Q&A – Team Canada Gymnasts’, Ellie Black and Denelle Pedrick
We chatted with Team Canada’s rockstar gymnasts’, Ellie Black and Denelle Pedrick after their historic bronze medal win at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool, UK. These two inspiring women offer their valuable words of wisdom.
Ellie Black:
Q. Tell us about your experience in The Gold Over America Tour with Simone Biles and why you believe it is important for the next generation of athletes?
A. The GOAT tour was a great experience to interact with and inspire the next generation of young female gymnasts and young individuals in general. Everyone is unique and special in their own way and that is what makes them shine.
Embrace what makes you golden! It also touched on mental health and how you need to prioritize your health first. Hopefully, the next generation feels inspired to be their authentic self, do what they love, prioritize and stand up for themselves.
Q. You’ve been on the Canadian Women’s National Gymnastics Team for over a decade. What are some major differences now versus when you first started? What has kept you going for as long as it has?
A. When I started out on the national team, I was one of the youngest and least experienced ones. I had some great teammates and coaches who helped guide me and make me feel like a part of the team. I try to continue that with my teammates. As a leader on the team, I want everyone to feel welcomed, comfortable and confident. To enjoy the journey and experience because making the national team is a big accomplishment.
We have worked really on the team aspect over the past 10 years. Working on collaborating efforts to grow, improve, and bring the coaches, athletes and judges together towards a common goal for team Canada. I love the team aspect and together we can be stronger.
Q. What piece of advice would you like to share with young female Nova Scotian athletes?
A. Just because you are from a smaller province or smaller sport hub, doesn’t mean you can’t reach the highest level of sport. If you have a dream, and you work hard, believe in yourself, and don’t give up. Who says you can’t make that dream a reality?
Don’t let anyone else define your limits. Don’t compare yourself to others and their path. Break barriers and be strong. We are so lucky in NS to have a great community and provincial support to help along the way.
Denelle Pedrick:
Q. Your gymnastics career is thriving at a unique time and serves as an inspiration to other athletes to stay in the game. What kept your drive for gymnastics alive and what advice would you share with younger athletes about staying in the game?
A. I have always had a love and passion for gymnastics. I think NCAA truly brought it out and helped me realize the joy it brings me. Following the cancellation of the NCAA season in 2020, I felt I had some unfinished business in the sport and decided to make an elite comeback and aim for the national team.
My goals and support system kept my dream and drive going, I wouldn’t be where I am without each and every person who had a positive impact on my gymnastics career.
My main advice would be to do what you love and love what you do. If you truly enjoy your sport and have the right mindset you learn to push through the hard days and embrace the good ones. Be patient as every path to success is different!
Q. You’re currently completing a master’s degree in kinesiology at Dalhousie University, what are your tips and tricks for balancing training, school, and your social life?
I love being busy and having different communities in my life. I enjoy going to school and having something to think about outside the gym and vice versa. I think it’s very important to have goals outside of the gym as well, and my master’s is a stepping stone toward my long-term goal of medical school.
The main tip I would give is to use a calendar and/or agenda so that you can be on top of your busy schedule. I prioritize what I need to do and make sure to mix in things I enjoy as well. Reward yourself when you finish a big assignment or exam and know that there will be times you have to miss a social event to do schoolwork or be at the gym. Life balance is key to life both during and after sport.
If you communicate well with your coaches and teachers, the majority of them will work with you and want what is best for you as a person, a student, and an athlete.
