Aly Raisman: The USA Olympic Gymnastics Team’s Grandma
At 22, Aly Raisman is just old enough for the post uni-graduation-life crisis most normal Americans would worry about, freaking out over career choices and job applications. But Raisman is a bit of an anomaly; many world-class gymnasts would be considered too old in their 20’s, retiring from a career and a passion at an age where most are still unsure what their first career is going to be (never mind knowing whether they’ll be happy at that first career). But Raisman’s out to prove those standards wrong and change the game.
She’s a great role model for everyone and anyone, and reminds us all that even when you’re in a high-pressure, high-stress situation, it’s always better to keep your cool and stay poised. She and teammate Gabby Douglas, 19, are the first people to make it to the US Olympic Gymnastics team back-to-back since 2000. She’s the oldest on her team, and her teammates call her “Grandma Aly,” because of her innate sense of leadership.
“Carbs are not the enemy”
Though she’s a self-proclaimed health nut, Aly Raisman keeps it real, telling People magazine, “If I’m craving something that’s not as healthy I definitely splurge.” She keeps a healthy view of food – she eats mostly healthy but doesn’t mind treating herself on occasion. “If you’re craving chocolate or dessert I think you should have some of it. I think that’s living a normal, healthy, balanced diet,” she said.
But an important point she makes is that you’re supposed to eat a balanced diet, not just cut out a food group entirely based on a preconceived notion: “I eat a lot of carbs. For some reason, Americans think eating carbs is like the enemy. But, as an athlete, we’re supposed to, carbs is the key to having energy and the key to being able to recover after a workout as well.”
Aly’s Tips For Dealing With Stress
Aly told ESPN some of the ways she deals with the stress of the Olympic tryouts to help every stressed and worried athlete before a big meet.
Let it go, as much as you possibly can
Everyone has bad meets, bad practices, bad days. “I have a couple of those a week,” Raisman says.
Avoid social media
It’s hard not to go on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram and check out all the other hardworking athletes. Remember you’re a different person and you have your own bubble and you must deal with your own stress and worries to better yourself
Keep the press at bay
This one doesn’t quite apply to most people, but Aly picks and chooses her interviews and has stopped all photoshoots as the tryouts and the Olympics get nearer to reduce stress.
Take time for the things you love
The best thing you can do for yourself is to enjoy life instead of stressing about it. Aly has a passion not just for gymnastics, but also for fashion. She designed her own leotards to wear at Rio and even plans to open up her own line of gymnastics apparel. She says the floor is her red carpet to debut her designs.
Pace yourself
“You don’t have to be perfect, yet.” Tryouts are just tryouts and even the judges know that, so pace yourself so you’re at 90-95 percent at the tryouts and at 110 for the Olympics!
Remember the light at the end of the tunnel
Even though she shines on the floor and loves what she does, the Olympics are very stressful. Aly’s smart and takes solace in knowing that it all comes to an end and there’s time to relax when it’s all over.
Be like Aly, love your body and love what you do, and keep calm and poised through it all, helping your friends and colleagues through whatever it is you’re all going through so that everyone can be better versions of themselves.