What Gymnastics Taught Them About Falling Apart with Freya, Hilly, Poorvi & Savannah

I hate being underestimated. If you underestimate me, I will prove you wrong. I will like show you.

Like I know I'm not making sense, but like I didn't deal with it and then I dealt with it 'cause I was like.

I was like, so determined to come back that I'd even think about like, not coming back. Hard practice. I would try to remind myself of like the position I was in when I was injured and how badly I wanted to be at practice. Nice. Welcome back to another episode of Portraits of Strength, the podcast where we share real stories of resilience, growth, and the moments that shape who we become. I'm your host, Harry the Anecdotist. Today on Portraits of Strength, we have something truly special for young athletes whose stories remind us that strength isn't just built in the gym, it's built in the moments when everything falls apart.

Meet Hili, Freya, Savannah, and Purvi, 4 gymnasts, all teenagers who face something no competitor wants to face, an injury that took them off the floor. 2 back injuries, 2 elbow injuries, and four stories of what it actually takes to come back. This isn't just a conversation about gymnastics. It's about grit, identity, fear, and what happens when the thing you love most suddenly feels out of reach. These four showed up not just to heal, but to win. Let's hear how they did it, girls. Welcome to the podcast.

Thank you. Thank you. OK. Can you introduce yourself? Well, I'm Purvi. I'm Hailey. I'm Savannah. And I'm Freya. Awesome, welcome so much and thank you so much for being on this podcast. So, so let's take our audience back. What was life like for you growing up before, you know, gymnastics became such a big thing or a big part of your life? I mean, for me, I think I always knew I wanted to do some type of sport, no matter gymnastics, swimming, dance, soccer. I think I just wanted to be active. I was a very energetic child and I think I just wanted to put that energy into some type of sport, OK?

So I don't really remember how life was like before gymnastics because I started at a very young age. But what I do remember is, like you said, I really did want to be active. So I did start like, like doing other sports and I did some soccer. But yeah, I just like gymnastics more. So you started off, what, at around 366? OK, Savannah. I remember I definitely like jumped around between different sports. I did like soccer and dance, but I didn't really like enjoy any of them. So once I started gymnastics, I just loved it.

OK, so my dad, he was, he always like he really liked watching gymnastics when he was little. Like back in India, gymnastics was not a common thing at all. And he was also really, really agile and he wanted me to have like the same experience of doing gymnastics. Like when I was in Connecticut, I had did like mommy and me classes for gymnastics. And then I started tumbling here and then I moved to gymnastics. And I think that's how I just got into it. OK, OK, that's good to hear. So how did you first discover gymnastics?

Like was it something you chose or did gymnastics choose you? Oh, so I was like with my friends at school and at recess, they would always do gymnastics. And I just like, remembered watching them and being like, wow, like I want to do that. And they just started, like, training me so I can get to their team. And yeah, even I made it to their team. Nice. My older brother actually did like ninja gymnastics classes. Oh nice. So I'd like go and like see him doing it and once I like was old enough, I really wanted to try to so I started.

That's. I think just like as a kid, it was really cool to see like other people like doing flexible things, being like the those like tricks and stuff. And I think it just, it just really stood out to me and I was like, and I was also just like put into it. So I think gymnastics chose me and I just like still along with it 'cause I I also did switch around with sports, like I did tennis for like a day and I was like, I'm not doing this. And then I also, I did soccer. That one was I did soccer and I left and then now I do it again.

And then I quit a lot like a couple months ago. But I think gymnastics is just like, it's just something I want to do. Nice. I honestly don't think gymnastics chose me or I chose gymnastics. I think you chose gymnastics for me. I I did, I did. I think, yeah, you put me in a bunch of different sports, but at the end of the day, I like was good at all of them. But like gymnastics was like, it's not just like the sport that I loved is like the people I was with, like, I don't know, I just loved the my teammates when I was in a gymnast and it like I learned stuff from them and.

And you've been with Olympus since the very beginning. Yeah. Like, yeah. Yeah, and it's just like I fell in love with gymnastics cause of like the teammates and the coaches and the sport, yeah. OK, that's cool. What does a normal week look like when you're like between school, training and everything else? For me, it's definitely really busy. I have a job so it's like I either I go to school and then I either go straight to practice or I go straight to work every single day. And then every night I get home at like 10:00 and I go straight into homework and I don't go to bed till like at least midnight every night.

When do you eat? I sometimes I'll have like, my parents will make me food after practice, but I like never get to eat dinner with my family either. And it's like, that's kind of sad, but yeah. OK, pretty busy week, yeah. Are your weekends at least freer or busier? Sometimes I'll like babysit on the weekends, so like more working and then I like don't ever stay late on out late on Friday nights because we have early morning practice, right? And so, yeah. OK. Definitely really busy. I feel like I kind of treat my brain like a light switch.

So like at school I'll be like 100% a student 'cause I know I need to get like all my work done, 'cause I won't be able to do it after school as a practice. And then at a gym I like try to focus as much as I can. I don't, I can't let like stuff do like essays and like tests and stuff. Like I can't bring that stuff into practice because then that's like when mistakes happen. So you focus on gymnastics. When you're actually doing gymnastics, you don't think about school or anything else. That's nice.

Cool. It's just like you need to like gymnastics is literally 99% mental and so you need to be focused. And so it's just like really important that it's like you're one and only focus when you're actually doing it. Yeah, yeah, I agree. So what I do is especially cause like my school is very, they, they do give like a lot of homework, but like they give you time to finish it in class. If you don't finish in class, they like make everything do at the end of the week. So like the days I don't have practice, I don't have something kind of push all that work to that one day and I'll be like, OK, I'm gonna get everything done on this day and then turn it in.

I don't know. I feel like that kind of helps me. But then practice. I'll be like dreading practice like right before. But as soon as I get there, I'll be like, oh, I'm here. That's fine. Yeah. And then I'll kind of bring all like that energy or anger or like whatever emotion I had that day and kind of put it into my gymnastics, 'cause I feel like I can be happy while doing gymnastics. I'll it, it's be good. But if I put like anger in gymnastics, I'll have more power, if that makes sense. I don't know.

But then so I don't eat that much. I know that. I have a little problem with that. I don't know, it's just like hard. I feel like, 'cause we're so tired after practice, it's hard to eat, 'cause I like, just want, like my mind turns off after practice. Like, like I wanna go to sleep. I'm ready to crash into my bed and sleep. But I make you eat. I learned to like identify the different types of tummy aches 'cause there's like so many 'cause like when you're hungry and then when you're like you eat too much or like when you're just like sick or just like all of them.

