Interview with Lauren Marinez

1.What age did you start gymnastics?

I was 5 years old

2. How did you start in gymnastics?

Well I was in dance and my teacher suggested an acro class because I kept doing cartwheels and then my acro teacher said I should try gymnastics.

3. How did you deal with mental blocks?

Tough question. I think I have dealt with them all differently depending on the block and the event. I do think positive self talk and writing down small goals that lead up to your big goal has been super helpful.

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

So many! Carly Patterson was the first Olympian I was star struck by.

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

Wanting to be perfect. There was so much good I did in my career and while it was happening I did not see it because I was so focused on getting better and being perfect. I wish I would have been better at being more in the moment.

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

I listen to music before competitions which helps me a lot. I do a lot of mental routines while I wait and before I salute I like to take a couple of deep breaths to calm my heart rate down a little.

7. What was your biggest accomplishment in gymnastics?

Getting to compete in so many different stages at different levels and getting to meet so many amazing gymnast along the way.

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

I stayed involved. I was coaching and doing choreography and working with my college team.

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

This sport is tough if you do not LOVEEE what you do, it’s okay to do something else. If you love this sport, focus on you and no one else. Be your own motivation and keep going.

10. What was your favorite meet?

Probably NCAA Nationals with my college team!

11. How did you handle pressure form peers/coaches/fans?

By focusing on myself and not all of that. It’s easy sometimes to let those distractions come in and it’s normal. But it’s super important to find your bubble and stay in it especially when the distractions get overwhelming.

12. How do you overcome setbacks and challenges?

Setting new goals and remembering all the training and hard work you’ve already done and how far you’ve come. You’ve gained the tools you need to overcome the setback.

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

Always! I knew I wanted to be a college gymnast.

14. Least favorite event and favorite event?

And Why?Least favorite is vault. I was not the strongest or dynamic so it was hard for me. My favorite event is beam, I loved competing beam and getting to show off all my training and my lines and flexibility.

15. Hardest and easiest gymnastics skill to train?

Giant fulls on bars were so hard for me! I would say side aerials on beam were the easiest skill for me.

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

Reminding myself that I’ve done all the training and I know how to do the skills.

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

In practice I remind myself this is the place where I can make the mistakes so repetition is key. At a meet it was just trusting myself and my training.

18. Have any of you got a skill for a few weeks on any event and then a week or to later you just can't do it? If this has happened to you how have you dealt with it or overcome it?

Yes! Uhh so frustrating. Going back to the basics and doing a lot of drills! Not being too hard on yourself and keep trying. If you’ve done it before you can do it again. Keep positive thoughts towards myself.

19. How did you cope when your time as a gymnast was over? Did you go into coaching or did you find something else to fill what gymnastics filled?

This was so tough. I did start coaching right away and doing choreography which helped me stay connected with myself while I was coming to terms with me no longer being an athlete, or a gymnast. I think understanding gymnastics is just part of your life it’s not your whole life. There is so much out there to do after your career that it is hard to let go of but there is so much more to look forward to after.

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

Train because you want to and because you LOVE it, not to be perfect and not for anyone else.