McKayla Maroney, the Olympic gymnast and winner of a gold and silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, has been out of the public eye for some time now. Fans have been wondering what she has been up to since her former gymnastics career ended a few years ago. While some Olympians are quick to return to the limelight, Maroney has taken the time to pursue her own passions and carve out a unique path for herself.
After her retirement from gymnastics, McKayla Maroney moved to Los Angeles to explore her passion for music and acting. She has since released multiple singles and has even made her acting debut on the hit show “Hart of Dixie.” Maroney has also been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and has used her platform to speak up about the pressures faced by young athletes.
Now 25 years old, Maroney continues to stay active on social media where she shares her daily life and inspirational messages with her followers. She credits her time as a gymnast for teaching her valuable life lessons and shaping her into the strong, driven woman she is today. While fans may miss watching her compete on the world stage, it’s clear that McKayla Maroney is forging a successful path for herself beyond the gymnastics mat.
McKayla Maroney’s Olympic Career
McKayla Maroney is a former American artistic gymnast who rose to fame during the 2012 London Olympics. She was part of the Fierce Five, the United States women’s gymnastics team that won a gold medal in the team competition. Maroney’s specialty was the vault, and she became the first American woman to win an individual gold medal in the event since 1996.
However, Maroney is perhaps best known for a moment during the medal ceremony for the vault competition. When she received her silver medal, her facial expression showed her disappointment with the result. The image of Maroney with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face went viral, and became known as the “not impressed” face.
- 2011 World Championships: Gold medal (team)
- 2012 Olympic Games: Gold medal (team); Silver medal (vault)
- 2013 World Championships: Gold medal (team)
After the 2012 Olympics, Maroney struggled with injuries and eventually retired from competitive gymnastics in 2016. She had plans to pursue a career in music and acting, and even appeared in several films and TV shows, including “Hart of Dixie” and “Bones.”
Despite leaving gymnastics behind, Maroney has remained involved in the sport. She has been a vocal advocate for athlete safety and was one of the first gymnasts to come forward about the abuse she suffered at the hands of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Maroney has also advocated for reform in the sport and has spoken out about the need to prioritize the health and well-being of gymnasts.
| Birthdate: | December 9, 1995 |
|---|---|
| Hometown: | Long Beach, California |
| Height: | 5′ 2″ |
| Coach: | Artur Akopyan |
Overall, McKayla Maroney’s Olympic career was a brief but memorable one. Although she won multiple championships and became an Olympic medalist, it was her “not impressed” face that became a cultural phenomenon and solidified her place in pop culture history. Since retiring from gymnastics, Maroney has dedicated herself to advocating for change in the sport and using her platform to make a positive impact in the lives of other athletes.
McKayla Maroney’s Viral “Not Impressed” Face
McKayla Maroney’s viral “not impressed” face needs no introduction. During the 2012 London Olympics medal presentation, the then 16-year-old American gymnast’s facial expression captured the attention of the entire world. While receiving her silver medal for vault, she stood on the podium with a straight face, her lips pressed together, and her arms folded across her chest in a pose that would soon be dubbed “not impressed.”
- The face quickly went viral and became an internet sensation. Countless memes, gifs, and images started popping up on social media.
- The face inspired countless Halloween costumes, and people even got tattoos of it.
- McKayla herself didn’t fully understand the hype around her expression at first, but later came to embrace it and even posed for pictures doing the not impressed pose.
But what is McKayla Maroney doing now, almost a decade after her infamous not impressed moment? Despite retiring from gymnastics due to multiple injuries, McKayla has remained active and pursued a variety of interests.
In 2016, McKayla showed off her vocal talents by releasing a single called “Ghost” on her Soundcloud account. The song received praise from fans and critics alike and even secured a spot on the US iTunes Pop Chart.
McKayla also has a significant presence on social media, with over 1 million followers on Instagram. She often posts about her life and passions, including fashion and her love for animals. She uses her platform to raise awareness for animal rescue organizations and has even adopted a few rescue animals herself.
| Notable Achievements | |
|---|---|
| 2011 World Championships | 1st-Team |
| 2012 Olympic Games | 1st-Team, 2nd-Vault |
| 2013 World Championships | 1st-Team, 1st-Vault |
McKayla has also been open about her struggles with mental health, including depression and anxiety. She uses her platform to speak out about mental health and is an advocate for seeking help and destigmatizing mental health issues.
Overall, McKayla Maroney has come a long way since her viral not impressed face. While gymnastics may no longer be her main focus, she has continued to pursue her passions and use her platform for good.
