What I wish every gymnast knew about their body
Most gymnasts don’t realize how much stress their body is under until it’s too late.
I didn’t either.
Not until a career-ending injury forced me to slow down and actually pay attention to what my body had been trying to tell me for years.
I spent over a decade training at Texas Best Gymnastics in McKinney, Texas. My dream for years was to compete at the collegiate level, and I poured everything into that goal. Gymnastics shaped my mindset, my work ethic, and the way I approached life. But sometimes plans change. In 2017, a career-ending injury took me out of the sport, and I had to let go of the future I thought I was building. That moment forced me to see my body and my health in a completely different way.
But what I didn’t know then and what I wish every gymnast could understand sooner is that high-level performance and long-term health can exist together. You don’t have to choose one or the other. You just have to start listening to your body before it’s screaming at you to stop.
As a chiropractor now, I look back at that younger version of myself and wish someone had told me a few simple truths. So I’m sharing them here for the gymnast in your life — whether that’s you, your child, or your athlete.
Five Things I Wish I Knew as a Competitive Gymnast
1. The spine is more than posture, it’s performance.
Your spine protects your nervous system, which controls every movement, reaction, and recovery pattern in your body. Taking care of it isn’t about fixing pain. It’s about supporting your potential.
2. Rest is not the same as recovery.
Lying down for a day off isn’t enough. Recovery means intentional care: sleep, hydration, nutrition, and nervous system regulation. Without it, your body stays stuck in stress mode.
3. Pushing through pain isn’t strength, it’s silence.
We’re taught to be tough, but ignoring consistent pain isn’t discipline. It’s disconnection. Pain is a message. Learning to listen to it early can prevent serious injuries later.
4. Injury prevention starts before the injury.
You don’t have to be broken to benefit from care. In fact, the best outcomes happen when support is proactive, not reactive.
5. Whole-body health matters more than perfect form.
Form is important, but the body behind it matters more. Energy, sleep, digestion, emotion; these all affect performance, and they all start with how well your body is functioning.
A Note to Gymnasts and Parents
Whether it’s with me or someone else, I believe every gymnast deserves care that respects how hard they’re working and how much their body is doing. My hope is that this space becomes a resource to help you stay informed, stay curious, and stay ahead of the pain.
Your body is doing something incredible. Let’s take care of it with intention now, not later.