And it's like part of being like really busy, you know, 'cause I'm all of us are busy. Like gymnastics is really demanding. And so it's just like you learn to identify the different like symptoms or whatever you can call it. So like for me, I have like a planner and I just kind of schedule out like what I have to do through the day. So like the days I have practice, I put like aside all my homework and I just focus on practice. And then when I get home, I'm like too tired to eat or do any homework so I just go to sleep.

And then the next day when I don't have practice, I focus just on school and not on conditioning or like gymnastics or like anything. So I just do like homework and like finish it and then the next day I just go back to like that routine. OK, I know Freya and Purvi work out or they have 12 hours a week. How how many hours a week do you guys do? Is that 16? I think you do 16. Because the last 16. OK. And you do 12. I used to do 16 but then this year I did 12. OK, OK, got it. Yeah, got it. OK, OK.

I know both of you had back injuries and both of you had elbow injuries, so you took off a season. I did. How? How much of a break did you get? I also took off a season you. Also took off a season. How about you both? I was out for like 4 months. I completely. So did you miss a season? I missed like upgrade season though so it's like I miss like summer. OK well cuz I miss summer and season, yeah. Yeah, I missed the whole season. The whole season, yeah, OK. And so walk us through how the moment you got injured, where you were and what happened, and what was the first thing that was going through your mind.

Let's start with you. So I was at practice and I was doing, I was doing a squad on which is like where you jump onto the bar and my leg got caught on the bar and I came to the ground and like my elbow crashed the floor, like hit the floor like this. And so I dislocated and broke my elbow and when it happened, I like and the whole girl, all the girls were like in a line behind the bar. We were just like using 1 bar and everyone was just like watching the person that went and I just like I really didn't know what happened.

I genuinely. And my coach was like, OK, they like took me out because they didn't want the other kids to get freaked out because my whole bone a lot. My whole Ella was like. Twisted. Yeah, it was. Like out of place. Oh my God. And I, they just like took me out and they were like, OK, so they're like explaining to me what happened. They're like, OK, so your bones like this. And now it's like this. And I was like, I genuine. I was just like calling from mom. I was like, where's my mom? Where's my mom?

And I was like, I need help. I need help. But I wasn't like crying. And I think it's 'cause. So you weren't feeling any pain? I I was. Or in a shock. Basically, it looks more painful than it really is, and I don't know if it's 'cause I was in shock or like what was going on, but I just, it didn't hurt that bad. It looked a lot worse than it. I feel like it really was like the way it felt. And so, yeah, I wasn't crying, but I was like groaning in like pain. Like I, yeah, there was like no tears, but I was like in pain.

So yeah. Then my mom was like, oh, you were so brave, you weren't crying. And I was like, I know. It just. It did hurt though, yeah. I'm sure. Yeah. So for me, I, so I think I got diagnosed with scoliosis. That's like a curvature in the spine. So I when I got diagnosed, they told me I had to wear a brace for 16 hours a day. So I'd wear it when I go to sleep, I wear to school. The only time I wouldn't wear it was gymnastics 'cause it's like a hard plastic brace so you can barely move in it. So obviously I can wear the gymnastics.

This is one practice where I did hurt my back. So Ashley, our coach, she had me do round offs, right? And she wanted me to go to high beam. I was I had a mental block, obviously. So I did my round off and this is like the beam and like my back kind of like you know when you like miss your foot on the beaming, you know what I mean? And you like fall. So instead like my back hit the beam. Ouch. You know, and I like kind of crumpled to the floor and I was crying. I don't I kind of blacked out in that moment.

Like I didn't like pass out anything. It's just like the moment, kind of like. Yeah, you, you when press, you suppress. It like, yeah, so I don't really remember. I just remember my friend Eleanor was like on the ground with me trying to like, get me to talk 'cause like there's no tears coming out of me, right? It's just like when I'm like in pain, I just don't talk to anyone. I'm just like, right. I'm just like there. And I, I think Elizabeth called you. And then the next day we went to the doctor and that's when the doctor told me my curvature has gotten so bad that I have to get a surgery.

And I don't know if it was 'cause of the beam incident or 'cause I just grew really tall. Like, I think it's 'cause you, you grew really tall. Yeah, I had like, AI don't think the beam did anything. That's just like the moment that I had to go to the doctor, they told me I had to get a surgery. And then there's two options of the surgery. There's like 1 where I could go from the side and they'd like reduce my oxygen and I don't even know what it was, but like they'd go from the side and like push it into back.

I don't know. But that one was like the newer one. It was like they've only perfected it for like 2 or 4 years. And then there's the like the old one that they've been doing for like 10 years where they actually like go into the spine from like the back and like put two rods next to it to like fix the curvature. So we after like a lot of like discussion. We went with the older one obviously because it's like more perfected I guess. But what? Was going on in your mind when you were getting to know all of about all of this?

That I had scoliosis. No, like you had to go to surgery and all of that, right, Because it's a major. Surgery. Yeah, it was again. I also blacked out. I kind of like suppressed those moments, but OK. I remember one thought was like, will I get to do gymnastics again? Will I get to be athletic again? Will I be able to do all the stuff I was able to do? So, OK, Yeah. For me it was like a stress factor. So it didn't happen like just one time. So I like went to the doctor to like check it out 'cause it was hurting like for a while like about 3 months.

So I went to the doctor and he told me that I had like a stress factor and it was like a bone was like this and I like had a missing 1. So it's just like this on my left side, like my lower back. And like those moments, I just like, I just started crying in front of the doctor, of course. And 'cause I was like, like the right before competition season, like I've trained for this so much, 'cause I like really wanted to make diamond and it. Was your first year? Yeah, it was like my first year Diamond and I like finally made it and it was I was like about to compete and then he like told me that I. You.

Couldn't compete. Yeah. And I was like literally, I, I like started taking the break from the start to like the finish of upgrade season. I mean, not upgrades, comp season. And it was just like right in between those. So I like miss those And I was just like so upset to that I changed like so hard for this. And then I just like you couldn't compete, Like I couldn't compete. And like I came to watch like like all the team, all my teammates compete. And also some of like the practices I came to watch them And it just like it made me happy that like I can still be friends with them and like connect with them because it means a lot to me.

And like, they're my best friends, but also like I, I really wanted to like be a part of it and like, win with them and like take out that journey with them.

