Enough Testimonials – No. 2

I am. It is. We are. We’ve had….. Enough.

Enough. Such an all-encompassing word. By definition it means: As much or as many as required; to the required degree or extent.

As young gymnasts and as young women, growing up in this generation, it is easy to feel as though we are not enough. What we did, what we accomplished, how we did the skill, how we made the routine, was compared to an impossible standard. It was never perfect, it was never enough. It was never to the required degree that someone said it should be. Key words: that
someone said it should be.

The question I’ve come to realize about this concept as I’ve grown older, is who is it that decides we are not enough? And why do we listen to them? Why do we base so much of our self-worth, on someone else’s opinion of if we are good enough?

Because the thing I have also come to realize since coming to the University of Iowa, being a part of this program, this culture, this family, is that the only person who gets to decide if I am
enough, is me.

You will never be enough for anyone, until you decide that you are enough for yourself. Until you let go of all the pressure to be someone you know you’re not. Until you fully embrace all that
you are, and all that you want to be. Only then, will you be able to do the same for others.

And that’s what’s so special about this team. By preaching and practicing that we are enough, by teaching a culture of acceptance of each individual person and their role on this team, by
putting the person way before the athlete, we are able to reverse the concept drilled into our brain from a very young age, that we are not enough.

WE ARE ENOUGH. The hard work, dedication, perseverance, sacrifice, heart and soul, of this program is ENOUGH. The laughs, the tears, the inside jokes, and the lifelong friends that
become family IS ENOUGH. The quirks, the flaws, the imperfections, the mistakes, and the lessons learned, IS ENOUGH. The culture and direction of this program, and the legacy that will
continue to live on, IS ENOUGH.

I thank God every day that he placed me in a program that has allowed me to realize that I am enough. That has truly, truly, allowed me to grow, allowed me to make mistakes, allowed me to
not be perfect, and all the while, still be enough.

I am Enough. We are Enough. It is Enough. We’ve had Enough.

— Senior Erin Castle

“What “enough” means to Iowa gymnastics is that we want our humanity back. We’re tired of the inequality happening in our society whether it’s sexuality, race, gender, body positivity, etc. “ Enough” is the perfect word to make it known that the world needs to revolve around kindness and acceptance. We’re all made from the same skin and bones that make us all human and it’s better to be unified than to continue on in inhumane ideology.”

— Sophomore Daniela Castillo

Enough: We are all worthy of love and acceptance.
Necessary: We demand to take the steps necessary for change.
Objective: We strive to reach our goal of initiating action.
United: We are united as one to declare enough.
Growth: We aim to grow through listening, discussing, and learning.
Hope: We hope for a world in which acceptance and equality prevails.

— Sophomore Allyson Steffensmeier

“If there is anything I have learned these past few years, it is that we, as a program, as a team, and as individuals, are enough. We put our focus on the person before the athlete, we have each other’s backs, and we push one another to be the best version of ourselves. We are enough before ever putting on a leotard or walking out in any arena. By knowing our worth before ever even competing, we are able to show off everything we have worked for while staying true to who we are. This team is truly limitless because we know we are enough.”

— Junior Bridget Killian

“I have always been a relatively quiet individual. For me, life seemed to be a little bit easier, a little less stressful and a lot less chaotic if I just blend in.

In choosing to fade into the crowd, I realized I was losing far more than just the ability to remain anonymous and not be seen; I lost the ability to be heard!

Over time, not wanting to be outside of my comfort zone, while certainly giving me “comfort” took away my voice. I had become the ultimate cliché; be seen and not heard.

Just like everyone else, I have my reasons for remaining more on the quiet side of life, but not without the realization that the one precious gift I have is my voice. I don’t need to be loud, or aggressive, but I need to be heard. Even the smallest of voices can make the biggest of differences.

I am still not the loudest person in the room, but my words are strong and they carry meaning when I speak. I have learned that my voice provides me with opportunity and the more I use it, the stronger I become.”

— Senior Emma Hartzler