Where it All Began
So, where did my fitness journey begin? When I was in preschool, my older sister did gymnastics. Like every other younger sibling, I wanted to be just like my big sister; so I wanted to do gymnastics. My parents didn’t want to start me in gymnastics before I was 5 years old, but I started doing things at home anyways, so they decided to put me in classes when I was 4. I’ve been told that my determination was evident even then: I wanted my bridge kick-over before the end of the week, so I practiced at home until I got it (apparently the look on my coach’s face was priceless).
I continued to do gymnastics and began competing in elementary school. By 6thgrade, I was level 7, but I then began having mental blocks with back tumbling (unfortunately, 
just like my sister). My parents then stopped paying for gymnastics, so I had to quit for a bit against my will. But, we made a deal that if I got my back tumbling back, they would begin paying for gymnastics again. So at age 11, I took the money I saved from odd jobs and paid $60 per hour for private lessons once per week with my coach. After a few months, I got it back and my parents started paying for the competitive team again.
It took me until 9thgrade to compete again, I didn’t compete the next year, but competed my junior and senior year of high school. Due to my mental blocks, I was late in the recruiting process for collegiate gymnastics, so I was unable to obtain a scholarship to compete in college. But, I was able to walk on to a division 1 program and contributed to the team every year I was there.
Losing and Re-discovering My Identity
After graduating college in three years with a rehabilitation science major and pathokinesiology certificate, I went to graduate school for my doctorate in physical therapy. At this point, I had to retire from gymnastics, which had been my life and my passion for as long as I could remember. I began running and continued lifting my first year, but I was still missing something.
Sometime during my second year, @lind.slaaay came across my Instagram explore page having fun over at Bondi Beach. I immediately realized calisthenics was what I was missing. I missed those bodyweight workouts and flipping around. The only reason why I hadn’t continued doing them was because I thought people would think I was weird. Seeing others on Instagram do calisthenics made me realize there was an entire community out there. I then began using the MoveStrong rig at the campus gym. Plus, I kept stopping on my way home at a park with some bars.
During my first clinical rotation, I decided to start my Instagram page to keep myself accountable with my fitness journey, after I was so inspired by other pages. I then came across various hand balancers on Instagram and realized that hand balancing existed too! Handstands were something I was missing, so I started practicing more and more. I decided to build my canes before heading off to my second clinical rotation. Also during my second rotation, I decided to teach myself Olympic lifting to try something new. But honestly, there’s just something about lifting weight above your head that’s super empowering! By the end of PT school, I was doing handstands and random workouts everywhere! I had no idea I could share my passion with so many others.
While studying for the National Physical Therapy Exam, I decided to try ninja. That led me to think of building my own salmon ladder/squat rack literally inside my studio apartment.
I’m currently working as an outpatient physical therapist and wanting to share more of my fitness journey with you. I want to share what I have learned through exercise, life, and school, while being transparent. I still struggle with life and adulting too!
But on a side note, never trust someone who says they know everything. That’s impossible and you have to constantly learn to keep up.
As always, I love hearing from you all, whether it be questions, concerns, content suggestions, or just to say hi! So feel free to reach out via Instagram (@paradigmofperfection), email (paradigmofperfection@gmail.com), or the contact me down below!
