“It’s like your mind isn’t connected with your body,” Olivia Adams said, describing the twisties, a phenomenon that occurs during tumbling in gymnastics where someone loses their position in the air while performing certain skills. For Olivia, this took place during a major regional competition as she attempted to do a backflip with a full-twist. 

Despite physical and mental setbacks, senior Olivia Adams has been competing in gymnastics for 11 years and believes the sport has taught her to be tenacious, resilient and dedicated. 

Olivia’s journey began when she was 6 years old after watching the 2012 London Olympics with her mother. She started competing in the sport when she turned 8, inspired by gymnasts like Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles and Peng-Peng Lee.

“We saw Gabby Douglas win all-around,” Olivia said. “I wanted to do gymnastics and become like her and inspire other kids.”

Olivia does gymnastics at CITY Club, under her coach Natalia Yurchenko, a former world champion and the inventor of the Yurchenko vaults. 

Olivia’s teammate Ella Mulligan has been friends with her for four years. Ella is inspired by Olivia’s consistent determination.

“Olivia has taught me most about how to deal with setbacks, especially injuries,” Ella said.

Olivia, who was originally the youngest kid in her level of gymnastics, now helps mentor younger members on her team.

“It’s kind of full-circle because I get to be that older sister for the younger girls,” Olivia said.

Olivia not only taught her teammate Ella how to overcome physical challenges but also mental blocks.

“Olivia has taught me a lot about mental confidence,” Ella said. “She has a really good mindset for what she does.”

Ella appreciates her friendship with Olivia, who has been a role model and mentor for her. 

“It’s good to have a relationship with someone who is not exactly your age,” Ella said. “I really get good advice from Olivia, and she is a positive person to be around.”

This year, Olivia is focusing on regaining her skills after spraining her ankle and undergoing physical therapy. Levels in gymnastics dictate which skills and elements are required and performed. This year, Olivia hopes to transition from a Level 9 gymnast to Level 10. 

After 11 years, Olivia is proud to have learned the lessons gymnastics has taught her, but she wants to focus on other pastimes, while continuing her gymnastics journey. Her dream, at age 9, of going to the Olympics has now changed.

“Gymnastics has been my whole life for so long,” Olivia said, “When I go to college, I still want to do gymnastics, but I also want to focus more on academics and other things that I might be good at.”

After recovering from her injury, Olivia is looking forward to another full season of gymnastics this winter with her coach. She has gone from only working on conditioning to training gymnastics 20 hours per week.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel,” Olivia said about her recovery. “It may take longer than I want it to but with enough hard work and persistence it will always work out.”

Even though she has departed from her original dream of going to the Olympics, Olivia still wants to make her 9-year-old self proud by continuing to practice and compete in gymnastics no matter which injuries, issues or challenges she faces.

This story was originally published on U-High Midway on October 15, 2024.