Melissa Brooker of Southeastern Gymnastics is a senior this year and headed to NC State when she graduates to continue in her passion for gymnastics. Brooker was a 2015 Junior Olympic National Qualifier after finishing 6th AA at regionals. She will be competing at the Buckeye Classic this weekend, which you can watch LIVE on FloGymnastics all day Saturday starting at 8 a.m. EST.

Learn more about Brooker in today's edition of 'Inside Their World.'

FloGymnastics: What do you love most about gymnastics?
Melissa Brooker: I love the reward that it gives through the hard work that I put into all of the skills that I have learned. I also love the relationship that I develop with all of my teammates. We are so close and I have a different relationship with all of them.

What is the hardest thing about being in this sport?
The hardest thing about this sport is giving up the time you could have with family and friends. I can’t just miss gym to go hang out with my friends or go to some event with my family. Also, coping with injuries from gymnastics can be very difficult.

Did you play any other sports growing up?
I did tap dance when I was very young. I also did soccer for one season, but I was terrible at it. Other than that, it has been gymnastics.

What is your favorite healthy food and favorite junk food?
I love a nice and crisp apple. I also just absolutely love cupcakes.

What do you like to eat before a competition?
I like to eat a salad with chicken in it to give me protein.

What is you favorite movie?
Star Wars- all of them!!!!!

Do you have any interesting hobbies or ways you spend your time outside of gymnastics?
I love art. It is very calming to sit down and paint or draw something. I also love to doodle; it helps me clear my head. I found out this year by taking an art class that I am actually good at art. I was recently inducted into the National Art Honors Society.

Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?
As of right now I want to be a therapist or a psychologist that works mainly with children. Helping kids understand why they are feeling the way they feel is something that I would like to do.

What is your favorite subject in school?
Anatomy is one of my favorite subjects in school. Learning about the body and how everything functions and works together is fascinating to me.

What’s your favorite event and why?
I love the uneven bars. It is so different from the rest of the other events. It requires so much more upper body strength. It requires fluidity. It combines power and elegance. I also love to learn new skills on the uneven bars.

What’s one food you just can’t stand?
I can’t stand olives. Honestly, I don’t understand why people like them. They are an abomination to my taste buds.

What’s your biggest fear?
I am so afraid of bees and wasps. When they sting, it hurts so badly, and the buzzing is so intimidating. I have had terrible experiences with them. Once I almost swallowed a bee. I got stung on my behind when trying to run away from a wasps nest. I do not like them.

What is your favorite season of the year - why?
I love fall because the weather is really nice in North Carolina. (not too hot or not too cold) Also, seeing the leaves change colors is a beautiful thing to see. Also, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and my birthday are all in the fall.

What keeps you motivated in the gym?
My teammates keep me motivated and the fact that the harder I work in the gym, the better I will do in a competition. I love gymnastics, so it doesn’t, most of the time, take much to motivate me.


See Melissa in action and the rest of the Buckeye Classic competitors live on Saturday! See the stacked roster here.


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