anything goes with emma chamberlain - the reality of being a gymnast, a talk with nia dennis [video]

Episode Date: August 15, 2024

[video available on spotify] i've always been fascinated by highly competitive athletes, but i haven't had the chance to talk to many until today. so that’s why i'm excited to present to you the incredibly talented gymnast, nia dennis. you might recognize her from her viral collegiate floor routine (link below) or her stunning performance at the met gala. today, we’re gonna chat about what it takes to become a professional athlete, her perseverance after a serious injury that shattered her olympic dreams, and her pivot to fashion and working with stella mccartney. let’s welcome the talented and awesome nia dennis. nia's viral floor routine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYZ4GvoZih8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As some of you may know, I was a cheerleader. Okay, whatever. I was a cheerleader, a competitive cheerleader, but before that, I was a gymnast. And I liked gymnastics. I wasn't great. It was kind of an intense environment. I didn't last very long there.

However, I did pivot to competitive cheerleading. And competitive cheerleading has some similarities to gymnastics. And so I've always loved the sport. You know, I don't have it in me to be, I think, like a really competitive high level athlete. Like that was never in my DNA. Did I want it to be in my DNA? Yes. I just did not have it in me. And I've always been so

fascinated by athletes who do make it there. Because for me, it was, I don't want to say it was impossible, but it kind of was impossible for me. I don't think that it's for everyone. I don't think everyone has it in them to be a high level athlete. And so I've always been fascinated by really highly competitive athletes. And I've not really gotten the chance to talk to many until today. Today I present to you Nia Dennis, an incredibly talented gymnast. She went to UCLA for gymnastics. One of her floor routines went super viral and got so much attention from not only the internet, but also celebrities just because of the passion.

And there was just something so magical about her performance and so she went viral. And from there she went to perform at the Met Gala for Adidas and Stella McCartney. The most incredible Met Gala moment I'd argue yet. She once dreamed of being an Olympian and almost reached her ultimate goal while on the US national team. However, she did get a severe injury. She tore her Achilles and it completely changed her path, which is sort of, you know, a gymnast's worst nightmare. She's a story of somebody who basically in the industry of gymnastics had a catastrophe happen to her. And yet she's managed to bloom

where she was planted in a way that is so inspiring. She has a lot of wisdom when it comes to, you know, persevering through honestly, like earth shattering injury in her sport, maintaining her love for the sport, even regaining her love for the sport, which she'll speak to. And she's now expanded her career. She works with Adidas. She's modeled for Beyonce's Ivy Park brand. And overall, she's really involved in, you know, speaking about things that are important to her

and just overall trying to do her part and help society as a whole in any way that she can. And so I'm very excited to bring to you Nia Dennis, the incredible, the beautiful, the talented gymnast. But she's far more than that. Far, far more than that. She's just awesome. This episode is brought to you by Airbnb. One of my favorite trips is a trip to Palm Springs with my friends. You know, I don't live very far away from Palm Springs.

It's a short two hour drive away, but what made it so special was our Airbnb. It was just a little weekend trip, but getting to stay all together in one house made it particularly memorable. It was the perfect balance of privacy and community, and we were able to sort of live normally. Cooked dinner, watched TV,

we all hung out by the pool together. Airbnb also has something called guest favorites. All of the most loved homes on Airbnb based on reviews and reliability hung out by the pool together. Airbnb also has something called guest favorites. All of the most loved homes on Airbnb based on reviews and reliability and are rated above 4.9 stars on average. I've used this many times when booking Airbnbs because it sorts it through to the best. I am very much looking forward to my next Airbnb trip. I'll let you know where I go. This episode is brought to you by Monopoly Go.

The summer of sport is on and I'm totally feeling the competitive spirit. You know, I'm not always competitive, but every once in a while it comes out of me. Like for example, when I go to a workout class, deep down I'm always trying to run faster than the person next to me, lift heavier weights than the person next to me. Certain things bring out my competitive streak. That's why Monopoly Go is a perfect game for me. It's an awesome mobile twist on classic Monopoly, where you build your empire and go for the gold to win anywhere, anytime.

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And it's an even better thing that you can get six IKEA 365 plus glasses for just 9.99. So go ahead, you can afford to hoard because IKEA is priced for student life. Shop everything you need for back to school at IKEA today. And what's your sign? I'm a Gemini. I'm a Pisces.

Wait, cute. But my moon is Gemini. Oh, cute. Yeah. I like that. I'm like, are you into it? I am. I love talking about horoscopes

because I'm kind of, I like know a little bit, but I don't know enough to like be. Same. What about you is Pisces? Ooh. If you had to say. a little bit, but I don't know enough to like be... What about you as Pisces? Ooh. If you had to say. Like, I mean, I guess they love to say we're emotional, but I like to use my emotions to my advantage

rather than like, you know, like call me a crybaby if you want to, but I'm gonna cry about it and then I'm gonna move on. Absolutely. Like let me cry and then that's okay. I think it's good to be in touch with your emotions and let yourself be... Isn't it? I think that's healthy. I think it's good to be in touch with your emotions and let yourself be. Isn't it?

I think that's healthy. Valid? Completely valid. There is like a, especially with Pisces, it's always like, Pisces and cancer, always crying. But it's like, who says that's bad? That's what I'm saying. Gemini's are called two-faced,

which I kind of understand, because I can see certain ways that I am two-faced in a way. Like, you know, if maybe I don't like someone's vibe, which happens to everybody, they'll never know. Because I have that two-faced ability. I think that's kind of gorgeous. Agreed.

