What’s in your destiny is something no one can change but you. And that’s exactly what Stephen Nedoroscik proved. Nedoroscik’s journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics wasn’t smooth sailing—he originally set his sights on the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, sporting his signature goggles and giving it his all. But after a tough fall during the trials, he didn’t make the team. It was a huge blow, but he didn’t give up.

Nedoroscik remembers people telling him, “One day you’re going to be an Olympian!” when he was just a kid. “Back then, I was just a dorky little kid. And now look at me—I’m a dorky adult, going to the Olympics,” he recalled. After all the ups and downs, making it to Paris felt like a dream come true. Then, at the 2024 Paris Games, Stephen won a bronze in the pommel horse finals, scoring a solid 15.30. He wrapped the American flag around himself like a superhero, soaking in the glory of everything he had worked for.

But now that he’s finally achieved his dream, what’s next for Stephen Nedoroscik? How does he feel after accomplishing what seemed impossible just a few years ago? Well, recently, Nedoroscik sat down with his Dancing With the Stars partner, Rylee Arnold, for a fun, behind-the-scenes moment shared by Access Hollywood on YouTube. In the video, titled “Stephen Nedoroscik Reveals First Impressions of Rylee Arnold’s BF | Behind the Easel,” the two were caught painting each other on the board while opening up about their experiences.

When it came to reflecting on his journey, Stephen couldn’t help but mention the Paris Olympics. “The transition that I’ve had since the Olympics has been nothing short of phenomenal,” he shared, adding, “Everything that’s been happening in my life has been something I could have never imagined, and amazing. Um, I’m just taking it one day at a time…” It’s clear that even now, Stephen is still processing it all.

He added, “Ironically, the fact that I’ve been keeping up with Dancing With the Stars and so many other opportunities… I don’t even think I fully accepted the fact that I’m an Olympian. That is, like, my life dream.” It feels like his dream coming true hasn’t quite hit him yet after experiencing all the ups and downs on the road to the Olympics; it’s amazing to see him talk about how unreal it all seems. But what about his journey on Dancing With the Stars? Did he advance to the semi-final round successfully?

Stephen Nedoroscik’s glasses fail in DWTS—what happened next?

After the Paris Olympics concluded, Stephen Nedoroscik signed up for Dancing With the Stars. He became the first participant, making history as the premier male gymnast to participate in the program, joining the ranks of past Olympians such as Shawn Johnson and Laurie Hernandez. Now, considering Stephen had zero dance experience, a lot of people were curious to see how he’d do. Would he be able to keep up? Well, after some tough moments—including a shaky performance and his glasses falling off—he made it to the finale, yes, it’s true.

During the semi-final round, on October 19, Stephen and his dancing partner Rylee Arnold had to showcase their skills in two styles: a cha-cha and a tango routine. Unfortunately, the cha-cha performance did not unfold as smoothly as anticipated. Stephen struggled to show the vibe of the dance, which was reflected in his movements. While the judges took notice and offered criticism, they also motivated him to persevere and deliver a good performance in the subsequent round.

True to their words, Stephen brought his A-game in the second dance routine. During the tango performance, Stephen decided to wear his glasses despite his habit of avoiding them for fear of them slipping off. As predicted, his glasses did slide down his face while dancing. However, it didn’t halt the performance; he showcased remarkable focus, earning admiration from the judges.

Stephen wrapped up the evening with a score of 53 out of 60 points with a 25 out of 30 for the cha cha and 28 out of 30 for the tango on the dance floor competition, despite landing in the last spot for the night. “The inner athlete is screaming in me that I gotta make it to that finale,” he expressed confidently. Even though he didn’t emerge victorious in the contest, Stephen Nedoroscik’s experience on Dancing With the Stars highlighted how his mentality of persevering through all obstacles shone on the dance stage.