Therapy for Black Girls: TBG U – Flipping Out with Kyrstin Johnson

Podcast: Therapy for Black Girls
Host: Dr. Joy Harden Bradford (iHeartPodcasts)
Guest: Kyrstin Johnson – Gymnast, Mental Health Advocate, Sophomore at Temple University
Date: March 25, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford sits down with Kyrstin Johnson, a standout gymnast at Temple University and a passionate advocate for mental well-being in athletics. Together, they delve into Kyrstin’s unique journey—from being a late starter in gymnastics and experiencing the pressures of being a Black woman in a predominantly white sport, to navigating the sudden loss of her collegiate program and finding her place at a new university. The conversation is as much about perseverance, identity, and advocacy as it is about the specific mental health strategies Kyrstin uses to thrive, both as an athlete and an individual.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Kyrstin's Gymnastics Journey & Background

• Early Inspiration & Late Start
  • Started gymnastics at age 10, much later than the typical 2–3 years old for competitive gymnasts.
  • Parents originally steered her away from gymnastics due to cost and time, despite her clear natural aptitude for tumbling and flips.
    • "I started gymnastics at the age of 10...usually little girls start at 2 or 3. In my case, very late." (05:48)
• Self-Taught Talent and Progression
  • Taught herself advanced skills on the trampoline and in the backyard; quickly moved through gymnastic levels, skipping several due to her ability.
  • Inspired by Gabby Douglas:
    • "I really looked up to Gabby Douglas. She was seriously, like, my inspiration...the fact that I was able to see another gymnast who looked like me..." (10:38)
• Mentorship and Family Support
  • Parents as primary mentors and supporters—her mother offering emotional guidance and her father focusing on health, discipline, and understanding the sport.
    • "In gymnastics, I was the gymnast who always felt alone...it's always just been me and my parents." (12:01)

Navigation Through Challenges in the Gymnastics Community

• Isolation, Bullying, and Moving Gyms

  • Faced bullying and feelings of isolation at various gyms; coaches did not always support her or address reported challenges.
    • "I've been bullied...I always felt like I was on an island by myself...Coaches wouldn't really listen." (17:33)
  • ADD diagnosis sometimes led to communication barriers with coaches.

• Mental Health Tools & Mindset Practices

  • Regular journaling to process emotions:
    • "To this day, I still journal...once you write it out, you get to like, let it go." (20:52)
  • Meditation, breathing exercises, and positive affirmations are part of her wellness routine (40:24).
  • Mindset is critical in gymnastics:
    • "I'm just gonna throw something out there, like, 10% physical, 90% mental..." (20:52)

• Therapy and Mindset Coaching

  • Sought mindset coaches and therapists to overcome mental blocks, especially since she couldn't always share openly with peers or coaches.

Transition from HBCU to PWI

• Sudden Loss of HBCU Program

  • First gymnast at Talladega College (an HBCU); program cut after one year due to funding.
    • "The program got cut after a year due to funds and I transferred to Temple..." (05:07 / 26:24)
  • Forced to find a new school and team on short notice; Temple University reached out and provided a supportive environment.

• Adapting at Temple University

  • Adjusted from being in an all-Black team environment to a predominantly white institution (PWI), yet found herself welcomed and supported.
  • Advocacy for Black representation and inclusivity in NCAA gymnastics and beyond.
    • "I'm actually able to be myself around them. So now I'm in a good environment, a healthy environment at that." (24:48)

Experience as a Black Woman in Gymnastics

• Navigating Racism and Stereotypes
  • Related to experiences of Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, especially around not fitting in and dealing with subtle and overt exclusion.
    • "I could relate to some of the things they were saying...I really wanted to know what it felt like to be around people who looked like me." (28:24)
• Optimism for Inclusion
  • Sees positive changes in the sport’s inclusivity.
    • "I think people's eyes are really starting to open and they're starting to be more inclusive...I can't wait to see how everything is going to go, like, in the future." (29:53)

