Q: How did you first get into trampoline gymnastics?

A: I was born in Colorado, but my family moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area when I was about three. I'm one of five kids, and I started gymnastics by following my older sister, who did traditional artistic gymnastics. The gym closest to our house only offered trampoline, which is pretty unusual. So, in a way, I didn't have much of a choice, but it wouldn't have mattered because I loved it. I started when I was around five or six, and I knew pretty early on that it was what I wanted to do. I vividly remember watching the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. At the time, I was watching artistic gymnastics because there weren't many trampoline athletes for me to look up to. But I was hooked. I remember thinking, "That's what I want to do." I started competing nationally when I was eight, which was quite young for the sport at the time. I've been passionate about trampoline from the beginning.

Q: What are some of the moments in your career that stand out most?

A: One of my first big highlights came shortly after moving to Alabama. I was around 16 and a half, approaching the age when athletes can compete at the senior elite level. There were several injuries on the team, which created opportunities for me. In my first year there, I made the senior national team and competed at the Pan American Championships in Toronto. I also qualified for one of the two spots available for my country at the 2015 Pan American Games. Before that, I hadn't really understood what the Pan American Games were or how these major multisport events worked. Being there was incredible. You had team gear, an athletes' village, recovery facilities, and athletes from all kinds of sports living and competing together. It felt close to what I imagine the Olympics would be like. Another highlight was representing the United States with my synchronized trampoline partner at the 2017 World Games in Poland. Competing at another multisport event was an amazing experience. But that period also came with a challenge I had been keeping to myself.

Q: You experienced a significant personal challenge around the time you qualified for the World Games. What happened?

A: Leading up to the final trial where my partner and I secured our place at the World Games, I was struggling with urinary incontinence. I remember finishing a routine, bouncing out onto the mat, and sitting there feeling incredibly embarrassed. I was worried that the leakage was visible, and I felt as though I had blinders on because I was so focused on what had happened. That was one of the first times I realized I needed to seek help. At the time, I thought I was the only person dealing with it. Looking back, I realize that so many athletes experience similar challenges, but we don't necessarily talk about them. I was around 20 when my mom found out. I had been dealing with it at the gym for two or three years without telling her. That was a big wake-up call. I started wondering why I hadn't felt comfortable sharing something that was affecting me every day. It was a strange combination of a high and a low. I was achieving something significant in my career while privately struggling with something that made me feel isolated.

Q: Why was it so difficult to ask for help?

A: At the time, I had one main coach, and he was a man. As a teenager, I didn't feel comfortable approaching my male coach to talk about something so personal. There was also a lot of embarrassment and shame attached to it. I kept thinking I could manage it myself, and I didn't want anyone to know. When I finally told my mom, she helped communicate what was happening to my coach because it was affecting me mentally, emotionally, and in ways other people could notice. People might have assumed I was unhappy with a performance, when there was much more going on behind the scenes. If I could go back and give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to become my own biggest advocate. People can't read your mind. Even if they notice something is wrong, they might not understand what you're experiencing. Sometimes, asking for help means putting your pride aside, but it can save you a lot of trouble. Now, I'm much more open about these conversations. If I meet someone who is struggling, I'm often the first to share my own experiences so they don't feel like they're the only one.

Q: How was your experience with your period when you were younger?

A: I started my period later than some of my friends and sisters, when I was almost 15. Because I had two older sisters, I had already seen some of what they went through, so I felt like I had a general idea of what to expect. I was also very independent. I remember not even telling my mom when I got my period because I thought I could handle it myself. She eventually found out another way. I wouldn't say my period was a major struggle for me. I've generally been fortunate, and my mindset has played a role in how I approach it. But I know everyone's experience is different, and I don't want my story to take away from what other athletes might be going through.

Q: Did your perspective on training during your period change over time?

A: One of my female coaches told me when I was younger that women could feel especially strong during their periods. She encouraged me to take advantage of training during that time, even if I was tired or experiencing cramps. I don't know how much of that was based on research, but the message stayed with me. Even now, if I'm cramping or feeling a little more fatigued, I sometimes think, "This is my chance to train hard." That mindset has helped me approach my period positively rather than seeing it as something that automatically holds me back. Of course, everyone's body is different, and I think it's important to listen to how you feel. My experience with incontinence was different. That brought more embarrassment and frustration because it was something I struggled to manage. It made me realize how isolating it can feel when you think other people aren't experiencing the same thing.

Q: As a coach, have you noticed girls leaving sport during puberty? What do you think contributes to that?

A: I think a lot of kids leave sport between the ages of 13 and 15, particularly girls. There are often reasons like wanting more time with friends or choosing to focus on school sports, but I think there can be other factors that are harder to talk about. In gymnastics, athletes wear leotards and perform in a setting where they can feel physically vulnerable. Periods, leakage, and changes in their bodies can add another layer of discomfort. I also think the fact that many coaches are men can make it harder for girls to bring up personal concerns. Even if a coach is supportive, a young athlete may still feel embarrassed about starting that conversation. I understand that feeling because I was the same way. I didn't want people asking me about it. I wanted to figure everything out myself, even when I could have benefited from help.

Q: How can parents and coaches support athletes without making them feel embarrassed?

A: I think education is a great place to start. Sometimes, a parent doesn't even know their child is struggling because the child has found ways to hide it. I know parents who had no idea their daughters were dealing with incontinence. When I was younger, I would come home from training and put my leotard straight into the washing machine. I was good at hiding what was happening, so people didn't know. As athletes get older, parents may also spend less time at the gym. They might drop their child off and pick them up afterward without seeing what happens during training. I think we need to give parents and coaches the information to recognize when an athlete might need support and show them how to approach the subject sensitively. Coaches don't necessarily have to speak directly to the athlete about something personal. They could start by sharing resources with the parents and letting them decide how to approach the conversation with their child. The goal is to make help available without making any one girl feel singled out.

Q: You mentioned that incontinence is another issue athletes may feel uncomfortable discussing. Why is it important to bring it into the conversation?

A: I think it's important because athletes can experience it and feel completely alone, just as they can with their periods. In trampoline gymnastics, we're taking on a lot of force, and incontinence was something I dealt with for years. I was embarrassed and spent a lot of time trying to find ways to manage it without telling anyone. Over time, I found approaches that worked better for me, and I'm much more comfortable talking about it now. Sometimes, the best compliment is when I tell someone that I've struggled with it and they say they never would have known. That is the goal. I want people to understand that these experiences don't have to define them or prevent them from participating in sport.

Q: What would you say to an athlete who is struggling with something similar but feels too embarrassed to tell anyone?

A: First, you aren't the only one. I know it can feel that way because nobody is necessarily walking around talking about it, but that doesn't mean others aren't experiencing it. You also don't have to share every detail to ask for help. Sometimes, you can simply tell someone that you're having a difficult day or that something is affecting your training. You can start with the amount of information you're comfortable sharing. I also think it's important to remember that asking for help doesn't mean you're not strong or independent. I spent years trying to manage everything on my own because I thought I had it handled. Looking back, I could have saved myself a lot of stress by speaking up earlier.

Q: If you could make one change to help more girls stay in sport, what would it be?

A: I think it comes down to confidence, openness, and communication. We need to make it easier for girls to access information and feel comfortable asking for support. For me, educating parents is especially important. Parents can have children who go on to become elite athletes, world champions, or Olympians without necessarily knowing everything those athletes experience along the way. My own mom didn't know I was struggling with incontinence until I was around 20. Coaches also need access to resources. Even if a coach doesn't feel comfortable discussing a personal issue directly with an athlete, they can help by providing information to the parents and pointing them toward support.