McKayla Maroney’s Retirement from Gymnastics
After a successful career as a gymnast, McKayla Maroney made the difficult decision to retire from the sport in 2016. She had been dealing with numerous injuries and felt it was time to focus on her health and future.
The Impact of Retirement
- Maroney’s retirement was a shock to the gymnastics world, as she had been a top performer for many years.
- Many fans were disappointed to see her leave the sport, but also respected her decision to prioritize her health.
- Some wondered what Maroney’s future would hold, as she had been so dedicated to gymnastics for much of her life.
Life After Gymnastics
Since retiring from gymnastics, Maroney has been focusing on her music career and pursuing other interests. She has been working on writing and producing her own music, and has also been taking acting classes. Additionally, Maroney has been using her platform to raise awareness of issues such as mental health and body positivity.
In 2021, Maroney made headlines when she testified at the sentencing hearing of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, who had been accused of sexually abusing her and many other gymnasts. Her testimony was praised for its bravery and helped shed light on the abuse that had occurred.
Life Lessons Learned
Maroney has spoken openly about the challenges she faced during her gymnastics career, including injuries and mental health struggles. Through it all, she has learned the importance of resilience and self-care. She has also emphasized the importance of speaking out against abuse and working to create a better future for young athletes.
| Accomplishments | |
|---|---|
| Olympic Gold Medalist (2012) | |
| Two-time World Champion (2011, 2013) | |
| Three-time US National Champion (2011, 2012, 2013) |
Overall, McKayla Maroney’s retirement from gymnastics was a significant event in the sport’s history. Her decision to prioritize her health and future serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of self-care and the need for change in the gymnastics world.
McKayla Maroney’s Advocacy for Sexual Assault Survivors
After taking a break from gymnastics, McKayla Maroney has been using her platform to advocate for sexual assault survivors. In 2017, Maroney made headlines after she spoke out about the sexual abuse she endured from former USA Gymnastics team doctor, Larry Nassar.
Since then, Maroney has been actively advocating for victims of sexual assault and pushing for systemic change to protect athletes. She has used her Instagram account, which boasts over one million followers, to share empowering messages and raise awareness about the prevalence of sexual abuse in sports.
- Maroney has been open about the toll the abuse has taken on her mental health, using her platform to destigmatize conversations surrounding mental health and trauma.
- She has been a vocal proponent of the #MeToo movement and has encouraged others to speak out against sexual harassment and abuse.
- Maroney has also been lobbying for policy changes to better protect Olympic athletes from abuse, including a bill that would create a committee to investigate sexual abuse allegations in sports.
Maroney’s advocacy work has earned her praise from survivors and activists alike. She has become a powerful voice for change and a beacon of hope for those who have endured similar trauma.
| Organization | Cause |
|---|---|
| Rainn | Support and resources for survivors of sexual assault |
| The Joyful Heart Foundation | Support and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse |
| Rape Treatment Center | Comprehensive free treatment for survivors of sexual assault |
If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, there are resources available to help.
McKayla Maroney’s recent Instagram posts
McKayla Maroney, former Olympic gymnast and member of the Fierce Five, has been active on social media lately, particularly on Instagram. Through her posts, we can see what the gold medalist has been up to since retiring from gymnastics.
Recent travels
- Maroney recently posted pictures from her trip to Bali, Indonesia where she enjoyed the beaches and visited temples.
- She also shared photos from her visit to Tulum, Mexico, where she relaxed in the sunshine.
- In addition, Maroney went on a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco with her family.
Advocacy work
Maroney has been using her platform to raise awareness about sexual harassment and assault. She was one of the first gymnasts to speak out against former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. She continues to speak out against abuse and to support survivors.
Through her Instagram, she has also promoted mental health awareness and encouraged her followers to prioritize self-care.
Health and fitness
Maroney has been taking care of her body and mind through various physical and mental wellness activities. She has shared posts about:
- Her yoga practice, which she says has helped her with anxiety and stress management.
- Her love of hiking and the outdoors.
- Her healthy eating habits, which she shares through her plant-based meal creations.
New ventures
Maroney has also been exploring new ventures since her gymnastics career. She launched a music career with her debut single “Wake Up Call” in 2020. She has also dabbled in the fashion industry, sharing her clothing and accessory choices with her followers.
| Music | Fashion |
|---|---|
| Maroney released her first single “Wake Up Call” in August 2020. | She has shared her fashion choices on Instagram and walked the runway at New York Fashion Week in 2018. |
Despite retiring from gymnastics, McKayla Maroney has continued to lead an active and fulfilling life. Her Instagram posts give us insight into her travels, advocacy work, health and fitness pursuits, and new ventures.
