Off Topic Introductions Thread (2025 Version)

[StephensMom]

I’m just seeing this post so I suppose I’ll join in. I am a mom of 4 young girls. The oldest is 7 (almost 8) and getting ready to compete level 3 or 4 this next season. I’m thinking 3 but 4 isn’t totally ruled out yet. We got into gymnastics as a way to get out of the house when she was a toddler. We never really anticipated how much of our lives it would take over just a few years later. As she gets older, her passion seems to only grow.

Our second daughter is 5.5. We were genuinely surprised when her rec coach approached us and suggested she be evaluated for pre-team just before she turned 5. She’s loving it though and gymnastics challenges her in ways that we know are really growing her mentally and emotionally so we love it for her.

Number 3 will be 4 soon. She’s been watching her big sister since infancy basically and has always wanted to be at the gym too. I finally relented to the rec coaches wanting to put her in the more advanced preschool class over the summer and her love for the gym seems to have fallen off ever since. She says she misses her old class with the younger kids so we’ll be taking a step back for her and just see what happens.

One thing we have realized is that we are very much just along for the ride on this crazy train. Doing our best to take care of our girls, support them, and keep some balance. Every time my husband calls to ask where I am, the answer is “at the gym.” I sometimes wonder if we can really sustain this but we just keep taking it a season at a time.

 

[Princess Andrea]

Hey Guys,
My name is Andrea and I have been in the gym since I was just three years old and fell in love with gymnastics right away. By sixteen, I began coaching and now enjoying working with Level 2 and 3 gymnasts, helping young athletes build skills and confidence.

Outside of the gym, I always been active. I grew up running cross country, track and field and playing flag football. Sports have always been a huge part of my life, not just participating but also as a fan - I love watching college football and the NFL whenever I get a chance.

My energy, passion for athletics, and love for working with kids make me a positive and encouraging coach who's exited to see my gymnasts grow.



Thank you!
Text me if you have any questions.

 

[ryanolympian]

Hi! I’m a former national team member, coaching in the Southwest now for just over 20 years. I toured the world with Cirque du Soleil as an aerialist for 5 years and then performed with various circuses. I didn’t intend to just be a lurker when it came to this forum, but this is my first post! I’m a proud full-time father of one, and proud to be a lifelong mentor to many. I have supported special needs gymnasts and elite gymnasts, as well as competitive dancers and aerialists. Gymnastics is for everyone, and teaches us to find our inner “Jedi”.

 

[NutterButter]

Welcome, @ryanolympian! We are glad you are here. Don't be shy about posting.

 

[BStephenM]

Hi, I am a dad of a 14 year old girl who has been competing in gymnastics since she was around 4. It's her desire to reach level 10 by her Jr year in HS and possibly compete in college. I have older kids who were athletic (swimming, soccer and tennis) but NOTHING like this

 

[Flamewinds]

Hi, I am a dad of a 14 year old girl who has been competing in gymnastics since she was around 4. It's her desire to reach level 10 by her Jr year in HS and possibly compete in college. I have older kids who were athletic (swimming, soccer and tennis) but NOTHING like this

Hello. I am sure your daughter will do well.

 

[Pricess_leia]

I am 16 and a first year Xcel gold. In region 2. I self taught myself some of the basics in elementary school, but actually started talking classes when I was ~11. I was in rec classes off and on (due to other sports and injuries) until I started taking gymnastics more seriously when I was 13. I got into xcel silver my second tryout. And competed silver two years. I have my first gold competition in three weeks! Wish me luck! My favorite event is bars and my least favorite event is vault. I used to be really insecure about my age and height (i am 5ft 8(maybe 9)in), making friends and finding community definitely eased those insecurities. I really can’t imagine my life without gymnastics; I am completely in love with it. And can’t imagine that I only have one year left with it . I have always struggled with a lot of mental blocks and just general scaredness, but overcoming that is one of my favorite things about gymnastics. I love learning what my body can do, I love how mentally and physically challenging it is. I love the dance and smaller details that make gymnastics beautiful. And I love learning all the rules and technique. There is so much to learn! I hope to be a coach or possible a judge one day. For now though, I will be soaking as much of gymnastics as I can as a gymnast. Very glad I am a part of the chalk bucket community!