Like, I think it's really, it's useful. It's useful in so many ways. Because it doesn't help to have people know that I don't like them. That's not helpful. Yeah. I think it depends on the situation, relationship, who it is. Because if I'm not really going to see you that often, then there's no need for you to know.

No. But if it's an occurring thing multiple times, I feel like... Well, then we communicate. I have to address it. Yeah. I was going to say I have to address it. I can't really. I'm not a fake. Tell me about how you were as a kid. Were you were you Pisces coated as a kid? Like what was what was you as a kid? Oh my god

I was freaking shy kid like crying screaming hanging on to my parents leg Like don't let me go daycare at daycare like yes every single day It was like you know like get off my leg like you've been here before now It's like you've been here before and you're still doing this. Yes. So sensitive kid. I'm very sensitive. Yeah.

Like being a really sensitive kid, what about gymnastics appealed to you? Because in my head, when I think about gymnastics, right? It's like, yeah, this is not, this is not a nurturing environment. It isn't. This is cutthroat. It is. I mean, this is not this is not a nurturing environment as a cut throat it is I mean, I think in the beginning I also did gymnastics as a kid for a few years Not as most kids but like fun, right? It was fun in the beginning and I think when it started to get gnarly

I think that's when a lot of kids drop off Yeah, and I ended up pivoting and doing cheerleading which weirdly is like also a weird like competitive cheerleading Yeah, yeah, which is like similar. It's also cutthroat. It was cutthroat in a different way Yeah, like cuz it's not it's not an Olympic sport. It isn't and so there's a different It's still cutthroat, but it does feel different Whereas they sort of start to Kind of try to figure out. Okay, which one of y'all are gonna do it? Right.

Right? Yeah. And so it does start to get intense and for a sensitive kid, as you were, what kept you in it? So when I initially started gymnastics, I was just having a blast. Like I wasn't thinking anything about anything. I was literally just enjoying the act of flying. Like I'm flying you guys. Yes. Like into the open foam pit, you know,

just on the trampoline. That was just, and also like the epitome to me as like childhood wealth was like having a trampoline in your backyard. Like my neighbors had a trampoline in their backyard and I stayed on their trampoline. So like my parents also saw how much joy that that brought me because I did not cry at gymnastics.

So everybody's like, okay, wait a minute We might be onto something here But you know, I was having so much fun and then I kind of got to like the top like level 10 Mm-hmm at 10 years old. Yeah, so you're just quick. I was just yeah, it just came to me It was really natural and I was just having fun at that time and I wasn't really paying too much about anything Yeah, so my coaches were like, okay, you pretty much reached the end. Like you got to, like you should do more. And I'm like, what does that mean?

Like I didn't know what training for the Olympics meant at the time. So I didn't know that that meant homeschooling. I didn't know that that meant training 40 hours a week until I was in it. And then once I was in it, I was like, I'm like, I'm too far in it to like kind of drop out, like quit now. Yep. But obviously Olympics was the main goal for like my whole life since I was like 10. When did it sort of impact the day to day? Honestly damn near from the beginning.

Like the minute I started homeschooling, it was like just me by myself. I was also only child for 10 years. I have a younger sister now, we're 10 years apart. But I started homeschool around fourth grade. So you were always at fourth? Yeah, so it became a nine to five, literally around like 11, 12 years old. But my gym friends, I had girls that were my age

going through the same things that I was going through at my gym, so they were like my besties, my sisters for life. Still good friends with them to this day, because that's something we bonded over together, bonded through together, so it's like, we know, we know. Well, you have like a unique sort of, you know, like having your first crush. You're like, you know, and all these things are different

because you're in the gym all the time. So like, what did that look like? Because you maybe didn't have a school dance, or you, you know, you didn't't like you who's your first crush? It's like all these things. I'm curious what that looked like in the gymnastics environment. In the gymnastics environment for somebody who was in the gym all the time. It was like my crushes were like boys I would see like in the gym in the gym but they're usually like brothers of like other girls in the gym. So it was always like. Complicated.

Yeah, complicated. So it was like, ah, crush from afar, crush from afar. But also my parents were strict, like AF. So there was none of that. It was just routine. There was just none of that. So I actually did go to prom and homecoming, but this was after I tore my Achilles in 2016.

I decided, I was like, listen, I need to go to school. I've been in homeschooled like this whole time and that was like my junior year. So I literally had my senior year left and then I was like, I'm going to go. Were you excited? Excited, nervous, crying, screaming, throwing up, all the things. All the things. Like just all the emotions at once because I was like, I haven't been here since like six, seven years.

Like this is really crazy. How was reintegrating back into school? Honestly, it was okay. I did that in Chicago. So I'm from Ohio, but I ended up moving to Chicago around 14, 15 years old, mostly for better training. But also it was just different. Like Chicago is different than Ohio.

Like there's nothing going on in Ohio. And Chicago, there's a little bit more going on So it was a definitely a bit of a culture culture shock for me But in the best kind of way I felt like my gym helped me Integrate into school because the girls were also going to school at that gym back to sort of you know the gymnastics of it all I mean Walk me through like what a day would look like in various stages, like, you know,

what did it look like, you know, within maybe the first five years? And then, you know, when you started training for the Olympics, like give me sort of, what did the daily routine look like, realistically? So when I was still in school, it was the full day of school, and then I would go to the gym from like 4 to 7.30 from the evening time, go home, dinner, homework, wake up, do it again.