For me, I my elbow had hurt for like from October until March, OK, It was like a long time that it had been hurting. And you were still practicing through the pain. Yeah, and. This is like this is last year, right? Yeah. OK, I had gotten it like checked out and they said it was probably strained and that I should take two weeks off and I took one week off because the next week is inner squad. So I did inner squad like it hurt, but I was like fine, it wasn't that bad. And then it was like OK for a little bit and then it got worse again and it was just like highs and lows throughout the season of like, I mean, it always hurt just like different amounts.

And then finally in March I was doing a full and I was like, oh Dang it, that one actually like hurt pretty bad. And then I like could not keep tumbling. It just like hurt so bad. But I mean, I kept tumbling. It just hurt, really. Really. This was on the floor? Yeah. And then I, I've had states the week, the next week after that. So I was like, we want to figure out what's going on because like. Right, yesterday. This is like pretty serious and I like it hurt to bend and straighten it. And so the next week I got an MRI of it and that's when I found out it was torn.

And my first question was, well, can I still compete? Like if it's already torn, like there's not much damage that can happen. Oh, you can be wrong there. And so they told me I could still, like, compete if like I could try, but it would probably hurt too much to compete. Yeah. And so I just went to practice and did like hardly anything and I was able to compete. So I was like, happy for me. But then after that, I had to go meet with a surgeon. I knew I needed surgery, right? And I was mainly just like, how long until I'm healed again because I want to start doing gymnastics again.

So then I was out for like a long time, but yeah. I mean, what I see from all of you talking about your injuries is that you were, you literally wanted to get back to gymnastics as soon as possible, right? Like, I mean, as a as an athlete, the thing that you can do wrong, especially with your body, is if you don't let it rest enough, it can get injured faster. Yeah. But I can also understand that you feel like because you're so physically active all the time, all through the week. Exactly. You can like there's so much of physical and or that energy in you that you expel by doing gymnastics that when you are resting it, you feel like you're being unproductive or lazy or there's so much energy that you cannot expend anywhere else and you want to get back to it sooner.

Right. Yeah, no, like a part of my recovery process. The doctor is like, OK, you cannot bend. Like you cannot bend your back down. You cannot lift anything heavy and you can't, you can't just do any physical activity. So that whole summer I was just like. Lying down on the couch. Literally what am I supposed to do with my life? I I swear I felt the muscles slowly going away from my body. Like I don't know if that's the right way to describe it, but it's like I slowly felt weaker and weaker because I was like even like with like even if I'm taking a break from gymnastics, I still like, I still could have done like some type of athletic thing, but no, the doctor would not let me even do that.

I just kind of like very unproductive that it felt like a very unproductive summer. I think like so when I I also had to get surgery and it was like right after we went to the 'cause we went straight to the hospital. So right after that, after they like put my arm back into place, they were like, OK, so looks like the bone that's like right here. I would show you the scar, but you know, but they're the bone that's like the little bone that sticks right out. It rolled all the way down here. So I had to have surgery to pull it back up.

And then that surgery they would put like 2 screws in my arm so it would like stay in place. And but then I had to have a second surgery because I was too young to keep it in. And so the girl it would like affect the growth bones. And I just remember my mom was talking to like one of the doctors about like surgery. And she was like, oh, we have to have surgery. And I remember her eyes like got really wide. And then like surgery was obviously surgery is like very serious, but it was like scary. And I mean, it's scary now too.

But like after you've gone through it, it's like still a big deal. But you like know how it is. So you're like, it's you just have a good perspective. So like, there I was genuinely terrified of, like, any, like, just surgery in general because just, like the whole thing is I've like, watched movies about it and stuff and that obviously, like, it's different than real life. Yeah. But I was so scared. I was like crying, 'cause I was like, I don't want surgery, let's not do this. I was like trying to find a way out of it, even though obviously there's no way 'cause, you know, but yeah.

Yeah, yeah. For me, when I was like out for a couple of months, I really felt like stiff. I couldn't do anything. My doctor told me to like not to job, not to bend over. And like I remember one time my friends like invited me to airborne and I was like, you couldn't go. And they just so sad like. Yeah, it's like you get a lot of FOMO. I remember, like, when I was picking out my cast, like the color of my cast, I didn't like any of the colors. I thought I didn't like any of them. And then I ended up picking like this lime green because I didn't want purple.

I didn't want pink and I didn't want black. And the only other color was green. And I was like, I guess this is my color. Yeah. You didn't go. About. Yeah, well, about like the. Recovery, OH. Yeah, yeah, it was definitely like a long time. I, I, it was really hard 'cause it was like the very start of summer. And so all summer people like, wanted to go out and do things and I couldn't do it. And it was like, it's hard 'cause like, I wanna go and, like, be a part of it. Like, I know I couldn't, like, I went on a cruise so I couldn't swim 'cause I couldn't, like, get my elbow in water right.

Showering. It like, made me so upset to like, not be able to put my arm in water and like, it was hard 'cause like, I wanted to build a move and like, do push ups and stuff. Yeah, yeah. And so I had to like, try to work around it and like, there were so many things, like it was just such a slow process where it was like every week I was like wanting new and new things, but like I wasn't getting anything new. And it was just like hard because it felt like it wasn't improving, but it just like took enough time anyways.

Wait, you tore your dominant hand or your non dominant hand? My dominant 1. Oh, OK. So that's. Yeah. I feel like I still feel like some parts of like recovered because my because I most payables are like they can like hyperextend, but this one whenever I like do it, I can like feel the bones like moving and it's just like weird and also sometimes like it'll hurt when I'm doing planks and stuff and then also. Even now. Yeah, because we do playing for a. Long yeah. And obviously, like when my arm was hurt, it would always just like sit here and I would do everything with my right hand because yeah, I'm right.

I'm righty not a lefty. So that was lucky. But even like now, sometimes I just feel like I always I over depend on my right arm and my left arm will just be like sitting here and I'll just be doing something and I'll be like, oh, shoot, like I'm not even using this arm. Like she's still sitting in here. And like when I used to play soccer, my parents would always tell me that when I'm running, I only move this arm, this arm just sitting here and I would just look like this. It was weird, but I was like it.

Like kind of effects you like for life. Yeah, no, for sure. So during your recovery, I know it's like your body is obviously getting, you know, it's healing with whatever injury, like either surgery or whatever it's going through. But what was going on in your mind? Because like you, you got all of you, I can clearly see that you love gymnastics. You're not able to do not just gymnastics but any other physical activity either. So what was going on in your mind and I guess how did you cope with it?

