Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan. And when it doesn’t, the person with whom things happen goes through hell. Such was the story of the young Beavers’ gymnastics star who was born with a hole in the heart! With the condition threatening to get worse, the gymnast opted for surgery at the tender age of 4. But the medical professionals operating on the little girl failed! They failed despite stopping her heart at one point during the surgery! Finally, when she did get it right at 5 years old, the gymnast thought that this would be the end of her misery. But alas! Things were about to get much worse. But Jade Carey’s teammate at Beavers did not lose hope. And she not only came back strong, but also dropped a massive announcement!
Well, the person who deserves a standing ovation for her courage and resilience is Lauren Letzsch. Having a knack for gymnastics, Letzsch took the NCAA world by storm, showcasing her incredible skills as an upcoming gymnast. However, six months after her 2023 collegiate season ended, Letzsch was diagnosed with POTS! With no certainty over when she would be able to take to the mats again, Letzsch’s life came to a standstill. But with the champion that she is, Letzsch conquered her complications and came back strongly to perform once again. And she could not be happier about her achievement. In fact, she has shared a major update for her upcoming session.
Taking to her social handles, Letzsch uploaded a video showcasing the incredible gymnast that she is. Feeling grateful to make it back to competitive gymnastics, Letzsch was overwhelmed. “After being diagnosed with POTS and not knowing if l’d ever return to gymnastics, just being back out on the floor with my team was a dream come true. From traveling again to embracing every moment with the people I love, this year reminded me of how special this journey truly is,” wrote Letzsch. She then went on to thank the entire Beaver nation for keeping faith in her and supporting her all through her tough times. And then came her big reveal. Lauren Letzsch will be coming back for one more season in 2026!
“To my coaches, teammates, athletic trainers, and support staff, thank you for your unwavering belief in me, especially during the hardest days,” said Letzsch. She also extended her heartfelt gratitude towards her family, without whom, she could not have come this far. Surely, to curb a serious complication like POTS, and to come back again speaks volumes about the mental toughness of Letzsch. And for those who are wondering what exactly POTS is, here’s a detailed summary of what Lauren Letzsch went through.
Lauren Letzsch fights POTS to return to the sport she loves the most
Lauren Letzsch didn’t just battle gravity on the balance beam. She had to fight her own body. After a season plagued by recurring injury and a minor surgery in 2023, the Oregon State University gymnast was hit with a life-altering diagnosis — Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). The condition disrupted her heart rate and blood pressure, making even sitting on the floor a struggle. She shared, “Knowing I was in a place where sitting on the floor felt like it was taking so much effort.” Letzsch further admitted her thoughts, saying, “Can I do it? It was a big question.”
At her lowest, Letzsch stood alone in her living room while her teammates were away at a meet. Despite knowing her heart would race and symptoms would flare, she jumped. “I needed to know, if this is going to be the last time I am going to do gymnastics, at least I knew that I did something and it didn’t just end one day with no notice,” Lauren said. That small act became the start of her slow, intentional return.
Rebuilding her routines step by step, Letzsch leaned on her athletic trainer and teammates. Lauren shared, “Once I did [open up], it was the most supported I felt.” Now, she’s channeling her experience into purpose—raising awareness for invisible illnesses and pushing through, one day at a time.
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