Then once I made it to level 10 and they're like, okay, let's train for the Olympics. I'm like, okay, what does that mean? Home school. So now you have time to come in here early. They're like, come on, come on in early. I'm like, okay, what does that mean? Homeschool, so now you have time to come in here early. They're like, come on, come on in early. I'm like, oh my gosh, 7 a.m. Practice usually start at 7.30 or 8, just kind of depends. But around that time to 12,

then it's break for about an hour, an hour and a half if you're lucky. And then you start again from after your break till about six, seven, again, another four hour practice. So yeah, that was like the majority of my life training. It's two a days, double days. It was really common to do two practices

when you're training for the elite and national team and all that. And then when I moved to Chicago, we never finished on time. Like I kind of finished on time in Ohio, but Chicago, I never finish on time. Were they just keeping you until like... Yeah, like it was just like, keep going.

You're like, ah, no, not good enough. Like, I'm like, ooh, again? See, that's interesting. Like, they just, because I mean, I guess it's like, in a weird way, it's probably, there's something psychological there of like, you have to get it perfect before you can be done. It is. And especially if you like keep making mistakes or like you keep messing up for example an assignment would be like do 10 in a row and you'll fall on 10.

Yeah. So now you're starting all the way over and now you're not leaving until you finish your 10 in a row will be the assignment. But meanwhile you're getting exhausted. Yeah. I'm like you're so tired. Yes. Now I'm at 30 and I still felt, you know, it's wild. This episode is brought to you by Monopoly Go. The summer of sport is on and I'm totally feeling the competitive spirit. You know, I'm not always competitive, but every once in a while it comes out of me. Like for example, when I go to a workout class, deep down I'm always trying to run faster than the person next to me, lift heavier weights than the person next to me Certain things bring out my competitive streak. That's why Monopoly go is a perfect game for me

It's an awesome mobile twist on classic monopoly where you build your empire and go for the gold to win anywhere Anytime over a hundred and fifty million players have downloaded it You can connect with friends or make new friends with players all around the world. You can play events together or just smash their landmarks, pull bank heists or charge them rent, just like in classic Monopoly. It's your chance to be the number one tycoon. And you know, have a little gloat.

Make your move and download Monopoly Go now, free on the App Store and Google Play. You know, I've watched gymnastics my whole life, being in, you know, chair and just like loving it and always watching it. And everybody's always so bandaged up at competitions. You know, there's a lot of times that people are limping on and then limping off.

And my thing is always like, do you compete with injury? Yeah, it was always, the motto was like, tape it up and go, or take ibuprofen, Tylenol, or something and go. Like, we gotta push through it, especially during the elite year, like there's only meets in the summertime for real. So it's like, if you're dealing with an injury right now

in the summer, like you're gonna fight through it until you get a little break after competition. But yeah, recovery was really important in college. Obviously as you get older your body just doesn't bounce back as as it used to when you're a kid. So and the college season is way different than the elite season as well. So college is like from January to April every weekend. And that's not something that I'm used to coming from elite where it's like I from January to April every weekend. And that's not something that I'm used to coming from Elite, where it's like I was competing like twice every year.

Okay, so I'm curious about college. What was like the decision making process of sort of, do you have to go to college? Like I'm very unfamiliar with the whole process. So, I mean, times are changing. Like, things are definitely different now. But back in the day, it was really uncommon to do elite and college. Also, college is kind of like a step down from elite.

But it is still really tough. And it's like those girls are still top in the country, in the nation, just for college and like D1 sports. And we're not doing as difficult as skills by no means. Yeah. But it's still like, like I said, we're not competing every weekend like that in elite versus college. So I've always been kind of conditioned that, you know, our prime was like 16, 15, 16, 17. Like that was it.

So when I tore my Achilles in 2016, it was like, okay, like that was it. So when I tore my Achilles in 2016, it was like, okay, like you're done. Like everyone was like looking at me like, oh, you know, just kind of disposable. Let's go straight to that. Actually, let's pause all that. You're probably fearing an injury your entire career. Because that's always like, I mean, again,

even when I was a cheerleader, low level, never was even gonna do anything with it. I was constantly in shambles, afraid of an injury. I remember I had to get a kidney biopsy at some point and I was out for two weeks and it was like, you're done. It was like kicked out. Like, oh, she's out of shape. Like, yes.

But it was also like, she can't learn the routine, oh, she's out of shape. Like... Yes! Oh, you know, just all the talk. But it was also like, she can't learn the routine, she can't practice the stunts, we can't, like, it's like she's out. And it was the most... It took such a toll on me emotionally. I can only imagine what it was like for you constantly fearing an injury and then for it to come true. Tell me all about that. So I actually was kind of an inconsistent gymnast

growing up when it came to competition. I was always good, but in me it's like, you know, fear was getting the best of me sometimes. So I was kind of peaking at this time where I was like, I was finding my flow, my rhythm. I was like, yes, like I'm stepping into myself. I was getting picked for more international assignments by Team USA.

I literally just got picked that week to go to Germany for a World Cup and I was representing Team USA. And it was like big because it was only one woman, one male. I was like, oh my God, like, so amazing. I'm in there like I'm making it right. So literally, I also blame the cold. I was in Chicago. It was negative 30 degrees that year, that day.