Oh, I can go. Yeah. It was really like hard 'cause like I said, I was like so stiff I couldn't do like anything and like, I just like wanted to move the like all the time. I just like 'cause I got so crazy. I like, just wanted to like do something and like go on a run, but I couldn't do anything. And like I saw like all my friends like do what, what they want and not just like my teammates, like everyone can just. And even at like school I had, I like was supposed to take this like weightlifting class and then I like couldn't take it.

And I really wanted to take that class and I, the doctor told me not to. And it was just like, like, hard being like being like, not like not. At your best self in physically right. Yeah. And every day I would just, like, be so scared to come back to gymnastics and being like, am I going to be worse? Am I like not going to stay on the same team? Am I, am I like, are the coaches going to like, not like me now? And like, it was just really hard with all that. So but that's that can make you pretty depressed or down right.

So how did you counter that? Like how did you cope with it? What? Helped you didn't really what helped you? I didn't. It was just like it felt so slow. But like I feel like the thing that did help me is like watching coming to meets and like seeing all the all my teammates. Like even though I wasn't on the floor with them, I felt like I was connected with them because I did train with them for them to compete for that season. And like I I wasn't with them, but I was with. Garden. Yeah, like, makes sense, Yeah.

For me, I just remember I was like, so like mentally drained. I feel like the whole time because I was just like sad and I like never knew what to do. Yeah. And especially when you go from like a school year where you do have school it, I had surgery right before summer. So it's just like I just had a completely free schedule and I had like absolutely nothing to do. So I remember I like tried to go on runs, but it like hurt to swing my arm and stuff. So I couldn't go on runs. But I did try to go on like walks in the mornings and that humped a lot.

I just like like being outside and I'd like, yeah, go walk like 3 or 4 miles every day because that's like all I could do. And that definitely like helped keep me going. And it was nice when I'd like go out of town. And then once I was able to go back to gymnastics, even though I couldn't do stuff in my arm, it was helpful to just like, be moving again. Stuff, Yeah. Makes sense? I think when I, I really don't like, I feel like I just dealt with it 'cause I just, I just dealt with it. Like I, I didn't obviously like, it wasn't the most ideal situation, but I didn't know how to like, it was kind of just a way of life at that point, Like 'cause it was so long and I just didn't understand.

I, I don't know, I just really didn't have a way to like make myself like feel better. I was just like, oh, well, this happened and I'm going to be sad about it, but I wasn't like depressed the whole time. I still was like my normal self. I think it was mostly my parents who were like extremely cautious, which is understandable, but they were like, it was my mom. So she was like Kate. So you cannot be doing anything like crazy. And for her physical therapy, all physical therapy was really, really, it was really annoying.

I did not want to do it. But my mom, she definitely like, she forced me to do it every day and obviously it helped so much. And I'm really grateful to her for that because without her, I probably wouldn't have been doing that. I wouldn't have done physical therapy. Yeah, for me. So I got my surgery like the end of May if I remember correctly, and it was a six month recovery. Oh my gosh. Longest summer of my life. I think I try to focus OK, I the thing about me, if I'm depressed about something or if I focus my energy on something else I do, I will like not even go near that like topic in my mind or my feelings.

So I think that summer I focused my energy on like something else. So like I went to like a camp. I think it was a STEM camp, if I'm correct. That's where I like started loving engineering and like robotics and stuff like that. So I think I just try to focus my energy on something else. And then when school started, I like, it was like, Oh my gosh, it's the first time I don't have gymnastics. Like obviously I was depressed. I wasn't really thinking of the fact I'm like, oh, I'm not doing gymnastics.

I was thinking of the fact, oh, I can like get more involved in school and do school stuff. So I like joined the school play, I joined a bunch of different school activities and I think like, 'cause I focused on school so much, I actually got like the best scores or like in grades I was like, I think that's like the best year of my grades that I've ever had. Just cause like I don't have gymnastics to also focus on. But obviously, yes, I was depressed, but I, that's just me. I just don't deal with it.

I just focus my energy on something else. OK, Yeah. Were there days where you genuinely weren't sure if you would come back to gymnastics? What did those days feel like? I feel like I was always determined to like, come back and my mom would be like, OK, I don't think you should go back. She was like kind of convincing me not to, obviously, because like, she's like probably trapped as to what happened. And I was like, no, like I'm going to go back to gymnastics because I loved it so much. And I was like, it's like, I will be coming back, like it's not my arm's not going to be like this forever, like it'll get better and I will come back.

But that was kind of at the end of like the recovery process at the beginning. I was just, I guess I again, like what proves like she doesn't deal with like this bad stuff. And I just like didn't want to like think about that because there was so much else going on. And then later I was like, obviously I was like, OK, my arms broken. Like I have to deal with it. But before that like I know I'm not making sense, but like I didn't deal with it. And then I dealt with it because I was like, I'm not like, I'm not gonna think about not going to gymnastics.

And then later I was like, so am I ever gonna come back? And then after that, I was like, OK, I'm gonna come back. Yeah, I mean, everything has its timeline, right? Like you don't need to deal with it right away. And like your perspective will change as time goes on. Yeah, exactly. Yes, definitely. For me, I definitely feel like I would question it sometimes cuz like when I try to do like a push up position hold or something, it like would hurt so bad that I was like, there's no way I'm going to be able to ever like flip on my arm and like run and punch on it and stuff.

Yeah. And like still sometimes I'm like, I wonder if my elbow will ever be like normal because it still like does hurt and stuff. Sure. And so I definitely did like have so many times. But then once I was, like, back into doing, like some stuff, I had so much more motivation to, like, start with some stuff and like, yeah, yeah. For me, I was like so determined to come back that I'd even think about like not coming back. And like, I remember I had like this journal what where like I would write every day for three months, like how I'm feeling about gymnastics and like, and like different ways that I'm excited to go back to gymnastics.

And I have it at my house right now. And it's just like I wrote like each day I wrote something that I'm like excited for when I do come back to gymnastics, like doing a new skill or like meeting like other people, like, and like my teammates. And I feel like that like helped me get like motivated to come back. And like, because I was so like excited and like I would countdown, countdown the days like so much that I was like, it felt so slow. But yeah. OK. I think, OK, so when I did actually recover and I finished physical therapy, I was like ready to come back.

I told my coach I'm ready. She didn't even put me in like the team that I was like training in. She put me in a team that I was in when I was five years old. It's called pre team. It's like the team before you join the team. She put me in that and OK, something about me. I hate being underestimated. If you underestimate me, I will prove you wrong. I will like show you, OK. And so like her putting me in preteen, I was like, OK, just you were just pissed off. Like, I don't know what. So like, I was like, OK, I'm going to come back to gymnastics.

