Interview With Addalye VanGrinsven

How old were you when you started gymnastics, and what originally drew you to the sport?

I was 18 months when I started gymnastics! My mom told me she put me in the mommy and me class for something to start recreationally.

What was your favorite meet, your favorite and least favorite events, and the hardest/easiest skill you ever trained?

My favorite meet I have ever been too was actually this past International Assignment in Brazil! I felt like there were different responsibilities for my role not only as a gymnasts, but also as a leader. As a Team we faced some unexpected challenges and I was really proud of how we all bonded together to still rise above. It was also very special to form some new friendships with the boys National Team as well. We all really encouraged one another! An added bonus was also getting to sight see and see some of Brazil’s special offerings like the Redeemer of Christ! I have been blessed to have been given the opportunity to travel on so many International Assignments and they all have truly been so meaningful and special to me. The memories that have been created on these assignments will carry with me for a lifetime. My favorite event is floor and I don’t really have a least favorite, but bars was the hardest to get while trying to go elite. The hardest skill I have ever trained and hardest to get was my geinger on bars and the easiest skill I have ever trained is a double pike on floor!

Gymnastics is incredibly mental. What was your hardest struggle during your time as a gymnast? How did you deal with nerves, pressure, and getting in your head or temporarily "losing" a skill?

Before I switched gyms and moved to Seattle, Washington from Minnesota, I was a level 9 gymnast. Coming to Pacific Reign I had a goal to go elite but I did not realize how hard it would be to accomplish it. There were so many knew skills that I had to get for elite and it was just so overwhelming. That period of time was very hard and difficult because I needed to learn so many new skills and the thought of moving away from the place that was my home for the last 13 years was also really difficult on me. How I got through this struggle was leaning and trusting in God. I trusted that He already knew the plan for me and really dove into my faith trusting Him and giving up my worry because I knew the plan was in motion. All that struggle and feeling of defeat and “not being ready” was all part of the process and I am so grateful we were faithful because His plan was way better than the plan I had for myself!

What was your biggest accomplishment in the sport, and did you ever want to do college gymnastics?

My biggest accomplishment in this sport was being able to keep making all of the international assignments and getting to represent Team USA by doing the sport I love! I have always dreamt about being able to represent our country by being on Team USA and the thought of being able to do that 5 times is crazy and I am just so proud of myself and thankful to God! As far as goals go for my gymnastics career I would love be a NCAA collegiate athlete as well as try for the Olympics! With my recruiting year coming up, I would love to get a scholarship and go for LA2028 and possibly 2032 Olympics!

How did you cope when your time as a gymnast ended, and did you transition into coaching or are you currently still competing?

I am still competing as a Junior elite and headed to Seniors next year!

Who was your gymnastics role model, and what advice would you give to someone starting the sport for the first time?

My gymnastics role model is and has been Shawn Johnson! She has been someone I have looked up to since I was a little girl. I loved the way she carried herself and every time I watched her or saw her I thought to myself, “I want to be just like her some day”. Advice I would give people who are just starting gymnastics is to always have fun and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Trust the process and know that you don’t have to be perfect. Another thing I would say is to just be grateful you have the ability to do this sport and have been given the opportunity! Live in the moment. Live the day to day because after the moment is over, it’s just a memory. Advise the has been given to me over the years is play gymnastics and I try to remind myself of that daily. Pressure is a privilege.

What two goals you want to achieve in the sport of gymnastics?

Two long term goals I want to achieve is to go to the Olympics, specifically LA2028, and become a NCAA collegiate athlete.