meet the athlete
flipping fantastic
A gymnast at The Arbutus Club since she was 4 years old, Mara Baxendale reflects on how the program gave her strength
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member since she was only an infant, Mara Baxendale has truly grown up at The Arbutus Club. With two generations of Baxendales preceeding her, Mara's family illustrates the Club's rich history of providing a home away from home for our families and creating a strong community. Walking across the balance beam since she was only 4 years old, Mara has taken part in the gymnastics program for nearly her entire life. With an incredible amount of experience, Mara's participation has served her well and she has been helping other gymnasts as a Junior Coach with the program for the past 3 years. It's a milestone year for Mara. This year she graduates high school and will be soon be vaulting across the country to study Environment, Sustainability, and Society at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. However, before she lands in Halifax, Mara shares how the Club has played a special role in her upbringing and the valuable skills that the gymnastics program taught her.
When did you begin participating in gymnastics? Mara: Growing up I tried many different sports, although not all at the Club. As the years went on, I stuck with gymnastics and so did my sister. The Club has introduced me to so many people I would’ve otherwise never met and brought me closer with people that make me happy. I truly wouldn’t be the person I am today without gymnastics at the Club. I started gymnastics when I was 4 because my best friend did it at the time, so that made me want to try it – the rest is history.
How has gymnastics influenced your life outside of the sport? M: I’ve learned many skills, but I think the most important is being mentally strong when you become physically weak and tired. It is in this special place of pain and discomfort that help you grow character – you learn more about your mental fortitude in this specific time than you can ever imagine. This will not only make you a more confident human, but you will learn to relax even under the most intense situations.
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The Bark s u m m e r 2022
