym has impacted 500,000 children’s lives. I coach recreational classes for girls ages seven to fifteen years old. I begin every class by leading an extensive stretch and then we go to the events of the day where I set up stations for gymnasts to practice different skills. I end every class with conditioning to help the gymnasts grow stronger so that they can perform skills successfully. Trousdell Gymnastics Center coaches have a responsibility to these children. It is our goal to make the two hours a

and without knowing anything about the sport of gymnastics, she stood out as a leader amongst the

Grace Hauge began gymnastics when she was about 6 years old, and enjoyed it so much. Her mother wanted her to join a more advanced group, so she joined Hamline. She quickly advanced to a more experienced group. There she was asked to join the Spirit Gymnastics club team at Hamline. Luckily she was given a choice and she agreed. During Grace’s six years of training at the Spirit Gymnastics club team, she gained friendships, a fit body, discipline, and time management. Not meaning to seem or sound snobby, Grace and her mother were both aware of what the sport could bring to Grace 's life. However, it was not until Grace 's coach, Doug Burns, also commented on the success ahead of Grace, that Grace felt pressured to follow through with the

On my way to the competition, as I always have, I inserted my earbuds into my ears and watched as our car passed hundreds of trees. Every gymnastics meet created such a sickening feeling in my stomach and made my head spin. My father asked if I felt alright. I lied and told him I felt fine. I jokingly said that I only imagined myself at the top of the podium; a first place medal around my neck. My parents tried to encourage me to accomplish this. Therefore, they promised a stuffed animal and an ice cream cone if I won. I made a half-smile because I doubted myself too much. If only I knew what would soon happen to permanently change myself as a gymnast. When I arrived, all of my teammates crowded around me and pulled me into the gymnasium. Because we were competing at our ‘home meet’, a gymnastics competition at my team’s gymnasium, I felt more comfortable. After warm-up, I went to vault. I did not feel pleased with my score, but

Everyone remembers that one place, that one place that instantly makes you feel good, that one place where you can completely act like yourself. For me, that one special location forever remains Texas Best Gymnastics, in McKinney, Tx. What I always adored was practicing with my team.I began competing there at the age of eight, and I competed my last competition shortly after my thirteenth birthday. However, even though I no longer spend half my time at the gym like I used to, it still invokes the same effect on me. Now that I stepped away from competing for a few years, when I look back on how stressful it seemed, I can still see all the wonderful memories I created. More than anything, I see what a wonderful impact the gym had on my life.

“Are you OK Logan?” It was my Gymnastics coach. I was lying on a mat with feet and face all covered in blood, the only word I could manage to say was ouch.

Most of my life I was consumed with the sport of gymnastics. I remember the rush I would get as it was my turn to compete in front of the cheering crowd. In those moments nothing else mattered; just me, the chalk on my calloused hands and the equipment in front of me. I have competed in gymnastics ever since I was five years old. I spent six days a week in the gym practicing all year round and even volunteered part of my time to a community program teaching gymnastics to children. Gymnastics had a tremendous role in shaping me into the person I am today and it is what also lead me to want to become a Physician Assistant.

As a former gymnast, cheerleading was never something I planned on doing. In the gymnastics world, cheer was hated. Gymnasts everywhere claimed that cheerleading “stole” tumbling from us. So when I made the Junior Varsity team my freshman year, I expected the worst. Looking back, cheer has taught me more life lessons in the past four years than gymnastics ever did in the ten years I was a gymnast.

This pathway of success led me to being rewarded with the achievement of the most valuable gymnast that year. Even though I encountered many obstacles, I continued to dedicate myself to

Wednesday, April 7th, 1994 started out like any other day, I was attending Jr. hHigh sSchool, in St. George Utah. As a I was a young 12 year old girl that was obsessed with gymnastics, I breathed it, studied it, and lioved it. Gymnastics was my Life.! I daydreamed about competing in front of hundreds of people, lights dimmed down, the spotlight right on me as I performed each skill I worked so hard at perfecting each day at practice. I would picture myself going over my routines, every step, every pose, each body positions, how I’d present myself, f . . . . everything. I wanted to be a college gymnast.

I stood on a mat, in an unfamiliar gym, surrounded by unfamiliar people. Did I really want to do this? I know no one here, I don’t even know if this is something I would end up liking. All these thoughts were running through my mind, making me question if I was brave enough to do this. I was eight years old and tryout out for my local competitive cheerleading team. As my mind raced, increasing my nerves, I contemplated leaving. I made the decision to join the team; I never know it could be something I would really enjoy. I didn’t realize at the time that this wouldn’t be the last time my mind tries to talk me out of taking a risk.

When I joined the Upper Bucks YMCA gymnastics team my freshmen year, I did not realize how much of my life would have changed. I took gymnastics classes ever since I was six, and even though the coaches would pester me about joining the team, I never felt the need to participate in gymnastics competitively. It wasn’t until I began to practice with the team girls that I realized how much I was missing out, and I never regret the day that I became a member of the Upper Bucks gymnastics team. Not only was it a place where I challenged my gymnast abilities, where I learned what it meant to be healthy, and where I discovered the thrills of competition, but it is a place that I call my second home. I met girls of all ages coming from different

Most of my life was consumed with the sport of gymnastics. I remember the rush I would get as it was my turn to compete in front of the cheering crowd. In those moments nothing else mattered; just me, the chalk on my calloused hands and the equipment in front of me. I have competed in gymnastics ever since I was five years old. I spent six days a week in the gym practicing all year round and even volunteered part of my time to a community program teaching gymnastics to children. Gymnastics had a tremendous role in shaping me into the person I am today and it is also what led me to want to become a Physician Assistant.

Going through life, everyone experiences successes and failures, along with the ability to try new things. Starting high school, I never would have imagined going outside my inclusive bubble of my own interests. The first time I heard of Powerlifting was from my friend, Jayme, freshman year. She opened the idea of joining, but I thought Powerlifting wouldn't be for me. Later that year, Jayme invited me to attend the State Powerlifting Event. My initial plan was to go and support her. To my surprise, I was fascinated by the sport and wanted to learn more about it. Through listening, and watching videos of people lifting, I started to gain a lingering passion for Powerlifting.When I joined Powerlifting, my sophomore year, I was able to adventure outside of my comfort zone and find that my failures can lead to future success.

Using my old experience and old habits I had become just as good or even better than before. As I was on the freshman team for gymnastics, I had brushed off the rustiness from the break that I had taken. Even though the sport is as not tough and rough as club, I still felt the rush that I did before. As I take the skills and lessons that I learned from club gymnastics, I still work just as hard and have just as much fun. As freshman year continued, I started to remember the habits and the reasons why I loved this sport. With a different coach and new teammates, I still felt at home. Jumping back onto the equipment was like riding a bike, even though I was a little rusty at first, I will always remember what was taught to me. Throughout freshman year I have improved and grown potential that I hope to apply later in life and later in gymnastics. I push for new skills and moves every day, but most importantly the sport makes me feel