Interview with Former Georgia gymnast Joise Angeny

1. What age did you start gymnastics?

1

2. How did you start in gymnastics?

Mom put me in mommy & me classes.

3. How did you deal with mental blocks?

I never had a mental block.

4. Who was your role model/someone you looked up to in the sport?

Shawn Johnson.

5. What was your hardest struggle during your time as a gymnast?

focusing on technique & form instead of just wanting to learn the next skill... not slopping through things.

6. How do you handle nerves when you are competing?

I just take deep breaths & try to enjoy every moment of the spotlight.

7. What was your biggest accomplishment in gymnastics?

3x ALL-SEC, winning beam at regionals in 2021.

8. What did you do after you were done competing? Did you stay involved or did you do something totally different?

I started coaching at Kent State University.

9. What would people need to know if you are starting the sport for the first time?

its very mentally and physically draining but it it supposed to be fun, don't take it too seriously.

10. What is your favorite meet?

competing at SEC's.

11.How do you handle pressure from peers/coaches/fans?

ignore it... you are the one out there not them

12. How do you overcome setbacks and challenges?

look in the mirror & really reflect on why these setbacks are happening, make a list of the things you have been slacking on or maybe doing too much of.

13. Did college gymnastics ever cross your mind as something you wanted to do?

Yes.

14. Least favorite event and favorite event? And why?

Floor, I was not naturally good at it, was very hard for me.

15. Hardest and easiest gymnastics skill to train?

hardest: handspring layout layout on beam

easiest: double layout bar dismount

16. How did/do you deal with getting in your head on skills?

i go to the locker room & sit with my eyes closed & breathe for a few minutes & get a drink of water to reset before going back out into the gym.

17. How did you stay out your head at practice and at meets?

reminding myself i do this sport because i love it & want to have fun.

18. Have any of you got a skill for a few weeks on any event and they a week or too later you just can’t do it? This is happening with my round off on beam right now but glad I have a back up series? If this has happened to you how have you dealt with it or overcame it?

i reminded myself i am not perfect.. went back to drills for a little bit & got my mind off it while at the gym but then visualized myself doing it before going to bed at night.

19. How did you cope when your time as a gymnast was over?

i had a really hard time... tried to continue working out as much as possible & still played around as much as i was able to.

20. Advice you would give to current or people who want to start in the sport?  

take time everyday to play around on the trampoline or anywhere to continue to have fun and learn new things