Through it all...Flawless with Hallie Mossett!
Q&A with Hallie Mossett
In this sports injury Q&A we are going to get to know the super courageous and talented former UCLA gymnast Hallie Mossett. That’s right the one and only. You may remember her from her mesmerizing Beyonce-inspired floor routine that went viral. Hallie is originally from Los Angeles, California and got her start in gymnastics at five years old. Despite some significant injuries and setbacks, she went on to compete for the UCLA women’s gymnastics team from 2013-2017. Then from 2017-2018, she was an undergrad assistant coach and choreographer for the UCLA women’s gymnastics team. There is so much more to this woman than just her flawless tumbling and dancing skills.
Before her career at UCLA, she trained at West Coast Elite Gymnastics club located in Arcadia, CA. She was a member of the U.S. National Team from 2008-2009 then again from 2011-2012 and was an alternate for the Pan American Games. In 2011 she also won the floor exercise title and placed fourth all-around at the American Classic competition. She was in the top 10 all-around at the CoverGirl Classic, and in 2007 she won the floor exercise at the U.S. Classic competition. In 2006 and 2007 she was the level 10 State floor exercise champion as well.
At UCLA, her floor routine went viral, catching the attention of Entertainment Weekly, Time, People, Cosmo, and Blavity. Just to name a few of her accolades at UCLA (you would be reading forever if I listed them all), she scored highs of 9.850 on vault, 9.900 on the uneven bars, 9.900 on the balance beam, 9.975 on the floor exercise and 39.425 all-around. In 2014 she won the all-around title against Utah. She was also named Pac-12 specialist of the week and Pac-12 freshman of the week on more than one occasion. She definitely made her mark at UCLA.
Before UCLA and while at UCLA, Hallie has experienced some life-changing events that could have altered her path. She has a history of perseverance, diligence, mental strength, commitment to excellence and undeniable faith that has led her to greatness. Let’s jump into her story!
Dr. Lina: Did you encounter any injuries throughout your gymnastics career?
Hallie Mossett: Well…about three years before college, I was in a car accident that broke my hip. I took a little time off but came back a little sooner than expected since I was trying to train for the U.S. women’s national gymnastics team. I had to have surgery, which consisted of placing a metal screw in my hip. Unfortunately, a few months later I broke the metal in my hip and I had to have another hip surgery. About six months later I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in my knee due to my leg being so weak. The other major injury I had didn’t occur until my junior year in college (2016). I experienced a pretty bad accident on the uneven bars. I completely missed my hands on a high-level skill, breaking my sternum and lacerating my liver.
Dr. Lina: Oh WOW! Two hip surgeries and a knee surgery before college. Then, a broken sternum and a liver laceration. How did you overcome these injuries mentally and physically? What did your treatment and recovery process look like?
Hallie Mossett: Yes. I was able to persevere through the three surgeries before college by staying consistent with hours of rehab, doing mental training and lots of support from my family and friends. I feel so blessed that God was able to see me through those injuries. My broken sternum with the liver laceration was a little different. The wind was completely knocked out of me, and I was unable to take deep breaths for about two weeks. I had to stay in the hospital for a while and use a breathing tool to measure my breaths, in addition to regular appointments with a liver specialist to monitor internal bleeding. By this time I was already in college, training and competing. This injury was difficult because I couldn’t do anything but rest and heal. Again, I thank God for the support of my family, coaches, teammates, and the medical team. The first night at the hospital, I had at least 10 family members by my side. My sternum healed in six weeks and of course, I came back six weeks after the injury to train and compete in the 2016 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships.
Dr. Lina: Those are some serious injuries. I know it had to be difficult. How did it feel training and competing again after each injury? How did you get back into the swing of things?
Hallie Mossett: It was challenging. I stayed consistent with my rehab and mental training. I focused a lot on my dance routines and did lots of visualizations known as dance throughs for beam and floor. I did as much cardio, strength, and endurance training that I was allowed, to get stronger. I bounced back. It wasn’t until my senior year (2017), that I started experiencing excruciating pain (from previous injuries) that made it hard to train. Nonetheless, I was able to prepare enough to compete on the weekends. By the grace of God, I was able to compete my floor routine at the 2017 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships that year. It was amazing. I really enjoy competing!
Dr. Lina: How did these obstacles and injuries make you a better athlete and person overall?
Hallie Mossett: I was tested through these hard times, but I made it through even when I didn’t think I would. These injuries showed me that I am able to persevere through adversity with hard work, strong will, and faith. The biggest lesson I learned was to be thankful for everything I have and my talent because everything can be taken away in the blink of an eye. I regained an appreciation for the sport I love because it was almost taken away from me. I was just thankful to end my gymnastics career happy, healthy, and able to walk.
Dr. Lina: That’s amazing! Watching your exceptional floor routine, I would have never imaged your history of injuries. How did you feel when your floor routine went viral?
Hallie Mossett: When my floor routine went viral I thought it was so cool! I got to do a good amount of interviews, go on a few TV shows, and had some speaking engagements as well. I was so happy that I got to tell a little part of my story of hard work, heartbreak, and perseverance. My life didn’t really change as a result of going viral but I felt so blessed for the experience. I loved that I could use the small platform I had to inspire people and share what I had worked so hard for!
Dr. Lina: What is Hallie Mossett up to now? What’s next for someone who has accomplished so much against all the odds?
Hallie Mossett: I am currently a choreographer. I travel around the country, teaching dance to the next generation of young gymnasts. I plan to take the GRE soon and apply to graduate school for psychology. I would like to become a sports psychologist one day.
Dr. Lina: You will make a fantastic sports psychologist, and I know you will help a lot of athletes. That’s a great career choice and it’s no surprise your choreography skills are incredible!
Hallie Mossett: Thank you!
Hallie also helped UCLA’s women’s gymnastics head coach Miss Valorie Kondos, choreograph Katelyn Ohashi’s 2018 viral floor routine. If you’re a gymnast, coach or parent in need of some excellent choreography skills check out her Instagram page @halliemossettchoreo. You won’t be disappointed!
Hallie’s triumphant story regardless of unexpected trials and tribulations is inspiring to all. Through the broken bones and sacrifices, she successfully pursued and accomplished her dreams as a student-athlete. She possesses all of the qualities of a successful athlete and professional. She exemplifies strength, drive, passion, and creativity. She is so sweet and humble, and her positivity is contagious. Hallie is beautiful inside and out. I am so proud of her and everything she has accomplished. I personally can’t wait to see all that she achieves in the future. I’m confident her leadership will encourage so many people along her journey.
Thanks Hallie, for inspiring me and being apart of Dr. Lina Colleagues and Friends!