The Life of a Gymnast

Gymnastics is a sport that often demands a lot from the athletes who compete in it. They must train for hours each day, compete in grueling competitions and risk serious injury to make it to the top of their sport. While all of these challenges can be worth it to those who excel at gymnastics, the life of a gymnast isn’t always so glamourous.

This is especially true for female gymnasts, who have to deal with the added pressure of gender bias in the sport. Female gymnasts often face harsh criticism for their bodies and are constantly told they need to lose weight in order to succeed. This can be especially difficult for girls who are battling eating disorders, which is why it’s so important to help them find healthy ways to cope with these stressors.

One gymnast who has made a name for herself in the midst of these pressures is 2008 Olympic champion Nastia Liukin. The young gymnast is not only a successful competitor, but she’s also a dedicated activist who’s helping others find their own path to success.

In her short career as a competitive gymnast, Nastia Liukin won five medals, including the all-around gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. She also won silver on the balance beam and bronze on the floor, as well as a team silver medal. She even tied for first on the uneven bars with Chinese gymnast He Kexin but lost the medal due to a tie-breaking procedure.

With nine World Championship medals, four national all-around titles and five Olympic medals, Liukin is a highly decorated gymnast who has become an icon in her sport. She’s also parlayed her fame into a number of businesses and charitable causes. Each year, she partners with USA Gymnastics to host the Nastia Liukin Cup, which features competition for young up-and-coming gymnasts.

The NBC show “Gymnastics & Dessert” follows the life of Liukin, who’s also an accomplished author and a bestselling fitness expert. But the show hasn’t been without its fair share of controversy. In one episode, for instance, a guest accused Nastia of receiving special treatment while competing in a challenge. While she later apologized for her actions, it’s clear that the comments hurt Liukin.

While sticking up for fellow competitors is important, it’s equally crucial to remember that sticks and stones may break bones but words will hurt you just as much. That’s something that Nastia learned the hard way during the Jan. 11 episode of the competition series. While filming for the episode of the same name, she got into an argument with co-star Gus Kenworthy.

While the argument wasn’t about gymnastics, it did highlight how easy it can be for a young girl to become a victim of sexual assault. Fortunately, Nastia took steps to ensure her safety and that of others. The result is an episode that’s both informative and inspiring, showing the incredibly strong and courageous personality of the former Olympian.