I'm going to try my best. I'll see how everything's going. But like when she put me preteen, I don't know, something clicked and I was like, OK, I am going. I am going to come back even stronger. And it's so like it's like at first I was like, OK, I'm going to see how my back feels. That's what my mindset at first. But then once that kind of turned out, I was like, OK, I'm going to come back to gymnastics. I'm going to compete this next season and I'm going to like do good. So I was in preteen for three months and then I was gonna try and then I was my coach was like, OK, I'm gonna put you in the gold team, which was the level I was when I before the before your surgery, before my surgery, yeah.

And I still I even then I was like, I need to prove my coach wrong because I still like I this is not good enough because I was like a gold. So I feel like I just worked hard and then because of that hard work, between that summer, I got to platinum. And I honestly, personally, I think I had a really good platinum year last year. And I don't know, I just hate being underestimated. So I never really thought about quitting gymnastics after that. OK, especially with like scores like in gymnastics, like underestimating is like like a score and like a low score.

You're like upset with that, you know, And then it's. Like no, as gymnasts are really hard on me. Yeah, I feel like right. Always trying to like shoot for that 10 or like the higher one. I think, like back then, too, I wasn't like, as serious about gymnastics as I am now. Yeah. And my gym was not very serious either, like, you know, But yeah. So I when I came back, wait, I forgot what I was going to say. That's OK. No, but like I feel like that season and this season I've like you genuinely never worked harder.

No, in my like life, I remember like last year was your season after your surgery and you ended up being a all round champion in region one for regionals in your age division. So that you did really well. So yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah, I was determined. Yeah. That's, that's great. I had to repeat bronze. I, I that's awesome. I had to repeat bronze. I was in bronze and then I broke my arm out for a season. Then I had to repeat bronze again and again. Like I was not as serious as I am now. And so I, I wasn't like mad about it.

I guess my parents were there like, because I had all my skills anyways to move up to silver, but they still have me in bronze, probably because of like precautions or whatever, but I didn't really mind. I was just like, OK, I'm back at gymnastics. Like what? Like could not be better. Yeah. Yeah, so I know how she did the season after she came back. Tell me how you all did the seasons after you came back from your injuries. Well, it's like this season. Like, that's the season. Oh, you did amazing.

Yeah, you made. State. Team and that's amazing. Yeah, I, I feel like I like, did pretty good. I did like what I wanted to do and like, and it was just like, I was just happy to be back and like, wait, I forgot what I was gonna say. Like how was your like? Yeah, that's good. Yeah, it was just like good and like my, like I had my ups and downs. But overall I think I did like the best that I could and like my dad, my like back. Like it did hurt those times, but it's like not as bad as it was before.

So I'm like, glad, yeah. That was like the same for me. This is also my first season back and I am repeating Platinum again. So like I already kind of had all my skills, so it was just getting him back. And once I had him back, this season was honestly like just for fun for me. And I was able to just like relax and kind of have fun. And like, yeah, it was, I think since I was like, having fun with it, I was able to do better, yeah. I think when I came back my like I kept going. I think it was just like the same, like my elbow didn't hurt If my injury just gave me a new perspective about gymnastics.

Like I was obviously a lot more like cautious, 'cause there's like a moment like the doctor clears you, but like your brain hasn't yet. So obviously I had a really big mental block on that skill for a while. And then I just like I had to like close my eyes and like envision me like doing the skills safely and like landing before even touching the equipment. And I think that just kind of like it definitely gave me a new perspective about gymnastics. And I think my scores and like the way I did stuff was like kind of the same.

But then this past season was really good, but. Really amazing. But yeah, this is also my new season, a new, my first season at the new gym. So it was like a big shift, yeah. So who are what kept you going when things got really bleak or dark? I think for me, I got to, like, hang out with teammates over the summer when I was out. When I got to, like, see them and be with them, it just reminded me how much, like, I couldn't wait to be back at practice with them. Yeah. I was just like, so motivated to be back with them because I just love spending time with them.

OK, Yeah. I'm going to say a billion percent. My mom, she just, she was like she's helped me 'cause she when I was like sad about my arm and I was like just having like a bad day, she would be like, OK, it's OK. Like she just helped me. And then when I was having like a good day, she would support me and just even like just but physical therapy is like my main thing 'cause that's like the only reason probably my arms like better. But my mom, like she would force me to do it every day. And even if I like gave ratitude or I wasn't very nice about it, she would just like stick with me and just like deal with it.

But she knew like the outcome. And so I would definitely say my mom, she she helped me so much. Like I will be forever grateful. That's sweet. I'd also say you because well, OK, that summer I couldn't do anything right so she called me a Nintendo. She a bunch of stuff to do that summer just so I won't feel bored and like. We also had your friends come and give you keep your company. Yeah, like in the because I was in the hospital for four days, I was like literally bedridden. I could not go anywhere.

So like I had like smile, my cousin come. Like all my friends come. They'd give me like cookies and everything. It was just like she tried to get everyone who I know love me and like support me to like come and like help me in the hospital. I also said Eleanor, one of our teammates, she did help me a lot 'cause she. So that's when her and I started going to school together. So she like fill me in on all the gymnastics, like drama or like anything with the coaches. And I'll be like, and she'll be like, Oh my gosh, I can't wait for you to come back.

And I'll be like, I can't wait to come back to like, she kind of kept me from, like going depressed. Like, to like, be like, oh, I this, this is just gonna go by fast 'cause like, I want excited, like, like, excited to come back. Yeah. If that makes sense. Yeah. So I feel like yeah. That's yeah for me. Like, even though I said that like it was fun for me to watch my teammates, like compete, I was also like sat inside, 'cause I was like, I wish I was there with them. Yeah. And I feel like I was like.

You miss it so much that because you're not able to do it. Yeah. And like that, that was like the main thing I, like, watched all my teammates and it was like, so like, amazing to like, watch them that I like, really wanted to be a part of it. And like, I remember just like scrolling through my phone and like seeing so many people do gymnastics and like getting new skills and like all my teammates posting new, like, things that they got. And that like, was the main thing that got me motivated because I really like wanted to be a part of that.

Sure, nice. Did you talk to anyone like a coach, a parent or a therapist about the mental state of recovery? Like and. Did it help? I can start. Yeah. So it was like my mom, she helped me through like the whole thing because she was with me like before I went to the go check my back and I, I would like tell her everyday like my back hurts and she would be like, don't go to gymnastics and I'd be like, I really want to go. So I like push myself. And then when I found out that my back like was fractured, I she like helped me.