It was the coldest day of the year. And for club gymnastics, like it's really uncommon to turn on the heat for some reason. Like tuition be so high, but these coaches never want to turn on the heat or the air conditioning. Like in the summertime we open the garages. I'm like, okay, yeah, let's let in the hundred degree air. And vice versa when it's winter time. It's like, so I remember being so cold that day and I was like telling my coach like, okay, yeah, let's let in the 100 degree air. That's cool. That's terrific. And vice versa when it's winter time. It's like, so I remember being so cold that day and I was like telling my coach, like,

you know, like I'm feeling, my ankle is feeling a little funny. Like I've never felt this before. She's like, just stretch, just stretch. And I'm like, I just stretched. I'm like, I'm so cold. Like I'm so cold. And then literally the next turn that I took, I tore my Achilles. I snapped it and I was just like bawling my eyes out because it also could have

been prevented because I felt like that one could have been prevented just a little bit. Like I was leaving later that week, but I could have taken a day just one day to like, you know, warm up, literally get warm and like, let's turn on the heat, please. Like, so it was please. So it was definitely devastating where it was like everything that I worked for, everything I sacrificed, this move moving to Chicago, like it was all just like I

started bawling my eyes out you know and that was really hard for me but my coach was like we're still gonna try out and I was like what do you mean? Because like you know you know your strengths and weaknesses. Of course. So I knew my strengths were like floor, beam, and vault. Not bars. Yep. Miss Suni Lee was in the mix.

Like, I love, like we love Suni. Like we know she's gonna do her thing when it comes to bars. So I was like, let's leave it to her. Like I already knew. So my coach is like, yeah, we're still gonna try for bars. And I was like, this is crazy. Like, this is crazy. I already know where I'm at.

Yeah, but how do you dismount off the bars within Achilles that's broken or ripped or whatever? Yeah, so that was, I came back really early in three months. I landed on it in three months. I was definitely not supposed to do that. But during that comeback process, I was in a cast, and then I was putting on ankle weights on the other foot to be even, and I was training bars, swinging bars, and it was really so hard to find a new rhythm with 20 pounds added on to me.

I felt horrible. And then when I got my cast off, then I was relearning everything all over again, because now I was so light. And I was just flying everywhere. I was just flying all over the place. I was like, this is just so much. Like I could have just like, like we know, like, and I still did it. I competed and made the routine and everyone was like, wow, you know, it was just like a, you participated in awards. It was

a lot of like fastest comeback ever. Like everybody was surprised to see me there and like I was surprised to see me there too. Yeah. And so it was just like, yeah, it was hard. And so did that and that injury I imagine sort of changed your trajectory of where you were going to go from there because I think from that point it's like, you know, how did the injury impact you sort of long term? I mean going back that early, did you decide to then choose college because it felt like, you know,

this is not gonna exacerbate an issue? What was the decision making process of going to UCLA? Well, okay, well, I was already verbally committed to UCLA because, you know, recruiting starts kind of super early in gymnastics. Oh, yes. So since we're like at the elite level, like a lot of college scouts come to those meets in the summer. And you know, they're checking you out, they want you, they want elites to be a part of their program.

Yep. So I was already committed around 15 or 16 years old to UCLA. So before I got injured, and then when I got injured I wanted to quit and I was like but wait Oh, you wanted to fully quit. I wanted to fully quit. I was like, I'm you know, like like at this I'm done like Like literally everything I trained for just just gone I don't blame you that fast like that fast too, and I was just shook, you know, I was just depressed I was in a little funk as I should I feel like as I should be But there was always that voice in the back of my head like, but you are already committed

to UCLA and you've always wanted to be a part of a team and you always wanted to go to UCLA and it was like, there was another dream that was still within myself that I was like, okay, okay, let's work towards that, okay? Let's not give it all the way up, You know, there could be something else out there for me at UCLA, but I'm really glad that I did kind of push myself to go to UCLA because, I mean, I feel like I still made it. And in a way, like I'm still here, you know? Are you kidding me?

Yes. But I also do think it was God's plan in a way because I do think that if I made it to the Olympics at that time I mentally wasn't prepared for that and like what that meant. Mm-hmm But now I've learned so much about myself and who I am as a woman and what the sport is and what the sport means To me and everything else. So do you feel like in general you have a Love-hate relationship with the sport? Do you feel like you have...

Absolutely. What was your relationship overall to gymnastics when you were sort of in an uncertain place, right? You were like, I'm training. I don't know exactly what for. I know exactly what for, but what's going to happen? I don't know. Yeah.

How did your relationship to gymnastics change from then to now where, you know, now it's a lot more of it's in your control, right? How has it changed? So, like, during that time when it wasn't necessarily in my control, it was, I don't want to say hate, because it wasn't fully hate, but it was definitely like, I just like this girl right now. Like, this is not my girl, but I'm still here and I'm showing up for you. Can you show up for you.

Can you show up for me a little bit? Yes. That's how I was feeling. But then once I kind of got to UCLA, I started to like refine the joy, definitely because of my environment. My coach definitely instilled that in everybody that was there, because we had a lot of Olympians

on our team. We had elites on the team, so she knew. There's been a lot of trauma coming in and out these doors. So I know like what you guys are going through and this is not that. Yeah. So like let's adjust to that. I was like oh okay like let's buy into that all of us together for a purpose that was bigger than ourselves and that's when it was fun again. I was like oh my god I'm having a blast here. Like a sisterhood, like people cheering me on. Although again, it's still an individual sport

and it is competitive. It was like, we're all on the same team and like we all wanted to see each other win in the best way in the sport, outside of the sport. Like we were learning, like we have layers to ourselves. Like we have other interests. Like gymnastics is not everything to not take it so serious, like it's gonna be okay.

