Gymnast Gabby Douglas to talk ‘Balancing Life on the Beam’

Gabby Douglas, three-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist, will discuss her athletic career, Olympic journey and motivations at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340.

The Campus Activity Board (CAB) is hosting this free, public event; UNC Charlotte students will receive priority seating with their student IDs.

“We are elated to have Gabby Douglas come to UNC Charlotte to speak to the student body about her story, accomplishing her goals and inspiring others,” said Jasmine Dove, CAB’s special events student coordinator.

Douglas won Olympic gold medals in the gymnastics team event and the all-around individual at the 2012 London Olympic Games. She has become one of the most influential female athletes in the world and is at the center of pop culture.

She began her gymnastics career at the age of 6, and by 8, had already won her first major title at the 2004 Virginia State Championship. At the age of 16, she was selected to represent America as a member of the Olympic Women’s Gymnastics team to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

“It is not often that we get to hear from an esteemed role model like Gabby Douglas, and we feel that students can learn from Douglas that they can walk away with a sense of pride in accomplishing their goals, never giving up and prospering through adversity,” Dove said.

Douglas has made appearances on The Tonight Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Barbara Walters listed her as one of the “10 Most Fascinating People of 2012.”

During the 2016 Rio Olympics, Douglas’ Olympic journey was documented on the Oxygen Network’s reality television show, “Douglas Family Gold.” Douglas won her third Olympic gold medal in the team competition and is the only All-Around Olympic gold medal gymnast in U.S. history, to return to a second Olympics.

Douglas has released her own line of lip gloss with Beauty Bakerie and works with the philanthropy Hack Harassment to end cyberbullying. Most recently, she launched her signature “Gabby Douglas” Barbie Doll with Mattel.