Southern Utah University gymnast Kendall McGuire joins Dustin Smith and guest host Justin Miller for a conversation about the mindset behind competing at the NCAA level.

Kendall shares her journey from beginning gymnastics at two years old to competing for one of the nation’s top gymnastics programs, along with her work as a sideline reporter for SUU football and her aspirations to someday work in the NFL or NHL.

The conversation dives into the unique mental demands of gymnastics, overcoming fear after falls, Simone Biles and the “twisties,” mental health in athletics, body image and developing a healthier relationship with food.

Kendall also shares one of the most powerful ideas from the episode: athletes often spend too much time thinking about everything they have to sacrifice and not enough time recognizing everything they gain.

Instead of thinking, “I have to go to practice,” Kendall learned to think, “I get to go.”

She explains how that simple reframe helped her appreciate the friendships, strength, discipline, opportunities and experiences gymnastics gave her.

Kendall also discusses being fully present in practice, SUU Gymnastics’ motto to “underthink it,” accepting accountability, learning from failure, becoming comfortable with discomfort and leaning on teammates who care enough to tell you the truth.

A great conversation for athletes, parents and coaches about gratitude, resilience, mental health and learning to enjoy the process.

Featured Moments:

00:32:17 - Welcome & Meet Kendall McGuire

00:33:48 - Life as an SUU Sideline Reporter

00:37:50 - Kendall’s Dream of Working in Sports Media

00:39:11 - Fear, Falling & the Mental Side of Gymnastics

00:42:12 - Simone Biles, the Twisties & Athlete Mental Health

00:47:26 - Body Image, Nutrition & Eating Disorders in Gymnastics

00:55:36 - The Sacrifices Behind Becoming a College Gymnast

00:57:42 - “I Get To” Instead of “I Have To”

00:59:33 - Growing Up Without Being Attached to Social Media

01:00:22 - Staying Present in Practice

01:02:17 - SUU Gymnastics: “Underthink It”

01:03:48 - How Athletes Can Keep Sports Fun

01:05:23 - Reframing Sacrifice as Opportunity

01:07:09 - Stop Focusing on What You’re Missing

01:08:36 - Resilience After Setbacks

01:13:18 - The Teammate Who Told Kendall the Truth

01:16:31 - Getting Out of Your Own Head

01:19:36 - “What If It All Goes Right?”

01:21:05 - Finding People Who Truly Support You

01:22:04 - Support Without Making Excuses

01:24:39 - Growth Requires Getting Uncomfortable

01:27:33 - Final Thoughts & Good Luck to Kendall

01:28:35 - Eyes Up. Do the Work.

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Credits: Hosted by Dustin Smith & Justin Miller
Produced by E4A and IMAGINATE STUDIO