Interview with Oklahoma Gymnast Bell Johnson

`1. What age did you start gymnastics?

2 years old

2. How did you start out in the sport?

All three of my older siblings did gymnastics and loved it so my mom had me start!

3. How did you deal with mental blocks?

First off just remembering that it won’t last forever. It’s just a phase that will pass so try to not get too frustrated with yourself. Also remember that every single gymnast has had them. Simone Biles has bad mental blocks!

4. Who was your role model/someone you looked up to in the sport?

Shawn Johnson was my role model when I was a starting the sport. I always looked up to my older teammates as well.

5. What was your hardest struggle during your time as a gymnast?

The hardest struggle was learning to not out my identity in the sport. While it is an amazing sport that you can accomplish great things in, it is not who you are as a person. It is really important to have hobbies and other interests as well. And friends outside of the sport. H

6. How do you handle nerves when you are competing?

I always pray before I compete to help calm my nerves. Also remembering that it’s ok to not do your best every single time you go. Just have fun because that’s why I do the sport.

7. What was your biggest accomplishment in gymnastics?

Competing at the NCAA National Championship in 2022 and winning with my team!

8. What did you do after you were done competing? did you stay involved or did you do something totally different?

just finished my time as a gymnast. I will be working some gymnastics camps and will be cheering on my former teammates! I will be pursuing a degree in sports marketing.

9. What would people need to know if you are starting the sport for the first time?

Invest in your friendships because that is the biggest thing you will take from the sport when you are done.

10. What was your favorite gymnastics meet?

I loved competing at home meets for OU

11. How did you handle pressure form peers/coaches/fans?

Always reminding myself that a performance or a coaches opinion doesn’t define my worth as a person. Also reminding myself that my friends and teammates want me to succeed and won’t be upset with me if I mess up.

12. How do you overcome setbacks and challenges?

Knowing that it won’t last forever and that hard work never disappears. Just keeping pushing forward.

13. Did college gymnastics ever cross your mind as something you wanted to do?

Yes I wanted to do it form a young age

14. Least favorite event and favorite event? And Why?

Least favorite is vault. It hurt my body and I wasn’t great at it. Favorite event was beam to practice and floor to compete. I love expressing my personality on floor.

15. Hardest and easiest gymnastics skill to train?

Hardest skill to learn was honestly a full on floor. I had a really hard time with it in level 8. Easiest skill was a kick front on beam.

16. How did/do you deal with getting in your head on skills?

Just start with the basics and move up as your comfortable.

17. How did you stay out of your head at practice and at meet?

Just trusting my training and knowing I’m ready to compete.

18. Have any of you got a skill for a few weeks on any event and then a week or to later you just can't do it? If this has happened to you how have you dealt with it or overcome it?

I have lost my bar dismount a few times. I would always go back to the pit bar and try to fix it. I change sky dismount my last year of college and it worked don’t great. There are so many options of skills to learn you will find one that works for you.

19. How did you cope when your time as a gymnast was over? Did you go into coaching or did you find something else to fill what gymnastics filled?

During my senior year I felt ready to move on from the sport when I was down because I had some chronic injuries that I needed to rest. It is hard to get into a new routine but it is also so fun to have more time for other hobbies and spending grime with friends.

20. Advice you would give to current or people who want to start in the sport?

Cherish your friendships the most! I have made friends for life through gymnastics