MyKayla Skinner shares how weight loss during health challenges shaped her athletic and personal life.
MyKayla Brooke Skinner Harmer stands as one of America’s most accomplished gymnasts, with a career that spans both elite competition and collegiate excellence.
Born on December 9, 1996, Skinner carved her path to Olympic glory through determination, skill, and unwavering dedication to her sport.
Skinner’s elite gymnastics career began in earnest when she claimed the junior individual all-around champion title at the 2011 American Classic.
Her talent quickly caught national attention, earning her a spot on the junior U.S. national team.
By 2012, she had transitioned to senior-level competition and became a valued member of the U.S. senior national team.
The gymnast’s breakthrough came at the 2014 World Championships in Nanning, China, where she contributed significantly to the U.S. team’s gold medal victory.
Her impressive vault score of 15.775 and floor exercise performance of 14.666 demonstrated her exceptional power and artistry.
Individually, she secured a bronze medal in the vault final, establishing herself as one of the world’s premier vaulters.
Skinner’s Olympic journey proved both challenging and triumphant.
After serving as an alternate for the 2016 Olympic team, she made the difficult decision to return to elite gymnastics in 2019 with hopes of competing in the Tokyo Olympics.
Her persistence paid off when she earned selection to represent the United States in the individual specialist role at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
There, she achieved her ultimate goal by winning the silver medal in vault, stepping in admirably when Simone Biles withdrew from the final due to mental health concerns.
Beyond elite competition, Skinner excelled at the University of Utah, where she became a two-time NCAA champion and set numerous Pac-12 records.
Her collegiate career showcased remarkable consistency, including a streak of 161 routines without a fall during her time with the Red Rocks.
She dominated events across all disciplines, earning recognition as one of the most versatile gymnasts in NCAA history.
MyKayla Skinner’s Health and Weight Challenges: Overcoming Adversity
Throughout her athletic career, MyKayla Skinner maintained the lean, powerful physique typical of elite gymnasts.
However, her weight loss journey became particularly significant during several challenging periods that tested both her physical resilience and mental fortitude.
The most publicized aspect of Skinner’s weight-related challenges occurred during her pregnancy journey.
In 2023, Skinner revealed she had “lost 11 pounds and had to get two shots + IV” during early pregnancy.
Prior to becoming a mother, Skinner faced another significant health challenge that impacted her weight and training.
During her comeback for the Tokyo Olympics, she contracted COVID-19 in December 2020, which led to pneumonia and hospitalization.
This illness caused substantial weakness and forced her out of training for an extended period.
The respiratory complications from COVID-19 significantly affected her cardiovascular fitness and overall physical condition, creating obstacles in maintaining her competition weight and muscle mass.
Skinner has been open about her approach to nutrition throughout her career, which evolved significantly over time.
Initially, she followed a more relaxed eating pattern, stating she “used to eat whatever I wanted.”
However, as her career progressed and she focused on peak performance, she made strategic dietary changes.
She adopted a mostly gluten-free diet, allowing herself flexibility on weekends while maintaining stricter nutrition during training periods.
Her daily nutrition strategy reflected the practical needs of an elite athlete.
Skinner typically started her day with a breakfast smoothie, often enjoyed lunch at casual restaurants like Rubio’s, and prepared Home Chef meals for dinner with her husband.
She emphasized the importance of staying hydrated, though she admitted this remained a constant challenge, typically consuming a 32-ounce water bottle during gym sessions.
The gymnast’s relationship with food demonstrated a healthy balance between fueling performance and enjoying life.
While she prioritized protein intake before competitions, she also indulged in favorites like French fries, pizza, ice cream, and In-N-Out during her off-season periods.
Her favorite indulgence, fettuccine alfredo, represented her philosophy of not completely restricting enjoyable foods.
Skinner’s weight management approach differed from typical diet culture mentalities.
She never counted calories, explaining that she had “never thought about it!!”
Instead, she focused on intuitive eating patterns that supported her training demands and recovery needs.
This approach allowed her to maintain the strength-to-weight ratio crucial for gymnastics success while preserving her mental health relationship with food.
The physical demands of elite gymnastics naturally contributed to Skinner’s lean physique throughout her competitive years.
Her training regimen included hours of conditioning, skill practice, and cardiovascular work that maintained her competition weight without requiring extreme dietary restrictions.
The sport’s emphasis on power-to-weight ratio meant that maintaining optimal body composition remained essential for peak performance.
During her recovery from COVID-19 and subsequent pneumonia, Skinner’s weight loss became a serious health concern rather than an athletic goal.
The illness left her significantly weakened, requiring careful monitoring and a gradual return to physical activity.
Her coach, Lisa Spini, noted that they had to start with basic cardiovascular work like long walks and Peloton sessions before progressing back to gymnastics training.
Her weight loss and maintenance strategy is not just about appearance—it’s deeply tied to her athletic performance.
Skinner’s ability to recover from setbacks, including an Achilles injury and COVID-19-induced pneumonia, required careful attention to diet and overall wellness.
By combining nutritional awareness, hydration, and consistent training, Skinner has successfully managed her weight, supporting both her health and her elite gymnastics career.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- She is one of the only gymnasts in NCAA history to perform a Silivas – a highly difficult Double Twisting Double Back skill that she executed during her time at the University of Utah.
- She hit all 54 of her routines without a fall during the 2018 season – demonstrating remarkable consistency throughout her entire sophomore collegiate season.
- She was featured on the Peacock docuseries “Golden: The Journey of USA’s Elite Gymnasts” – one of only five gymnasts highlighted in this documentary series about elite American gymnasts.
