Haleigh Bryant makes her famous fifth-year return to LSU this season. But none of this would have been possible if her parents had not helped her pick between soccer and gymnastics as a kid. Yes, you heard that right. Dilemma, sacrifice, and perseverance—there’s a lot that makes up her story!

After all, it takes an army for one to be at the top of the sport, right? And Bryant is unapologetically leading the NCAA charts as the reigning all-around champion. But not many know that her parents have been her pillars of strength from her formative years to today, helping her with each step. Haleigh Bryant was born in Atlanta in 2001 to Terry and Trisha Bryant, who have always been a support system.

Who is Haleigh Bryant’s father?

Haleigh Bryant’s father, Terry, is an art lover like his wife, Trisha. He is a musician and producer by profession, and guess what? Their paths even crossed at a local art exhibition, where one presented his magical tunes and the other, her picturesque designs. Haleigh’s father is not only passionate about art but also media-featured and critically acclaimed artists. Terry’s ‘Harmony of Hearts‘ is among his best musical works. And the best part? He doesn’t hold the art to himself, but he, along with his wife, tries to reach the community by holding art and music workshops for the aspiring!

Haleigh Bryant’s father has been a multi-sport athlete. Dabbling in both basketball and football during high school, he grew up to earn some brilliant Division I scholarship offers. But gymnastics? They hadn’t thought of it until Haleigh Bryant’s serendipitous journey in gymnastics began when the three-year-old attended the parents’ night out at Georgia All-Star Gymnastics with a friend.

What next? Well, the toddler was intrigued by the event! To the extent that her aptitude stood out to everyone around. No wonder when Trisha and Terry went to pick her up, they were told, “Um, you should enroll her.” For the longest time, Terry coached Haleigh Bryant in both soccer and basketball. And when he learned that she had a crystal-clear inclination towards gymnastics, it broke his heart a little, as he says. “But she wanted what she wanted,” is what Terry exclaimed.

And ever since, her parents have never asked her to go back. Come what may, they have supported her ambition to become a world-class gymnast. The moment Terry Bryant came around, knowing that Haleigh had her mind fixated on gymnastics, he pledged—if this is what she wants to do, he would support her forever. And well, he lived up to that promise. Even if it meant going to great extents. As a rising star, Haleigh Bryant started racking up awards and gymnastics honors; her parents started realizing the need to make advanced training accessible to her.

And so they did! The ecstatic parents signed her up for gymnastics classes the very next day, and that’s how a star was born. In no time, Haleigh Bryant was on the pre-team, and a potential career option lay open in front of her. But wait, this was just the start. Here’s how her parents supported her during the later phases of her career.

Who is Haleigh Bryant’s mother?

Haleigh Bryant’s mother, Trisha, also channels her flair for creativity via her art, like her husband Terry. Trisha’s work, the ‘Canvas of Dreams,’ is her finest on paper, and she keeps organizing artwork shops to showcase her work and let it flow to others.

Interestingly, gymnastics was never the sport on their family radar. Bryant’s mother, Trisha, was a softball player at UNC Charlotte, showcasing her athletic talent in a completely different field. And as the gymnast agrees, it was the right call. “I always did soccer and gymnastics, but I didn’t like soccer. My mom wanted me to pick one, and I obviously chose gymnastics. I never regretted that decision once,” Haleigh once said.

Well, the heart has a way of saying what it wants, right? For Haleigh Bryant, it said gymnastics. “I’d do basketball on Mondays, go to gymnastics on Tuesdays, and I’d always look forward to that. By the time I got to soccer on Wednesdays, sometimes I’d say, `I’m not going; I don’t want to go, because I was looking forward to gymnastics,” Haleigh said.

Where did Haleigh Bryant grow up?

Haleigh Bryant was born in Atlanta in 2001 and, as a standout LSU gymnast, grew up in Cornelius, North Carolina. However, as supportive parents, the family had to move out of North Carolina. The reason is clear. Not once did Haleigh Bryant’s parents wobble before taking a life-changing step for her. In 2011, the Bryant clan moved from the Atlanta area to Cornelius, N.C., for Haleigh to be able to train at the Everest Gymnastics Training Center in Huntersville.

Even when she decided to finalize LSU as her college, her parents supported her out and out. Although they did inform her that other schools were looking at her too, they prioritized her choice, as always. Well, thanks to these decisions, LSU Gymnastics has a star with them today. And so does American gymnastics; she should turn pro after her NCAA career.

But for now, she is doing great. Haleigh continued her impressive career; she won the all-around title at the Podium Challenge on February 28, 2025. Interestingly, her score—39.725—led LSU to victory over George Washington. As time passes, Haleigh is all set to write her own story on the gymnastics mat.