Jonathan Horton
Jonathan Horton
Jonathan Alan Hortonis an American artistic gymnast. He is the 2008 Olympic silver medalist on high bar, the 2010 Worlds all-around bronze medalist, a two-time U.S. National All-Around Champion, and a 17-time medalist at the U.S. National Championships. In 2016 he intends to have surgery on his left rotator cuff and will not be attempting to qualify for the 2016 Olympics...
happy knew knowing last tough won words
I am happy to have won it, knowing that it was a tough year. Last year, I knew all but one (word). This year, there were two words I didn't know.
gymnastics winning knowing
It's not about winning or losing a competition, it's about beating the doubt from within yourself and knowing at the end of each day you are one step closer to your goals.
tired sleep thinking
I'm no perfect gymnast. I want to go out and eat junk food, or I maybe don't sleep as much as I should, or some days I'll leave the gym and think, "Maybe I should have worked a little harder. Maybe I'm not as tired as I need to be." Every day you push a little harder, eat a little better, maybe go to bed a little earlier.
team gymnastics long
There's a point in gymnastics where once you get to a certain age your body just isn't going to be able to handle it anymore. But I'd like to continue on as long as I'm able to help the team out and be a contributor to the success of the U.S. team.
fun stressed-out relax
I tell my coach all the time "Hey, listen, coach. You know the hardest person on me isn't you, right? It's me." I'm the hardest person on myself, my biggest critic, always pushing. But there are days when I have to tell myself, "Relax, breathe, you're too stressed out." When it's no longer fun, when it's no longer something you can tolerate, that's when you have to take a break.
ridiculous said wells
I'm on my own, luckily doing well, but like I said, we don't make a ridiculous amount of money and I have to be disciplined with what I do with it.
mom jobs dad
My mom and dad were extremely supportive. But my mom, she definitely made a lot of sacrifices, specifically because she wasn't working at the time. She ended up going and finding a job so she could continue to put me through gymnastics.
sports gymnastics sacrifice
When I was younger, the people making the sacrifice were my parents. It's not a cheap sport. Luckily, I had parents who made a lot of life sacrifices so I could continue in gymnastics.
blessed people support
When I moved down to Houston, I had people who were willing to support me with sponsorships and different endorsement deals. That's really how I stayed afloat. It isn't ridiculous money where you can live however you want - I still have to be disciplined - but I've been very blessed with having people to support me.
sports blessed successful
There's very few of us who are able to be successful, which is why so many guys out of college can't continue the sport. It's unfortunate because there's just no financial backing. I've been very blessed with sponsors.
team taken college
Another big difference about not being in college: In college, you're on the team, you're competing for the NCAA - luckily I had a full scholarship and I was taken care of - then all of a sudden you're a pro and you've got to take care of yourself. I'm gonna keep doing the same thing, keep training, and hopefully everything works out.
jobs gymnastics wife
I'm able to support my wife and family off of gymnastics. But at the same time I do take it very seriously - it is a job for me.
jobs gymnastics great-things
Gymnastics is definitely my job, but the great thing about that is I love my job.
gymnastics journey college
It was definitely a big change in my life going from the college scene to really kind of being on my own. I got married and moved to Houston and started a whole new journey. It was scary in a way, but what's great for me is just focusing on gymnastics and my wife. I'm really able to put 100% into what my goals are.