University of Minnesota Athletics
My Gymnastics Story: Bailie Holst
12/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Dec. 1, 2015
The sport of gymnastics is no easy feat. The years of tough training both mentally and physically push gymnasts to their limits in order to succeed at the highest level. Gophersports.com sat down with the University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team to learn where each of these 14 women came from in order to call themselves Golden Gophers.
I originally started with dance before ever getting into gymnastics - I was in jazz, tap and ballet and loved it. However, my mom did gymnastics and was coaching at the time, when she convinced me to just try a class or two. I was about four-years-old when I started and wasn't very good but I really enjoyed it. Once I started competing, I was about a year younger than everyone else in my group and was always the one to fall on at least one event every single meet. But, I didn't care at all, as long as we got to go out to eat after and I loved it when I had two medals to clank together at dinner.
Overall gymnastics has taught me a lot of valuable lessons and shaped me as an individual so much. As I said before, I wasn't really focused on winning or beating someone, I just loved working hard and doing what I love. I honestly think the only reason I'm the only one (out of my group of 15 that I started with) to still be doing gymnastics past sophomore year of high school because I always had to work hard. Gymnastics has never been super easy for me, so it taught me that even when things get hard, never give up and just work harder.
Because we are in the gym for multiple hours a day, I also had to learn how to manage my time starting when I was young. Especially now in college, I have come to realize truly how valuable that skill is. I've also learned respect and discipline through gymnastics. I have always learned to respect people that are wiser or know more about a specific topic whether that is a coach, teammate, parent or teacher. I have also learned a lot about lifestyle and nutrition choices. We have spent a lot of time learning about how to fuel our bodies the right way and how to structure your life to be successful and to reach your full potential in athletics, academics, body image, nutrition and career/lifetime goals.
One of my favorite things about gymnastics is being able to do things that not very many people can. This truly creates a family-like community that every gymnast is a part of. The feeling you get when you accomplish something new and push yourself to get better every single day is indescribable. Everyone always asks how we can do the exact same thing everyday and the true answer is it's not the same. Whether your body feels different, you're sick, you have a different assignment on an event, you're in a different gym, you have different coaches, etc., every single day at practice unique. Every day is a new challenge. I can always count on exercise, working hard and relieving stress in the gym. It's like my safe place. It's something that is special to me and only a small number of people get to be apart of.
My favorite thing about being a gymnast for the U of M is being part of something bigger than just myself. While I was competing my last few years in club, I was part of a family/gym but I was nearly the only one at my level for about 3-4 years. As much as I loved only having to worry about my performance, there wasn't all that much meaning behind it. I was strictly competing for myself and to impress my coaches, but there was nobody close to my age to share that experience with. Now being here at the U of M, I am representing an entire university. It is extremely nerve-racking at times, but it's a great change. I love having a group of girls that are working hard and going through exactly what I am every single day. When you're having a rough day or truly are too sick to compete that day, there is always someone there to cheer you up or that you can count on to fill in for you. Even the community that all the University of Minnesota athletes together create is so welcoming. We're all here for the same reasons (even if it's a different sport) and there is an overall general respect for one another. I couldn't imagine what my life would be like without gymnastics or being at any other university.
- Bailie Holst
Players Mentioned
