Meet Trailblazer Breanna Bell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Breanna Bell.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Breanna. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My mom said ever since I could walk, I was always very active sometimes overly active. She said I would jump from one couch to another, climb and jump on high surfaces. She was always scared of me getting injured. She tried putting me in calming recreational programs like ballet and playing piano, but it didn’t help.

At the age of five, I started asking my parents if I could do gymnastics and they were constantly saying no. At age six, I would try to teach my self some flips and gymnastics moves. One day, I decided to do it on my bed and flipped off the bed so hard, I banged my head on the headboard. My parents were upstairs and heard the bang, I was taken to the hospital. The physician who attended to me asked why was I flipping of my bed. He said, don’t you know how dangerous this is? You could have seriously injured yourself. I responded I was doing gymnastics to which he replied, why on your bed? My response was because my mom and dad will not let met join gymnastics. The doctor turned to my mom and said, why don’t you take her to a gym so she can learn the proper way to do it.
I remember not shortly after that, I was enrolled in a gymnastics program. Doing gymnastics is hard work, dedication and the ability to remain focused. It has taught me patience, integrity, and perseverance which helps me in my everyday life.

I’m currently 12 years of age and in the seventh grade. I’m an honor roll student and try hard to stay on the honor roll although I’m busy with gymnastics.  I volunteer my time to making rosaries for the patients in the hospital, I’m on my school recycling team and I love to volunteer my time giving back. For example, after the hurricane damaged the Caribbean islands, I helped my mom collect items from our neighbors, church, schoolmates, friends, and family. We organized hundreds of items and she flew to the island and distributed all the items we gathered.

My mom taught me to give back very early. I remember when I was five, my parents organized and gathered toys, school supplies, and clothing. We flew to the Commonwealth of Dominica and distributed items to the hospital, foster home and a Central Day Care Center.

I recently transitioned from the USAIG gymnastic team to the USAG gymnastic team the transition wasn’t easy because the skills level for the USAG team is a bit more complex than the USAIG team. I had to audition for the gym’s competitive team. I knew it was going to be challenging since I didn’t have some of the skills. I would practice several hours a day after school and come home and still practice for a couple more hours because I knew the audition was going to be hard and only a few would make the team. After the first audition, I came out with my palms of my hand bleeding, my body aching and a huge bruise on my shoulder from a rug burn. My mom was like “oh no, I’m not sure if I want you to continue trying out for the team to many injuries.”

On the USAIG team, I never got any injuries so she was like oh no. I responded mom do you know how many injuries Gabby and Simone must have received before getting to where they are. I’m not going to give up. I had to learn all the new routines in less than a month. I couldn’t use my old routines for this new team. The demands are much more difficult.

The challenge was on, but I told myself you can do this. The next day, I went in and gave it my all and I made the team. I thought when I passed the audition prior and made the team that would solidify my placement, well I was wrong.

I recently had my first in house competition since joining the team. The competition was to evaluate if you belong on the level of the team that you were placed and if you will be able to compete all season, against other teams at that level.

The competition day fast approached and I was nervous but excited as well. I knew I had to give it my all. I did and won first place overall score. A gold medal my very first gold medal and I got to stay on the team. I’m so proud of myself because I usually would win 2nd and 3rd place silver and bronze on the USAIG team. To win gold on this team was amazing. The competition season is fast approaching and I can’t wait to compete.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been that much of a smooth road for me in gymnastics. I have some challenges because I’m very tall for the typical gymnast. I’m 5’7 and most Gymnasts are shorter. Even the USA team the tallest gymnast was 5’2. Being a tall gymnast has lots of challenges, longer limbs bring more issues when doing your routines. The challenge comes when you attempt to swing between the two bars. The distance between the two bars varies with a maximum of 5 feet 10 inches, leaving little space for me to swing. I know in my head that some of the judges may look for many flaws in my routines since I’m so tall. It makes me train even harder with my coach, and at home. My advice to my peers is no matter your gender, height, and background you can pursue whatever it is you like with hard work and perseverance. I had several of my peers ask me if I wasn’t too tall to do gymnastics but I never made it discourage me. I opened an account on Musically, posting my gymnastic practices at home.
I was so surprised that in a short period of time I received over 10,000 followers. The questions and comments were from girls my age or younger, thanking me for showing them that you can be tall and still do gymnastics. There were lots of comments saying that I gave them hope and encouragement, to try a sport which they have never thought they would be good at. I encourage my peers to look at what some may see as a negative and turn into a positive. I embrace my height and recently started modeling. I even got to walk for the past New York Fashion Week.

Alright – so let’s talk about your passion as a gymnast– what should we know?
I am 12, an honor student, a competitive gymnast, model, who stand up against bullying, encourage my peers to believe in them self. I also volunteer my time to people in need. I’m currently a brand ambassador for 3 companies. I stand out from most because I’m not your average height gymnast and I constantly would hear aren’t you too tall to be a gymnast. I started a musically account just to post my gymnastic practices at home. I didn’t know the impact it would have on some people. Within 2 months I had over 10,000 followers. I realized the encouragement that it has given
some kids.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’m grateful that my gymnastic gym has some wonderful mentors. My mentors are my coaches, Mrs. Maria, and Mrs. Bonnie. They help keep me grounded, give encouragement and teaches me once you believe you will achieve. You can find mentors among your teachers, coaches and even within your family.

Also, my Grandma as one of my greatest mentors. She’s such a hard working and kindhearted person. She encourages me to pursue my dreams, work hard and to continue getting good grades in school. And to Mr. Jeff, another gymnastic coach that helped mentored me. With his help I was able to really embrace my height and long limbs during my floor routines.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/__.bre.__?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=facb4247h9yo
   https://instagram.com/bretumblez?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=auxu299ntq87
• Tik tok: http://vm.tiktok.com/JDbB2e/

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