Jedda Lusk

Well versed driven student compelled to make a positive impact and lead. Detail-oriented, strong interpersonal skills and capability of exceeding expectations. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Open minded to the ever changing world we live in.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 

In 2008, one evening my parents were brainstorming activities they could put me in to accommodate my high energy. At the time my brother was in gymnastics classes, but it was obvious that he wasn’t having fun. However, I was all over the place crashing off the couch attempting skills I shouldn’t have been attempting, even if I had a pillow to land on. So, at 2 years old my parents registered me for toddler gymnastics classes unknowing that I'd fall in love with such an unforgiving and unpredictable sport. 

I was addicted, doing gymnastics everywhere and anywhere. The world of competitive gymnastics was introduced to my parents; future collegiate scholarships were appealing to my mom and dad, and more gym time was what swept me. This is where my perception was warped. You see when you’re 7 years old and find out that you’re “gifted” enough to follow the Junior Olympic path where the thing I loved would become 95% of my life, the outcomes could only be sunshine and rainbows, right? 

None of us truly understood what competitive gymnastics entailed. No one warned me of the sacrifices I would make socially, physically and mentally. No one warned me about the intense environments I’d be expected to act at twice my age in maturity. Never cautioned about the abusive coaches I’d tolerate only because I wouldn’t want to risk my success. But, what certainly no one ever warned me about, was that I’m not invincible, and my body would burn out before I am ready to retire. In my sophomore year, due to the years of stress on my growth plates, the discs in my back slipped into my vertebrates, forcing me to quit on a technicality.  

Because I was so dedicated to something entirely consuming at a young age, it became a part of my identity as I matured. When gymnastics was casually ripped out of my life, I felt lost. In response to my frustration and years of captivity, I fell into drug abuse to aid with my physical pain and to block out the torment from an eating disorder. I resented gymnastics for burning out my passion that once meant so much to me; I resented gymnastics for leaving me broken. 

Over time I was able to adjust to my new schedule. Sure, it wasn't easy leaving behind a sport that grew up with me, but I now understand this change was necessary. Elite Gymnastics taught me the significance of self-discipline, the value in defeat, and created a drive to rise above initial expectations. But, when I retired, I was shown the other side of myself, a separate individual that hadn’t had time to flourish. I was able to mend the suppressed and neglected areas within myself through therapy. I am not a failure because I wasn't able to fulfill my goal as a collegiate gymnast, it just wasn’t in my fate. I finally learned independence when I stopped trying to control outside factors and realized individuality is separate from our life statuses. Exploring my new passions and ambitions to replace a childhood dream corrects my alignment. 

My experience as an elite gymnast were emotional and unique, but it's the lessons I've learned, the character I've built, and the memories I've made that I get to progress into my future with, and of course a few party tricks.