 

[Dream]

DD is 7 and has been doing gymnastics since she was 3. Was in a group training for WAG then at 6 switched to Xcel track. She has done mock meets and clubs fun meets but first external competition is this year. Love reading everyone's posts about the ups and downs of gymnastics!

 

[Lil' Punky Toots]

I should have posted in the 2024 version of this thread since that's when I created my account, although I have been lurking for longer than that. Always enjoy reading stories about different gymnasts' journeys and what it took to get where they are, in addition to tips on mindfulness and preparation. Still don't know much about WAG but have two daughters in the sport -- DD1 is 11 and level 9, DD2 is 7 and level 6. Both seasons are underway!

 

[XcelGirl]

Hii! I'm a Xcel Silver Gymnast and happy to be here

 

[Boymomx3]

Hi, I am a mom of an 8 year old boy who loves gymnastics. We live in Iowa where men’s gymnastics isn’t as popular and I have been trying to understand the sport better. My son is an ambitious dreamer. He is competing at level 4 but his goal is level 10, college, and of course the Olympics. I am hoping joining this will help me with a better understanding of the rules, competition, opportunities, etc for men’s gymnastics.

 

[evie_thegymnast]

Hi! I am 14 and a second-year Xcel Gold gymnast in region 8 and I love gymnastics so much and couldn't imagine my life without it.

 

[Dahlialover]

Hi, I am a mom of an 8 year old boy who loves gymnastics. We live in Iowa where men’s gymnastics isn’t as popular and I have been trying to understand the sport better. My son is an ambitious dreamer. He is competing at level 4 but his goal is level 10, college, and of course the Olympics. I am hoping joining this will help me with a better understanding of the rules, competition, opportunities, etc for men’s gymnastics.

Welcome! The Men’s gymnastics community is a wonderful group of people. Feel free to ask any questions (none to trivial) over on the MAG forum.

 

[#BGymnast]

Hello!
I live in Australia.
I started off going to kinder gym with my sister. She was about 2 when I was born, and so I came along and joined in too as soon as I could crawl. It was mostly just unstructured playtime; there would be an obstacle course, jump off the box, forwards roll down the wedge, crawl through the tunnel. Then we would do the hokey pokey or play hide and seek with our parents.

I live in a very small city; there is only 1 gym to go to. You can't start gymnastics until you are 5, so that was when I first started. Then we have a lot of 'preperation' years before we actually start competing, in level 3.
I competed level 3 when I was 11, I am now doing level 5. My routine is called 'The Saint', and I am so excited to be doing it this season, I love the music and how beautiful the routine is, more like a fairy than a saint!

I live on a black angus cattle farm, with my two sisters and one brother. I suffer badly from
Middle Child Syndrome. Just kidding! It sucks sometimes though. Can anyone else relate?

I have loads of pets. My favourite (yes, I pick favourites) is my beautiful puppy dog Spinach (don't ask about the name, it's a long story). She is a 6-year-old Maremma. We have a lot of guinea pigs too which we breed. We currently have 15 guinea pigs and 6 babies from 2 different mums.
We also have quail chicks, chickens, ducks, bottle fed sheep, and poddy calves.

Apart from gymnastics, I also Mountain Bike which I LOVE. Last year I came 3rd at state championships and this year I am looking to come 2nd or maybe even 1st (fingers crossed)!
I play hockey as well, in an U14 team for school and an U16 team for my club. I like cooking, arts, craft, and reading.

I love gymnastics and I am so happy to be in this wonderful and supportive community of gymnasts!