Make It Or Break It

This week’s [optional] theme for the Fit Dish link up (hosted by Jill Conyers @ JillConyers.com, &Ā JessicaĀ Joy @ TheFitSwitch.org) is…Movie Scenes That Inspire Your Fitness!

It’s been a while since I’ve watched a movie, but…TV shows are loosely related, right?!

Lemme introduce you to one of my guilty pleasures: Make It Or Break It, a show about a group of teenage Olympic hopefuls that aired on ABC Family for 3 seasons from 2009-2012.

For those of you who don’t know, gymnastics is the only sport I ever watch in the Olympics ever (save for the occasional MMA fight!). I started and ended my gymnastics career in high school, and it’s still the only thing I’ve ever completely and utterly sucked at that I still absolutely loved.

I forgot why I was pouting in this, but…it’s probably because I was hungry.

Ā When I first started watching the show, I think it wanted viewers to root for Emily Kmetko. As the newcomer to the gym, she had an inspiring back story that really initially made you want her to succeed, but as the series progressed and her constant negativity and bad decisions grated at my nerves, I defaulted to Payson Keeler as my favorite character, and forever shall she stay there!

Her character embodied pretty much all the traits and characteristics that I find important/hope to possess.

What I admired most about Payson, right from the very start, was how dedicated she was. Of all the gymnasts portrayed in the series, she was the most mature, persistent and grounded, refusing to let anything or anyone distract her from her dreams. She often acted as the voice of reason, and was the one that the others would look to as a leader.

In gymnastics, although you have a team, it’s still very much an individualistic sport. Despite this, she inspired her teammates to work hard to be the best they could be.

Payson Keeler

Simply put, she’s a badass.

(If you’re planning on ever watching the series, here’s my warning that SPOILERS are up ahead.)

 

I was never, ever considered anywhere close to an elite-level gymnast (my claims to fame were the scorpion pose on the beam, a front handspring on the vault, and lots of back walkovers on floor), but I could relate to her in a lot of ways.

In the series, she falls off the uneven bars during a competition and fractures her spine, putting what looks like a permanent end to her dreams of ever training again, let alone winning gold at the Olympics. (I accidentally flipped off the uneven bars at my very last competition and landed on my neck, so I kindasorta know the feel. Bars are still the bane of my existence.)

Injuries can be painstakingly difficult to come back from, and I know that with some, you never really can. Having all that hard work and dedication dashed to pieces and the prospect of never being able to go after your dreams could very understandably sink anyone into depression, especially when it’s pretty much all you’ve ever lived for. I’m glad they wrote her story the way they did. She’s only human, but she’s also a fighter, and I found that very inspiring. <3

paysonkeeler

She learns to face her fears.

 

As a result of her injury, Payson is forced to, in a sense, relearn everything after her surgery because of the changes that took place during her recovery. She’s always identified herself as a “power gymnast,” and, like me, was completely uncomfortable with exploring anything in the realms of grace and femininity.

I loved watching her grow as a character, especially when she realized that the idea of who she thought she had to be in order to succeed wasn’t something that had to be set in stone. She could be powerfulĀ and beautiful, graceful and strong.

It might be harder to tell now, but I’ve been a tomboy for most of my life. (Full disclosure: Although I’m completely cool with them now, I was actually pretty upset/ashamed when my boobs first decided to appear.) Grace, beauty, and femininity are words that I would never associate with myself. If anything, I shunned it. I actually first got into pole dancing because it looked like vertical gymnastics to me, and gymnastics was something that I very desperately missed.

The added bonuses from taking that up were that I also learned to be comfortable in my own skin, to love who I was, and to know that I had it within me to be exhibit strength and beauty–that it didn’t have to be one or the other.

There were definitely characters I wanted to punch out, but at the end of the day, Make It Or Break It did a great job of portraying a lot of different issues that athletes face. It also shows you just how much of a difference caring about someone and providing them with support and encouragement can make. <3 Due in part to her awesome coach, Payson continues to stay strong, refuses to give up, and sets out to prove that she can do anything she puts her mind to.

findingyourmotivation

Through it all, she manages to retain her core values and beliefs, be it her fierce loyalty to her family and friends, or her drive to accomplish her dreams of getting an individual gold medal at the Olympics.

As luck would have it, ABC Family decided to murder the series right before they got to the Olympics, so I am forever bitter, but in my heart, I really hope she won. <3

paysonkeelerswanlake paysonkeelerswanlake1Ayla Kell is the actress that played Payson Keeler; she actually studied ballet from a young age and danced with the American Ballet Theater! :]!

