Favorite Quote:

“Accept what you can’t change, and change what you can’t accept.”

What is your greatest achievement?

I scored 9.725 on Vault at the USA Gymnastics National Championship. It was the highest score I ever received in gymnastics and it took years of hard work and practice to earn it.

Tell us a story about what hard work and dedication mean to you?

When I was 13, I experienced my first serious injury. I dislocated my elbow after a bad fall on bars during gymnastics practice and needed a surgery where the doctors were going to put two screws in my elbow to fix it. I was told there was no way I was going to be ready for competition season that year, however after spending months rehabbing the elbow and working hard to overcome fear of reinjury, I was back for competition season that year and even won first place at both state and regionals. While this was only the first in a long line of injuries I sustained throughout my gymnastics career, this injury set the tone. After coming back from this injury, I knew that I could come back from any other injury that came my way with hard work and perseverance.

Why are you passionate about coaching students?

I have always enjoyed coaching and working with students, but the absolute best part of it is the excitement a student shares with me when a concept clicks and their performance improves even just a little bit more. Sharing in those small wins is incredibly rewarding. I am excited to work with ambitious students who want to reach their full potential, even if they don’t know what that is yet. Academics (and life) are a lot like sports. You will get out of it what you put into it. I am excited to be that person to help students learn habits that will help them to be as effective as possible with what they put into school (and life) so that they can get everything they want out of it.

What is a challenging experience that has defined who you are today?

My injuries taught me perseverance and dedication, and gymnastics taught me how to overcome fear and how to get back up after a failure. Everyone goes through good and bad experiences. I believe how we respond to those experiences and what we learn from them help us grow into the individuals we are today.

“Everyone goes through good and bad experiences. I believe how we respond to those experiences and what we learn from them help us grow into the individuals we are today.”

I provide performance psychology coaching to young athletes to help them build confidence and overcome fears and mental blocks. I also like to  hike and go to the beach with my husband and dog, and visit with my family and friends.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from a coach?

Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right.