That's magic. Yeah, seriously. What a beautiful, and also I would argue probably unusual, you know, kudos to the coach. Coaching, yeah, no, that was, that's very different. She coached the person, not the athlete.

Yes. So she was, I will never forget the first time I heard that, and I was looking at her crazy like, what do you mean not everything? Like, I got here because of gymnastics. I would not be here if it wasn't. And she's like, yes, but it's not all of you. You know, I don't know, we can so easily pigeonhole ourselves

in our lives and become one thing. Yeah. And I've struggled with that in my career, like being known as one thing. Being any sort of athlete absolutely is that. And I think it's so rare to find somebody who is in the industry, who's actually saying, no, that is not true.

You are not just a gymnast. You are not just like, that is not all you mean to me. And that's not all you are. To have somebody echoing a really positive and true sentiment like that is so rare. But I do think it probably, in a lot of ways, makes you work harder too. Because it motivates you to know makes you work harder. Yeah, because you're like, yeah, it motivates It motivated you know that you're not you know that you are are You are being seen as as human Yeah It pushed me to want to come into the gym every day even though I was struggling with other things outside of the gym or even

Inside of the gym like it was I had people to lean on in there and I had Fun in there like and it wasn't the end of the world. Like, it was not that deep. Like, it's okay. That was also yesterday's problem. So, like, let's leave it at yesterday. The whole... accomplishing of dreams is so fragile. Yeah.

Like, at any given moment, something could just be ripped out. And then it's like, I've been working my entire life for this. And it's just ripped away. How have you then sort of taken that fragility and even having a moment in your own life where you're like, I have to pivot now. You know, like this injury has changed the way that things, you know, the way that I look at things.

Right. How have you sort of learned to accept how fragile things are and how have you shifted the way that you make goals so that your goals are accomplishable, if you will? UCLA. Yeah, it was UCLA. All of that was happening at UCLA. That's when I was changing my mindset,

learning, like having a more positive outlook on the sport. My coach encouraged me to journal. So journaling was very helpful for me and it was big for me. And that's where I started manifesting. And that's when manifestation started to come true. And I was like, wait, like this actually works. Like, okay, like, okay, power of the tongue, power of positive thinking.

And just like, you know, having that kind of perspective on it helped me a lot just in general, I think in life, but also in the sport where it was like, you know, shit happens, but we're just going to do our best and we're going to like, I mean, it is what it is. Like it really it is what it is. But also when it comes to like readjusting my goals, I think my coach encouraged us to just get one percent better every single day. And that's something I've always, I've definitely been carrying with me outside of school, outside of the sport.

Like just little progress is progress, you know? And to not knock yourself just because you didn't make 10% today, but you still got your 1% and you still moved up. And I think that's like more achievable goals because those can vary from day to day and it's like when you start your day with the intention of I'm gonna get 1% better in this area and it's like okay that's that's manageable I could do that you know and you're already more ready to just go ahead and attack that and then when you do that

then it's like period I did that Obviously, you had this like viral moment. Yeah. Okay, viral moment. Was that something that you expected? Tell us the story of this viral moment. So honestly, I manifested it, but- Stop, I love that. Not in that way.

Okay, so I was just, like I said, I was always kind of inconsistent, but I also felt like I was a great gymnast, and I felt like I wasn't really getting the recognition that I deserved in my time, my era. So I was manifesting that I got the recognition that I deserved this year, because I know myself. Like, this just feels like my moment. This feels like my year. And it was my 21st birthday. And my mom flew into town and we had a meet. And it was kind of like, ah, dang, we have a meet.

But it's also like, I love this shit. So it's like, let's, let's fuck it up with my girls. Like, let's have fun. Like let's do this. And I, because I was having so much fun and fully bought into that with my friends and my teammates, I think that's what kind of shined through like in my routine. And then I went viral. I literally woke up the next day like, what's going on?

What's going on? Like my phone's like weird. My phone was glitching and everything. I'm like, I don't know what's going on. Yes. And then I finally saw it like, cause also I didn't post that, you know, it was like the Pac-12 network, our conference posted that. So it was like, I had no idea they were going to post that and I had no idea it was going

to just get that much attention and that much love. So it was like, okay, I guess this is the recognition that I asked for. It's exactly what you manifested. This is exactly what I asked for. So it was like a blessing. I feel amazing. Yeah, I feel blessed. I mean, are you excited about sort of utilizing the internet? Like this is like a tool for you in a way, but it's something that is is new for for athletes, right?

It's being like okay. Wait now we can utilize the internet to sort of For a completely different career trajectory. Yeah, so, you know, what's your sort of relationship to social media? Would you say it's overall positive? Would you say you're just kind of like it is what it is? to social media. Would you say it's overall positive? Would you say you're just kind of like, it is what it is? And how have you seen it impact other athletes? Like, do you feel like social media has impacted other athletes? Or do you think? Oh, absolutely. I mean, you know, NIL rules started and which is, you know, college athletes can get paid for name, image and likeness, which literally started a month after my season ended. My senior year after I was going viral and doing all the things.

So it was feeling like, damn, I just missed out on a lot. To an opportunity to really, actually make some money off my sport. Like dang, literally you don't make money in the sport unless it's the Olympics or, well now college. So it is definitely impacted athletes, I think positively, but also could have been negative. I mean, like I know, like when I was at UCLA,

I always wanted to be making money. Like I was ineligible because I did a photo shoot for a friend for her clothing line. And they were like, oh, she's using your face, like your image, your likeness, you're ineligible. So I was like, oh my God, she has to take that down. Like she's starting her, you know, her little clothing line that she's passionate about.

