Forget about making a legacy; even making a career in gymnastics is hard enough. You need to deal with tough routines, scores which won’t necessarily define the work you put it and sometimes you won’t even get the right chances. But above all this looms the threat of injuries. In a sport that already has a high rate of them, even the slightest sprain can end careers. So when high school senior Mackenzie Estep injured her ligaments last year, everyone thought this was it for her journey. But she has proved all of them wrong. With the 2025 Nastia Liuken Cup in her grasp, the Auburn-native has turned her life around. But just how tough was this injury?

For that, we need to go back to the 2024 Nastia Cup. After all, it was here that she suffered the injury that kept her on the shelf for nearly a year. While performing a vault routine, her ankle ligaments snapped. With that, a piece of bone also got chipped off. The agonizing pain of the moment was followed by the hollow realization that she wouldn’t be able to perform for the rest of the season.

So when she finally won in her post-match interview with Inside Gymnastics, she shared how tough the whole process was. In her own words, “I think it meant a little bit more this time, too, because last season, Nastia Cup was my last meet.” It’s safe to assume that the young gymnast was pretty satisfied with her performance. But this was not an easy return.

She shares,

“I was in a boot for a while. And then I started back. I was non-weight bearing for a little bit, and then I didn’t start doing gym again until June-ish.” This again stands as a statement that even minor injuries can derail a gymnast. Then there was the fear. After all, ring rust is a real thing. She mentions, “I struggled a little bit with my confidence. I was a little scared that I wouldn’t be the same gymnast as I was before, or, I wouldn’t accomplish the same things.”

But she also mentions how the injury taught her how to be mentally steady when something so big hits you. She continued, “I made sure to be super diligent with my PT and everything. I tried laser therapy. I talked with my college coaches about what they thought the best recovery would be.”And then finally she returned. And boy, what a return it was.

With this, she became the 2025 Nastia Liukin All-around champion with 38.975. With 9.950, she also became the Vault champion. It’s poetic, isn’t it? It’s like the universe acknowledging her perseverance, her will. Mackenzie Estep has conquered the vault. But the new champion wasn’t quick to pat herself on the back. She knows that so many people were responsible for the 18-year-old making it back.

So many people made Mackenzie Estep a gymnastics Champion

She was on the podium. She is the one who fought off the ligament damage. But for Mackenzie Estep, it was not a solo effort in the least. First of all, she thanked her parents, to whom she gives a lion’s share of the credit: “They always go above and beyond to make sure that I have everything I need to succeed, and that I always know that they’re proud of me.”

She says this positive feeling they make her feel is the reason she has been so successful: “I truly think that that’s many of the reasons I’ve been able to accomplish so many things is because they make sure that my sister and I had the tools we need to accomplish them.” But not just her family at home. She mentions her coaches, too, who have made her a success story today.

She will soon become a part of the Oklahoma gymnastics team. But before that, she wants to let her fans know how good the Ascend Gymnastics Center and coach Brett Wargo have been to her. She goes, “My coaches, I truly believe I would not be where I am today without them.”  After all, even outside Mackenzie, they have another star in their arsenal.

And she is none other than the 6-time World Championship medalist Shilese Jones. Talking about her, Estep said, “It’s been great to be coached by her and get her insight because she does all the skills.” Having someone like Shilese makes it so easy for an 18-year-old to connect. They can relate to each other, it’s easier to get the message across to the youngsters because they feel you.

And she can give practical experience that can be so valuable for the budding gymnasts. The newly-crowned Nastia Liukin Cup added, “It’s been great hearing her (Shilese’s) techniques and her little pockets of wisdom because she has so many.” A deserved Champion today, and Mackenzie Estep is already a star. But she is not focused on it. Her plans involve enjoying the moment and hope that she can spread happiness in the gymnastics community.