She like helped me through it. And she 'cause she knew it was like fractured like but before we went to go check it and when like I heard it was, it was she just like was with me. And every time I like, would want to go do something like active, she would be like, let's go get ice cream instead or like, let's let's do something that like, it's fun. Be as fun as that. And like, yeah, she helped me too. That was like the same for me. I definitely my mom would like, like, yeah, I'm sad. I wish I was at practice right now and she'd Take Me Out somewhere.

Like, we do something together, right? At first when I was like, I'm not doing anything, 'cause I can, my mom would, like, come and watch movies with me, 'cause I was in bed for like probably 2 weeks or something. So she would just come and, like, hang out with me and spend time with me and made me like, my cause. Like right after surgery, I felt so alone, like sitting in my room every day. Sure. And so my parents would come and, like, sit with me and watch movies with me and like, play board games and stuff.

And it just made me feel like not alone. Yeah. Yeah. I think for me, 'cause I was like pretty young, so I feel like I didn't think about it as much and it wasn't as like concerning, if that makes sense. But my physical therapist actually. So the place I went. So you were talking to your physical therapist? Well, yeah, but I think so the place I went, like the community, they're all like, there were multiple people that would like help me do the exercises and stuff. They were all just like so relatable and they would all like talk to me and help me through.

There's this one girl, I forget her name because it's been so long, but she would just like, always help me. And it was just, I feel like we had a really good relationship because she just like, talked me through it. And I just like, vent to her about how like, I literally hate physical therapy and I hate doing all this stuff. And she's like, I know it's so annoying, but like, you got to do it. And I was like, I know. But yeah, just definitely just like. And of course my mom too. But yeah. So obviously you helped me a lot, but I, I just have a very vivid memory of this.

But like, I think it is like we all went to a park with like, OK, so in the Indian culture we have like when, when your mom has friends with people, you call them like Indian aunties. They're only, they're only aunts to you, right? Y'all related. And so we all went to a park and like all, all the like, kids were playing. And obviously I couldn't do that. So I remember sitting at a table with all like the Indian aunties and they're just like helping me through it. They're like, it's OK, once you're back, you're good.

You're going to beat them at soccer because they're playing soccer or you're going to beat them at this. You're going to be even stronger. They're kind of just like sitting there pep talking to like, help me through this moment. And I feel like, I don't know, that kind of gave me, it helped me a lot with my mental health. But like, yeah. I feel like another person that helped me get through it, like my mom was like, great. But like, she didn't like, she didn't go to gym and like she, you know, yeah.

So like my friend Emma, she would like go to gym and she would like, tell me how it went. And I feel like because she told me how it went, I was like, with her and like, yeah. So you're not like you're not missing out on it, Yeah. That's how I felt. She like took me in like all the drama and like new. Positioning and like yeah, new conditioning.

What was the first day back in gym like where you kind of like excited, terrified, or both? I I was very, very excited and I also remember that I didn't like know where any of my Leo's were. I. Showed up wearing black tights and a tank top, which probably wasn't the best idea, but it's OK. And I remember like the first thing I did when I walked into the gym, they're all stretching. And this one girl named Harper, we were there like three seasons ago. She was like, is that Freya? Everyone looked and they were like, Oh my gosh, it's Freya.

And I was just like, hey, guys. And I just went to the coaches to talk them first, like, you know, just about everything. And I just want to be so excited to just like come back and because I already knew like, what gymnastics was like because but I, I don't know, I like felt kind of nervous too. Not like scared 'cause my injuries. Nervous to like meet everybody like again and just like to see like all the special attention I would get. Yeah, I don't know. I was just like nervous. Both like excited but not scared.

Yeah, that's that's a good way to explain. For me, I like my first day back from gym wasn't for practice, it was actually for open gym. So open gyms like this thing gym offers right? So I walked, I went to gym early that Saturday just to see everyone 'cause I still want to say hi. I walked in and I remember if it was my teammate Tinley, she was the first girl to run up to me and give me a hug 'cause she saw me and this is like 1 after another. They each saw me, they would come and hug me and they'd be like Oh my gosh, I haven't seen you in so long.

And then I open gym. It was just like, I wasn't even like trying to get any new skills. I was just like trying to figure out like the basics again like I like to. Start from scratch. Yeah, so like I had everything except my Kip. Oh my gosh, it took me so like that was the thing that I hated the most because like the my Kip was like the probably one of the hardest skills to get. And it's like such AI don't know how to describe it, but it's like such a big milestone in gymnastics to get your kit. And I was like, Oh my gosh, I have to do this all.

I have to learn Kip all over again. Yeah. I put so much energy into leaning A Kip. And so I was just kind of frustrated at that, that like, I have like all my other skills, but I don't have a Kip too. But I also like didn't try like any major stuff. Like I never vaulted. I didn't vault over the table. I kind of just did like turns and leaps on floor. I tried to keep on bars and just like the basics. I didn't want to like overdo it. But then my first day back, that's when Elizabeth put me in pre team and I was like, I like I explained earlier, the whole thing switched on.

I was like, OK, I'm gonna. And like even my coach on pre team, Mike the coach on pre team was one of my old teammates. Oh. I like pissed me off even well it didn't like piss me off. It was just like, I was like, I had practice with her. I literally practice with her while I'm on on the team. And even she was like, OK, you have all your skills. I don't know what to do with you 'cause if I tell you to do any more advanced stuff than the other girls are gonna be like, oh, can I do this? And it's not safe for them.

Alright, so I kind of was just stuck doing the basics again, but I feel like it kind of helped me now 'cause I have like the basics like down and I can do like upgrades. So I feel like I'm, I'm like even in that time, if it was like frustrating, I like. The benefit? And like I feel like it helped me now. Yeah, for me, I was like not nervous or like scared at all. I just like wanted to go back and. Started just get. Started like be active and like meet all my like meet teammates again. And I feel like I like was so excited to come back that I didn't want to start from like the basics.

I like want to go straight away to like my skills and like do upgrades because it was like upgrade season because I came after like regionals and I, I just wanted to like, I didn't even want to do the basics and like my coaches were like, you have to do the basics. And I was like, no, I just because I felt so behind, because, like, all my teammates were doing, like, upgrades and I was just, like, doing, like, a backup circle on bars. And I was like, what? But I'm glad they, like, told me to do that 'cause then, like, I, it would have been the same.

