College gymnastics star Brianna “BB” Brooks spent five years at Utah State dominating her sport—winning a conference championship, earning MVP, and learning lessons that every young gymnast should hear. From conquering nerves to choosing the right school, Brianna’s journey offers real-world advice for any gymnast dreaming of college competition.

1. Conquering Nerves Starts with Joy

Brianna’s early years in gymnastics were filled with pressure. “In JO, I wanted to do so well that I’d stress myself out—I’d get physically sick before meets,” she admitted. But in college, everything shifted.

“I realized gymnastics could be fun. That mindset change made me way more consistent. I started treating practice like performance, and meets became exciting, not terrifying.”

She’s not the only elite athlete to preach the power of mindset. Simone Biles credits her longevity to prioritizing mental health, while swimmer Katie Ledecky calms nerves through deep breathing and repetition. Brianna’s trick? Positive self-talk.

“Before each meet, I’d look in the mirror and say, ‘You got this.’ I’d trained so hard—why wouldn’t I make this routine?”

2. Play to Your Strengths, Not Just the Code

One of Brianna’s biggest takeaways from college gymnastics is how different it is from JO. “In JO, you’re doing 10-skill beam routines and pushing big skills constantly. In college, it’s about being smart—being clean, consistent, and using the skills you’re great at.”

She encourages gymnasts to build routines around what they’re naturally good at. “If you’re flexible, play that up. If you’re powerful, maximize your tumbling. Bonus is bonus—it doesn’t have to be flashy to score high.”

This approach is echoed by coaches and athletes worldwide: the goal isn’t to force difficult skills, but to build routines you can hit every time. “By the end of college, I’d done the same routines for years. Sick, tired, hurting—I still knew I could put them on my feet.”

3. Finding the Right College Fit

When it came time to choose a college, Brianna didn’t have a checklist of stats and rankings. “I didn’t even know what conference we were in my first year,” she laughed. “I just knew Utah State felt like home.”

Brianna had offers from multiple schools but chose the one where she clicked most with the team and coaches. “I came from a small gym, so I didn’t have tons of recruiting experience. But I knew the vibes were right at USU.”

Her advice? Look beyond the resume. “You might not find the ‘best’ program on paper, but if you love your teammates and coaches, that’s what will shape your experience.”

And don’t worry if the transition is tough. “There were so many days I called home crying. But now, I don’t even remember why. What I do remember is how much I grew, how close I became with my team, and how proud I am of what I accomplished.”

Whether you’re building your college list or just trying to make it through a tough practice, take it from Brianna: have fun, trust your training, and always remember your why.

Need the gear to match that mindset? Check out our ALPHA Series grips or get inspired by more college gymnastics stories.