For most elite gymnasts, a back handspring is second nature. A skill so fundamental that it becomes muscle memory before they even hit their teenage years. But for UCLA star, it nearly pushed her to the edge. How does an Olympian and NCAA standout struggle with a skill so basic? And more importantly, how has she found ways to thrive despite it?

For over a decade, Brooklyn Moors found ways to work around a mental block that left her frozen with fear every time she attempted to tumble backward. Rather than letting it define her, she took an unconventional route, mastering intricate front-tumbling sequences that carried her all the way to the Olympics and onto one of the top NCAA teams in the country. But even now, as a standout for UCLA, the battle isn’t over.

The mental block wasn’t just an obstacle for Moors—it was also an identity crisis. “It made me feel bad about myself,” she admitted. “I wanted it so bad, and I just couldn’t do it. It was so frustrating… I identified myself only as a gymnast, and I couldn’t find my worth.” The inability to perform something so routine felt like a personal failure. Her frustration went beyond physical ability because it made her fear she lacked the necessary mental competencies.

Her own unmastered skills paled in comparison to those of her team members because her lack of self-confidence reached dangerously high levels, proving to be her own worst enemy. Her coaches suggested she try dance instead, and quitting the sport felt like the only way out.

And yet, she didn’t quit. Instead, she rewrote the rules. The World Championships recognized Moors as their first Canadian to win the Longines Prize for Elegance in 2017. She stands as the NCAA’s top floor performer by score average, drawing in audiences with a magnetism that can’t be taught. Each performance of hers represented more than a routine because she told stories as she navigated through them. When she was struggling to land a difficult front-tumbling acrobatic series on beam, head coach Janelle McDonald realized the simplest solution was to replace it with a back handspring. But mental blocks don’t respond to logic.

The challenge wasn’t about physical capability. It was about trusting herself. While Brooklyn Moors deals with her own struggles, she isn’t the only gymnast to face a mental block—Simone Biles, too, has reflected on facing such a situation in the past.

Overcoming mental blocks: Simone Biles and Brooklyn Moor’s fight for greatness

Simone Biles’ Tokyo Olympic dreams had taken an unexpected turn. Mid-air, she lost all sense of control—her body no longer obeyed her mind. It was the twisties, a terrifying mental block that left even the most dominant gymnast in history vulnerable. Biles then made the bold decision to step back, choosing her safety over another gold medal.

But while she fought to regain her confidence, she also had to battle critics who accused her of quitting. “For anyone saying I quit, I didn’t quit. My mind & body are simply not in sync. I don’t think you realize how dangerous this is on a hard/competition surface, nor do I have to explain why I put health first,” she said. It was a wake-up call to those who underestimate the mental battles athletes face. Even male gymnast Brody Malone backed her on how difficult it is when a gymnast’s body refuses to cooperate.

The 11-time Olympic medalist’s decision wasn’t about giving up. It was about survival, a truth that athletes like Brooklyn Moors understand all too well. During her last season at UCLA, Brooklyn Moors showed remarkable determination. The 2023 season started with a lengthy knee injury battle, but now she has fulfilled her role as UCLA’s most consistent athlete after returning in peak condition. Through each weekly competition, she gave astonishing floor performances that surpassed 9.900 points, which earned her the Big Ten Co-Event Specialist of the Week title because of her indispensable role within the team’s success.

For Moors, this season represents more than competing against others since her focus lies in achieving perfection. She is set to compete at Pauley Pavilion on Sunday one final time. What do you think? Will she edge closer to a milestone and achieve a perfect 10? Share your thoughts in the comments.