Why gymnastics? For me, Syla Toney, it’s building a deep mental toughness—learning to overcome fear, stay disciplined, and view mistakes as opportunities for growth. I value the bonds I’ve built with teammates who understand these same struggles. We support one another, push past our limits, and grow together. Outside of gym I am a professional hobby hopper. I collect music, dabble in a million different crafts, and am proudly a jack of all trades. New DIY project or album? I’m already on it!
Episode Recap:
In this episode of The Championship Corner Podcast, Ryan Romano sits down with Syla Toney to learn more about who she is beyond gymnastics.
Syla shares the creative side of her personality, from sewing and nail art to playing guitar, and explains how many of those interests started simply by being curious and trying something new. That same curiosity carries over into the way she approaches learning, competition, and life.
Throughout the conversation, Syla Toney talks about the importance of being educated, driven, and willing to figure things out for yourself. One of the qualities that stands out most is her resourcefulness: if she wants to accomplish something, she is willing to find a way to make it happen.
Syla also opens up about her personality as both a person and a competitor. Outside the gym, she describes herself as outgoing, talkative, funny, and “giggly.” When competition begins, however, her competitive side takes over. She enjoys being locked in, focused, and fully engaged in what she is doing.
The episode also explores what Syla Toney is looking for as she continues through the college recruiting process. Academically, she is interested in schools with strong business programs because she hopes to become an entrepreneur one day. From a gymnastics standpoint, she values a team that is genuinely close and connected, much like the relationships she has developed with her current teammates.
Looking further into the future, Syla shares some big goals for college gymnastics: becoming an all-around competitor and ultimately working toward scoring a perfect 10 on every event.
The conversation closes with Syla answering one important question: if she could stand in front of 100,000 people and leave them with one message, what would it be?
Her answer was simple and powerful: Be yourself. Don’t change who you are for other people. You only get one life, so live it as yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Be willing to figure things out. Syla’s creativity and resourcefulness show up in everything from sewing and nail art to the way she approaches challenges. If she wants something, she looks for a way to make it happen.
- Education creates confidence. One of Syla’s core values is being highly educated and informed so she can understand the world around her and confidently answer difficult questions.
- Your personality doesn’t have to disappear when you compete. Syla Toney can be outgoing, funny, and talkative while also having an intensely competitive side when it is time to perform.
- Relationships matter in recruiting. When Syla Toney thinks about college gymnastics, she wants more than just a team to compete for. She wants a program where teammates are genuinely close and connected.
- Think beyond gymnastics. Syla is already considering what she wants academically and professionally, including studying business and potentially becoming an entrepreneur.
- Ambition is one of her defining traits. Whether it is finding creative solutions, chasing college gymnastics, competing all-around, or pursuing perfect 10s, Syla is comfortable setting big goals.
- Be yourself wherever you go. Syla’s final message captures the heart of the episode: don’t become a different version of yourself just to fit into an environment. Like what you like, pursue what matters to you, and stay true to who you are.
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