application LALA 2023 - Anna Gomes

Summary

Xena Gomez, a 16-year-old from Kurich, shares her personal journey, from her childhood love of swimming to overcoming an eating disorder and discovering a passion for nutrition and teaching. Despite years of dedication to the sport, Xena doesn't aspire to the Olympics but instead values helping others through social media and volunteering. Her story reflects growth, self-discovery, and the importance of embracing both discipline and enjoyment in life. Xena invites support as she continues her process of finding her identity beyond swimming and finding joy in helping others.

Takeaways

• 😀 Xena Gomez is 16 years old and shares a childhood photo where she was passionate about swimming and often surrounded by a blue world.
• 😀 Xena has been swimming since she was four years old and has had memorable moments in the sport, even during tough times like a broken arm.
• 😀 Although Xena tried other sports, swimming remained her true passion, despite experiencing challenges along the way.
• 😀 In 2020, Xena started sharing her swimming routine and the discipline she gained through social media, inspiring others.
• 😀 Despite enjoying moments of success in swimming, Xena realized that the Olympics were not her dream after years of highs and lows in the sport.
• 😀 Xena found fulfillment in helping others, especially through her social media presence, by sharing life lessons, discipline, and overcoming challenges.
• 😀 Volunteering in a foreign project to teach children to swim was a turning point for Xena, allowing her to share the joy and value of swimming with others.
• 😀 Xena also faced an eating disorder in the past, which led her to obsess over achieving a perfect body for swimming results.
• 😀 Through her journey with nutrition and cooking, Xena discovered a love for teaching others to enjoy food without fear or shame.
• 😀 Xena reflects on her growth, acknowledging that she is much more than swimming, and is still in the process of self-discovery with the help of others.

Q & A

Who is Xena Gomez, and what is her connection to swimming?

Xena Gomez is a 16-year-old girl from Kurich who has had a lifelong passion for swimming. She began swimming at the age of four and spent much of her childhood immersed in the sport, with swimming playing a central role in her life.

What role did swimming play in Xena's life, especially in her childhood?

Swimming was a dominant aspect of Xena's childhood. She describes her world as 'always blue' because of her immersion in swimming. Even when she broke her arm, swimming continued to be a central part of her life, bringing joy and teaching her discipline.

Did Xena ever consider pursuing the Olympics?

Yes, Xena had moments of glory in swimming and even dreamt about the Olympics. However, she realized that aiming for the Olympics wasn’t her true dream. After eight years of swimming, she understood that she could find fulfillment in other ways, particularly through helping others.

What does Xena's current focus in life revolve around?

Xena’s current focus revolves around using social media to share her journey, including her routine, discipline, and lessons learned from swimming. She is passionate about helping others face challenges, build routines, and improve their lives.

What kind of volunteer work has Xena been involved in, and what did she learn from it?

Xena has volunteered for a foreign project where she taught children who couldn’t swim. Through this experience, she learned the importance of teaching the values swimming has given her, and she found joy in helping others develop those skills.

How has Xena's relationship with food evolved over the years?

Xena struggled with an eating disorder, initially desiring a 'perfect' body to perform well in swimming. However, through her journey, she learned to appreciate nutrition and cooking. She now enjoys food without fear, embracing meals with her friends and family.

What is Xena’s stance on body image and eating habits now?

Xena has learned to view food as something to enjoy rather than fear. She no longer strives for a 'perfect' body, and instead, focuses on balance, nutrition, and enjoying time spent with loved ones over meals.

What was the most significant lesson Xena learned from her years in swimming?

The most significant lesson Xena learned from swimming is the value of discipline, routine, and resilience. However, she also realized that swimming doesn’t define her and that she is more than just the sport.

Why does Xena feel that she is still in a process of self-discovery?

Xena feels she is still in the process of self-discovery because, while swimming has been a huge part of her life, she is now exploring her identity beyond the sport. She is still figuring out who she is outside of swimming and what her future holds.

What does Xena hope to achieve with her social media presence?

Xena hopes to use her social media presence to inspire and help others by sharing her journey, her routines, and the lessons she's learned. She wants to assist people in facing life's challenges and pursuing their own paths of self-improvement.