Interview With Nadia Yacoub

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

I started gymnastics at American Twisters when I was three years old, and I have been there ever since. Like many gymnasts, I was a very energetic child who needed a place to safely channel all that energy, and American Twisters quickly became that place for me. Beyond that, I was always fascinated by the idea of flying, and gymnastics gave me a way to experience something close to it.

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

My favorite meet was Regionals 2025, where I earned my highest beam score. Although it wasn't my best all-around meet, I learned a valuable lesson about confidence and self-talk that has stuck with me ever since. My favorite event is bars, while my least favorite is probably vault. The hardest skill I've trained is a Ray on bars, and honestly, I don't think any skill has ever come easily to me!

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?

One of my biggest challenges was last season, when I put a lot of pressure on myself with recruiting while also navigating some family struggles. Talking with my sports psychologist and learning to focus on the positives helped me through that time. I tend to get caught up in trying to be perfect, but I've learned that sometimes doing your best is enough. Now, I remind myself to focus on what I can control rather than worrying about everything else.

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

My biggest accomplishment was making it to Nationals All-star session two years in a row. College gymnastics has always been a dream of mine!

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 currently competing.

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 Nadia Comaneci (partly because we share a name!), but I also look up to my teammates, and I truly don't know where I would be without them. For someone just starting gymnastics, my advice would be to have fun, enjoy the process, and remember that hard work is never in vain.

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

Two goals I hope to achieve are medaling at Developmental Nationals and becoming part of a college gymnastics team where I can contribute to its success and help the team reach its goals.