Viral Floor Routine's Cultural Impact

• Bringing HBCU Energy to PWI
  • Floor routine to Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" among other tracks; intentionally curated to connect with her generation and honor HBCU vibes.
    • "I wanted to let myself know, even though you're not going to another HBCU, you can bring HBCU with you. That's what I did." (35:43)
  • Coaches supportive of using culturally relevant music and choreography.
• Making Gymnastics More Relatable
  • When routine went viral, felt validation that her perspective resonated.
    • "I thought I was only gonna get like a good amount of likes...oh, it just went viral..." (37:09)

Mental Health and Wellness Strategies

• Daily Tools
  • Journaling, meditation, breathing exercises, music for focus and motivation.
    • "I meditate...breathing exercises so I can calm down...positive affirmations, too, to cancel out any negative ones." (40:24)
  • Rejects perfectionism and pressure:
    • "Pressure is not a thing. Pressure is something you make up in your mind." (20:52)

Looking Ahead: Personal Goals and Advice

• Future Ambitions

  • Plans to complete her NCAA eligibility, maybe take a fifth year.
  • Aspires to become a veterinarian and continue mental health advocacy online.
    • "I want to become a veterinarian. My major is psychology. I would love to get into veterinary school..." (41:31)

• Advice for Young Gymnasts and Their Parents

  • For athletes: Focus on the joy, embrace bad days, be yourself; for parents: Stay positive, encourage, and support your gymnast, even if they start late.
    • "Just go out there, have fun. Do you, be yourself. Do not change yourself for anybody..." (42:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Starting Late:
  "I started gymnastics at the age of 10...usually the girls start at 2 or 3. In my case, very late." — Kyrstin Johnson (05:48)

• On Parental Support:
  "My parents have been my number one supporters from day one...In gymnastics, I was the gymnast who always felt alone." — Kyrstin Johnson (12:01)

• On Mindset in Gymnastics:
  "Mindset in gymnastics literally has to be right because if not, things will fall apart...It's 10% physical, 90% mental." — Kyrstin Johnson (20:52)

• On Inclusion:
  "Don't underestimate us ever, because we will show up and show out when the time comes...we will always prove you wrong." — Kyrstin Johnson (33:42)

• On Her Floor Routine:
  "Even though you're not going to another HBCU, you can bring HBCU with you. That's what I did." — Kyrstin Johnson (35:43)

• Advice for Gymnasts:
  "Never give up, ever, ever, ever. It has been challenging for me and my parents as well...but yeah, just go out there, have fun. Do you, be yourself, do not change yourself for anybody." — Kyrstin Johnson (42:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |:----------:|----------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:07 | Kyrstin’s background and entry into gymnastics | | 07:59 | Gymnastics levels explained and skill progression | | 10:38 | Self-taught gymnastics, inspirations (Gabby Douglas) | | 12:01 | Parental mentorship and support | | 17:33 | Challenges with bullying, moving gyms, and mental health | | 20:52 | Mindset in gymnastics; journaling, affirmations | | 24:48 | Transition to Temple and finding support | | 26:24 | Sudden program cut at Talladega & decision to transfer | | 28:24 | Navigating racism and representation as a Black gymnast | | 33:42 | On women’s sports and proving critics wrong | | 35:43 | Crafting and performing her viral, culturally meaningful routine | | 40:24 | Mental health rituals—meditation, music, affirmations | | 41:31 | Post-gymnastics goals and career aspirations | | 42:15 | Advice for young gymnasts and their parents | | 43:51 | Kyrstin’s social media information |

Final Thoughts

This conversation with Kyrstin Johnson is an inspiring roadmap for aspiring athletes and anyone facing obstacles in spaces where they’ve historically been underrepresented. Her advocacy for wellness, honesty about setbacks, and determination to "bring HBCU vibes" wherever she goes underscores the spirit of self-acceptance and breaking barriers. For listeners seeking affirmation, strategy, or simply a powerful story about resilience and representation, this episode delivers.