Local gymnast discusses athlete mental health [Video]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – When people think of athletics and the injuries that come alongside them, they typically think of physical injuries, not mental health. Dakota News Now spoke to one local gymnast who has experienced a physical injury and one that is deeper and unseen.

Ella Reisdorfer, a 17-year-old from Luverne, Minnesota, has always loved playing sports, especially gymnastics.

An unfortunate back injury in April of 2023 stopped Ella from doing what she loved most. She said that the mental journey added to the physical pain was the hardest part.

“That’s the whole sport of gymnastics. You see Simone Biles and Jade (Carey) and all their stories and it’s just that’s always been the culture of it, of gymnastics. So, that’s why on young kids it’s so hard. As a gymnast, when your mind and your body don’t connect, it’s not good,” said Ella.

As the …