There were a ton of songs that I really loved from the series; these are some of my favorites!

What inspires your fitness?


Dish The Fit

Click the image to read my other Dish The Fit posts! :]

Permanent link to this article: https://www.fairyburger.com/make-it-or-break-it/

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  1. That sounds awesome! I’ve never seen it before, but that is too bad it ended before getting any “closure”- that is such a bummer when that happens!! I love gymnastics too- I can’t watch many sports, but I can handle watching that one for a short period of time (I get bored so easily watching sports on TV- in person I can handle it. Participating is a bonus haha- but I am NOT good!)
    AJ @ NutriFitMama recently posted…Top 3 Movies To Inspire Your Fitness + Runners-UpMy Profile

    1. Same here! I’d rather be out doing something (even if I may be terrible! :p ) than sitting there and watching someone else move (haha), but gymnastics is so fun to watch! <3

  2. I loved that series!!! I think they took too long between series that in the end they hype had faded off! No matter what I enjoyed all of them and I actually loved where the new one was heading without Emily. Oh well… Payson was also my favorite character and how relatable she was.
    I did some artistic gymnastics when I was little and I loved it! I was no good at all and I didn’t get passed the forward tumble (^^) but I just had the time of my life! :)
    Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness recently posted…Why You Should Wait to ā€œPeel Offā€ and Reveal Your PotentialMy Profile

    1. I did too! I even started liking Kelly Parker! (Still hate Lauren though; she was so horrible. I’m not sure if be a good enough person to forgive her.) But yayy Payson!! <3!

      Totally with you there! I joined the gymnastics team in high school with no prior experience (thankfully there were no tryouts or I'd never have made it), and I loved it even though I was terrible at it! :]

  3. that looked like a great series- I of course did not see that one :( I like how you can relate your own adventures as well. I love the reason you started the pole dancing class and I bet you are beautiful at it! It is funny how people really bond with different characters from series and they have a way of just sucking you in! Have a great week!
    Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Movies that inspire!My Profile

    1. They do indeed! And thanks so much! I still think I have resting bitchface when I dance, but I’m working on it! :P

  4. I have never heard of this show and while I never was a gymnast, I love watching gymnastics! Such a cool sport, you truly have to be very athletic!
    Annmarie recently posted…Actio926: Active Wear That Moves You Review + GiveawayMy Profile

    1. Agreed! Everything they do looks so awesome! <3 They make it look effortless, haha.

  5. I’ve never seen it or heard of it! Looks great! A movie that has inspired me is Spirit of the Marathon!
    Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Could it be? The cure for overeating: MealEnders review and giveawayMy Profile

    1. I haven’t seen that one, but will definitely have to check it out! <3 I hope it's on Netflix! :P

  6. I LOVE THIS SHOW. It was magical. SO GOOD
    Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Common Yoga Mistakes Clinic–Conclusion and Best PracticeMy Profile

    1. Agreed! Why did they cancel!?! :'(

  7. Sooo… I pretty much watch horror and sci fi! LOLOLOL. Can I use Buffy the TV show as an example of my favourite fitness inspiring scenes? She was so damn fit, flexible and athletic when killing those vampires, that I always felt inspired to be fit like her!
    jess meddows recently posted…Soi Dogs of ThailandMy Profile

    1. haha, sci fi is wonderful! I’m somewhat of a wimp when it comes to horror movies because I tend to imagine all sorts of creepy scenarios afterward. :[ There was a movie called The Alphabet Killer that was apparently based off of a real life story. I never watched it but still get paranoid because he killed people with same-letter initials! :'( I would be a total goner.

      Buffy! I’ve actually never seen a single episode(! it was during my 6-18yo parental TV ban), but my friend was a huge fan of it! She totally counts!

  8. I have never heard of this show either but it definitely sounds inspiring! So scary about what happened on the uneven bars to you! So glad you were ok. It was really great to read your post as I had some of the same thoughts as you while growing up as I too was a tomboy and was insecure about my body. It’s nice to know I wasn’t the only one with those thoughts at the time. Thanks!
    Sharon recently posted…Five Movies Scenes That Inspire FitnessMy Profile

    1. Thank you! I’m glad too–that was actually during the one and only competition that my parents ever came to watch (because it was my last one), so it was not a fun time for any of us, hahaha. :[

      Glad to know I’m not alone too! <3 I grew up with mostly all guys, so I hated all the changes because it served as yet another divider between me and them!

