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Who Runs The World

It has been quite some time since I last wrote on here, but as I enter into my last quarter at UCLA, I find that my life will unleash a whole new set of ideals and journeys to share with everyone. These past three months have been crazy and I could not be more blessed, but that will be reflected on more once season is over.

As most of you know, two weeks ago I debuted my new floor routine at the Pac 12 Championships. As assumptions have been passed along as to why I changed my routine, I have decided that this would be a perfect place to start writing again; a perfect place to share my truth in my own words.

Last summer I began asking Miss Val about having two different floor routines for my Senior year, which she would call it nagging but I would disagree. Little did we know that my first routine was going to go viral, especially so early on in season. People began traveling and coming to meets to see THAT routine! In a world often filled with chaos, they shared that this sparked a moment of joy. Because joy had been void for so long prior to college, it was my main motivator.

Post-season started to approach, finals were finishing up, and it seemed like the perfect time to make a change. At the same time, the documentary film ‘Leaving Neverland’ came out. This sparked debate, started conversation and left me with more questions than answers about changing the routine.

I knew it would inevitably create chatter, and I would be entering into controversy, whether I wanted to or not.  

Using my voice has empowered me to take complete ownership of my life. So, in return for speaking my truth, I listen. On a team where my own floor coach and some of my teammates are victims of sexual abuse, I hear; I listen; I feel.  I wanted to stand beside them. So my final deciding factor to change my floor routine was just that… To stand beside those who know what it is like to be sexually abused, to stand beside those who know what it is like to not be heard, and to stand beside those who have lost a sense of joy. 

I have always wanted my routine to spark joy, for all people. So I stood, and I made a change. Not to play judge or jury, but to get back to joy. If my Michael Jackson routine left even one person feeling uncomfortable or less joyful, I felt like it was in everyones best interest to change the music to my routine. 

I also thought about the things that I am extremely passionate about and what my heart gravitates towards. I believe in empowering women. When picking my original music, Tina Turner was someone I wanted in my routine because of the strong impact she has had on my life. I admire her courage and resilience. So, when we changed my floor routine, the goal was to showcase all inspiring, strong, impactful women… WHO RUN THE WORLD!

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20 Replies to “Who Runs The World”

  1. Thank you for giving an explanation why you changed your flor routine music and reason why you did is amazing

  2. I hope i get to see you in Fort Worth! I’m going on leave before my deployment and i couldn’t be happier to go see you before I go see my family. Your routines are always amazing and I’m glad you put Beyoncé because you both are queens at what you do, I love you!

  3. You are such an inspiration! As the mother of a young gymnast, I admire your decision to change the music in your routine. My daughter has watched yours and the rest of the UCLA gymnastics routines so many times, I swear she knows them by heart. I love that my daughter has you and your teammates as role models to look up too. Go Bruins!

  4. You are such a breath of fresh air! Love your smile, courage and honesty! May God continue to bless you!

    🙂

  5. You are such a beautiful human being! So inspirational, to everyone. Thank you for helping others know that it is possible to find joy again in what they once loved. I can’t wait to hear what else you have to say. Keep inspiring and being you!?

  6. I thought you might be sensitive to these concerns and, I’m not surprised that this comes from a place of genuine care for others. You are doing the right thing for you and others and that is a generous gesture. Thank you for being thoughtful and good luck with the remainder of your semester.

  7. Hey Kate! You already know, I love what you’re doing. Thank you, for doing you and inspiring others to do the same. xo

  8. Yes! I didn’t learn to ‘live my truth’ until my late 40s! Good for you & Godspeed on your next journey!

  9. This is beautiful! I LOVE that you are writing. I love the invitation here to listen, to claim one’s voice, and to stay close to joy as we heal and take part in collective healing together. As a feminist scholar/former gymnast/writing coach, I send my students joy-filled UCLA routines as curriculum in joy and women’s empowerment! You are part of a healing that is so important, and I’m grateful to your leadership in this cultural moment.

  10. Thank you for the person you have become for sharing your experiences to show it’s ok to speak out when you feel something is not right to empower young women I am a father of two teenage daughters and I’ve been teaching them this there whole life’s
    Thank you Ms Ohashi

    Wayne Yoshida

  11. Thank you for the person you have become for sharing your experiences to show it’s ok to speak out when you feel something is not right to empower young women I am a father of two teenage daughters and I’ve been teaching them this there whole life’s
    Thank you Ms Ohashi

    Wayne Yoshida

  12. Katelyn, the joy I felt watching your floor routine that went viral is what initially brought me here. And after watching videos of your interviews and reading your writings here, I must say that I admire you as the beautiful human being that you are, inside and out. Keep changing the world Katelyn! I can’t wait to read your poems in a book. Receive much love and blessings for you and your family.

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