International Gymnastics interview with Stella Umeh

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The March 2015 IG features an interview with
Toronto native Stella Umeh, who remains one of
the most inspiring figures in gymnastics. She and
her husband, Sam Nicholas, are expecting their
first child in August, which means Stella might
have to slow down a bit. She's certainly

accomplished many things: Olympian, UCLA
Athletic Hall of Fame member, actor, performer.
She's retired from various performance roles with
Cirque du Soleil (see photo as a clown), and has
started her own business.
For now, however, here are a few excerpts from
her amazing interview.

You turn 40 on May 27. How do you view
conventional age milestones?

Yep, turning 40 is right around the corner. With
regards to conventional age milestones, what are
those? I’ve hit some pretty profound ones and
I’ve blown past a couple of the conventional ones.
I am a healthy and happy adult. I made it through
an elite gymnastics career and I can still walk,
bend over and even jump every now and then.

When did you know you wanted to perform in
front of people?

I have known I have wanted to perform in front
of people from the moment I did it, when I was 4
and I started dancing. The interesting thing,
though, is I see it less about performance and
more about having such a burning desire to share
something with people. I yearned, and I still do,
for that opportunity on a regular basis.

Any advice for a gymnast who is considering
Cirque du Soleil?

You might as well try it; there is a place for
everybody. Push yourself to the edge of your
skinny branch, throw yourself outside of your
box, don’t look down, always look ahead and
dream huge.

What do you think of Simone Biles? She seems
to have your unique and individualistic
attitude.

Well, first off let me thank you for comparing [me]
to Simone Biles. She’s kind of ridiculous! She
smiles more than I did. She is definitely unique
and … an individual. She let’s her light shine
through and I commend her for that. I am
inspired by her fierceness. We both have the
same favorite events: vault and floor. Way back in
2013 she said she wanted to work on her dance
skills. I’d love to have a dance up with her. I think
she’d hold her own.

What inspired the name of your new company,
The Ivory Elephant Group?

Elephants did. They are such majestic animals.
They show grief, humor, compassion,
cooperation, self-awareness, playfulness, and
they have excellent learning abilities. Elephants
are social and tactile. They are a matriarchal herd
and their commitment to one another is mind-
blowing.

Written by dwight normile
Edited by:
FavGymnastics