Q: Do you have a nickname?
“Bay or Ninja”
Q: When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
“Well my mom is a gymnastics coach and I used to run around her gym in Tennessee.”
Q: Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
“When I was 2-years-old, I would always want to keep my grips on everywhere I went.”
Q: When did you decide you wanted to compete? What about competition appeals to you?
“When I was watching the 2008 Olympics I knew that I wanted to compete for Team USA.”
Q: What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics?
“I train about six hours a day, six days a week.”
Q: What is your favorite event?
“Beam.”
Q: What is your favorite skill?
“Double Arabian on floor.”
Q: What music do you use for your floor routine?
“Bollywood.”
Q: Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
“Mary Lou Retton.”
Q: How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally?
“When I moved to Orlando, I got a new training regimen and had to do more mental preparation.”
Q: How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
“I have learned to never give up on anything. You just have to keep trying.”
Q: If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
“To never give up on your dreams.”
Q: What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
“It is pretty cool to have qualified for the Nastia Liukin Cup for the second time. I also got the chance to go to a developmental camp in Texas.”
Q: Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics?
“That’s pretty far in the future, but I think I would like to.”
Q: What are your favorite subjects in school?
“Math and English.”
Q: If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there?
“I think I would like to study physical therapy.”
Q: What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing?
“To make the junior national team and ultimately compete in the Olympics, but I know I need to take it one step at a time.”
Q: When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities?
“I enjoy hanging out with friends, either going to the mall, spending time at the beach or having sleepovers.”
Q: What is your favorite food?
“Steak.”
Q: What is your favorite movie?
“‘Hunger Games.'”
Q: What is your favorite book?
“‘Hunger Games.'”
Q: Who is your favorite musician?
“One Direction.”
Q: Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports?
“My mom was a gymnast and my dad played baseball and football.”
Q: Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
“My only ritual is to eat two eggs before a meet. My lucky charm is a ‘best friend’ bracelet.”
Q: What’s on your iPod right now? What type of music do enjoy listening to? How about before a meet when you’re trying to get focused and pumped up?
“Songs that pump me up or inspire me.”
Q: If you had to pick three words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
“Determined, focused and dedicated.”
Q: What three words describe you as a person, not the gymnast?
“Funny, hard-headed and caring.”
By Lauren Ely
As 11-year-old Bailey Ferrer landed a double full dismount off bars, her friends exclaimed, “You’re like a ninja!”
And the nickname stuck.
The little ninja, originally from Nashville, Tenn., now lives in Orlando, Fla., and trains at Orlando Metro Gymnastics. She began gymnastics when she was just 1 year old. Her mother, Lyn, has been a coach for about 15 years and served as Bailey’s coach until she was 6. Since Ferrer made the move to Florida, Jeff Wood has worked as her coach.
Ferrer says qualifying for the Nastia Liukin Cup and being able to go to Karolyi’s camp to go to the developmental elite camp are two moments she won’t forget. However, she hopes to one day follow in Liukin’s – one of Ferrer’s main inspirations – footsteps and make the Junior Olympic National Team, Senior National Team and go to the 2020 Olympics.
“I’m a little nervous [performing at NLC],” Ferrer said. “But I usually like having all the cameras and pressure on me because I just take that as more determination.”
However, as long as she does her hair like she does for every meet – a side French braid into a pony tail – and eats her normal pre-competition breakfast of two fried eggs and a piece of bacon, Ferrer’s nerves shouldn’t get the best of her.
The homeschooled pre-teen spends about 40 hours per week training, mixing in school between practices. She says English is her favorite subject because it’s easier than math and science.
In her spare time, she likes having sleepovers with her friends, going to the beach and watching gymnastics YouTube videos.