Refilling the Tank: Maggie O’Hara
I started gymnastics after a season of competitive dance where I was asked to learn how to do an aerial. My parents originally went to enroll me in rec classes, but instead I started out in a TOPs developmental program that consisted of a great deal of conditioning and strength and very little gymnastics. For some reason, TOPs strength took my passion from my other sports and I quickly began competing. I skipped levels 5 and 9, and at age 10 in my first season of level 10, I decided I wanted to try to go to the Olympics. And the best part was, my coaches believed I had what it took to do so. So at age 10, I decided that I would do everything in my power to get to the highest level. While it didn’t go as far as the Olympics, I’d say it’s been a pretty great ride.
One of the biggest pivotal moments in my gymnastics career was the day I decided to go to Southeastern, up in Weddington, NC. Not only did I walk away from all of my friends, but I said goodbye to any ounce of a normal life and committed to spending 2 hours in a car, each way for the next 5 years. But, moving to Southeastern also gave me the opportunity to be a collegiate gymnast and I’m so thankful for everyone there who helped me along the way.
I originally chose Michigan because they have incredibly strong academics, and I take my schoolwork very seriously. I was equally wowed by the gymnastics program and the level of resources they offered their student-athletes.
Transferring to Arkansas was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It was the healthiest and easiest transition I could’ve made, regardless of covid, starting entirely fresh, and coming off of a pretty big surgery. I’m so thankful that Arkansas welcomed me in and didn’t look at me as a transfer, rather just a new member of the family.
Obstacles are apparent, and highly numbered in our sport. Anything from major injuries and setbacks, to body image issues, I’ve had them all. Tearing my Achilles my junior year of college was a tough pill to swallow, but it taught me a lot about life and how to handle adversity so I wouldn’t change a thing.
Some of my biggest obstacles were not just my big injuries/surgery recoveries, but the battles I fought within to push myself to keep pursuing my dreams. It took me most of my first three years at Michigan to understand that mental health was so incredibly important, and that mine was suffering greatly.
I worked hard to restore my joy and put my mental health at the forefront of my recovery and my push back to high level gymnastics. Ultimately, I learned that sometimes walking away and starting with a fresh slate is the best thing you can do for your mental health and I’ve been so grateful that I took the opportunity to come to Arkansas when I did.
If I could talk to my younger self today, I would tell her to never stop standing up for herself; she matters and her voice is important. I would tell her to believe her inner voice and to never stop until she achieves what she’s setting out to do. I think I would also tell her that she’s more than a gymnast, and Maggie as a person is really important too.
A lot of my story remains untold, and I’ll keep some of it that way until I’m ready to share. But, I will say that when I look back on my experience at Michigan, I don’t look at it with many positive recollections. While I will confidently say that I am a stronger and more self-aware person because of my time there, I will be the first to say that it also broke me down and made me question myself and my values. I am proud of myself for believing that I was more than what I was being told and I’m even more proud of myself for believing the voice inside my head telling me that my best gymnastics was ahead. If I had not listened, I wouldn’t have made it to Arkansas and I wouldn’t have found the family that I did. In my time at Michigan, I never really felt at home and what I experienced took a heavy toll on my mental health. I have since spent many days repairing myself and focusing on my mental health because I am at my best physically when I am thriving mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In Arkansas, I have found a home. I have watched our staff embrace mental health from every end of the spectrum, and it’s so incredibly freeing to understand that you don’t have to exhaust your tank trying to be someone you’re not. I don’t feel like a business deal or like I need to prove anything here. I just get to be myself and my gymnastics has finally become a reflection of that again.
