Ella Zirbes on Performance Anxiety, Pressure & Finding Confidence

This week we are thrilled to be joined by seven-time All-American and rising senior on the Utah gymnastics team, Ella Zirbes. Ella is known not only for her beautiful gymnastics but also for being an advocate for mental health in the sport as someone who has very publicly struggled with performance anxiety. We dive deeper into the struggles she’s faced and how she’s learned to manage her anxiety while competing. We also talk about the pressure and expectations that come with representing a program with as rich a legacy as the Red Rocks, dealing with social media, and the roller coaster that was her junior season. Thank you to our monthly Patreon supporters: Lee B, Cookiemaster, Happy Girl, Erica S, Semflam, Amy C, Becca S, Cathleen R, Faith, Kerry M, Derek H, Emily, Sharon B, MSU, Kimberly G, Lela M, Mara L, Jenna A, Alex M, Dana, Lidia, Maria P, Alicia O, Cristina K, Hayley B, Bethany J, Kentiemac, Marni S, Betny T, Emily C, Cathy D, Lisa T, Libby C, Thiago, Debbie, Taryn M, Amy M, Chuck C, Kaitlin, Susan P, LFC_Hokie, Ella, Kay, Julie B, Austin K, Jane, Sarah, Amy, Stephen S, Johanna T, Alison S, Alberto D, Kristina T, Abigail W, Jennifer K, Kate M, Naomi S, Claudia L, Erin L, Thomas B, Lauren D, Kihika M, Beth C, Amy, Renee PM, Ryan V, Brandon H, Okcaro, Tyler, Paola, Heather, Kate, Danielle, ALittleUnderRotated, Lacy, Dana C, Grace, Pat G, Lexi G, Laura N, Kathy, Katie A, Róisín, Megan J, Emily D, Britton, Ry Shep, Reyna G, William A, MB, Jackson G, Stella, Ulo F, Noah C, Melissa H, Alexis, William M, Susie, Leslie G, Catherine B, Laura L, Katy S, Kathy M, Kathy S, Okcaro, JD B, Cookiecutter, SuniFan, Caroline M, kcmojojojo, Sammy S, Fabio B, Lacie M, Sara G, Kerry H, Leah D, Margaret G, Molly, ClemsonTigersFan, Lisa B, Sarah M, Grace M, Laura A, Justin D, Jas, Kendrick C, Rich A, Ty T, Nick S, Becky E, Annsley M, Melody M, Stacey M, Erica H, Kathy, Teressa, Angela C, Bridgett C, Ashley D, Whitney J, Shelly A, Erika B, DFP, Lisa M, Samantha T & Mallory D! 🫶Become a Patreon: https://tr.ee/YA9UkFi7yG ❓ Submit a question for Question of the Week: https://tr.ee/ohryT09x_N 💻 Check out our website: https://allthingsgympod.com/