Snowflake Ambassadors |Claire and Marie
If you follow us on social media, you know our brand ambassadors. These gymnasts work hard both in and out of the gym and share their love for gymnastics and Snowflake leotards with the digital world. They are influential figures for gymnasts of all ages. For this week’s blog, we decided to hand things over to two of our lovely ambassadors' moms so that they could tell you some of their gymnastics stories and experiences! Both of these amazing gym moms decided to share the stories of how their daughters got started in gymnastics, and what kinds of challenges and experiences they faced during this time.
First up we have Fiona’s mom, Claire, with their story about following a unique gymnastics journey.
My daughter, Fiona, started competing three years ago. I was never a gymnast, no other family members were gymnasts; we had no idea what we were doing.
The first two years were filled with lots of questions about gymnastics and competing. As I began to read online and engage in social media groups with other gymnastics parents, it quickly became overwhelming. I realized there was a lot I had no idea about, and there was a lot of information and opinions out there that made a new gymnastics mom’s head swirl.
Our main goal for gymnastics was not a college scholarship or a chance to go to the Olympics. It was to stay active and be part of a team. I just wanted her to participate in something she loved with people who she connected with.
In 2020, Fiona’s third completion year, we were forced to slow down, take deep breaths and focus on our own unique gymnastics journey. We realized that everyone’s journey is different and you have to do what is best for you, your gymnast, and your family.
One thing I had forgotten in Fiona’s first two years on team was to sit her down and ask her what her goals were for gymnastics. At first, her answer was, “I want to get my fly away on bars.” I pressed further: “What about after this level and the next, what about a few years from now, or when you are in high school, or after you graduate high school?”
Fiona took a while to answer, but finally said, “I would love to go to the Olympics, but I know that may not be realistic. But I do really want to go to level 10 and compete in college.” That made me pause and think about all the things I read online about how you need to start young. At her age, she should have already been at level 10 and working toward Elite. I stopped myself. There I went again looking at everyone else’s journey and not my daughter’s unique journey.
Shortly after, we had our annual meeting with her coaches, where they talked about the next competition year and what level she would be competing. I helped Fiona tell the coaches her goals. From there they explained to her that she needed to work harder and focus better at practice, but that they would help her work toward those goals. They did not squash her goals, they supported her.
We do not know what 2021 and beyond holds for her, but we know we will support her and focus on her unique gymnastics journey. She may never make it to level 10 or college, but we are going to stand behind her as long as she chooses to continue her gymnastics journey.
I know I do not have years and years of experience as a gymnastics parent, but my advice to any parent who may be new to competitive gymnastics is to make sure they focus on their child and their unique journey.
Thank you for sharing your story and your advice with us! Make sure to follow Ambassador Fiona on her Instagram, @fifi_rose_gymnast!
Next we have Ambassador Mayal’s mom, and she is going to tell us about the start of Mayal’s gymnastics journey, and the challenges she faced to get where she is now.
Mayal's gymnastics journey was not planned. I called it an accident. We were asked by her best friend from school to come and join her in recreational gymnastics because a new gym has just opened up. As a parent, I declined the many invitations and made excuses. After a few months, Mayal's best friend’s mom finally convinced me to let her come with them to the gym. The next thing I know, after that first free trial, Mayal was hooked. Mayal begged me to let her join, and I finally said yes. A few months into it, her best friend quit, and I'm thinking that Mayal will probably quit, too. But I was wrong. She continued recreational gymnastics, going 1 hour once a week. After less than 6 months of recreational gymnastics, a team coach noticed Mayal during practice. After practice, I was approached by the team coach and was given an invitation for Mayal to try out with the team. I had asked him why. He simply said she's got potential and that she's very strong and talented. Of course, I was not convinced of what he said. Every day before the tryout, Mayal begged me to let her try out, and I finally said yes. I must say with her inexperience in the gymnastics world, Mayal survived the long hours of tryouts and made the Xcel Bronze team.
Mayal’s gymnastics journey was never easy. She worked hard and endured injuries in her first year. She's had a sprained ankle. She fractured her elbow from falling off the beam and was out for 8 weeks. She swore she would quit, but she came back to training after her injury. Being that she missed a lot of hours, her first competition didn't go well. When the 2nd competition came, she placed 3rd in beam. She continued to excel and make progress every competition. She did really well in her Xcel Silver season. Her gym goal is to continue to work hard and to keep learning new skills.
Thank you for sharing your story with us! Make sure to follow Ambassador Mayal on her Instagram, @flipping_gymnastmayal
Do you have a gymnastics story that you would like to tell? Tell us in the comments below!
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