Gael's Latest Answers: February 9, 2008

Question: Hey Gael! I was just wondering if you were planning on going to the 2008 Olympics and try for one of Canada's spots? -Cara
Answer: Hey Cara, I am not planning on trying for the 2008 Olympics. Unfortunately we did not qualify a whole team to attend, so only 2 of our girls will go. Right now I am focussing on getting my education and competing in NCAA for the University of Utah and I am enjoying it very much!

Question: What's your favorite thing about being an elite gymnast? I'm working really hard to get there someday (20 hours a week) and I think it would just be amazing!! -Aryn
Answer: Hey Aryn, My favorite thing about being a gymnast is being able to compete and perform in front of a large crowd. Good luck!

Question: Hi Gael. First of all, congratulations on all of your success in gymnastics. My daughters have been looking up to you for years, you are always their favourite when we attend competitions to watch the senior team girls. My question is, how hard is it to keep a balanced life between being a high performance athlete and a normal teenager? Thanks, and keep making Canada proud! -Anne
Answer: Hey Anne, I know that alot of gymnasts have a hard time balancing life and a career in gymnastics. From my point of view, I always feel that its important to have balance in your life, for example going to public school or doing activities outside of the gym. Thanks!

Question: Gael, bonjour from France! I would like to know if you are coming here for any competitions? -Helene
Answer: Bonjour Helene, I will not be going to France anytime soon for competitions as I have began my NCAA career at the University of Utah, however you can watch me online : www.utahgymnastics.com !

Question: I have 2 questions. The first one is...Who do you look up to most in your life? #2...what do you think your biggest accomplishment has been so far in your life? -Meghan
Answer: Hey Meghan, I look up to my parents and siblings in my life and I would say my biggest accomplishments in life so far have been competing for Canada around the world, including the 2004 Olympics and also receiving a gymnastics scholarship to the University of Utah.

Question: Hey Gael, it's awesome that you're at Utah! I'm looking at going to school there too when I'm older hopefully to do gymnastics! My question is about your sister Charlotte and if she is planning to go to Utah for gymnastics too? Thanks! -Kristin L.
Answer: Hey Kristin, I am so excited about being here! I think my sister would love to be a Ute. We will see what she decides in 3 years!

Question: Hey Gael!! What are your plans after gymnastics? Good luck at Utah! -Chelsea
Answer: Hey Chelsea, It is hard to imagine my life after gymnastics because I have been doing it my whole life! My plans are to finish up school and start a career of some sort.

Question: Hi Gael! Sometimes when I watch gymnastics on TV they talk about how you can't hear anything when you're on the beam, but in my meets I can still hear the crowd clapping and stuff. Can you completely block out the crowd when you're on beam or do you still hear them a little bit? Thanks! - Sarah
Answer: Hi Sarah, sometimes I hear the crowd while I'm competing but I think what the commentators are trying to say when you see them on tv, is that we are so focused on our routines, we don't really pay attention to things around us besides the beam.

Question: What do you think of the new code of points and are you sad that they got rid of the 10? - Jodie
Answer: The new code of points is not as bad as I thought it would be! But- don't get me wrong, the 10 is what makes gymnastics and it will be missed!

Question: Hey Gael! I just want to say that you and Charlotte are my two favourite gymnasts right now! I look up to you so much! Anyway I was wondering what kind of stories you have told Charlotte about the Olympics and big competitions like that. Does she ask you questions about how to handle the pressure and stuff since she's getting to compete in some big meets now too? That must be awesome for her to have a sister that knows all that stuff haha! - Amber
Answer: Hi Amber! Me and my sister are best friends so basically I tell her everything! We train together and next year we are going to school together! I have to say though, she is learning of ways to deal with things by herself which is good. If she ever needs to know something I am right there for her, but she is pretty independent and confident at the same time!

Question: Hi Gael! Sometimes when I watch gymnastics on TV they talk about how you can't hear anything when you're on the beam, but in my meets I can still hear the crowd clapping and stuff. Can you completely block out the crowd when you're on beam or do you still hear them a little bit? Thanks! - Sarah
Answer: Hi Sarah, sometimes I hear the crowd while I'm competing but I think what the commentators are trying to say when you see them on tv, is that we are so focused on our routines, we don't really pay attention to things around us besides the beam.

Question: When you were at the Olympics did you get to meet Carly Patterson? What was it like when she won for you since you were there? I'm 13 and you and her are my favourite gymnasts ever! I saw you in Mississauga and you were soo good! - Brittany
Answer: Hi Brittany! I did meet Carly at the Olympics, and we saw her win gold which we were thrilled about! She was an amazing gymnast!

Question: Hey Gael, what's your favourite country or meet you've ever competed in? - Kristin
Answer: Hi Kristin! I would have to say my favorite country/meet I've competed in is the Ghent World Cup in Belgium. I went there twice and both times it was very enjoyable!

