For me gymnastics isn’t just a sport, but a passion. You could even go so far as to say it is a way of life. I do not remember a time over the last 20 years that gymnastics wasn’t there. Not only have I competed for USAG, but also coached, and have even reported about the sport. Even as a retired gymnast, I have come to the realization that I will never be able to completely leave the sport.

These were all things I mentioned when I first applied to be an intern for Gymnastike. I found out about the internship program from a friend who I coach with out here in Missouri, who said this would be something that would be right up my alley—and of course it was. I am currently a student pursuing a journalism degree at the University of Missouri, and any extra experience I can get while attending school is worth it. But to find a program that embodies everything I loves is by no means an easy feat. Therefore, when I read about the Gymnastike internship I knew I had to have it. And now that the NCAA gymnastics season has come to an end, I can really take to the time to look at all that I have learned and accomplished. 

At Mizzou my emphasis is in the area of Convergence/Broadcast Journalism. With that said, I believe that it is this mix that I loved most about the internship. Gymnastike is unique in a way that it effectively mixes social media and mass video coverage together to create a quality platform for gymnasts and fans alike to come together. I really enjoyed being able to make videos and engage with the gymnastics world through Twitter and Facebook. Through this, I also learned what an impact social media can have on a site like Gymnatike. The number of views on each video increased tremendously when you link to your videos. 

My most favorite videos I created this season were definitely the Workout Wednesday Videos. I really enjoy being able to combine interviews with B-Roll to create a compelling and interesting story. I also believe it’s a great way to get insight on new coaching tequniques for gyms around the country. Coaches I work with currently use these videos all the time find new and different ways to teach different skills. With these videos and many of the others, I was also able to get more experience interviewing sources. Talking with people is something I have always had a passion for, but the more experience I have with this process the more prepared I will be in future endeavors. Furthermore, it is during the creation of these videos that I was able to really get to know the Mizzou gymnasts. These girls are the spunkiest group of gymnasts I have ever met and to have the chance to build a relationship with each of them was really exciting.

As a final thought I loved that this internship allowed me to get the word out about Mizzou gymnastics and Mizzou athletics in general. There are so many great things about this school and our gymnastics program, and to be able to share my passion with everyone who comes to visit Gymnastike has been so much fun. Each meet that I was able to cover documented the successes this team has seen this year, and I am so thankful for the chance to be a part of it.

M-I-Z-Z-O-U!!!!

 Check out my Workout Wednesday here! Or videos from my favorite meet this season, Pink Out!