Lilly Rodriguez | Born a Gymnast
What is your routine?
I do gymnastics six days a week and crossfit five times a week. I wake up at 4:30 and do crossfit from 5:30 to 6:30. then I go to school. Then in the evenings from 4-8:30 I do gymnastics. So that's my everyday routine, then on Saturdays I train gymnastics from 9-12.
What got you involved in gymnastics and crossfit?
My mom is my coach. So when I was born I went to the gym all the time, and eventually began doing it. My mom and dad definitely were the ones to get me involved in the sport.
What has been your biggest achievement to date, and what is your ultimate goal in gymnastics and crossfit?
My ultimate goal is to compete in college in gymnastics. My biggest achievement was going level nine. In crossfit, my goal is to compete at the crossfit games. I found out about through my brother in law. He does crossfit and hes my coach. It all started this year when I tried the open without training for it. He was like 'I want to see what happens when I go and get a gymnast and get them to try this'. So I ended up placing 47th in the online qualifier. Ever since then, I've been wanting to go the games and it has really motivated me.
What's your favorite lift?
I'm not really good at snatches but they're pretty satisfying when you get them. I PR'd my snatch when trying to qualify for Wodapalooza. I Pr'd by 10lbs, I snatched 95lbs. I tried 100lbs and almost made it, but didn't have time.
Who has been your biggest role model outside the gym, and who is your biggest in the gym?
My biggest role model outside the gym is my mom because she's always busy and still finds time for us, I don't know why I just love her. I wouldn't say I have a biggest role model in the gym.
Gymnastics is known to only last for so long and most gymnasts retire by their early 20's. What do you plan on doing afterward?
I plan on doing lots and lots of crossfit!
Gymnastics is known to have long term effects in regard to growth on your body, what is something you’d tell parents of kids interested in the sport about this?
I would tell them that their child is going to be short. I'm 4'9, I'm pretty short. Okay, that's not necessarily true. I'd just tell them their child is going to always be sore and that it's very time consuming. They aren't going to see their child that much if they really get into it.
What sorts of training outside of gymnastics do you do, and why do you do it?
I do crossfit to get stronger for gymnastics, and because I think crossfit is so much fun.
How has gymnastics changed your life?
It takes up my whole life so I don't really know. I've always done gymnastics so there was never a change from not going it to doing. It just takes up so much of my time.
What do you do to prepare for a competition? What defines healthy to you?
I prepare by doing lots of routines so I can make my routines at the meet. I also maintain a healthy lifestyle by watching what I eat and exercising a lot. Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition. I eat really healthy. Nutrition is number 1, and exercise is number 2 so it's very important. My diet consists of lots of vegetables and my favorite cheat meal is chocolate.
For people starting out in the sport, what are some tips you would give?
I would tell them to not quit. I know everyone has different opinions on it. I know a lot of my teammates are like 'I wish I didn't quit'. There's a part of your gymnastics career where you're scared so you contemplate quitting because it's really tiring also. I would just tell the, to keep on going, because in the long run it will be worth it. Also, don't think you're not making progress when you are. Not every practice you'll feel like you're getting better.