  9. I’ll have to check that show out. It’s nice to have a show you can actually sit and enjoy without too much drama and rated R stuff thanks for sharing!
    Ivanna recently posted…Never, Ever, Ever Give UpMy Profile

    1. I’m going to have to warn you that there is a lot of drama in there, 90% of which is due to a character that I wanted to punch for almost the entirety of the show. Aside from her though, it was great! :D

  10. I actually really liked that show too. There were a couple years where ABC family had a couple good shows I DVRd and watched while I was working out. That was one of them! I was also uber bummed when the cancelled it.
    Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Chopped Kale SaladMy Profile

    1. So sad. :[ I haven’t really watched much else of theirs ever since (unless you count Once Upon A Time on just plain ABC! :O )!

  11. I used to do cheerleading in my freshman year of high school, and I tried my hand at back handsprings, but I never mastered it. That was the one thing I always wished I could do, but couldn’t ever achieve it.
    Channing recently posted…Nutella Buttercream Frosting RecipeMy Profile

    1. I can’t say I ever mastered a clean one either. They were infinitely easier on the tumble track/trampoline though! :D!

  12. ABC family was where it was at growing up. I’m pretty sure my little sister would VCR record shows for us to watch on repeat. VCR! Crazy now times have changed :)
    Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…Healthy Kitchen SwapsMy Profile

    1. I was banned from TV at a young age, but I definitely recall the VCR recording days! It feels like a lifetime ago!

  13. I loved that show so much too! Payson was pretty much always my favorite character for most of the reasons you outlined above. I was bummed when they ended the show too but I figured that it would have been to hard for them to try to “accurately portray” the Olympics?
    Beth @ Bolting Butterfly recently posted…Apple Cake RecipeMy Profile

    1. That is a good thought. I think they also ran into budget cut issues, and I suppose finding a whole ton of other stunt doubles to represent the other countries might have added to the difficulty. It would’ve been so cool to watch that though! <3

  14. This most definitely sounds like a series that I would LOVE!!! I was in dance, on tumbling team, and did gymnastics growing up…. all three of which I loved and really miss. To this day, gymnastics and swimming are my 2 favorite events for the Summer Olympics!
    Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl recently posted…Cinnamon Turmeric Sweet Potato Fries (Vegan and Anti-Inflammatory)My Profile

    1. That’s awesome! :D It must have been so much fun! I miss gymnastics a whole ton too! <3

  15. I love the new fonts you use for links, and I remember seeing ads on the bus for this show! I never did watch it buT I can telL I wouldve loved it, as I am a gymnastic-fanatic and athlete myself. Also, I’m sure the show writers wanted you to see Payson as the heroine and not the other girl, sometimes i get too attached to the actors and have to remind myself that the show writers want it portrayed that way!

    If you like gymnastics, you’d also enjoy figure skating, Farrah.

    Gah, I just want to meet you in person. Finding your blog was one of the best things that’s happened in 2014.
    Linda @ TheFitty recently posted…5 Eats + I Watched Gone Girl {WIAW #12} {#LIPlinkup #18} {Friday 5 #5}My Profile

    1. Thank you! :D I was messing with it over the weekend and this is what I decided to stick with! :P

      I got super-attached to her as a character and was so, so sad about some of the stuff that she went through! I know she’s not real, but I really wanted to see her succeed and be awesome and win gold at Olympics!

      True that! I totally forgot–I just remembered that I do watch figure skating sometimes for winter Olympics but will admit that I’m nowhere as faithful with it as I am with gymnastics. :P

      Aww, thank you so much! <3 I'm so glad I met you through the wonderful world of blogs too! Once I'm finally done with school, maybe I can actually do some traveling (fingers super-crossed)--I'd love to meet you forreal too!

  16. Great post! What a great series, and perfect for you! I love movies that address challenged athletes face. I actually loved Bridget in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but I loved her way more in the books! They left out a lot of her athleticism in the movies. : ( That was def a guilty pleasure for me, but hey, inspiring nonetheless! THanks so much for sharing!
    Jessica Joy @The Fit Switch recently posted…Movie Scenes For Fitness InspirationMy Profile

    1. I haven’t seen the movie, but she was my favorite character in that series as well! Shame that they didn’t play that up more in the movie!

  17. Hmmm I never heard of this show, but I might try to find it and watch the reruns because it sounds like something I’d be interested in! Gymnastics is the only thing I watch in the Olympics, and Figure Skating in the Winter Olympics. I don’t know, I guess I just think they look so graceful when doing it, and graceful is something I’ve never associated with myself because I have HORRIBLE balance. Great messages in this post and the show!!
    Montana Ross recently posted…Movies That Inspire Your Fitness (The Fit Dish Linkup)My Profile

    1. Oooo, figure skating! That would’ve been fun to get into also. :] I watch that on occasion because I find it super pretty as well! I have horrible balance and was pretty uncoordinated (alright, who am I kidding, I still am ;_; ), but it was so fun! :] I really miss it!