And I was helping her out and it was fun because I also like to model and, you know, I have other hobbies. I have other hobbies. So it's like, you know, it would, that was really frustrating. So I think now that there's a lot more lenient, like there's a lot of freedom to

find other things that you're good at outside of your sport. So I think that's really great. And obviously capitalize off of that and make money and set yourself up for success. Yep, totally. They don't really prepare you for the real world after, I mean, in college. It's true. They don't. They just kind of send you out after. They don't. They just be like, you out after they don't they just be like and then the ghosts like fully disappear

What what's your gymnastics routine today like right now in this moment today? It's just I do it when I feel like it. It's it's fun. Yeah, it's definitely fun amazing I mostly do it because like in entertainment industry a lot of people love the fact that I can flip and of course cool skill Yeah, so I keep up with it so that I can flip and it's a cool skill. So I keep up with it so that I don't like bust my ass on set and be like, oh, I thought you were a gymnast. Like, I thought you had skills. Oh, I do. Like, you know.

So yeah, I definitely keep up with it. And it's, like I said, that muscle memory is really deep. So I don't have to like kill myself in training for real to know that I still have skills. Well, also you're like, you know, you don't need to be doing like the most insane fucking quadruple, full double. Could never anyways, but.

Yeah, but especially it's like, now you're in entertainment, you don't, you know, the skills that you are comfortable with are, that works so well for this space. It's like you don't need to be doing a quadruple double. 1000%. Absolutely.

So now you have completely shifted to being a public figure going to the Met, having those iconic performances. I literally remember hearing, because I was around, I was doing the interviews around the corner, and I heard this like, the marching band, and I was like, this has never happened.

She's like, hello? I was like, what is this? And then I watched later and I was like, this is fucking epic. This is the most epic thing I've ever seen. Tell me about, you know, tell me about going to the Met. Also tell me about, you know, your relationship to fashion.

Like are you, what's your fashion vibe? Like what's, like are you into it? Yeah, I love fashion. I feel like because I've always been an aleotard, like my whole life, I feel like that's why I'm drawn to it more, because it's like, obviously it's a way to express yourself. And you know, there's no limits to fashion.

So it's like, there's so many things that you can do and you can find yourself in that. So I definitely resonate with that. But, booms. Met Gala. Stella McCartney calls me in the back of her Uber. She's like in the back of her Uber. She's like, Nia, so I can't make it to the Met Gala this year. It's my birthday. Can you represent me?

Am I being punk like literally like pull pull the cameras out like I'm being punks right now like what do you mean? Yeah, she's like no, I really can't go like can you represent me? It's gonna be you and two other people I was like, yes, like immediately. Yes. Like what do you need me to do the best? It's like the coolest thing ever. Seriously the coolest freaking thing ever. She's like, yes, like immediately yes, like what do you need me to do? It's the best, it's like the coolest thing ever. Seriously, the coolest freaking thing ever. She's like, okay, well, we're gonna make history then. And I was like, what do you mean? She's like, well, we're gonna open the Met Gala

and you're just gonna do your thing. And I was like, well, what does that mean? Because do you want a double back on this, like a double back flip on the stairs or just a handstand? Or like, what are you talking? Like, what do you mean? She's like, no, you're flirty. Basically like the flirty and that way viral. She's like I want to see that but as

Best as you can on the stairs. Yeah, she's like I already have the marching band. It's live It's gonna be live the marching band is a local band They're amazing you're gonna love them and you're gonna rehearse with them like in the week leading up to the Met and I was like So this is like this is already happening like this is already in the works. Yeah. Whether I said yes or no, like whether I said yes or no, somebody was gonna, somebody was gonna do it. Yeah. But I'm glad it was me. I'm so honored that it was me. It's, I mean, it's already scary enough. Yeah. To go to the Met. It's already scary enough. Like to go and then to have to now perform as well. It's just like- To start it, to start it. No, it's- have to now perform as well. It's just like.

To start it, to start it. No, it's. I was shaking in my boots. It's so scary. However, you nailed it. My question is, were you more nervous for that than you were for say, you know, one of your more frightening competitions?

Oh, absolutely. You were, so you were more frightened for the moment. Yeah, that by far. I don't blame you. Takes the cake. Like I was standing there, like they allowed my parents to come like to the red carpet too. So they were across from me on the other side. I'm like standing there like I don't know if I could do it.

Like I don't know if I could go. I was like, look the marching band's coming. Like you're up. She's like egging me on like you're up. Like oh my God. That's amazing. It was definitely good to see them because it's like, you know, it's the Met Gala. It's like people you look up to all your inspirations. Like it's a room full of your icons, your favorite people, like,

it's so good to see just a familiar face, regular people, people I know, that woman birthed me, like, okay. The parents are, there's something, there's no comfort like it. Yeah. You know, there's just nothing like it. Yeah. I do think, you know, having a support system through a sort of intense, also like a career that starts really young, I think the support system is so important. It is.

And it's like, you know, without it, it's so easy to just emotionally derail. Like, you know, you can't, you need to have somebody around to, you need somebody who has your back. You need, you know. Like dance moms, there's gym moms. It's like that extreme. And gym dads even, like it's- True.

