Every day from noon until evening,

You’ve devoted your whole childhood.

What once was a hobby quickly became a lifestyle.

The countless roles of tape to cover up the pain,

from training over and over seeking true success.

Your team-mates and coaches become as close as family,

Being there to lift you up through every up and down.

There’s no time for doubt or fear,

Only a heart full of confidence and pure courage.

Stepping into the competition, a whole new world appears.

You have to go someplace deep in your mind

to block out the judges and forget all the pressure.

Trying as hard as you can to ignore your shaky sweaty hands,

And the butterflies in your stomach.

But in the end,

after pushing through every injury and tear,

when you stand on the podium proudly wearing your medal

only proves to you how much this journey was worth it.