Jordynn Connell | Listen to your Body
What got you involved in the sport, and who were the people who helped you get into the sport?
I started gymnastics when I was two and then I began competing when I was seven. I have been doing it since then. I actually retired from gymnastics not too long ago. I just started diving, and I like it more than gymnastics already.
Gymnastics is known to have long term effects on growth/ your body, what is something you’d tell parents of kids interested in the sport about this?
I got injured a lot in gymnastics, which is one of the reasons why I had to stop. I got my first injury when I was eight or nine. I fractured a growth plate in my foot. I kept on injuring it after that. I would rush back into gymnastics and end up hurting it again. I tore my hamstring, which took my out of competitions for awhile. I injured my hip which took me out for about nine months. I had other little ones like jammed fingers and sprained ankles. I would tell the parents to listen to their kids. I would tell kids to listen to their bodies so they don't hurt their bodies. If their coaches tell them to lay off, they need to listen. I would also tell them to have fun and not force it.
What sorts of training outside of gymnastics do you do, and why do you do it? How has gymnastics changed your life?
That's a hard one because it basically molded me into who I am now. I have no idea where I would be without gymnastics. It has not only made me stronger physically, but has given me a lot of life lessons. It taught me that confidence goes a long way, and hard work beats talent. It has given me new opportunities to meet new people, make new friends, and build new relationships. The only thing that kept me in gymnastics when times got rough were my friends and coaches.
What is your favorite cheat meal, and what does your diet consist of?
My diet is changing now that I stopped gym. When I did do gym, I mainly ate rice and chicken. I wouldn't put too much pressure on myself, but I did watch what I ate especially around competition season.
What do you do to prepare for a competition? How do you maintain a healthy lifestyle?
I prepare for dive meets the same way as I did for gym meets. Usually I would listen to music on the way to the competition. I will listen to upbeat and happy music. Music that will help me get into the zone, and get my mind off my nerves. For bigger meets I won't talk as much, and will concentrate on what I'm trying to achieve. For smaller meets I'll talk a little more to get nerves out of my head.
For people starting out in the sport, what are some tips you would give?
I would tell them to only do it if you truly love it. It's a sport that you need to put all of your time and effort into in order to get all of the benefits of the sport. Don't start if your friends are doing it or if your parents are making you. Only start if it's something you truly want to do. It will make you work harder.
What defines health and healthy to you?
It all depends on the person, and what stage of the game you are in. If you're during off season you can be more relaxed, while still building muscle. I would recommend to take a lot of vitamins to make your bones stronger so you get less injuries.
How has gymnastics helped your self-esteem?
This question really relates to me because I was really shy. I always thought because I didn't look like other girls, I must've been doing something wrong. When I started doing floor and beam, it really helped boost my self esteem. Once I saw that I put in hard work and got the results I wanted, I started realizing I could do this. The one thing I miss about gymnastics is floor. It allowed you to be silly, and try to be elegant and nice on the floor. It really helped in terms of being confident in my body. When you do gym, it takes a pounding on your body. You are going to be fit so I got fit. Now I intend to keep it that way once I stopped.