Gymnastics has been a never-ending thread that has run through my life for the past 20 years.
I started recreational gymnastics classes at a local YMCA when I was 5 years old, then joined a Gymstar program and eventually made it to a State Stream Squad at 12 years of age. I pursued competitive gymnastics until I was 17, at which point I retired and started training in circus and cheerleading.
I began my coaching journey when I was 16 years old and I’ve been working as a coach, judge and Competitive Coordinator at Twisters Gymnastics ever since (I’m 24 now so it’s been a good 8 years). Over the past 6 years I have also been completing my medical degree at Monash University, and I was fortunate enough to be offered a job as a junior doctor at Monash Health in 2023 – thus my time working in the gymnastics industry has come to an end.
Looking back at the past years, I am thankful for everything gymnastics has given me – physical confidence, a growth mindset, courage, friendships, positive role models, a sense of accomplishment, and a wonderful career. I want to share three key skills that I have learnt from gymnastics that I apply to all aspects of my life – time management, grit and teamwork.
Time Management
Being busy as a teenager teaches you excellent time management skills. Throughout high school I was training gymnastics 12 hours per week, playing netball, debating, learning the cello, attending band practice, and becoming a gymnastics coach. As any busy adolescent will tell you, procrastination isn’t an option with a schedule like that – either you do your homework in the 45 minute window between school and gymnastics training, or it doesn’t get done.
The time-management skills I learnt during my adolescent years came in handy as a 23-year-old as I was working three jobs, training to attend the World Cheerleading Championships, attending full-time placement as a final year medical student, studying for my final exams, applying for jobs as a junior doctor, and most importantly, looking after my puppy, Luna.
Although juggling these various commitments was difficult, the part I loved the most was coaching and being involved in the gymnastics community. It felt more like a hobby than work and it allowed me an escape from the intense study and pressure I was experiencing within my degree. Having a physical outlet and nourishing hobbies and interests outside of academic pursuits has always been important to me, and I achieved this through gymnastics.
Grit
I recently watched a TED Talk by Angela Lee Duckworth in which she talks about grit. She defines grit as passion and perseverance for long-term and meaningful goals, despite setbacks. Upon listening, I realised that the elements of grit were all inherently taught to me through gymnastics, and that I could teach these skills to the gymnasts that I coach.
One of the unique things you learn in gymnastics is how to fall. When I teach a gymnast a new skill I always make sure they have practiced falling safely before they attempt the skill on their own. As coaches we provide positive reinforcement every time a gymnast performs a safety roll, rather than critiquing errors in the skill itself. In this way we teach gymnasts that falling is inevitable, as long as you do it safely and can get back up again.
This extrapolates to a growth mindset – failure is ok and you have the resources and resilience to get back up and try again.
Teamwork
Although gymnastics is largely an individual sport, building a competitive program and fostering a positive culture is a team endeavour. I’ve been fortunate to work with creative, dedicated, intelligent, kind, and passionate people who put 100% into coaching. Together, we built a competitive program that puts the athletes first and prioritises their individual goals, rather than striving for perfection.
When I was starting out as a junior coach I thought that my gymnasts winning the regional or state championships would be the highlight of my career, and although these were great moments, they aren’t what come to mind upon reflection. My proudest moments as a coach were seeing the gymnasts show up for each other – making signs to support teammates at competitions, a kind word of support when someone was having a tough day at training, holding each other accountable to training expectations, and making gymnastics a safe space for each other.
From everyone on Team Twisters, we would like to thank Mollie for all of the incredible, innovative, passionate work she’s put in to Twisters during her time here. She has been an integral part of our team and it’s strange to be saying goodbye. We are going to miss her dearly, but wish her all the best as she moves into her next chapter as a doctor!