Intro

I initially didn’t understand what “GOAT” meant when people called me that. At a shoot, they kept saying, “The GOAT is here,” and I thought they were referring to an actual goat. It turns out, they meant me. It’s strange to me, even now, to have such accolades, but I’m grateful for the support.

Vault

In this photo, I’m attempting the Yurinko double Pike vault, a move no female gymnast has successfully landed in competition. It’s incredibly difficult and frightening, requiring perfect execution. I wrapped my ankles for precaution after a previous injury.

Wedding

Here, my husband and I are leaving our courthouse wedding in Houston. We had planned a larger ceremony in Cabo but needed a legal marriage beforehand. The last-minute scramble for outfits and rings was stressful, but the ceremony was beautiful and emotional. I knew from the start that he was the one for me, and I’m the only one who calls him Jonathan, which feels special.

Olympic Gold

Receiving my Olympic gold medal was surreal. It’s a culmination of a lifetime of training. Although my beam performance wasn’t perfect, I was overjoyed to still win a medal. The team treated the gold like a precious possession, and it felt like the peak of my achievements.

Senate Testimony

In this photo, I’m testifying before the Senate with former teammates about our experiences. It was a challenging and emotional experience, reliving trauma to advocate for others. The impact of speaking up about mental health and the systemic issues was profound and still shocks me.

Getting into Gymnastics

This is from one of my first photoshoots in 2013 when I was just starting out. At 15 or 16, I was training hard with a big dream. Training alone was tough, especially with the decision between public school and homeschooling. It’s amazing to see how far I’ve come from those early days.

Family

My sister and I came from foster care, and gymnastics started as a hobby. It’s incredible to see how much has changed, with our family’s sacrifices making it all worthwhile.