Finding value outside of gymnastics

Iowa women’s gymnastics senior JerQuavia Henderson shares how she found self-worth outside her role as a gymnast.

Jami Martin-Trainor Assistant Digital Editor

The world of gymnastics is associated with numerous positive qualities — forming strong work ethics, building abnormal physical prowess, and providing one of the strongest communities in sports.

JerQuavia Henderson, a senior on the Iowa women’s gymnastics team, said there’s a darker side to gymnastics that is all too often brushed under the rug. “I didn't have the best upbringing with gymnastics,” Henderson said. “I loved it so much that I stuck with it.” Henderson said she accidentally fell into gymnastics. When she was a child, her family drove one of her friends to a gymnastics practice. She took one step in the gym before asking if she could try the sport. She never looked back after that moment.

Despite her love for the sport, the Illinois native encountered several mental hardships. She said a lot of those struggles are deeply rooted in the culture of gymnastics and are difficulties faced by many.

“It's very hard because you don't want to put the sport in a negative light, but