Like I felt like I had it bad growing up, but then I always was like, no, like you really could have it worse. Like, and I've seen the worst. Like I've seen it with my own eyes. So it's like, it was always like, I'm mad at you but it's also like I'm okay I'll be okay yeah and I get to be okay we're okay like we're okay would you be a gym mom? No. Like you wouldn't be in there? No I mean okay I I've said this

too I'm like I don't even know if I would put my kid in gymnastics only if they were like begging me like I really really wanna do the sport, like okay, I'm not gonna deny you of your happiness. But you're not gonna push them in. No, but the minute they're like, this isn't for me, okay, like, her, Jew. Yeah. Not for you. Yeah, would you, do you think that,

like what is the main reason why you would not put your child in gymnastics? I just think, I mean, times again are changing, but coaches were crazy, coaches were really crazy. And I have, as a parent, have no control what the coaches are saying when I'm not there. So I have no idea what's really being said. How they're stretching your kid.

How they're stretching my kid, how they're talking to my kid, how they're yelling at them, you know? What are they really telling them? Yep. And then what are they really not telling me when they come home because yelling at them, you know? What are they really telling them? Yep. And then what are they really not telling me when they come home because it made them feel so bad? Well, that's true. It's like the coach ends up being with the child

Yeah. more than the parent. Exactly. Do you think you would even encourage your child to go into sport in any extreme capacity? Like, do you think that there is value to being, trying to be the best? Like, yes.

Yes, okay, interesting. I do. I think, you know, it teaches discipline. I really just feel like whatever you want to do, that's up to you. You're going to be great at it, and I want you to be great, have fun, but I think that you thrive to you. You're gonna be great at it and I want you to be great, have fun. But I think that you thrive when you have fun. But it's not to say that there is no

hard work that needs to be involved. I think that it's like a fine line. It really is a fine line. Yeah. There's gonna be a brutal moment. There's gonna be brutal moments. There's gonna be many brutal moments. But I do think that it is true that you can be having fun. Like there's almost maybe a myth about working hard that like you're not working hard enough unless you're tortured. Seriously. And that is not true.

It isn't. You know what's so funny too that I just thought about was like the uniform of it all and like sort of the aesthetic and the style of the sport. Oh, no. It's so funny to me because it's like all of the, it's kind of all of the sort of like gymnastics, dance, cheer, even like figure skating, like all these sorts of sports that are sort of in the same, all very different, but all sort

of in the same world and the aesthetic is so, like it's so specific and when you're in it, you get it. But like from the ex, I feel like people look in on these sports and they're like, what is this glittery? Like, you know what I mean? Why does she have no clothes on? Yeah, like what is this? I don't get it. Did you have to sort of build your style post sort of,

I don't know, when you started maybe like not wearing a Leo as much, how did you build your style? Like, was it like, oh, I'm going on Pinterest, I'm figuring shit out or like, oh, I'm just, I don't know, it's in me. Like what was your fashion building vibe? Oh my God. Well, honestly, just even looking at like video,

like my Snapchat memories that come up from senior year of high school, who let me outside like that? Why did I do that? It's always, yeah, of course, as we all go through those phases, but it was just like, that was like my first time dressing outside of gymnastics. Yeah. And like, you know, it was still very, it was still like a comfortable style, like a

lot of leggings or like yoga pants with like a little crop top. Yeah, of course. But also like layering sometimes. Of course. And I'm like, oh my God, what if. Oh my God, just like, SMH. Yeah. So high school fits, not it. But I've always had the urge to not look like a gymnast

or not look like an athlete. Yeah. So I felt like that was like my driving force. Like as I was figuring things out, I was like, okay, I know I want to look feminine. Cause I've also, being so strong and you know, like being buff. Absolutely. Like I got that a lot. Oh also, being so strong and you know like being buff, like I got that a lot.

Oh, you're so buff. Yep. From men. I know. That's, that would be, it's like, but also it's like, it's badass though. I know. It's like now. It's badass but you also still want to feel feminine.

Exactly. That completely understanding, like it's so understandable. Times are just changing completely and in fitness influencers and fitness girl. My relationship with working out and fitness has changed a lot too, even just from making that statement to actually what I really believe. Absolutely. Yes.

But that was definitely something that was affecting me as I was finding my fashion. Where it's like, okay, I don't want to look too masculine. I want to look feminine, but I want to be comfortable. So it was just about trying different things. And it's like, you know, fail. I want to be comfortable like so it was just about like trying different things Yeah, like you know fail I failed and that was not it and it's just like I I'm still figuring it out Like I'm still finding out like okay my torso is actually really small like I don't need to be wearing jeans that go up to my boobs It's like why am I wearing high-rise jeans? I'm so good at it cuz I'm I mean like I don't know I was I was really a small

I was a small girl yeah, and I like I don't know and I was really a small girl growing up. And I don't know. And I always felt I did not feel feminine growing up. And I still even in some ways, like I'm a tomboy. And it is tough figuring out, all right, how can I feel me, feel comfortable, but show my feminine side as well? And it's so tough.

So many people struggle with that. So it's like, it's such a, you know, but I feel like it's just, it is, it's trial and error. What do you think your go-to outfit is right now? I would say now I go from like, I, when I decide on fashion, it's like what I'm feeling for the day. Like how do I feel today? What color am I feeling?