Gael's Past Answers: June 20, 2005

Question: Hey Gael, can you do a double layout on floor? How old where you when you started gymnastics? Do you think your sister will make it to the 2008 Olympics? Are you trying to make to the 2008 olympics for a 2nd time? - Elisha
Answer: Hi Elisha! I can do a double layout into a soft landing! I started gym when I was about 4 years old. My sister cannot make it to Beijing because unfortunately too young! I am not sure whether I am going to try for it yet, but I think it would be amazing to go again because it was so much fun and I would like to do the all around competition. I will see how the next few years go for me!

Question: How does the selection process work for making the Canadian World team? - Annie
Answer: Annie! hey! there's going to be a training camp in September where they will decide!

Question: Hi Gael! Oh my gosh you're like my favorite gymnast and Charlotte as well. I have a question for you: in your beam routine when you do the thing where you go on your chin and put your legs over your head, well the first time you did it did you have like a bruise on your chin? - Esther
Answer: Hey Esther! I don't ever get bruises from it. I have been doing it for a long time so I guess you could say my chin is used to it by now! lol

Question: Is school work and gymnastics just too much for you? - Emily
Answer: Hi Emily! Often times it is tough to keep up with gym and school. School is very important to me and I have high expectations so I have to make sure I get my work done. I spend a lot of times on the weekends working on homework! I go to a great school with a great counselor and teachers so that always helps too!

Question: Hey Gael, will you have a competition or exhibition show soon here in Mexico? - Raul
Answer: Hi Raul! I don't think I will be in Mexico any time in the near future! If you like there are some new videos from Nationals! :-)

Question: Hey Gael! I'm Melissa from gymelites club...Your routines at Elite Canada were beautiful.. What do you do to pass over the movement if you're scared? Thanks:) - Melissa
Answer: Hi Melissa! If I am scared of something I always make sure I use a mat or spot until I feel comfortable doing it. Usually after I practice it alot of times I get less scared! Good Luck!

Question: What is your hardest skill that you can do? - Marie
Answer: Hey Marie! I don't really know what the hardest skill is, cause all skills are different for everyone! maybe double layout on floor?! :-)

Question: Who is your favourite singer and your favourite song? - Jesse
Answer: Hi Jesse! I really like a variety of different music! I really like Maroon Five, The Beatles, Alicia Keys and Black Eyed Peas!! I have so many favorite songs by these artists!

Question: Do you like Carly Patterson? Have you ever talked to her? Is she nice? - Madison
Answer: Hi Madison! I really like Carly Patterson and think she is an amazing gymnast! We were there watching her win in Athens and were so excited for her! I have talked to her a few times and she seems really nice!

Question: Hey Gael! I've been a huge fan ever since I saw you a couple years ago at Nationals when you were still a junior! Congrats on your awesome career so far, you're doing amazing! Anyway, my question is: I am scared of my series on beam and I don't know how to get over my fear. I know I can do it and my coach always spots me and I do it fine, but I can't do it by myself. What should I do? Thanks! - Katie
Answer: Hi Katie! Whenever I am scared of something I make sure I practice it lots with spot and I do lots of drills for preparation. My coach is there to guide me and I have to belive in myself! Good luck with it!

Gael's Past Answers: March 21, 2005

Question: How do you not get so frustrated at your self if you cant do it you keep trying but just cant do it? - Jordan
Answer: Hey Jordan! well, when I get frustrated with myself and i feel like i can't do something, i first of all take a few seconds or even minutes to calm down and think over the situation. If it is a skill that I'm having problems with I will listen and correct what my coaches say the mistake is and just tell myself to be patient!!

Question: What are the upcoming competitions you have? - Sydney
Answer: Hey Sydney! My next competition is at the end of April in Ghent Belgium for the Ghent World Cup. After that is Nationals in my city at the end of May!

Question: What was it like to go to the Olympics in Athens? - Ashley
Answer: Hey Ashley! the Olympics were so much fun and I will never forget them! It was alot of fun to compete for Canada, and meet new people from around the world and just be in the Olympic atmosphere!

Question: What's your favorite event? - Elisha
Answer: Hey Elisha! My favorite event is floor! 

Question: Have you ever had a really bad competition where you have fallen on almost every event? - Melissa
Answer: Hello Melissa! I have had a number of tough competitions, with more than one fall, and let me tell you- they do not feel good when they happen but they are good learning experiences and they are just part of the sport! (Once I fell off beam four times! But it made me work even harder so I never did that again!)

Question: What kind of music do you like? - Andrew
Answer: Hi Andrew! I like a variety of different musics: R&B, pop and oldies. My favorite bands are the Beatles, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, Simple Plan and The Black Eyed  Peas.

