Inside Gymnastics Magazine | World Champion Skye Blakely Eyes Elite Comeback

Resilience 

Despite the trials and tribulations Blakely faced in 2024, she was able to learn important lessons along the way.

“It’s definitely taught me resilience and perseverance as well as knowing to push myself and not to give up, and knowing that I know how to navigate around obstacles of any sorts, injuries or things in the gym or out the gym, it’s just taught me so much, and I feel like it’s made me a stronger person,” Blakely said. “Going through two big injuries, one in 2021, and one in 2024, was not easy at all, but I really have learned so much, and has brought me to this moment and who I am today, and has strengthened my faith as well.”

Something that helped Blakely mentally in her recovery was the opportunity to go straight to college following the injury. 

“Going to Florida after such a big injury, and, you know, heartbreaking moment, I think I needed a sort of change of pace,” Blakely said. “It offered such structure that I liked, and being surrounded by new people, a fun environment and something different I hadn’t experienced before. I think that it was very beneficial mentally as well. It helps me a lot, and I had a lot of fun. Even being there with my sister was something that I can enjoy a lot. And even when I stepped foot into Florida, I I told everyone, I told the coaches, I told myself that I was like, I want to compete the first meet, I want to be ready to do bars. I also wanted an opportunity to compete with my sister for that one season that we had together. 

If gymnastics fans have learned one thing about Blakely throughout the years, it’s that she will accomplish the goals she sets for herself. Competing in the NCAA in 2025 despite her injury, was non negotiable for her.

“I had that moment to compete at the first meet, the home opener for the Florida Gators,” Blakely said. “It meant a lot, and I think it just allowed me to have more confidence and belief in myself, knowing all that I had went through and all that I worked through to get to that moment, to compete at the first meet, and then to compete consistently in that bar lineup, it just allowed me to have this moment, like to be proud of myself, especially again, after the summer that I had, I was just like, you were really able to do that, and you worked really hard. You have perseverance, and you worked for this moment.”