Interview with Olivia O'Donnell

1. What age did you start gymnastics?

I started gymnastics at age 7.

2. How did you start in gymnastics?

I was doing a lot of other sports when I was younger including dance and soccer. However, I was always drawn towards gymnastics. I had so much energy and was always doing cartwheels in my house, so my mom signed me up for a class. The rest is history!

3. How did you deal with mental blocks?

When dealing with mental blocks, I did a lot of visualization and mental training. Then I would break the skill down into drills to help build my confidence back up.

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

My two favorite gymnasts growing up were Shawn Johnson and Jordyn Wieber.

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

My hardest struggle was tearing my ACL at level 10 regionals my senior year of high school. It was difficult because I had qualified to nationals but was unable to compete because of my injury. I also had to spend my first summer at the University of Illinois rehabbing and cheering on my teammates from the sideline.

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

I take lots of deep breathes and try to remind myself of all my previous training that prepared me for these moments.

7. What was your biggest accomplishment in gymnastics?

Competing at every single competition during my 4 years on the University of Illinois gymnastics team.

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

I currently coach gymnastics ! It's a great way to stay involved and I love seeing how passionate the girls are about the sport. I also am currently applying to grad school to become a Physician Assistant!

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

There will be many hard practices, however it's all worth it because being a gymnast is the coolest thing ever. Not only will you grow athletically but as a person it teaches you so many life skills like discipline, teamwork, and time management.

10. What is your favorite meet?

My favorite meet was 2022 NCAA regional championships in Seattle Washington. My team killed it and we were all so hyped to be there.

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

I try to just stay focused on myself and remember that I do this sport because I love it, not to please anyone else.

12. How do you overcome setbacks and challenges?

I always remembered to trust my training. I also would confide in my teammates and coaches anytime I was struggling.

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

Yes ! I competed at the University of Illinois.

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

Vault. It's scary running full speed at a stationary object haha.

15. Hardest and easiest gymnastics skill to train?

Hardest- Yurchenko 1.5 on vault Easiest- Double back dismount off bars.

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

I would try not to overthink the skill and focus on my key words I had.

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

I tried to keep the energy fun and lighthearted. I would tend to not think too much about my routines until a couple minutes before I competed. The rest of the time was spent cheering or just having fun with my teammates.

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?

I would go back to the basics.

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?

Yes I currently coach gymnastics. It's so rewarding to use my prior experience as a gymnast to help others achieve their dreams.

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

Don't stress too much about perfection, instead put all your heart and joy into the sport and the skills will follow.