What defines me? Gymnastics is what defines me. Being put into a sport that I didn't think I would achieve in and get so far into, kinda brought me out of my shell of being shy and quiet. Going to different places and competing against others girls was a challenge, cause you didn't know what you were going up against so all you had to do was to give it your all and put a smile on your face. The hardest part about gymnastics was trying to be ¨Perfect¨. You had to make all your routines perfect when training, NO mistakes or you have to do it all over again. Just from being in gym, put a lot of damage onto my body, I honestly have a body of an 80 year old women... With the bad ankles from landing so hard on my feet and hyper extending my knees.
So unfortunately I quit three years ago. But I never left the gym completely, now I am a coach of my own group of the little guys (age 4-6). Never thought I would become a teacher and would have to do report cards for these kids.. weird?
Being in gymnastics for so long I thought with my experience I could help kids achieve their dreams. Being able to work in this environment kinda brings out my bubbly fun side, but that's only when the kids listen and pay attention to what I am teaching, but when it comes to those to kids that don't listen at all, the really grumpy mean side of Cheyenne comes out and its not pretty. Overall gymnastics defines me because it helped me become more of myself, being fun, bubbly and always happy (most of the time).
This is a beautifully-written post about something that is currently on my own mind. I remember loving piano as a kid, and then one day it became a chore and something that my parents forced me to do (lessons, exams, and two teachers who looked like Frankenstein and his bride may have something to do with it). I love how you turned what could have been a negative experience into something new and positive - teaching younger students. I wonder if you have mixed feelings about it though...do you ever worry about steering these kids down the same path you experienced? I'll keep this post in mind as my own daughter settles on a sport that she truly loves!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post cheyenne. I like that you didn't think you could achieve much in the sport at first so you challenged yourself and ended up with a positive result, proving that hard work pays off. I also think it's really cool that although you don't participate in the sport yourself anymore, you help teach kids to learn to love the sport as much as you do.
ReplyDeleteBeing defined by a sport is a great thing to be defined by. Mainly because it is so pure sport does not have religious, political, or economical motives to cloud what it stands for. So being defined by a sport like you are is just fantastic.
ReplyDelete