What does it take to keep chasing greatness when your body is sore, your heart is unsure, and the road ahead looks more uncertain than ever? That was the quiet battle one elite gymnast faced as 2024 came to a close. After years of pushing through pressure, building her name in the sport, and carrying both dreams and doubt, she hit a crossroads. “It was definitely a long and difficult choice,” she said. College was calling, injuries had added up, and the mental weight of staying elite started to feel heavier than ever. “I was just grateful to even have the choice to continue.” The thought of stepping away wasn’t born of fear, but fatigue and uncertainty about what the future held. That gymnast?
That gymnast is Ashlee Sullivan, the 18-year-old Texan and recent UCLA commit who almost left elite gymnastics behind. “We settled everything in around November and were like, ‘Okay, we’re going for it,” she said to the Olympics.com. That decision marked a personal turning point, and it paid off fast. In February, she stormed back to win all-around gold at the 2025 Winter Cup, with silver on floor, bronze on beam, and strong finishes across all events. “It was definitely very surreal considering what I had been facing before that meet,” she reflected after Winter Cup. “It was a big confidence booster and definitely set the tone for how I want the rest of the season to go.” But this momentum wasn’t built overnight.
Sullivan has been a force on the national scene for years, steadily climbing the ranks from Hopes to Junior Elite to Senior level. But despite all the medals and achievements, this gymnast faced a difficult decision about quitting. “Physically, I knew the skills were there, but there’s always that voice in your head. I had to learn to calm those doubts and fears.” What weighed on her most was uncertainty about the future, both in terms of her health and whether elite gymnastics would even be an option down the road.
“Earlier in my career, setbacks hit me a lot harder emotionally. But now, I’ve been through it. I know I can come back. I’ve done hard things before, and I can do them again.” Adding to that sense of perspective, Sullivan said, “I’m able-bodied. I’m in a good spot to continue my elite career right now. I don’t know what the world will look like in the future — if elite will even be an option. I was just grateful to even have the choice to continue.”
Now, as this Austell, GA, United States-born gymnast resets and gears up for summer competitions, Ashlee is skipping the Pan American Championships to focus on upgrading routines and polishing her execution. Her big goal? Earning a spot at the 2025 World Championships in Jakarta. But she’s not rushing anything. “What’s meant for me will happen,” she said. “I’m just trying to set myself up for success mentally and physically and take it all one step at a time.” After everything she’s overcome, Ashlee Sullivan is leveling up. But her injuries we can’t forget.
18-year-old gymnast overcame setbacks one after another
Ashlee Sullivan’s gymnastics career hasn’t been without some tough injury moments. In 2017, during the Region 3 Championships, she was competing well until she landed awkwardly on her ankle during her floor routine, which caused an ankle injury bad enough that she couldn’t finish the meet. That was a major setback, especially since she had been doing so well up to that point. Then in 2021, after a strong start at the Winter Cup, where this gymnast placed second on vault and sixth on bars, Ashlee had to miss the rest of the season due to an injury, though the exact details weren’t made public. It was another frustrating pause in her progress.
The following year, in 2022, Ashlee earned a spot on Team USA for big international meets like the City of Jesolo Trophy. But just before the Jesolo competition, during a workout, she suffered another injury that unfortunately ended her season early again. While the exact injury wasn’t specified, it was serious enough to keep her from competing. Despite all these hurdles, the ankle injury, the 2021 setback, and the 2022 workout injury, Ashlee keeps grinding.
Outside the gym, Sullivan’s life is just as full. She loves Algebra 2, dives into Percy Jackson books, and chills to the sounds of ’70s and ’80s rock music. Her go-to comfort food? Pasta. And when she’s not training or competing, you’ll probably find her hanging out with friends, watching Criminal Minds, or volunteering with the National Charity League, where she gives back to her community. Unlike many athletes, gymnastics is her only sport, and it’s taken center stage in her life since she was young in 2013. But even with the intense demands of elite competition, this gymnast has made room for balance, curiosity, and personal growth, all while keeping her eyes set on the ultimate dream: the Olympics.
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