Yeah, 'cause my back would have been, like, worse. Maybe. True, Yeah. For me, I remember like going into that, my first practice back and I was like, so excited, but I was like, also nervous. I think I was just like a little bit nervous of like what the coaches were gonna say. Yeah. But I remember I was like sitting in my car. I was like, I don't even know what's gonna happen. Like I don't know who's gonna be there. I was like really nervous, but I was also just so excited like all at once. But it was just like, I was so happy to be back with my team and like, I couldn't really do everything when I first got back, of course.

But I remember, like, trying to get my skills back, it was just like, it was definitely a struggle. Yeah, nice.

Was there a particular moment moment that you felt like this is it, I'm back? Can I? Do you want me to go first? Yeah. The moment I got my round off back I OK. So this was how how many days after you went back or maybe of months? Like it was probably a month OK after because before that, Oh yeah, actually I lied. Don't let scratch that. OK, here's the moment I got the moment I made platinum, the moment I saw like I got an 89 of verification, I was like, OK, this I'm back, this is my season, I'm going to do this.

It's because like again, Elizabeth, my coach kind of turned something on in me, which I've honestly now looking back and I'm like happy she put me in preteen because I feel like that like pushed me to do better. But like, yeah, I was like, OK, so I proved it to her that I I can do the next level even though I took a season off. Like I can't go to the next level. Even though I took a season off and I was like, I was like, this is my moment. I'm back. This is going to be the best season of my life.

I mean, have so much fun. And I felt like that was the moment. Yeah, for me, like before I took the break, I like just got my aerial and I was like so excited to like do it on the high beam and like connect something into it. And then I like took the break and then when I come back I was like so scared that I like lost it. But then I, like, did it a few months after and that was like the time I was like, Oh yeah, like. I'm back. Like. I can do like, hard skills again. Yeah, the ones and like, yeah.

I was, I struggled to get my bars back the most and so I didn't get my bars back it. Is your elbow right? Yeah, it was it that it hurt the most on bars and like to just get like back into like the swing because it's like, yeah, muscle memory and everything. It's kind of hard anyways. And I did not get my bar routine back until like, two weeks or like, literally the week of the inner squad. That's like the first time I'd ever done it. Oh, my God. And so I didn't even know if I was going to compete at the inner squad, Right.

I like, didn't know if Elizabeth would have me do it or whatever. And then when I finally was able to, like, do it, and then our very first competition, I was able to do bars and I, like, hit my entire routine. And I just like, was finally like, I can do all my routines. I've finally gone everything back. Wow. I felt like, so happy to be able to do everything finally. Yeah, yeah. I think 100% when I did my squat on again because that was the skill I had the biggest mental block on, but it was like.

Because you got injured on that skill when you were trying that out, right? So obviously you'll have the mental block. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And it just, like, took such a heavyweight off my chest because every time I would, like, leave practice, I'd be like, Kate, so I don't have my squat on. Like, what am I going to do? And I would always just like think about, even though like, I probably shouldn't because I should not be focusing on that stuff outside of the gym. But it just, when I finally did, I was like, OK, finally I did it.

Like I'm like good again. Like I'm like, I'm finally back. Like, you know what I mean? It's just like, and also like I had a completely new perspective for gymnastics. And so it just like helped me like understand that I'm not the same dreams that used to be, but I'm like better and I'm like stronger. And yeah, it's just going to be a great season. I feel like another moment where I was like, I'm back was like the first competition, not the inner squad, but Vegas. It was like the first time I got a 38 at like a harder level.

And like, it was just so fun 'cause like, like it was like from the region and like other people came from like other teams that I've never seen before. And even though it was like a hard competition, I think I did like, pretty good. And like, yeah, that was the time where I was like, yeah, like, nice. I was like good again. I think besides regionals and like state, Vegas was one of the hardest competitions we went to because it's like the season, because it's like different states. Yeah, coming to Vegas, yeah.

So it's like it's like regionals 2.0. Yeah. And like me and my team, we got like the highest like score and be like 1 and like being a part of that was like so happy that like I was so happy. Yeah, yeah. No, definitely, definitely. It was really nice to like start this season off with like a really good meet and early. It was like, it definitely nerve wracking because it's like, Oh my gosh, our first meet is basically regional. Right, like what? So if you think back to how your relationship with gymnastics was prior to your injury and how it is today, do you see a difference and what is that difference?

Yeah, OK. I think for me, like there's definitely days going to practice. You don't you don't want to go like, yeah, you wake up in the morning, you're like, Dang it, I've got practice. I do not want to go tonight. And there's some, I had a lot of practices like that at the the season when my elbow was like hurting. It was like so painful. I just never wanted to go and like, yeah, do it. You don't look. Forward to going. Yeah, It was like it wasn't anything good. And so once I was injured, it was like all I ever wanted to be was that practice.

So when I was able to come back, I like always just try my best to be as positive as I could at practice and. So your mindset kind of changed. I was always like, I felt like I was always more positive this season. And then when I'd have like, a hard practice, I would try to remind myself of like, the position I was in when I was injured and how badly I wanted to be at practice. Nice. And like if I could have like just to try to be more positive and stuff, yeah.

I don't really remember like if I didn't want to go to practice because I just remember honestly, like back then it was kind of just like a play date with like doing exercises and like gymnastics obviously. But it was, I don't know, I just always look forward to just like seeing my friends and stuff. It wasn't really about like the gymnastics because I did it so many times. It was just like repetitive, but like not a boring repetitive, if that makes sense. Like I didn't get bored of it, but also it wasn't like I still look forward to going but not for like gymnastics reasons to see people.

Yeah. I feel like for me, I like before I wasn't, I was like dreading going to practice and I didn't want to go. And then like when I took the break, like you said, I was like, I really want to go to practice. I it like made me realize what, and I'm like, happy that I took the break because I think it was a sign for me to like realize that I love this like sport and I want to continue doing it. And like, and then when I came back, I was like, like you said, I was just trying to be positive because like, I was like reminding myself myself that I'm like lucky and some people don't even get to go back to gymnastics after their injury.

And I was just like, yeah, reminding myself to stay positive, I think. Like before gymnastics, like Freya said, I only saw it as like a hobby, right? Like a thing to like meet people, to social, to socialize, have fun. After my surgery, after I like started platinum, that's when I saw it as an actual sport. And I considered myself an actual athlete, if that makes sense. Like, 'cause I was so determined to build up that strength, like because I lost all my course, like all my like core strength with my back surgery.

