Dear Gabrielle,
So you're having the worst meet of your life. You went into your fourth U.S. championships hoping to earn another spot on the national team, but this time as a senior team member. But the fact that you're struggling with hamstring and hip flexor injuries, not to mention still adjusting to life in Iowa, where you moved to train -- 1,200 miles away from home -- has caught up with you. You talk to coach Liang Chow about your fears, and he tells you to believe in yourself. Because of your injuries, you're unsure of yourself, and during the two days of the competition you have several falls on the beam and finish seventh in the overall standings. A month later, to the surprise of many people, you make the world championship team. You really want to become the all-around world champion, but instead your teammate wins the title.
You're scared and disappointed. But you must ignore those voices in your head, the ones that keep nagging: What if I fall again? What if it hurts? What if I'm not good enough? Just go back out there and have fun, like you did when you first started gymnastics. You'll look back at these meets as a turning point. When you get hurt again leading up to Olympic trials, you won't freak out. You'll push the fear aside and calmly work through that ankle sprain. And guess what? Less than a year from now, you'll be shining as brightly as the Olympic gold medals they place around your neck.
So don't be afraid to get back on the beam and take the leap. You're going to land in a good place.
Courtesy of ESPN
