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Is Leanne Wong setting a new standard for athletes balancing sports and entrepreneurship?

Leanne Wong, a senior at the University of Florida, is not only making her mark in collegiate gymnastics but was also up for the prestigious Honda Award, a recognition of excellence in her field. Even at such a young age, her accomplishments are truly remarkable. She captured an all-around silver medal and a floor exercise bronze at the 2021 World Championships, and while she served as an alternate for the 2020 Olympic team, her career trajectory has been nothing short of inspiring.

On top of that, Leanne Wong earned her sixth consecutive spot on the U.S. Senior National Team after finishing eighth at the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships. Though the gymnastics calendar is a bit quiet at the moment, with the NCAA gymnastics season set to kick off in April 2025, Leanne isn’t letting the lull slow her down. Instead of resting on her laurels, she’s making waves off the mat, proving that her talents stretch far beyond just the competition floor.

Leanne Wong recently took to Instagram Stories to share a heartwarming reel of her latest collaboration with her foundation, all while still riding the high of her Gators football’s big win. The story, captioned “still celebrating our gators win,” showed Leanne and her crew doing something truly special. She added, “Just a few hundred pounds of food feeding over 600 people @gracemarketplace,” and you could see it all unfold.

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via Reuters

In the reel, Leanne, with a smile that could light up any room, was helping load up a car with loaves of bread and some leftover food, all part of the massive food donation. And trust us, it wasn’t just a little—there was a ton of food going out to support those in need. Leanne Wong is making an impact on and off the mat with her foundation, which spreads joy by partnering to provide resources for those struggling with life’s essentials.

The Leanne Wong Foundation, born on her 21st birthday, September 20, 2024, aims to reduce food waste and combat insecurity. All proceeds from the foundation go directly toward this cause. And if that wasn’t inspiring enough, September is Hunger Action Month—where the color orange takes center stage. Orange represents not only the fight against hunger but also Leanne’s commitment to the Gators as she heads into her senior year at the University of Florida. But wait, this isn’t the only venture Leanne has up her sleeve!

Leanne Wong and her other business!

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Leanne Wong’s entrepreneurial spirit took a flight back in 2018 when she discovered her ultimate fashion statement: a bow. What started as a small accessory to complement her gymnastics leotards turned into something much bigger. When a fashion and interior design class required her to design an outfit, Leanne chose to create her bow, and that’s when the hobby truly sparked.

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Is Leanne Wong setting a new standard for athletes balancing sports and entrepreneurship?

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She started wearing one every day with all sorts of outfits and soon realized she could make them in every color imaginable. This new passion blossomed, but it wasn’t without its challenges. Balancing gymnastics and school wasn’t easy, as she struggled to earn enough credits, spending most of her time training and taking online classes. But through determination, she found a way—by branching out to a neighboring district for her fashion class.

via Getty

As she competed at meets, Leanne’s bows became a signature part of her style, tucked neatly behind her bun, adding an extra layer of personality to her already vibrant presence. Little did she know, she was becoming a role model for young girls who admired her success. “Seeing so many young girls wear my bows now, I realize how much of an inspiration I am to them as a role model,” Leanne shared. It was in 2021 that she decided to take her love for bows to the next level, turning her hobby into a business. After winning two World Championships medals, Leanne launched her bow store during her winter break, starting her journey as the CEO of Leanne Wong Bowtique.

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Running a business while being a top-tier student-athlete is no small feat, but Leanne manages it with a fierce work ethic that’s rooted in her upbringing. Her parents, both scientists, instilled in her the values of hard work and dedication. Her mom, Bee Ding, played a huge role in supporting her business, along with Leanne’s dad and two younger brothers, who helped make the bows. As her bows gained popularity, Leanne’s smart marketing strategy saw her wearing them at elite meets, attracting attention from gymnasts and fans alike. But Leanne’s journey isn’t just about bows—she co-wrote a book, My Journey: Trust the Process, with her mom to inspire others and share the wisdom that’s helped her rise to the top.

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