  18. I’ve heard of this show but I’ve never actually watched it. I like a lot of ABC Family’s shows, maybe I should at least watch it once to see if I like it or not.
    laura recently posted…The Headband HeadphonesMy Profile

    1. I do have to warn you if you check it out that there is a fair amount of drama in the series, but I loved the underlying message and the gymnastics! <3

  19. I liked that show! I was bummed when it ended. That one spoiled girl was annoying though, don’t remember her name.
    Erica recently posted…Discipline, Disctractions, and Instant GratificationMy Profile

    1. I wanted to punch Lauren for the entirety of the show. I hope people like her don’t exist. :[

  20. I’ve never heard of this show, but will keep it in mind when I need one to watch :) love that you drew inspiration from this. Happy Tuesday!!
    Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Link Love #6 and the biggest pizza sliceMy Profile

    1. Happy Tuesday to you as well! :D I kinda feel like watching the whole series over again, ahhh! :x

  21. I remember this show! I’ve always enjoyed watching shows and movies about Olympic hopefuls (maybe because I secretly wish I could be as disciplined, haha). I’ll have to see if I can find this on Netflix so I can binge-watch it all over again and be re-inspired. =)

    1. Hahaha, I feel ya! One of my pipe dreams would be to be an Olympic gymnast. *-* (Or just good enough to qualify! :D )

  22. I have always loved gymnastics and it is the only sport I like watching on TV too! :)
    Bri @ Simple Delights recently posted…Movies That Inspire FitnessMy Profile

    1. Yay, gymnastics fans unite! I like living vicariously through them, hahaha. :]

  23. Sounds like a fun show! I’ve never even heard of it.

    I love your honesty and openness with everything! I find it so inspiring and I’m so happy you found a way to embrace all of your qualities and be comfortable in your skin! Also, I have to say that I don’t think you utterly sucked at gymnastics if you were able to do walkovers and the like! ;)
    Ariana recently posted…A Glance at My Meal PrepMy Profile

    1. I don’t think it got that much publicity, but I liked it a lot (even despite the drama! :O!!).

      Aww, thank you! <3 I don't know any other way to be, haha. I figure it's best to be candid and I'm very much a take-it-or-leave-it type of person. I'm too terrible of a liar to be able to fake anything.

      <3! I guess if you factored in that I went in with no experience, I wasn't that terrible, but I was probably one of the worst, if not the worst, on the team. :[ I did get "Most Improved" in both my freshman + senior year though, so there's that! (It's hard not to improve when you start from nothin'! :P)

  24. I’ve never seen this show but I saw the MOVIE! I think I would really like this show actually because I used to do gymnastics and it’s just so cool seeing people throw themselves all around like that! ha ha!
    GiGi Eats recently posted…Protein-Packed Crunchy Love BitesMy Profile

    1. Whatwhat?! There’s a movie for MIOBI??? (Was it Stick It? I haven’t seen that, but I know it was also on gymnastics!)

      Me too! It looks so amazing!

  25. Looks like a great series and I bet my daughter would love it. #fitfamlove
    jill conyers recently posted…3 Movies That Changed My LifeMy Profile

    1. It was definitely a fun one to watch! :D

  26. I loved this series! And Payson was my favorite (probably because she reminded me so much of myself!).. Hm, I wonder if Netflix has these out yet. ;)
    Emily Ardoin recently posted…February Wrap-UpMy Profile

    1. Same here! I definitely gotta check out Netflix to see if they have it! <3

  27. SAME HERE! When I started “maturing” it was the absolute WORST! I hated everything that came along with it with a passion. I’m okay now, but the struggle was real then! hahah
    Tricia @ A Couple of Dashes recently posted…Workout Wednesday ā€“ Sweat it Out PlaylistMy Profile

    1. For serious! :[ All my family friends were guys, so our parents were like, “You have to sleep in a separate room now for sleepovers,” thus creating yet another divide. Twas very saddening. :[ I quite like my butt/boobs now though, haha. My friends even have their own name for my butt, which they refer to as a separate entity. >_>

  28. I watched this show a while back on Netflix while running on the treadmill. I also liked it, I’m a sucker for sports “drama”
    Christine {dreamBIGrunner} recently posted…How to Support Charities without Asking for MoneyMy Profile

    1. Nice! :D If I’m not simultaneously studying, my favorite thing to do while cardio-ing = watching Food Network or catching up on shows! :P

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