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.
Jonathan HortonThere's mornings when my body aches or my mind is just not with it. But that's part of being an athlete and accomplishing a goal that seems unattainable. You have to find your motivation, what inspires you.
Jonathan HortonIt's tough. Gymnastics isn't basketball or football or baseball, where you can get these huge contracts and make a lot of money.
Jonathan HortonIโm a true believer in the mental side of gymnastics โ the 95% mental and 5% physical. Itโs totally true. As you get to an older age, at 25 years old, Iโve pretty much learned everything that I need to learn in gymnastics. Now itโs, can I mentally push through the daily grind? Can I push through the small injuries and the aches and pains?
Jonathan HortonI am completely honest and truthful when I say I donโt want a gold for myself. I want a gold for the team. You go up there and do it as a collective group and itโs so much more satisfying, I mean you look around and you see the faces and just wow, this was a team effort and we did this together. Itโs incredible and thatโs my dream. I wanna win a gold medal and see the flag go up, hear the national anthem and just know that I did it with my brothers standing next to me.
Jonathan HortonAnother 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.
Jonathan Horton