‘Biggest whoa in my life,’ gymnast shares recovery story

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – A high school gymnast from Clear Lake is gearing up for her junior year season after suffering numerous injuries while competing.

Laycee Andersen knows firsthand that the mental obstacles were just as hard to overcome as the physical ones.

Since she was three years old, Laycee Andersen has been a competitive gymnast.
But in 2022 she would have a major setback. She dislocated both of her elbows while doing the sport she loves.

“It was probably the biggest whoa in my life. Like, I got to take a break now. It was so hard to be away from gymnastics for that long in the middle of the season, it was tough,” Laycee said.

“When you get the phone call that they’re calling an ambulance. Just terrifying,” Stacy Andersen, Laycee’s mom said.

After several months, Andersen was healed and ready for the upcoming season until it happened again.

“So our practice started November 1 and I got injured on November 10, 2022, and dislocated my ankle,” Laycee said.

Julia Lin:
So you’re thinking you’re finally ready to go back to compete and then this happens. What was kind of going through your mind?

“I was like, ‘I got to quit gymnastics’. This is not good, I can’t do this anymore. It was so hard,” Laycee said.

After recovering for a second time, Laycee started meeting with Sanford Health sports psychologist and licensed clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Josefine Combs.

“So especially with injuries, it can really kind of shake people’s confidence and trust in themselves and their body. I think that’s a big thing that happens very frequently to athletes,” Dr. Combs said.

Laycee’s mom, Stacy, says she’s seen a difference in her daughter since meeting with Dr. Combs.
Especially throughout her last season.

“I would say her confidence has grown like coming down here has helped. You know, she’s just more confident in everything,” Stacy said.

“It’s much more common now for elite athletes and other levels to work with sports psychologists to improve performance even further, not just from a physical aspect,” Dr. Combs said.

Laycee says it’s inspiring to see a spotlight on mental health in athletes recently, even on the Olympic stage.

“I think it was so cool for Simone Biles to do that. She’s definitely been the groundbreaker for mental health recently and I think it’s so cool,” Laycee said.

Laycee says she’s looking forward to this upcoming season competing for the Deuel School District.

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