Arguably the fiercest of the Fierce Five, Gabby Douglas (although McKayla Maroney’s right behind her), told ESPN Go that she was too focused on making it through Olympic trials to worry about being the first African-American to win an individual all-around gold in gymnastics:
Of course I still got nervous during the Olympics, but each day I just visualized the perfect routine, had little conversations with myself: Okay, watch the corners, keep your feet together. I didn’t think about winning. I thought about how great I could be that particular day.
Lesson learned: with a positive attitude like that, you too can do flips onstage with Alicia Keys and meet the cast of Vampire Diaries (her favorite show!) and stuff. I mean, you probably can’t. But you can try!
She also gave and continues to give 0.00 fucks about that whole stupid hair thing.
I really didn’t know that people were talking about my hair until after the all-around finals, when I Googled “Gabrielle Douglas” and “hair” popped up. I asked my mom, “Why are they talking about my hair?” It didn’t faze me. There was nothing wrong with my hair. I can’t do a full-out blow-dried thing before I perform a routine, so I just laughed off [the criticism], wore my hair the same way I always did and went out and did my thing. I focused on the positive, supportive people around me. I didn’t have time for the naysayers because I had a job to do in London. I had a dream to follow.
”I had a dream to follow’ [ESPN Go]
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