Marie McLaughlin | Take Everything With a Grain of Salt
What got you involved in the sport, and who helped you get into the sport?
My parents got me involved in gymnastics at 18 months old. I was a hyper child so it was a good way to keep me active. I enjoyed it and stuck through it.
What is your biggest achievement to date?
I would say being on Team New Brunswick. I competed all throughout the Atlantic provinces in Canada. I competed in Ontario, P.E.I, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. I haven't really competed much further than that. I've competed for Gymnastics International and I got to compete against the United States and a couple other countries.
What is your ultimate goal in gymnastics?
My ultimate goal is to make nationals. I didn't make nationals last year, so I would like to make it this year. They are in Alberta, Canada.
Who is your biggest role model in gymnastics?
My biggest role model would actually be an Olympian, Aly Raisman. I love everything she stands for. She stands for body positivity, shes a survivor with everything that's going on in gymnastics today. My biggest role model in my gym would be my coach. She's been with me since I was seven years old. She's always pushed me to do my best, and pushed me to be the best person I can be inside and outside of gymnastics.
What are your plans athletically once your gymnastics career is over?
I'm still going to work out a lot. I've also thought about doing fitness competitions. Other than that I haven't really thought of any other sports because gymnastics is all I've known for the past seventeen years.
What other training do you do outside of gymnastics?
I only started doing this last year, but I started working out at a regular gym on the side. I was doing a three year comeback so I knew it wasn't going to be easy getting back into it. I did it to make sure I was strong enough to do a 4hr gymnastics practice, and I still do it to this day.
How has gymnastics changed your life?
Gymnastics has shaped me as I was forced to learn discipline and responsibility at a very young age. We had to be on time, we had to be polite to our coaches, and we had the responsibility to have all our gear ready for competitions. It really shaped me into who I am today and I learned a lot from it.
What is your favorite cheat meal and what does your diet consist of?
My favorite cheat meal has to be Kraft Dinner. Kraft Dinner is the way to my heart. As for my diet, it just consists of healthy eating. I don't do any specific diet like low-carb, high-carb or fasting. I just eat healthy and make sure I get my veggies and proteins in. I only eat turkey and chicken.
What do you to prepare for a competition?
I train hard. About three weeks out from my competition I try to get three of each of my passes done. Then about a week out, I try to get four of each. That way I know I'm consistent and feel confident. I try not to get into my head, and stay calm with no expectations. I just want to go in there, and have fun with the girls I compete with.
For people starting out in the sport, what tips would you give?
I would tell them to not take anything to heart. Coaches will be hard on you and will be strict. They want what's best for you and that's part of the sport. You have to take everything that comes at you with a grain of salt. Also, make sure you stretch. You don't realize how important that is until you're out of the sport and try to get back into it.
How has gymnastics helped your self-esteem?
For the longest time I wasn't confident in my body because of gymnastics. I was more of a powerful gymnast. I loved doing vault because I was powerful and explosive. I didn't mind bars so much, but I wasn't the elegant gymnast that had all the pretty lines. I was the powerful gymnast with the big skills. That took its toll on me because I felt I was the bigger gymnast in the group. After awhile I'm unique for who I am. I have to accept my body for what it is. I can do front flips and back flips, I'm unique. I'm strong, and my body showed that. I didn't have confidence when I was younger, but when I grew up around the age of 15 I started becoming more body positive.