“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” –Winston Churchill 

I absolutely love watching the NCAA and elite seasons come to life each spring, but to be completely honest, sometimes it makes a little sad. Sad? Yup, sad.

I know that sounds strange, so let me explain myself. It’s not that I don’t like watching these fantastic athletes, but sometimes I feel a pang of disappointment on behalf of all the gymnasts who will never reach that level of competition—for the ones who work hard but will never be quite good enough for the big time. As much as everyone loves to dream, the real truth is that we can’t all be Olympians or NCAA champions. In fact, according to a 2009 statistic by USA Gymnastics, only 2.6% of female artistic gymnasts ever make it past level nine. If you ask me, those aren’t the best odds! And for those who don’t make it, it’s tempting to look at your accomplishments and think that they don’t add up to much. When we only measure success by one standard, then it’s difficult for retired gymnasts to walk away from the sport with their heads held high and a sense of fulfillment for what they’ve achieved. 

During my own gymnastics career, I dreamed day and night of being in the top 2.6%, and I worked towards that goal every day. I advanced through the levels and did alright for myself, but since you’ve never heard of me and never saw me in the Olympics, I bet you can guess what happened to my career. I was part of the other 97.4% who stalled out before level 10, and based on the odds, I assume that most of the gymnasts reading this right now are too. And you know what? That’s okay! Society suggests that the bottom 97.4% have failed because they didn’t have the talent or circumstances in their favor, but they’re wrong. Success comes in many forms. For me, it was about showing up to practice every day and working towards my goals. It was about getting back up on the equipment when I fell. It was about conquering fears, learning commitment, and building relationships with my teammates.

Every gymnast can succeed in the sport in some way. The key is to set achievable goals and measure success based on your own progress, not what others are doing. Arthur Ashe, a famous tennis player from the 1960’s and 1970’s, said to “Start where you are. Use what you have.  Do what you can.” You might not be the best in the world, your country, or even your gym, but if you persistently work hard, then you’ll have a lot of reasons to be proud!

And to all the coaches, parents, and faithful fans out there, I’d like to encourage you to celebrate your gymnasts’ successes with them. Whether it’s making the Olympic team or mastering a cartwheel, give them a pat on the back and congratulate them for their accomplishments at every level. Remind them that they don’t have to make it big to be proud of their gymnastics careers!