Once upon a time, I was a gymnast.

It was the only thing I knew, and the only thing I loved about myself.

I never had the opportunity or wherewithal to develop interests outside of my sport, and became dependant on it for validation in many ways. It was the common bond between my mother, my sisters (who also did gymnastics),and I.

It was the one arena where I, a quiet, shy introvert could stand out and showcase a special talent.

It was my only source of socialization or meaningful connection. And, like many high-level athletes across various sports, it became my identity. …

Today Carly promotes discussion on mental health. Her own and others.

Quitting Gymnastics can be traumatic. Like a divorce.

But there are many upsides, as well. The best I’ve seen on this topic is from a Freakonomics podcast — The Upside of Quitting

Once upon a time I was a Gymnast: Why Quitting is Sometimes the Best Thing