McKayla Maroney’s Transition to Coaching
After winning Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games, McKayla Maroney’s gymnastics career took a turn due to injuries. However, she didn’t let that stop her from staying involved in the sport she loves. Maroney has transitioned into coaching and has become a valuable asset to the gymnastics community.
- Maroney began coaching at the gym she grew up training in, Wildfire Gymnastics in California.
- She has also been a guest coach at various gymnastics clinics and camps.
- In 2018, Maroney officially joined the coaching staff at Gymnastics World Central in Florida.
Maroney’s coaching style is heavily influenced by her own experiences as a competitive athlete. She believes in pushing her students to do their best while also ensuring that they remain healthy and injury-free. Maroney understands that the pressure to perform can sometimes be overwhelming and makes it a priority to support her students both mentally and physically.
Maroney’s expertise in gymnastics has also led her to work as a consultant in the entertainment industry. She has worked with actors and actresses to ensure that their gymnastics scenes in TV shows and movies are accurate and safe.
| Accomplishments | Year |
|---|---|
| Olympic Gold Medalist | 2012 |
| World Championship Gold Medalist | 2011 (team), 2013 (vault) |
| U.S. National Champion | 2011 (vault, floor), 2012 (vault) |
Maroney’s transition from a competitive gymnast to a coach has been a smooth one. Her dedication to the sport and her desire to give back to the gymnastics community has made her a respected and valued coach.
McKayla Maroney’s Future Plans and Aspirations
After retiring from gymnastics in 2016, McKayla Maroney has been focusing on her music career. She released her first single, “Ghost,” in 2018 and followed up with “Wake Up Call” the following year. In an interview with NBC News, she revealed that both songs were inspired by her experiences with sexual abuse and mental health issues.
- Maroney has stated that she wants to use her platform to advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and raise awareness of the issue. She has been sharing her own story on social media and speaking out about the need for change.
- In addition to her music career and advocacy work, Maroney has expressed interest in pursuing acting. She appeared in an episode of “Hart of Dixie” in 2014 and has been taking acting classes.
- Maroney also has a passion for photography and has been sharing her work on social media. She has done several photoshoots for various publications and has stated that she wants to explore this hobby further.
Despite the challenges she has faced, Maroney remains positive about her future and has big aspirations for herself. In an interview with People Magazine, she said that she wants to “make a difference in the world” and “be remembered for something bigger than gymnastics.”
| Aspirations | Actions |
|---|---|
| Become a successful musician | Released two singles, “Ghost” and “Wake Up Call” |
| Advocate for survivors of sexual abuse | Sharing her own story on social media and speaking out about the issue |
| Pursue acting | Appeared in an episode of “Hart of Dixie” and taking acting classes |
| Explore photography | Sharing her work on social media and doing photoshoots for various publications |
McKayla Maroney’s future is bright, and she continues to inspire others with her resilience, talent, and passion for making the world a better place.
What is Gymnast McKayla Maroney Doing Now?
Q: Is McKayla Maroney still competing in gymnastics?
A: No, McKayla Maroney retired from gymnastics in 2016 and hasn’t competed since then.
Q: What is McKayla Maroney’s career now?
A: McKayla Maroney is now focused on her career as a singer and songwriter, and has released several singles since retiring from gymnastics.
Q: Has McKayla Maroney appeared in any TV shows or movies?
A: Yes, McKayla Maroney has made appearances on several TV shows, including “Bones” and “Hart of Dixie,” and has also appeared in the movie “Superstore.”
Q: Has McKayla Maroney been involved in any activism or charity work?
A: Yes, McKayla Maroney has been an advocate for many causes, including body positivity and mental health. She is also a spokesperson for the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline.
Q: Has McKayla Maroney written a book?
A: Yes, McKayla Maroney wrote a memoir called “I Wasn’t Born Bulletproof: Lessons I’ve Learned (So You Don’t Have To).”
Q: Is McKayla Maroney active on social media?
A: Yes, McKayla Maroney is active on Instagram and TikTok, where she shares updates on her music and daily life.
Closing Thoughts
Thanks for taking the time to read about what McKayla Maroney is doing now! Although she is no longer competing in gymnastics, she has found success in her music career and is actively involved in various causes and charities. Be sure to follow her on social media for more updates, and come back soon for more news on your favorite celebrities.