“Rylee, you’re the best coach [emoji] Happy New Year,” is how Stephen Nedoroscik kicked off 2025. He didn’t shout out his gymnastics coach or any big-name mentor—nope, he gave all the love to Rylee Arnold, his partner from Season 33 of Dancing With The Stars. So what’s the story behind this? After making history at the Paris Olympics, Stephen had the chance to join Simone Biles’s GOAT tour, like many of his teammates. But instead, he took a totally different route—one that’s pretty rare for a male gymnast. He signed up for a dance reality show. And that’s where Rylee came in. From day one, they were a team. And the rest?
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold didn’t take home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, but that didn’t stop them from dancing their hearts out. They laughed, they cried, and they gave it everything they had. For Stephen, a guy who had never danced before, just stepping onto that stage was huge. Growing up in Worcester, he was the kind of kid who’d climb anything in sight—he even used to shimmy up walls just to freak out his babysitters. But dancing? That was never on his radar.
Still, with Rylee by his side, he picked it up step by step, and by the end of the season, he wasn’t just surviving—he was thriving, finishing fourth overall. Not bad for a gymnast trying to find his rhythm on a dance floor. Now, more than 200 days since that final, Stephen’s back to where it all began—gymnastics. He’s just two weeks out from a big test, and while the dance shoes are off, the lessons stuck. Recently, he opened up about one thing in particular that he learned on Dancing With the Stars—a lesson that’s helping him in the gym, too.
Stephen Nedoroscik recently sat down with Yahoo’s OT Diaries, and naturally, Dancing With the Stars came up in the convo. The 26-year-old lit up when talking about the experience, and one question really got him reflecting—why did he even decide to do the show? “One of the things that Dancing With the Stars did for me was show me that I can be confident and comfortable in environments that are not meant to be comfortable,” Stephen shared. Pretty deep, right? He explained it further: “Being able to dance in front of millions of people, a sport that I have never done before, really raised my confidence level.” So, while the show was all glitter and footwork on the surface, for Stephen, it was something way more meaningful. It gave him a serious confidence boost—and not just for the dance floor. That kind of mindset shift is now showing up in his gymnastics, too. A closer look at that journey says a lot about growth, grit, and stepping way outside your comfort zone.
Stephen Nedoroscik was never really the loud, outgoing type. In fact, back at the Paris Olympics, you’d probably find him off to the side, taking a nap or messing around with a Rubik’s Cube before his events—not exactly the life of the party. So yes, stepping into the spotlight on Dancing With the Stars was a big change for him. But that’s exactly what made the experience so powerful. Performing live in front of millions? That was tough. And it wasn’t just about dancing—he was part of the planning, the choreography, the storytelling. For 90 straight days, he pushed himself in ways he never had before, and little by little, it helped him break out of his shell. Now, he’s bringing that growth back into the gym.
In that same chat, the Worcester native put it simply: “I do think that it [the lesson] has definitely increased my confidence, and I’m hoping to be able to show that off [in gymnastics] on the world stage soon.” And now? He’s got the perfect chance to prove it. His next big gymnastics test is just around the corner—and this time, he’s stepping up with a little extra confidence and a whole new mindset, thanks to his time in the ballroom.
Stephen Nedoroscik is on his way to opening his gymnastics scorebook
Exactly one year later, Stephen Nedoroscik is back—and he dropped the news with the most casual flex on Instagram: “Finally got all my EVO gear. Can’t believe I compete in 2 weeks.” Just like that, the 2021 world champ confirmed he’ll be hitting the floor at the upcoming Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships. No big rollout. No hype video. Just a quiet post that sent a loud message to the gymnastics world: he’s ready.
For fans of men’s gymnastics, this wasn’t just a post—it was a statement. Nedoroscik’s return after a full year away adds serious heat to an already stacked championship lineup, with other Paris Olympians also confirmed to compete. The competition is already tight, but his comeback instantly shakes up the landscape.
Credit: Instagram/ Stephen Nedoroscik
While others have been battling injuries or trying to rediscover their rhythm in the post-Olympic haze, Stephen’s been putting in the work. Word is, he’s even teased upgrades on his bread-and-butter event—the pommel horse. If Paris showed us anything, it’s that this guy doesn’t crack under pressure. His return may be low-key, but make no mistake: he’s coming in sharper, hungrier, and with something to prove.
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