So I was like so determined to build that up that I saw gymnastics as oh, this is a sport. I'm an athlete. If I don't know if I'm making sense. But like that's because before I kind of tell us a hobby is like a thing I do for fun. I'm just here to socialize, make friends. But then I feel like that switch was like that perspective changes, like, oh, this is a sport, this is an athlete and this is what I'm good at. And yes, my teammate, I love my teammates, they support me and everything. But like, is it like it's, it's also a part of the like the gymnastics is also a part of it.

Like it's also what I should be focused on too. I think it's it's that thing where you know the importance of light only when you've seen the darkness. Yeah, yeah. So it's like you actually found you knew, you understood the importance of the sport for yourself when you are not able to do it. Yeah, that's the switch that you all saw, is what I'm hearing. Definitely. OK. OK.

Take us to that moment when you competed and performed very well after everything. What was going on in your head? Like I know you said that there were moments that this is the moment that you said OK, you are back. But other than that, like is there a specific maybe a competition where you perform really well and what did you feel after that? I feel like for me it was like Vegas and before I like did every routine, I'd be like, I trained for this, like I came back for a reason. And and then I like performed and I and I like competed and I did good and I was like, OK, like I'm this is this is what I've been waiting for.

This is what I've been training for. And like, This is why I took the break. And it just made me like happy that I'm that I was back that way. OK. For me, it was definitely like Vegas too. Vegas is like the first meet. And so it was like very like, finally, like being back and like just knowing I could do it and starting to like, really trust my elbow again. But then also Crystal Cup, which was like a month later, was my first time competing my full, like, ever. And that was like, hard to like, trust my elbow to like, just be able to do it, you know?

And so once I was able to do it, I like, was just so happy and like, relief to be able to be able to do it. Yeah. So I think definitely for me, Vegas also because I got my high score that I've ever got and I got a 995 on four and I think it wasn't it was also so I just think like coming back from an injury, I think it's kind of like a second chance to like understand like the fact that you came back just shows like the determination and it just shows that you really love the sport. And so when I came back, I was like, again, I was really young at that time, so I don't have like specific examples from then.

Like this season, I like switched gyms. And when like, at that moment I was like, OK, I literally just made the best decision of my life coming to this gym so much. And even though it was kind of just like a fresh start because I could like, forget about the history of my elbow. Like I was just like a gymnast ready to get better rather than someone with like some like, nothing can hold me back. Like my injury will not hold me back because it's kind of just like, again, like a fresh start. Nice, yeah.

So I said for me. So last season Ashley, my coach, tried to make me do a round off again. They compete a round off. I did get it again, but like I still kind of also had that trauma from when I hurt my back before. And it's not like I was scared again because I got the surgery, but I was like, OK, if I heard it again, we'll have to get another surgery. We'll just like lead to something, blah, blah, blah, right? And so I was like definitely scared to do my round off the whole season. So I had like a mental block that whole season and Ashley was like, OK, just we're going to work on this next season because you're taking too much time.

So then this next season, I, I just, so I'm going to say Vegas too, because Vegas. I mean, I think everyone did good. I'd say Vegas because best beam routine of my life. I competed my handstand round off, no wobbles stuck. It stuck everything. I don't know, just like doing my round off in that moment was like, OK, I can do this. Like I'm confident in doing the skill now. I'm not scared of it anymore. I don't know, it's kind of that moment that like clicked and I was like, I'm it's muscle memory now, right?

Like, you know, like when it like you're like, oh, I know how to do this. I'm not scared of it anymore. All right, last question, what is your advice to any other young athlete who might be injured or might get injured? God forbid that how should happen, but you know it sports, it can happen. What would your advice to them be? I feel like for me, like stay positive and look forward. Don't look backwards, OK, Because if you look forward, you'll see like a future, a good future. But if you look backwards, you'll be like, oh, I got injured.

I'm I'm scared to do this and I'm scared to like keep going because what if it happens again? So don't look backwards. Just look forward and be excited to like to for like what's next? OK. I definitely say like trust the process because most injuries takes like a long time for them to heal and a lot of them is like such small improvements at the time, right? So you really just have to like, take it slowly and like allow your body to heal and like, take the small little improvements that you can and like, be happy with them.

OK. Yeah, I definitely say stay patient with yourself because of like the situation is like, it is what it is. Like you can't change what happened, but you can change the way you feel about it. And you can like either be positive or you can be insanely negative. And obviously being positive is better. And also just like understand that you're going through something very hard and this isn't something that everybody goes through. So like, it's different and you need to understand that you will come back stronger and better, but you really just need to understand the like, it's not you like you're not the wrong, you're not the one in the wrong.

Like you're going through something hard and you just need to be patient and just really go through it in a way where you will like you will come back like again, like always be positive and just don't be hard on yourself. Yeah, like this is hard. It's a hard journey and you're going to get through it. I definitely say just find that one thing that like pushes you, I like motivates you to come back or something that like, even if you're like, oh, I probably can't do this anymore. Try to find that one thing that definitely like will push you to like do it again and to come back and like.

And just know that it's fine to go back to the basics and to relearn stuff 'cause in the end it will benefit you and you will come on top again. Or not like on top that you build. OK, that was amazing. So, OK, let's finish up with a little bit of a rapid fire. What's your favorite book? Oh. Yeah, I'm gonna say go ahead. I literally just finished this book. I love it so much. It's Powerless by Lauren Roberts. OK. I sorry I also just finished this book. It's called Click bait by I forgot the author but it's like it's a really good book.

OK, Yeah. I don't really ever read books. Totally fine. I love Princess in black. I feel like for me the summer I turn pretty 'cause I like love the show so I like tried reading the book and it was really good. OK, final question. What's your favorite movie?

This is a hard one. It is you wanna go. Barbie. OK. I feel like for me, a second chance. I love it. Like the gymnastics.

Oh yeah, yeah. Freya maybe Avatar, The Way of Water, it's a second one that came out and I don't know, after I, we watched that movie in the theaters 'cause we're like our whole family is a huge fan of Avatar. So as soon as I came back, I was like, that movie touched. Like it moved me in a way, it really did. I'm going to sound really stupid, but Lion King, no. That's because I just love. I love the story. I love the songs, the song even like the songs have a meaning to it that like, yeah, that I just love, OK.

Girls, thank you so much, not just for this conversation, but for choosing to come back when it when it would have been easier not to, right? If you're in the middle of your own set back right now, I hope this one finds you at the right time. Strength isn't an absence of struggle, it's what you build inside of it. That's portraits of strength, real stories, real resilience. Until next time, keep going.

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