EXCLUSIVE: Balancing Three Lives With 20-Year-Old Leanne Wong: Paris Olympics, Business and NCAA Gymnastics

From the bustling city of Gainesville, amidst the academic fervor of the University of Florida, emerges Leanne Wong, a pre-med student and world-class gymnast. Raised by accomplished research scientists Marco Wong and Bee Ding, Leanne is a multi-faceted persona. At just 20 years old, she’s already a pre-med student and a force to be reckoned with in gymnastics, boasting titles like 2x World Champion and 4x World Medalist. To top it all, she’s rewriting history with her performances on the Florida Gators gym team. But Leanne’s story doesn’t stop there.

She’s also the creative mind behind Leanne Wong Bowtique, successfully running her business right from her college room. And if that’s not impressive enough, she’s penned a book, adding “author” to her ever-growing list of accomplishments. But what’s her secret sauce, you might wonder? How does she manage to navigate these varied roles and excel in each one?

Leanne Wong sheds light on her impeccable time management skills

In an exclusive interview with Essentially Sports, the “Boss of Bows,” Leanne Wong sat down to share the secret behind her diverse worlds of success and ambition. When confronted with the challenge of juggling college gymnastics, Olympic aspirations, and entrepreneurial pursuits, Leanne Wong offered profound insights to ES about her adept time management strategies. “How do you manage your demanding schedule and balance your time and workload effectively?” The 20-year-old prodigy gracefully articulated her dynamic approach, stating, “Every one of my days looks very different with my college courses, college gymnastics, Olympic aspirations, and entrepreneurial pursuits.”

Her philosophy embraced the intricacies of multitasking, as she explained herself as polychronic, saying, “I like to balance many things at once, whereas a monochronic would focus on one task at a time.” Wong shared how she prioritizes her academic and athletic pursuits, ensuring they take precedence, before dedicating her attention to managing her thriving business, Leanne Wong Bowtique, and overseeing her website.

She gratefully acknowledged the indispensable role her mother played in supporting her entrepreneurial ventures, particularly in managing the operational aspects and handling orders. As the conversation delved deeper with the young talent, Leanne Wong, she revealed to Essentially Sports the various aspects of her day-to-day life that make her a world-class gymnast for a reason. Ever curious about the dietary habits of a Team USA gymnast?

The role of Quest Nutrition in fueling her body and dreams

“What role does nutrition play as an athlete and full-time student?” we queried Leanne Wong. The Quest Nutrition Partner opened up about how she stays fueled as she gears for the Olympics. Leanne emphasized the critical importance of nutrition as both an athlete and a full-time student, highlighting its role in fueling her body for peak performance in both her sport and everyday activities. The 20-year-old athlete shared her trusted brand and go-to nutrition choice, stating, “After a long day and hard workout, I love having Quest Nutrition products because they are a great source of protein and all taste amazing. I have so many favorite Quest products, it’s impossible to just choose one.”

Additionally, she excitedly revealed Quest Nutrition’s latest offerings, including new protein puffs and strawberry frosted cookies, noting “their iced coffee, which has been the perfect coffee on-the-go!” As important as the body is, so is the mind. Leanne Wong didn’t hold back when sharing about how she keeps her mental health in check.

Leanne Wong’s approach to mental health

When asked, “Can you share your thoughts on the importance of mental health in gymnastics and how you prioritize your own well-being?” Leanne emphasized, “Mental health in gymnastics is important for athletes, so they can enjoy the sport and have fun in the gym. It’s important for athletes to feel cared for as a person and not only for their performance.” She elucidated the profound mental challenges inherent in gymnastics, highlighting the necessity of nurturing both physical and emotional resilience. So, how does she strike this balance?

Read more: Perfecting ‘The Lee’ Isn’t the Only Thing Suni Lee Is Working on in Olympics Year

Leanne revealed, “I like to prioritize my own well-being by doing what I love outside the gym, such as spending time with friends and family and managing my business.” Her entrepreneurial pursuits serve as a creative outlet and source of fulfillment beyond the confines of the gym. Leanne’s active engagement with her two Instagram accounts, “@leanne.wong_” and “@leannewongbowtique,” allows her to connect intimately with her supporters, customers, and their families, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. Speaking of business and entrepreneurship, Essentially Sports also asked Leanne Wong about her latest venture, her memoir, ‘My Journey, Trust the Process.’

From “Boss of Bows” to Authorship

When questioned about her latest venture, what inspired her to write a book, and what message she hoped to convey to readers, Leanne Wong eagerly shared her motivations and aspirations. “I was super excited to announce my book on March 1st, 2024, just a day before my mom’s birthday,” she revealed with enthusiasm. Notably, her mother, Bee Ding, played an integral role in bringing the book to life, drawing inspiration from the text messages and memories shared between them.

Leanne expressed, “My mom is also the co-author of my book, which we finished almost a year ago. It has always been a dream of mine to become an athlete who would inspire others and to release a book.” She drew inspiration from the overwhelming love and support she received through her business ventures. Leanne Wong even generously offered us a glimpse into the compelling content awaiting readers within the pages of her memoir.

A peek into ‘My Journey, Trust the Process’

“My book shares stories about “My Journey” to reach the highest level of artistic gymnastics and to encourage everyone to ‘Trust the Process,'” she disclosed, hinting at the depth and inspiration awaiting within its pages. Wise beyond her years, 20-year-old Leanne Wong opened up about how “life is full of ups and downs, not only in sports but everyday life. Through my story, I hope to inspire everyone to follow their dreams with hard work and determination and teach them about the sport of gymnastics.”

Leanne’s collaborative writing journey with her mother, who also serves as the manufacturer of Leanne Wong Bowtique, added a unique dimension to the book’s creation. “When I first started traveling to international elite competitions, my mom was not always by my side and didn’t always get to travel with me, so I often sent her text messages of what was going on,” she shared, illustrating the intimate bond that fueled their collaboration.

“She was a main contributor to inspiring me to release a book after she had put a lot of time and effort into forming my book with over 300 pages.” In wrapping up our chat with Leanne Wong, it’s evident she’s not just a gymnastics star but a true inspiration. Leanne’s journey reminds us that greatness knows no bounds, from her incredible balancing act between college, gymnastics, and entrepreneurship to the excitement surrounding her memoir. What part of Leanne Wong’s story resonated with you the most? Comment below!

Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Simone Biles’ 4 Olympic Gold Medals Are a Tough Challenge for Any Gymnast; World Champion Leanne Wong Reveals How She Is Prepping for the Challenge