Our next 20 Questions Athlete is Mia Figola, from Legacy Elite in Illinois. Mia is a 2018 Level 9 Eastern National Champion and medalist. Mia is a solid competitor who shows great skills all over the gym and well as a mixture of power and grace. My favorite event to watch Mia on is both the beam and the floor, her floor routine moves effortlessly and is engaging and her beam routine is confident and sharpe. Mia certainly is an athlete to keep an eye on this season. Let’s get to know Mia a little bit better as she heads into the new competition season.
How did you get into the sport of Gymnastics? How old were you? When I was about three years old my mom put me into gymnastics classes because she thought I was too clumsy. I ended up falling in love with the sport and have been doing it for 13 years.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is bars. It’s so different than any of the other events and it is so satisfying when you hit a solid routine.
What is your favorite skill to train/compete? As of right now, my favorite skill to train is a pike jaeger on bars. My favorite skill to compete is a front tuck on beam.
What is your dream skill? My dream skill is probably a shaposh on bars.
What is your favorite part of Gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is the training. I love being pushed to do skills I never thought I would be able to do. And even though conditioning at practice is tough, feeling sore afterwards is so rewarding and makes you feel accomplished.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? My favorite meet to compete at is nationals because it’s so exciting when you get to compete as a team with people from different gyms and different states. The pressure is still high but you are able to go out and compete for the team rather than just yourself.
What is your biggest accomplishment in Gymnastics so far? My 
biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far was winning All-Around at level 9 nationals last year.
Who do you admire the most in the sport of Gymnastics? In the sport of gymnastics I admire my coaches the most. The amount of compassion they have for the sport and for all of the girls they coach is incredible. Not only have they been successful gymnasts themselves, but they have led so many of their girls to success as well.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite region 5 insider series is “coaches wired.” I think it’s so interesting to hear all the different coaching types, but it also reveals more about all of the coaches’ personalities that we don’t usually get to see.
Help us out 
What is your go to song or playlist before meets? I usually listen to 
throwback songs before meets.
What are 3 things you could not live without? The three things I couldn’t live without are coffee, hoodies, and chapstick
If you could be any animal what animal would you be and why? If I could be any animal I would probably be a goose or a duck because they can swim, fly, and walk on land.
What are the 5 Most important or Must have items in your gym bag? The 5 most important items in my gym bag are: Tuff skin spray, Extra hair ties, Pre-wrap/tape, Ibuprofen and Grips/ wrist guards
Do you have any rituals or superstitions before meets. Before every meet I have to have oatmeal for breakfast, I like to think that it’s good luck.
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of the gym I like to take pictures and explore new places outside. Or I like to watch movies/ youtube videos inside.
What is your most embarrassing meet or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing meet moment was about 5 years ago when I was competing bars and I wouldn’t go for my giants. I had to compete anyway and ended up not going. I started sobbing in the middle of my routine and got down and saluted half way through my routine. All of which my dad got on video.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I wasn’t a gymnast, I’d probably try diving or track.
What athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? The athletes I respect the most are those who do water polo. The fact that they can tread water without their hands completely blows my mind.
What is your most memorable meet or nationals moment? Most memorable gymnastics meet was probably Leenda’s Island Adventure last year because I scored my first 38 all-around.
What is the best advice or words of wisdom you have received from your coaches? My coaches always tell us to “trust the process,” which is probably the best advice I’ve ever gotten in this sport
