For elite athletes, routines and habits are often dialed to perfection—from workouts to mental preparation to strict diets. But Stephen Nedoroscik, Team USA’s pommel horse star, does things a little differently. Known for his laid-back approach, Nedoroscik has a surprising pre-competition routine: he was seen napping right before competing! At the 2024 Paris Games, this unconventional habit had fans and teammates talking, especially when he woke up and nailed his routine, scoring a 15.30 in the men’s individual pommel horse finals and clinching a bronze medal.

What’s even more surprising? Despite being at the top of his game, Nedoroscik isn’t one to strictly follow the “chicken and rice” diet many athletes swear by. Instead, he embraces a self-proclaimed “cheat day” routine, laughing at the idea of cutting out treats entirely. For him, cheat days aren’t just occasional indulgences—they’re a regular part of his week, helping him stay balanced and happy without the strict dietary sacrifices. But here’s the twist: with his unique metabolism, he faces the unexpected challenge of needing extra calories. So, what’s behind this unexpected need for more fuel in his routine?

Nedoroscik reveals why chicken and rice just don’t cut it for him

Stephen Nedoroscik might be 5’7″ and in tip-top shape, though his weight is something of a well-kept secret. After his success at the Paris Olympics, he joined the cast of Dancing With The Stars, partnering with Rylee Arnold and making it to week 7. While last week’s episode was scrapped for the presidential election coverage, the show will be back with a bang on November 12, bringing excitement to fans. The break-in performances, however, gave Stephen the perfect chance to relax and catch up on some personal time.

On November 8, he sat down with Josh Scherer for a lively chat on the Mythical Kitchen YouTube channel, where food takes center stage. But instead of just talking, Stephen kicked things off by showing Josh a few pommel horse tricks. Josh, always game for a challenge, gave it a try, although, as expected, he didn’t quite stick the landing.

After that, it was time to roll up their sleeves and dig into a spread that would make anyone’s mouth water: hot dogs, a massive pepperoni pizza, a huge platter of buffalo chicken dip, pita chips, crackers, tortillas, and tiramisu, and a mint chocolate chip shake. Stephen’s eyes lit up as he looked at the spread, saying, “My favorites. I can’t wait to get in on this food.”

As they chowed down, Josh asked, “How strict do you keep your diet?” Now, you’d expect a guy at the top of his game to be as disciplined as a clock, right? But Stephen, always one to color outside the lines, laughed and said, “I’m definitely not the best athlete to ask for dietary advice because, like, this is my cheat meal.” He went on to explain that he’s not a stickler for the usual healthy eating routine—cheat meals are a regular part of his week. “I’m taking like once a week; I have a cheat meal,” he shared.

Stephen went on to say, “If I was just eating chicken and rice every day, I’d probably be depressed. Like, every single night—this is funny—I have mint chocolate chip ice cream. Literally every single night.” He laughed before adding, “If I don’t have an extra 600 calories in my diet, I will lose weight, and that’s a very bad thing for me.”

For athletes like Stephen, especially in gymnastics, having the right body weight is important. Too much weight can make movements harder, while too little weight can make it hard to be strong enough for some skills. But weight isn’t the only challenge Stephen faces—he’s also battling two other health conditions. Despite these hurdles, he’s learned what works for his body, and it’s clear that for him, finding balance is everything.

Stephen Nedoroscik defied impossible odds to become a gymnastics legend

On July 29, when Stephen Nedoroscik helped the U.S. men’s gymnastics team secure a bronze medal, it wasn’t just his athletic ability that grabbed his attention—it was his thick black glasses and the calm way he sat on the sidelines before his event. Many folks weren’t aware of this detail; Stephen faced the challenge of dealing with two rare eye conditions—strabismus and coloboma—which added an extra layer of impressiveness to his achievements.

Strabismus is a condition where the eyes are not properly aligned, and for Stephen, it significantly affected his gymnastics performance because he has to switch between eyes to focus. This can make judging depth perception and spatial awareness challenging for him. On top of that, coloboma affects eye development, making him extra sensitive to light. A factor that intensifies the awe-inspiring nature of his performance under the lights.

Despite all this, Stephen has managed to rely on his sense of touch and other subtle signals despite the obstacles he faces on his path. It’s a story that will keep inspiring people for a long time.