Gael's Past Answers: October 8, 2003

Question: What is your favorite food to eat and did you know I hurt my cheek? - Cassidy, age 7
Answer: Hey Cassidy! My favorite food to eat is yogurt and mango and chicken! (But not all together). Yes I know that you hurt your cheek and I hope it is all better now!! (You were very tough- I know how much those hurt!) See you at gym!

Question: Hey Gael, I was wondering... do you know Steph Newmarch? - Casey, age 13
Answer: Hey Casey! Yes I know Steph Newmarch. In fact I roomed with her at Nationals this year!

Question: How old were you when you started gymnastics??? Who was the nicest person you've met during your competition career???? Good luck in your future competitions!!!! - Candice, age 10
Answer: Hey Candice! I think I was around 4 when I started gym. As for your other question, I have met so many nice people in my competition career that its hard to say who is nicest!

Question: Hi Gael, I competed in a competition against your sister Charlotte a few years ago that year I was in level 1 and last year she was in level 2 is she really in pre novice National level now? I hope you get to answer my question. Thanxs alot! - Meghan, age 12
Answer: Hi Meghan! My sister did go pre-novice last year (2003), but this year she going national novice!

Question: Hey Gael, I'm a huge fan of yours.. your truly amazing but I was just wondering what do u do to get over the fear of doing a hard move that your scared of? And have you ever quit gymnastics before and if so how did you make the comeback? - Sheldean, age 14
Answer: Hey Sheldean! To get over a fear of doing a hard move that I 'm scared of, I usually just tell myself that I can do it and I know that my coach wouldn't tell me to do it if I wasn't ready! I have never quit gymnastics before nor have I made a comeback.

Question: Hi Gael, I was wondering what was the best skill you could do when you were 12 and what level were you in at age 12. and i was also wondering if you could send me a sighed autograph?!!! By the way you are my hero!!!!!!!! Love Lynae Closson, age 12
Answer: Hi Lynae! The hardest skill I could do when I was twelve was (I think ) 2 1/2 twist on floor. At this time I was in National Novice High Performance. You can write me at: 
Gael Mackie
c/o Omega Gymnastics
 125 B Glacier Street
Coquitlam, BC
Canada  V3K 5Z1
and I will send you an autographed photo!  ;o)

Question: Hey Gael! I just wanted to tell you that your beam, is absolutely amazing!!!!! It is my new favorite routine!! I was also wondering if you've worked really really hard on your flexibility, or if it comes naturally for you? Thanks, Julia, age 15
Answer: Hey Julia! My back flexibility is all natural but for my splits flexibility I stretch it a lot at gym and also at home! Also, my sister (who does gymnastics) has a really flexible back, so it must run in the family!!
 

Gael's Past Answers: February 24, 2003

Question: Hey Gael!! I feel really bad about your foot!! I heard about very quickly! Are you disappointed with your decision to not go to the Visa American Cup? - Jocelyn, age 13
Answer: Hi! I am quite disappointed about not going to the American Cup. Although, I wouldn't have been in top shape for it if I hadn't cancelled it and could have reinjured it, meaning that Nationals, and Worlds would be in question. I was really looking forward to competing in it, though! I hope that I will be able to compete in it another year!

Question: Hi Gael! Wow you are doing so well and you truly are an amazing gymnast. I was just wanted to ask you a question: a few years ago no one had really heard of you and now you are so amazing! What was the biggest influence on this; your new coaches? Thanks and good luck in all your competitions and achieving your goals! - Carol, age 14
Answer: Probably the biggest influence on my success is my coaches- Vladimir and Svetlana Lashin. They are the best coaches and I'm very thankful they came to my gym and worked with me. I have and continue to work hard in the gym training, trying to be the best I can!

Question: How long can you hold a handstand for? do you have any tips on how to stay in handstand for longer? - Steph
Answer: I can hold handstand for (sometimes) over a minute. To hold handstand for longer, try practicing a lot, and staying very tight in handstand. Holding it against the wall also helps. Also ask your coach for drills, and more tips. : )

Question: I was wondering where I could send fan mail to you? And do you send autographed pictures with your replies? - Samantha, age 13
Answer: You can send fan mail to Omega Gymnastics 125 B Glacier Street Coquitlam, BC V3K 5Z1. I do send autographed pictures with my replies.

Question: Hi Gael! I am positive you'll make it to the Olympics, if you do, do you think that winning a medal would be possible?? P.S.: You ROCK! - Debb, age 12
Answer: Hi, thanks for your encouraging words! I do think a medal at the Olympics would be possible and is a goal of mine!

Question: Did you enjoy competing at the J.R. Pan American Games? - Maria Fernanda, age 13
Answer: Yes, I really enjoyed competing at the JR Pan Am Games. It was a good experience and a lot of fun! It has definitely been one of my favorite meets!