This is a dialog of what it means to be athlete in a high level sport and how one can grow
I have been in the sport of gymnastics for quite a long time and although I have just retired from it I'm still a gymnast. Why? Its in my blood and will forever be.
Firstly As a gymnast I have learnt an incredible level of dedication. "I don't feel like it is never an option" If that were I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have. Its in the moments when you aren't up to things that you should be there. At the moment I' go to Virgin Active Saturday mornings and there have been moments where I think "Lets rather stay at home" and then I defy that thought and go and I'm glad I do. That's dedication - sticking through things no matter what.
Secondly brotherhood. As a gymnast I understand an incredible amount of brotherhood. It may be an individual sport but we need that bond with our team members to help us improve. I would give anything for the guys I have trained with.
Thirdly health. Being involved in a high level sport, it shows you more then anything that your inner health (what you eat, what you drink and what you do in your spare time) matters. One cannot indulge in bad habits like fast foods regularly, smoke (no I don't smoke), if you're over age get drunk every night (not like me to do that) and still expect to perform at a strong level as you will suffer physically.
Fourth is side line substitutes. This is a casual gym membership in my case. I love working out, but more importantly I know that what I'm doing is helping me as an athlete and will bring about a higher performance.
As of January I will be starting up with a Soccer Club and I know that I can take these four principles with me into Soccer training. As I said earlier on, I will always be a gymnast because its now in my blood, I have gotten trophies, received medals and Provincial colours two years in a row. I have developed skills that not just anyone can do and built bonds that are unbreakable and even competed in nationals. There's a saying "Once a gymnast, always a gymnast" and its true. If anyone reading this wants to get involved in gymnastics I say do so. There are still stereotypes towards male gymnasts but once you prove these guys wrong and you do quickly, those stereotypes are broken and as male gymnast you receive an incredible amount of respect for what you do in training week in and week out. If you want to do so. Google for your nearest club, contact them and sign up, you wont regret it. If you have kids, enroll them in the nearest gymnastics club, they may just love it and thank you later.
