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Laura Wilkinson

Oct 10
Oct 10 Don't be fearless. Be courageous.

Laura Wilkinson
Confidence

Oct 1
Oct 1 The key to managing expectations

Laura Wilkinson
Confidence

Sep 24
Sep 24 19 years since striking Olympic Gold

Laura Wilkinson
Diving

Sep 17
Sep 17 First time back on 10 meter platform since surgery!

Laura Wilkinson
Diving
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It’s been about 2 years since I last did optionals (for you non-divers those are the big exciting dives from the highest platform). After a 9 year retirement, I got back up on the 10 meter in 2017 and was doing pretty well, even finished second at nationals. But 2018 brought adoption struggles and the discovery of my neck injury. Today, almost 10 months after #acdf surgery that added a titanium plate and 6 screw to my neck, I finally got to do one of my favorite dives again off the top. I’m going to be honest, it’s hard showing you dives that aren’t perfect or “Instagram worthy.” But I want to keep it real with you. Perfection doesn’t happen overnight and with what I’ve been through and am still healing from, this was a big, beautifully imperfect step that I feel good about. And yes, I was VERY nervous for my first one! My biggest fear was not knowing where I was in the air. But I know that courage means you have to go even when you’re afraid. It wasn’t perfect or even pretty for that matter 😂, but I did it. (Scroll to see that one.) As soon as I did that first one, I knew exactly what to do on the second and was more excited than nervous! That’s got to be one of the best feelings and adrenaline rushes in the world: facing your fear and trampling it under your feet.💪🏼
I was asked today if it made me sad that my oldest switched from diving to gymnastics. In a word... no. Of course I miss sharing my passion with one of my kids. Of course I miss the moments of being in practice next to her. But what I love and enjoy most is watching my kids do the things that absolutely light them up. I want them to find their own passion. And they’re still young and may need to try lots of things before they find their thing. After all, gymnastics was my first love. It’s where my dreams were born. I should remind you though, that I was always the last kid to learn all the skills. I was the last one to get moved up at every level. I was not a phenom or a stand out. But I learned such valuable lessons through that process that when I finally started diving at 15 years old and was told from many people that I was too old or too tall or I just wouldn’t be a good fit, I knew not to listen. What I had learned from gymnastics was that if I loved it and worked hard consistently over a long period of time that I would eventually get good. Don’t let anyone’s opinion of you define you. Only you get to do that. It won’t always be easy, but it’s always possible to shatter the expectations of others.
Amazing day celebrating my hubby’s birthday and our anniversary! We’re staying at a super cool B&B minutes from downtown Houston. Check out my stories for video tours! Tonight we’re at @rooftopcinemaclub enjoying the cooler weather and old movies. @eriekhulseman every day is an awesome adventure with you!!!

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