002 | Kara Fry Meyer’s Journey: From Team USA Gymnastics and University of Arizona Gymnastics Star to Life Mentor

About the Guest

Kara Fry Meyer is a former elite gymnast hailing from Nazareth, Pennsylvania. She was a member of the US Women’s Gymnastics Team, competing at national levels and serving as an alternate for the 1994 World Championship team. A standout performer, she was once ranked seventh in the USA Gymnastics Nationals. At the University of Arizona, she became one of the most decorated gymnasts in the school’s history, contributing significantly to the team’s success. Kara now works as the Assistant Director of Medical Insurance and as a life skills mentor in the University of Arizona’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication.

Episode Summary

In this episode of Becoming UnDone, host Toby Brooks has an enlightening conversation with former elite gymnast Kara Fry Meyer, exploring themes of resilience, transition, and personal growth. Kara recounts her journey from being a playful child gymnast to becoming one of the elite performers in the US Women’s Gymnastics Team. Her story is one of competitive spirit, relentless pursuit, and graceful acceptance of life beyond sports. The narrative reveals how high achievers like Kara find new purposes after reaching the peaks of their athletic careers.

Throughout the episode, Kara shares her personal struggles and triumphs, illustrating the difficulties of transitioning from being an elite athlete to discovering a new identity post-retirement. From her experiences with the intense competitive environment of gymnastics to finding a fresh start at the University of Arizona, she talks about her evolving perspective on what it means to be fulfilled and successful. Her current role as a mentor and coordinator reflects her ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of athletes through their own journeys. Kara’s journey is an inspiring testament to discovering new beginnings and leadership after the end of an athletic career.

Key Takeaways

• Purpose Beyond Achievement: Kara emphasizes the importance of finding new purpose after a competitive sports career ends. She talks about rediscovering her identity post-gymnastics.
• Resilience in Transition: The episode highlights the mental and emotional challenges athletes face when their sports career concludes and how resilience plays a role in navigating the transition.
• Support and Mentorship: Kara’s work with current athletes showcases the value of mentorship and support systems in collegiate sports, helping guide young athletes through their challenges.
• Balancing Personal and Professional Life: Kara discusses balancing her personal life and supporting her husband’s baseball career while managing her professional roles.
• The Impact of Self-Perception: The conversation sheds light on the impact of self-perception and the constant challenges that perfectionists face within themselves, even amidst significant achievements.

Notable Quotes

1. “The end of a chapter isn’t the same as the end of a story.”
2. “In gymnastics, when you’re done, you’re done. Thankfully and fortunately, I ended at NCAAs and not from injury.”
3. “Being undone gives you that extra thing. You still have life and things left to give.”
4. “Just because something defines you at one point doesn’t mean it always has to.”
5. “I feel like my purpose kind of was born again through my role and family life.”

Resources:

• University of Arizona Athletics: Kara Fry Meyer’s professional roles involve working in their athletic department – Arizona Athletics

To hear this inspiring conversation full of life lessons on perseverance and the pursuit of purpose beyond the competition floor, be sure to listen to the full episode. Stay tuned for more enlightening stories and insights in future episodes of Becoming UnDone.