Like what does my, what color does my mood feel like? You're going with your gut. Exactly, my intuition. I love that. Are you an intuitive person in general? Very. I am a Pisces. Oh, sorry. We're really psychic and like, yeah, sorry. Back to the Pisces. We're kind of psychic and a little, yeah, we're very intuitive and like, my dreams, my dreams are crazy. And that's like another story for another day, maybe. You should come back on in like a month and just go through every single crazy dream you've ever had. Let's do that.

Have you ever had ones that predict the future? Yeah. Yes. I'm literally in California because of my dreams. Did your dreams say, you must go? Or did your dream imagine you there, if that makes sense, already in LA? No. It was my dream, I was already there. And there was, like, I hadn't seen LA before, for real.

Like, I knew about UCLA, obviously, as I was getting recruited. But I hadn't seen California, it was a random part of California, it wasn't like UCLA specifically. It was actually, it was Pepperdine. Oh. So I was like, my dream was like a road trip.

I was just driving in the mountains and it was just really just a nice magical dream. It felt like magic because there's no mountains in Ohio. So I felt like I was in such a foreign place and I'm like, wow, like this is so amazing. And I looked to my left and it was a castle, like a castle building with like a rock in front. And then boom, fast forward to like a couple years ago,

I'm out here just driving just to drive. And I'm like, deja vu, like what, I've been on this road before, how do I know this street? I was like, if I turn my head to the left and I see a building right here and a rock, and it was like Pepperdine University. And the rock was like the Pepperdine sign. I have chills. No like actually. So that's you're like you are intuitive beyond belief. Yeah. Holy shit. I feel really connected to the stars and Astral plane honestly. No but that's a really really beautiful place to be. Seriously. And

it's like to be tapped into your own sort of spiritual, you know, whatever that is, it's so important. And I think it's something that everyone should strive for. And you're- Totally. You're there. You're so there. Thanks, girl.

God, I think my last question is, what are you excited about right now? Like, what does the future look like for you? And I always am like, when somebody asks me that, I'm like, I'm not telling you shit. Because that's the whole point is that I'm not, but of what you can tell me, what are you excited about? What are you sort of working on and what's sort of your overall, I guess, goal, goal now? You know, what has, what has changed? I've learned that gymnastics is not just me even still like as I've

graduated and it's like I'm known for gymnastics like oh you're that gymnastics girl like ah yes but like yes but there's more you know so I'm actually I'm now an ambassador for Adidas and I've done many campaigns for them the goal is to be the face of the brand. Manifesting again. Let's all spam Adidas email. Okay, you know what to do tonight. Okay, continue. But I would really love to bring leotards back.

Because they actually have been discontinued. Because the market has gotten smaller. But now gymnastics is popping off again. And I'm like, okay, it's time to bring these back. And it's time for me to design them. Okay, yes. And I'm like, okay, it's time to bring these back and it's time for me to design them. Yeah! Okay, yes! I'm logged in, I'm logged in.

Yeah, so that's what I would love to do. That's something I'm really looking forward to, but I really just do love working with Adidas. Like they hear me, they see my goals, they hear my dreams and they do everything that they can to like make them happen for me. So I'm excited to travel some more. I've been traveling a lot like this whole summer Like I actually been in my bed a total of two times like in the last few months

But they've all been great amazing travels. I'm like I need to see more of the world and especially Also, you couldn't do that for years. Why would you have had time to do that except for for competition? Exactly I was gonna say we traveled the world but only for gymnastics meets, only business trips. And there was no time to sight see, be a regular person, be a tourist, eat food, try the desserts, try a macaroon. Oh my God, how dare I eat a macaroon on a gymnastics.

Some gelato on. I feel like they were probably feeding you like what? Just like chicken? No, when I tell you we were like sneaking bread, oh no way means I would like like steal a little roll and like Stuff it in my pocket. We were like trying to shimmy out of there so quick Like we would literally still bread like yeah, I feel like it was you what were they feeding you it was mostly just chicken and veggies Yeah, that's and rice that gets old. Definitely gets old over time. Yeah Maybe add a fun sauce.

Yeah, no sauce. Ooh, kinda crazy. Dry, no sauce. No. Okay, so you wanna travel. Yeah. You know, you're excited about, honestly designing Leo's with Adidas

would be fucking epic. Iconic, right? That, because I also think too, you know, to be a gymnast and to then design gymnasts for gymnasts. Totally. I I think a lot of times, you know things get designed by designers who maybe aren't they're amazing at designing But they aren't they don't know exactly. Yes, because also functionality is very important as well So it's like as a gymnast. I know what I'm looking for. It needs to stretch It wants to be comfortable, but also a little a little compressed. Yeah, like a little tight Yeah, but not too much because I need a break. Yeah, there also a little compressed, just like a little tight.

But not too much, because I need to breathe. There's a balance. It's a balance. But you're going to know that balance better than, you know, that would be so sick. It would be so sick. I would love to see you have a whole gymnastics line, like designed so fun. Right. So fun.

That'd be also iconic. Iconic. I would be like, can I get you I get that in P.O. I'm wearing it and everyone's like what's happening with that? I'm just wearing it cuz it's cute and that's gonna be like the like the whole Theme of the brand is like love I can wear it outside Yes, but also can work out in it or also, you know do whatever you need to do Whatever you need to do in it. I don't know. You're not judging.

I don't. I'm not judging. It's for everything. For everything. Anything goes. I love that. Anything goes. That's the perfect way to wrap this up.

Thank you so much for doing this. Oh my gosh. I had a blast. This was so fun. It was such a huge fan. We're done. We're done. We're done.