The Rush: Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas on her sport going viral and the 2021 Games
Olympic champion Gabby Douglas joins The Rush to discuss how one university has catapulted gymnastics into the limelight, life as a role model while idolizing others, her stint on the Masked Dancer, why this year’s Olympics will be extra taxing on its athletes and more.
Video Transcript
GABBY DOUGLAS: UCLA is definitely pushing the boundaries of gymnastics. And that's what competition is about, is not only competing at your best but also you push each other to the top in a healthy way.
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JARED QUAY: On today's show we got gold medal Olympian Gabby Douglas. She's an American icon and I'm psyched to have her on "The Rush," so check it out.
GABBY DOUGLAS: Knowing that I'm inspiring future generations of athletes is-- honestly, it's crazy to me because I literally trained with Mia and we trained together for a few years. And, like, I never saw myself as a role model to her. I always just saw myself as a best friend. You know, I never would have even imagined being in the spotlight today. And I'm still realizing the impact that I've made.
So one of my role models in athletes who were-- or athlete-- were Dominique Dawes. I loved her. She was such a joy. I've met her a few times. So down to earth. Such a sweetheart. And so I was always being compared to her in the sport of gymnastics, and so when I finally got to meet her she was just a doll.
"The Masked Dancer" and the Olympics, to me, are neck and neck because, you know-- I mean, obviously they both have their pros and cons, but I honestly adored the show, everyone on set-- the cast and crew. Honestly, I was so nervous and I was, like-- it felt like the Olympics. Like I said, it sounds so crazy but it did. It was just a huge honor and I was so grateful to be a part of the show.
So I've been binge-watching "Locke & Key." And honestly, I love the show because it's so mysterious and it has huge plot twists within every episode.
I am drinking the Stretch and Flex Tart Cherry Smoothie. And honestly, they have two flavors. They have Pineapple Kale and Tart Cherry. And honestly, I adore health, and so Smoothie King came out with new Stretch and Flex smoothie with type II collagen. And I don't think a lot of people realize how diet and really, like, what you consume really make a huge impact on maximizing the performance. I'm all on board and you should definitely get one because it's delicious.
You know, because we train in Olympic Village. And to put all these athletes in one spot in the dorms and around each other and the equipment, I mean, I can understand the concern because it's very risky. And I can't even imagine, like, if that would have happened in 2012, you're so ready, not only physically but mentally, I would honestly be devastated. You've already been pushing your body, and then you have to push your body for another year. And it's kind of like, like I said, will is going to happen?
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