Former UCLA gymnast Katelyn Ohashi has become a household name for her iconic performances and viral routines. But now, three years after her graduation, Ohashi has chosen a quieter life away from the spotlight, focusing on personal growth, self-reflection, and new creative pursuits. The days of high-pressure gymnastics competitions and roaring crowds have given way to more peaceful moments with her beloved cats and leisurely skateboarding sessions under the California sun.
Despite leaving behind her athletic career, Ohashi continues to find fulfillment in simpler joys. These changes represent her evolving journey after a life filled with intense competition, body-shaming struggles, and the physical demands of being an elite athlete. For Ohashi, the transition from the gymnastics mat to a more relaxed, introspective existence has been liberating.
The Shift from Gymnastics Stardom to Personal Discovery
Ohashi’s journey as an athlete was defined by moments of incredible success, notably her 2019 viral gymnastics routine. This performance, which earned her a perfect 10, is one of the most viewed gymnastics videos in history, with over 44 million views on UCLA’s Twitter account. The routine, which combined classic gymnastics with energetic dance moves to the sounds of iconic R&B and pop music, made Ohashi an instant sensation. However, for her, this was only a chapter in a larger narrative.
When reflecting on her gymnastics career, Ohashi recalls the pressures of competing at a high level and the toll it took on her both physically and mentally. “When I was doing gymnastics, I feel like your whole identity gets wrapped up with what you’re doing,” she shared in an interview. “Every athlete goes through a phase where it feels like they are their sport.”
As she took a step back from competitive gymnastics, Ohashi has been able to focus on self-discovery, mental health, and exploring other passions. In doing so, she has come to terms with the struggles she faced during her career, including the mental burnout caused by years of pushing her body to the limit. The separation from the sport has allowed her to feel freer, embracing the person she has become rather than remaining stuck in the past.
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Facing Body Image Struggles and Self-Acceptance
Ohashi’s journey toward self-acceptance has been deeply personal. In her early years of competition, she struggled with body image issues and body-shaming, experiences that many elite athletes face. On her Instagram, where she has amassed over a million followers, Ohashi has used her platform to share her struggles with body image and the pressures she faced to conform to certain physical ideals. Reflecting on her younger self, Ohashi has expressed how difficult it was to accept her body during a time when societal expectations for female athletes were rigid.
“It’s strange for me to look at that version of myself,” Ohashi said when reflecting on her early competition days. “I look angry, sad, and you can see that I’m battling through physical injuries that were actually more mental burnout.” Her willingness to confront these personal challenges and share them publicly has made her an advocate for mental health, self-acceptance, and the importance of nurturing one’s inner well-being.
A New Focus: Writing, Poetry, and Creative Projects
While gymnastics will always be a part of Ohashi’s life, she has embraced new creative endeavors that allow her to express herself in fresh and exciting ways. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohashi found solace in poetry, a form of expression that helped her process her emotions and navigate a time of uncertainty. She joined friends in weekly Zoom poetry sessions, where they would share their work and support each other creatively.
Ohashi’s exploration of poetry has led her to an ambitious new project: an animated short film inspired by her writing. The film will explore themes from her own life, including her gymnastics career, mental health challenges, body image issues, and family dynamics. This new venture represents a departure from her athletic identity and a chance to redefine herself beyond the world of gymnastics. She is currently working on fundraising for the project, which she plans to direct herself.
“This project is hopefully the thing that pushes me — more than an athlete,” Ohashi explained. By venturing into new creative fields, Ohashi is proving that there is more to her than her gymnastics legacy. Her goal is to expand her influence beyond sports and inspire others to embrace their own multifaceted identities.
Returning to Gymnastics, but with a New Perspective
Although Ohashi has stepped away from competitive gymnastics, her love for the sport has not faded. In 2021, she performed in Simone Biles’ “Gold Over America” tour, which offered her the opportunity to return to the gymnastics world in a different capacity. The tour allowed Ohashi to reconnect with her passion for gymnastics while performing in a less intense, more celebratory environment.
Reflecting on her experience, Ohashi admitted, “Coming back, I’m like, ‘Oh, man… This is what I fell in love with within gymnastics.’” For Ohashi, the performance reminded her of why she initially pursued gymnastics — the joy of movement, creativity, and the thrill of performing for an audience.
However, Ohashi recognizes that gymnastics, as a competitive pursuit, is not something she can continue indefinitely. She has accepted that her career as a gymnast is over and that her future lies in other creative endeavors and passions. Her journey is an example of how athletes can transition from their competitive years to new pursuits, finding fulfillment in unexpected places.
A Message of Empowerment and Growth
Katelyn Ohashi’s story is one of growth, resilience, and empowerment. From the pressures of elite gymnastics to her viral moment and eventual shift away from the sport, Ohashi has embraced her journey with grace. Through her struggles with body image and mental health, she has become a role model for many, using her voice to promote self-acceptance and the importance of mental well-being.
Today, Ohashi finds joy in the simple pleasures of life — spending time with her pets, skating along the Venice strand, and pursuing her creative projects. She has built a life that reflects her true self, outside the confines of her gymnastics career. As she continues to explore new passions and share her experiences with the world, Katelyn Ohashi remains an inspiring figure who proves that there is more to life than being defined by a single title or achievement.
Conclusion
Katelyn Ohashi’s decision to move beyond gymnastics has allowed her to embrace a quieter, more reflective life filled with new creative pursuits. Through her poetry, upcoming animated short film, and advocacy for mental health, Ohashi has proven that her legacy extends far beyond the gymnastics mat. She continues to inspire others to explore their identities, accept themselves, and pursue their passions with authenticity and courage. Katelyn Ohashi’s journey is a powerful reminder that personal growth and reinvention are always possible, no matter where life leads.
