Interview With UNH Commit Whitney Torchia

1. What age did you start gymnastics?

18 months

2. How did you start in gymnastics?

My mom wanted to get me involved in a sport or dance. There was a gymnastics facility in my home city at the time that offered gymnastics, taps and ballet. After my first gymnastics class, I was hooked.

3. How did you deal with mental blocks?

The first time I experienced a mental block, I was between 8 and 9 years old. I would spend hours crying, I had journals that I would use daily to help me through the process. I was also the youngest on the team, so I often would ask my older teammates for help. It was the beginning of my freshman year of high school, I attended a college camp and met Max Allen. He later became my mental coach. We would meet every week and discuss the previous week and we would work on how to progress through my mental blocks. It has been a life saver!

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

I always looked to the older young adults in my gym. I use to watch them practice as I was practicing and remembered thinking, maybe that will be me someday. Now that I am the oldest gymnast in the gym, I now coach the younger generation and hope they see me as a role model. For the famous gymnast aspect, I would say Simone Biles.

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

The hardest struggle for me as a gymnasts was dealing with a back injury then later a knee injury. Next I would say the mental aspect. Having a strong support system when you are struggling the most makes a huge impact.

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

I handle my nerves by doing my mental talks to myself, then I talk to my teammates to encourage them as well as much coaches. I also put the negative energy into cheering on my teammates.

7. What was your biggest accomplishment in gymnastics?

Becoming a D1 athlete would be some people’s idea of a big accomplishment or finishing in the top 3 at Nationals, but for me it is becoming a leader. It is the opportunity to coach and lead the next generation of gymnast. Knowing the someone looks up to you and wants to follow in your foot steps speaks more volume.

8. When you were done competing in the sport? Did you stay involved in it with coaching etc?

I am currently still competing. I currently coach younger kids. I will be a freshman at UNH in the fall. I hope to continue coaching.

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

The advice that I would give someone starting the sport for the first time is trust the process and your coaches.

10. What is your favorite meet?

Nationals is always fun, but your home meet is always been a favorite for me. You are on your home turf and able to bring all of the energy.

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

You have to remember that everyone’s process is different. You cannot compare yourself to others. It is a team sports but also an individual sport.

12. How do you overcome setbacks and challenges?

You have to trust your coaches, doctors and trainers knowing they have your best interest. Knowing that you are capable of doing the sport. Knowing the tips and tricks, knowing how to overcome the challenges. Knowing who you support system is at all times.

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

Of course every young gymnasts has goals of going to the Olympics, but for me, I also thought that college gymnastics was so amazing and knew that I wanted pursue it at a very young age.

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

Least favorite: I don’t know, but I would rack beam the highest for least, it is the most mental events out of all of the events. Favorite event: floor, because you get to show off your personality as well as you skills.

15. Hardest and easiest gymnastics skill to train?

Hardest skill: round off lay step on beam or double Arabian of floor. Easiest skill: there are easy skills for me now such as a double back on floor, but it use to be one of the hardest skills for me.

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

I take a step back and use cues. I also talk myself through the skills before competing each event.

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

At meets, it’s cheering on my teammates, giving myself something else to focus on. At practice, focusing on one part at a time.

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 take steps back, giving myself at goals and having your coaches on board to help with that process has always helped me.

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?

Still competing.

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

Leaving with no regrets, doing everything I can do to be the best gymnast I can be. Leaving the sport knowing I lead by example.

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

Trust the process and your coaches.