Alysha Talley reflects on the challenge of leaving the sport that shaped her — and how she’s now helping young gymnasts prepare for more than just competition.

“I chalked up, took a deep breath, and launched into my last bar routine. Every movement felt like muscle memory, but I was hyper-aware that this was it—the final salute, the last rush of adrenaline, the last time I’d compete as a gymnast. When I raised my hands above my head, I wasn’t sure whether to feel relief, pride, or heartbreak. Because once I walked off that mat, my life as a competitive gymnast was over.”

A Career Built on Dedication and Resilience

Alysha Talley dedicated 18 years to gymnastics, from her early days flipping around the house to competing at West Virginia University, where she became a team captain and a bars specialist. She thrived in high-pressure moments, delivering clutch performances and leading her team through adversity.

Her years in the sport taught her discipline, work ethic, and the ability to push through challenges—whether it was recovering from injuries, adjusting to new coaches, or balancing academics with elite-level training. But no matter how much she prepared, one challenge she never saw coming was what would happen after it all ended.

From 100 to 0: The Reality of Life After Gymnastics

When Alysha’s gymnastics career ended, she went from structured training and constant competition to… nothing.

She moved to Maryland for work, but without the routine of training or a clear sense of purpose, she struggled. Watching her former team compete as a spectator for the first time was gut-wrenching. She drove home in tears, realizing that one day you’re an athlete, and the next, you’re just… not.

For the first time, she felt like an outsider to the sport that had shaped her entire life. No one had prepared her for what came next.

Coaching with a New Purpose

Today, Alysha is a coach at The Brook-Lin Center for Gymnastics and Dance—the very gym where she trained as a kid. But she’s also so much more.

She’s a professional, a spouse, and a mom to two beautiful daughters who are now gymnasts themselves.

She never imagined herself as a coach, but over time, she realized it was her way to stay connected to the sport. More importantly, she saw it as an opportunity to help young gymnasts navigate their own journeys—not just as athletes, but as people who would one day step away from the sport, just like she did.

She teaches her gymnasts that their worth isn’t tied to a score or a medal.
She prepares them for the day when gymnastics will end—because it will.
She helps them see that their discipline, resilience, and leadership will take them far beyond the gym.

She coaches with the perspective of someone who knows how the journey ends—and that’s why she’s making sure her athletes are ready for what comes next.

What Needs to Change for Athletes?

Alysha’s story is one of grit, transition, and rediscovering purpose—but she knows it didn’t have to be so hard.

If she could change one thing for future athletes, it would be this:

Athlete Identity Coaching – Helping athletes prepare for life beyond sport before they’re forced into it.
Post-Sport Support Networks – Creating alumni groups specifically for former college athletes to connect and navigate transition together.
More Conversations About This Reality – Normalizing post-sport struggles so athletes don’t feel isolated when they step away.

From Athlete to Mentor

That night after her final meet, Alysha and her best friend sat in their hotel room, laughing, crying, flipping between the beds like they were six years old again—because how do you say goodbye to something that shaped you?

As it turns out, it wasn’t goodbye. Today, she’s passing her lessons forward, helping young gymnasts prepare for both their biggest moments and the ones that follow.

Because one day, they too will salute the judges for the last time. And when that moment comes, she wants them to be ready.

Pass It On—Because Every Athlete’s Story Matters

Every athlete’s story is unique, but the challenges of transition are universal. Alysha’s journey highlights the resilience it takes to navigate life beyond sport—and she’s not alone.

Were you an athlete who stepped away from competition? A coach or parent who’s helped guide that transition? Your experiences matter. Lend your voice and be part of the conversation shaping a better future for athletes beyond the game

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