zdenek-50220598 @zdenek-50220598
It's hard to believe I've been practicing gymnastics for almost my entire life. My mother used to take me to the gym when I was just five years old, and now I'm 18 and still obsessed with it. There's something about flying through the air on the beam that just makes me feel alive. Maybe it's because it's the only time I can escape from my own thoughts and worries.
As a gymnast, I have to be careful what I eat and when I exercise. It's not always easy, but it's worth it to see how strong and flexible I've become. I love the feeling of being in top physical condition - there's nothing quite like the rush of adrenaline you get from pushing yourself to new heights (literally!). But sometimes I worry that I'm losing myself in all this training - that I'm forgetting who I am outside of the gym.
I don't know what my future holds, but right now it feels uncertain and scary. My body is changing so fast - my breasts are growing and my hips are curving out... it's like everything is getting all weird and awkward. And sometimes when I look in the mirror, I see a stranger staring back at me. It's hard to recognize myself anymore. But when I'm on the beam, none of that matters - I can just be myself, or at least what I used to be.
