Kyle Shewfelt - Make It Happen: My Story of Gymnastics, the Olympics, and the Positive Power of Sport

Praise for Make It Happen:

Make It Happen has made a positive impact in the way I approach training, competition, and life. Kyle blazed a new trail for Canadian gymnasts and showed us all that reaching the top of an Olympic podium is actually possible. He has been a difference maker in my life and his book continually filled me with new insights and fresh inspiration. I believe every athlete can benefit from readin g it!

- Ellie Black, 2x Olympian, 2017 World AA Silver Medalist, 6x Commonwealth and 10x PanAm Medal ist

Make It Happen is a must read for all athletes, parents and coaches. Kyles journey is a great example of what it means to be athlete driven and parent/coach supported. I loved the honesty in which he shares his inner dialogue as he progressed and matured from a young tumbler to a world -c lass gymnast. This story is as much about Kyles journey as a person as it is about his journey as an Olympic Cham pion.

- Marnie McBean, OC OLY 3x Olympic Rowing Cham pion

Kyle Shewfelt is the only Canadian to become an Olympic champion in (what I consider) the worlds most difficult athletic endeavour. In Make It Happen , he takes us on a very personal journey which led him to discover the enduring and undeniable power of s port.

- Scott Russell, CBC Olympic Host

Kyles account of a life in sport is honest and raw. It brought laughter, surprise, excitement, tears, and above all, hope... The glimpses of his parents pragmatic and unwavering support, coupled with their commitment to raising a young man rather than an elite athlete, impacted me more than any how -t o book on the same topic could ever accomplish. Make It Happen is compulsory reading for todays sport pa rent.

- Krista Thompson, Pa rent

A refreshing account of self -d iscovery through sport. A true testament to how good coaching, honesty and resilience can lead to becoming one of the best in the w orld.

- Wayne McNeil, Co -F ounder of Respect Group (providers of Respect in S port)

Kyle Shewfelts story is honest and engaging. I couldnt wait to turn the page to find out what happened next. This book is about so much more than gymnastics. Its about the strength of the human spirit, chasing big goals and believing in yourself to make it happen . Whether youre an athlete targeting the Olympics or someone aiming to complete their first 5KM on their path to becoming a runner, this book is full of valuable takeaways that can help everyone in their quest to cross their personal finish line.

- K irsten -E llen Fleming, Executive Director, Run Cal gary

Kyle is an inspiration to all. His raw candour about the challenges of the adolescent years, the complexity and sacrifice of high -p erformance sport, and the incredible reward of perseverance are all woven into this autobiography. Its clear that his coaches made a profound impact on his life and the stories of their positive approach are a valuable resource for the entire coaching commu nity.

- Lorraine Lafrenire, CEO, Coaching Association of Ca nada

Make It Happen

Copyright 2020 by Kyle Shewfelt

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

The author has tried to recreate events, locales, and conversations from his memories of them. In some instances, conversations may not represent word-for-word transcripts. The author has tried to retell them in a way that evokes the feeling and meaning of what was said and, in all instances, he believes the essence of the dialogue to be accurate.

For information on special discounts for bulk purchases and fundraising, please contact .

Front cover image: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

Back cover image: The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

All interior photos are courtesy of the Shewfelt family unless otherwise noted

Author image: Phil Crozier

ISBN

978-0-2288-2441-1 (Hardcover)

978-0-2288-2440-4 (Paperback)

978-0-2288-2442-8 (eBook)

To Nora

Through it all, Ill be right there to support you.

I love you more than I love gymnas tics.

Contents

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

Chapter 9:

Chapter 10:

Chapter 11:

Chapter 12:

Chapter 13:

Chapter 14:

Chapter 15:

Chapter 16:

Chapter 17:

Chapter 18:

Chapter 19:

Chapter 20:

Chapter 21:

Chapter 22:

Chapter 23:

Chapter 24:

Chapter 25:

Chapter 26:

Chapter 27:

Chapter 28:

Preface

This book was a work in progress for the better part of a decade. I began the writing process in 2010, but lost my momentum because I didnt have a clear reason why I was writing it. Sure, I had a fun collection of reflections and memories, but a central theme was missing. Then, in January 2019, things became clearer: sport has had a positive impact on my life and illuminating the experiences and people that helped shape that perspective is important. And with this overarching purpose secure in my mind, the book came together like a great floor routine. I truly hope that my story can ignite a conversation about the positive power of s port.

When I was a kid, I craved behind - t he -s cenes stories from my Olympic idols. Id wonder: What did they do the day they won the Olympics? How did they deal with the pressure and expectations? How did they stay motivated? Did they ever act out or want to quit? What happened at all those after -p arties ? Im sharing my journey in hopes that others can learn from it and that I can give something back. If one person reads this book and is brought a step closer to achieving their goal(s), then my mission has been accompli shed .

As a father, the only wish I have for my daughter is that she finds the thing that makes her heart smile, whatever that may be. When I finally found gymnastics and declared that I wanted to be an Olympic champion, my parents never questioned that dream. They supported it and I look back on their dedication with deep appreciation. I plan on revisiting these pages throughout my own parenting journey to be reminded of the incredible example my parents set for me. They were always encouraging, yet they also allowed me to experience failure. I hope Ive captured the importance of their unwavering commitment. If one parent reads this book and discovers a new strategy to help their child, then my mission has been accompli shed .

I was surrounded by many special coaches during my career, including my long -t ime personal coach, Kelly Manjak. He and I still talk frequently, and he is one of the first people I call when I have news to share or a problem to solve. To me, Kelly is everything a coach should aim to be: a friend, a mentor, a motivator, an advocate, and a source of accountability. I hope his magic shines through and that the coaching philosophies featured here encourage others to take a similar athlete -c entred approach. If one coach reads this book and can see a new path, then my mission has been accompli shed.

Building this project has been an adventure and paying tribute to many of the difference makers in my life has been so rewarding. Thank you to everyone for your endless sup port!