High School Senior Series
Sophie Kleinberg
Sophie Kleinberg is a 17 year old senior at The Beacon School. Before becoming a gymnast, Sophie played soccer, piano, softball and danced. She began gymnastics at nine years old and started training at Chelsea Piers New York(CPNY) in 2018, when she was 14 years old. Sophie is currently a Level 10 gymnast and loves her teammates. Her favorite subjects in school are science and english. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering and working with children and the elderly in Queens. She has a younger sister, a dog named Ray, a cat named Maya and is a lifelong New Yorker.
GKC: What are some unique circumstances to being a competitive J.O. gymnast in NYC?
SK: Being a competitive gymnast in NYC has allowed me to become more independent and self-sufficient. Since I live in Queens, I am required to take public transportation everyday into Manhattan to practice, and take a train home as well. This circumstance is definitely unique, as most gyms are in suburban areas and are accessible by car or even walking distance. Since gymnastics is such a demanding sport, I spend a lot of time training, which ultimately means that I spend a lot of time in the city. Since my school is only 20 blocks from Chelsea Piers, I frequently walk to gymnastics on the pier which is something I love to do. Despite the long traveling and practice hours, I love doing gymnastics in the city because of all the opportunities it has opened up for me.
GKC: You are a senior in high school, a 4.0 student and a Level 10 gymnast. How in the world do you manage a perfect GPA and with such a demanding training schedule?
SK: Throughout my years of balancing school and gymnastics, I have developed time management skills that require me to be productive whenever I have free time. I usually do a lot of my homework on the train traveling from school to gymnastics and from gymnastics back home. Additionally, I have developed study methods that help me review for tests in the most efficient manner possible. I typically start preparing for tests about a week in advance so the work doesn't overwhelm me. In the beginning of high school, I did not think I would be able to manage the school and gymnastics, as the transformation from middle to high school was definitely an adjustment. Nonetheless, I continued to perfect my study habits and maintain the balance between academic and athletics.
GKC: What is your favorite event and why?
SK: My favorite event is floor! I love tumbling because I feel like I am flying and think it is incredible that I can do a 900° twist and find my way back to the ground. My favorite skill on floor is a double back. Floor is also an amazing event because you have the opportunity to put on a show for the audience. You can “wow” the spectators with your high flying tumbling, and simultaneously impress them with your beautiful dance, which typically tells a story. It is the perfect combination of power and elegance!
GKC: Have you experienced having mental blocks in gymnastics and what do you do to overcome them?
SK: I have definitely experienced mental blocks in gymnastics, as fears are common in a sport that requires immense bravery. Mental blocks are extremely difficult to deal with because you want to do the specific skill so badly, but something is stopping you. Whenever I have a mental block, I always take a step back and try to do the skill where it feels more effortless and less scary. For example, if the mental block was on beam, I would try to master the skill on the low beam without having any worries before I moved onto the high beam again. Despite trying to take a step back from the skill, I try to continuously tell myself I could do the skill and was capable of greatness. I also trust my coaches a lot, so if they assure me that I could do the skill, then I would try to overcome the mental block with the knowledge that my coach believes in me. It is really important that you continue to have confidence in yourself because if you have any doubts about a skill, you won't be able to perform it to the best of your ability.
GKC: How has gymnastics shaped your life? Do you plan to do gymnastics in college?
SK: Gymnastics has shaped my life in more ways than imaginable. I love gymnastics so much and am so grateful for everything it has taught me: resilience, hard work, dedication, leadership and so much more. I have learned to face challenges with poise and confidence, and to understand that having a bad day doesn't determine who you are as a person. The mental struggles that come with being a competitive gymnast have helped me become a more courageous and persistent person, as I constantly try my hardest to reach my goals. The skills that gymnastics taught me have transferred into the person I am outside of the gym; I have learned to approach life with a positive attitude and confidence. Gymnastics has also shaped my life because of the friends I have made. My teammates are my best friends because we understand each other better than anyone else, as gymnasts have a special sense of respect and admiration for each other. I am hoping to do gymnastics in college, as I always feel like I have more to offer. I am very passionate about gymnastics and hope to share that with collegiate level athletes in the next step of my life.
GKC: We hear you want to be a doctor. Do you know what type and why?
SK: I have wanted to be a doctor since I was eight years old. I have always loved science and found it fascinating to learn about how our bodies function. Additionally, I love healing people and improving the quality of their life, and being a doctor would allow me to do this. I would be able to help so many people and have a positive impact on them. I used to want to be a pediatrician, however in middle and high school when I became more educated about the endless opportunities in the medical field, I decided I wanted to be a surgeon. I'm not sure what type of surgeon I want to be yet, but I am looking forward to studying the sciences in depth in college.
GKC: We are all facing certain challenges during the pandemic. What has it been like for you as a senior in High School so far this year?
SK: Being a senior at the height of a global pandemic has definitely been difficult, as I miss learning in person from teachers and being able to see my peers. My school decided to remain virtual until January, which means that I have been on zoom for the entirety of the first semester. It has been hard to adjust to the new schedule, however I have still made time to keep in contact with a lot of my school friends. I occasionally go into the city to see some friends and group facetime with a lot of them during our lunch breaks. I have been really lucky to have my community at gymnastics remain constant, as I am still able to have social interaction with my friends. It has been comforting to know that despite a long day of “zoom school”, I still have the opportunity to go into the city and see my teammates.
GKC: Can you give some body positive advice to younger gymnasts?
SK: I think it is really important that you remain confident in yourself and don't let other people's opinions alter the way you think about yourself. It is important to remember that everyone’s body types are different and just because you might not look the same as your friend or teammate, that doesn't mean that you aren't beautiful in your own way. Additionally, your body does not define who you are; however, the most important part of someone is how they affect the people around them. Your physical appearance and features do not define who you are and it is crucial to remember that.