Finding My Shine
In 2008 Nastia Liukin won the all-around gymnastics gold medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing. In 2012 she had a career ending fall during the Olympic Trials. This started a new chapter in her life.
Nastia shares her story in her memoir, Finding My Shine which was released on December 1st.
Recently we got a chance to interview Nastia about her book. Nastia told us that writing a memoir was something she always wanted to do.
After being born in Russia, her family moved to America. Her parents had a dream of opening a gymnastics studio. Their goal was to train and help gymnasts make it to the Olympics. Their daughter, Nastia was one of those gymnasts. She told us that her parents never pushed her into gymnastics but they supported her and her passion for it.
She won a gold medal at the Olympics in 2008 but her fall in 2012 at the Olympic Trials changed everything. “I didn’t know who I was without gymnastics in my life.”
Nastia moved to New York City. “ I had always been infatuated with New York and living here at some point in my life. ” She picked up and moved to the city and started attending NYU “I started finding my shine again.”
Since moving to New York City she has met new people, including her fiancé, was a contestant on Dancing With The Stars, and is finishing her degree at NYU. Nastia told us the past few years have helped her realize, who Nastia is.
We asked her what advice she has for those wanting to follow their dreams. “Something my mom taught me at an early age was you can never quit on a bad day.” Nastia shares more about this advice in her book.
A second piece of advice she has is to have a goal. “Have daily, weekly, and monthly goals, something to have that you really feel like your striving to achieve. Wake up every day having a purpose and know what you are working hard to achieve.”
-NEW YORK CITY-
Favorite spot to study- The Grey Dog’s Coffee when not studying at home
Date Night Spots- L’Artusi, ABC Kitchen, Nobu, Café Cluny, and The Beatrice Inn
Go To Desert – Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Co. (favorite kind is banana)
Favorite Season- Fall and the Christmas season
#1 favorite thing about NYC –NYC has so much to offer. Loves attending NYU.
Head here to buy Nastia’s book Finding My Shine.
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