Levi Jung-Ruivivar’s dad shares challenges of being a parent to an Olympian
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Levi Jung-Ruivivar’s dad shares challenges of being a parent to an Olympian
MANILA -- Olympic gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar is out to have it all, leaping from the Olympic stage to the entertainment scene after signing with Viva Artist Agency.
MANILA -- Olympic gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar is out to have it all, leaping from the Olympic stage to the entertainment scene after signing with Viva Artist Agency.
This, just hours before heading back to the United States to start her freshman year at Stanford University.
This, just hours before heading back to the United States to start her freshman year at Stanford University.
“We [VAA] discussed doing brand deals, modeling, in the future, acting. That is my primary goal. But I am being pretty enthusiastic trying to build my platform. I have a slightly different schedule because training comes first… so we will build around that,” she said in an interview in Pasig City, Thursday.
“We [VAA] discussed doing brand deals, modeling, in the future, acting. That is my primary goal. But I am being pretty enthusiastic trying to build my platform. I have a slightly different schedule because training comes first… so we will build around that,” she said in an interview in Pasig City, Thursday.
While Hollywood actor Anthony Ruiviviar takes pride in his daughter’s drive, he admitted that it isn't easy to take the backseat as she chases her dreams.
While Hollywood actor Anthony Ruiviviar takes pride in his daughter’s drive, he admitted that it isn't easy to take the backseat as she chases her dreams.
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He admitted that being a parent to an Olympic gymnast is challenging, as his instinct to protect Levi often clashes with the realities of her ambitious pursuit. This includes managing injuries, such as when she required bilateral heel surgery, wherein “two bones had to be removed from her heels and her Achilles tendon was slightly ruptured.”
He admitted that being a parent to an Olympic gymnast is challenging, as his instinct to protect Levi often clashes with the realities of her ambitious pursuit. This includes managing injuries, such as when she required bilateral heel surgery, wherein “two bones had to be removed from her heels and her Achilles tendon was slightly ruptured.”
“The toughest battle as a parent is when to encourage and when to listen and step back… She is in a double cast and you are watching and helping her crawl up the stairs, when you are helping her get into bed, and all because of gymnastics and toll it takes on her body— you go what are we doing… We need to stop this,” the "NCIS: Hawaii" actor explained.
“The toughest battle as a parent is when to encourage and when to listen and step back… She is in a double cast and you are watching and helping her crawl up the stairs, when you are helping her get into bed, and all because of gymnastics and toll it takes on her body— you go what are we doing… We need to stop this,” the "NCIS: Hawaii" actor explained.
“But also the moment where ‘no, you need to help her through a tough day, a dark time or motivate her to get up and go to the gym because that’s what makes you happy.’ You have to be uplifting, you have to be encouraging. It is a difficult balance.”
“But also the moment where ‘no, you need to help her through a tough day, a dark time or motivate her to get up and go to the gym because that’s what makes you happy.’ You have to be uplifting, you have to be encouraging. It is a difficult balance.”
According to Anthony, however, trusting his daughter’s resilience and talent always pays off— as exactly a year after Levi's bilateral heel surgery she found out that she snagged a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
According to Anthony, however, trusting his daughter’s resilience and talent always pays off— as exactly a year after Levi's bilateral heel surgery she found out that she snagged a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“We do not drive this train, Levi drives this train… You have to listen to your child. As parents, we can’t say we want you to do this,” he reasoned.
“We do not drive this train, Levi drives this train… You have to listen to your child. As parents, we can’t say we want you to do this,” he reasoned.
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“She is amazing. She never cried about it. She was never down on herself. She has this drive I truly respect and I am truly in awe of. So, we just sit back and try to guide her where she needs help,” he added.
“She is amazing. She never cried about it. She was never down on herself. She has this drive I truly respect and I am truly in awe of. So, we just sit back and try to guide her where she needs help,” he added.
Levi, on the other hand, said it is her family’s immeasurable support and sacrifices that ignite her drive to push herself beyond her limits.
Levi, on the other hand, said it is her family’s immeasurable support and sacrifices that ignite her drive to push herself beyond her limits.
“I mean it when I say I don’t think I could have gone through it without my family. My family has made endless sacrifices for me so I can follow my dreams. They are a huge part of it. They have given up so much — moving to a different state so I can get proper training I needed. They did it without a single complaint. Our family is extremely unique and special,” she said.
“I mean it when I say I don’t think I could have gone through it without my family. My family has made endless sacrifices for me so I can follow my dreams. They are a huge part of it. They have given up so much — moving to a different state so I can get proper training I needed. They did it without a single complaint. Our family is extremely unique and special,” she said.
The Olympian also highlighted that her tumultuous experiences, such is the injury, is what “defined her as a gymnast.”
The Olympian also highlighted that her tumultuous experiences, such is the injury, is what “defined her as a gymnast.”
“After the injury I was told I might not be able to compete in the same level. But that was a true turning point for me — I just had to give it my all. When you have setbacks it’s difficult and heartbreaking. It is also the times you build character and you can choose one or two routes. I am really happy I continued,” she said.
“After the injury I was told I might not be able to compete in the same level. But that was a true turning point for me — I just had to give it my all. When you have setbacks it’s difficult and heartbreaking. It is also the times you build character and you can choose one or two routes. I am really happy I continued,” she said.
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“It is a journey. There are so many up and downs in this sport. There are times when it is tiring, where you will push your body to extreme circumstances. Sometimes, you do not want to put your body through that but when you remember your whys — that is when you thrive. Embracing challenges makes the success more rewarding,” she added.
“It is a journey. There are so many up and downs in this sport. There are times when it is tiring, where you will push your body to extreme circumstances. Sometimes, you do not want to put your body through that but when you remember your whys — that is when you thrive. Embracing challenges makes the success more rewarding,” she added.
Anthony also confessed that while he wholeheartedly supports his daughter’s desire to step into the often cutthroat showbiz spotlight, he, as a father, can’t help but still be consumed by concern.
Anthony also confessed that while he wholeheartedly supports his daughter’s desire to step into the often cutthroat showbiz spotlight, he, as a father, can’t help but still be consumed by concern.
“Ive been lucky enough to work in the industry and that is why I kind of rolled my eyes or like went ‘oh my gosh’ I love this industry but it is a hard industry,” he explained.
“Ive been lucky enough to work in the industry and that is why I kind of rolled my eyes or like went ‘oh my gosh’ I love this industry but it is a hard industry,” he explained.
“We give her all the support we can. We travel here as much as we can back and forth. Making sure she is taken care of here. Introducing her to relatives and friends — we make sure she is looked after,” he added.
“We give her all the support we can. We travel here as much as we can back and forth. Making sure she is taken care of here. Introducing her to relatives and friends — we make sure she is looked after,” he added.
Sending Levi off to college, where she plans to major in communications and minor in psychology, is not easy for Anthony either.
Sending Levi off to college, where she plans to major in communications and minor in psychology, is not easy for Anthony either.
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But if being the father of an ambitious Olympic gymnast has taught him anything, it is that Levi's strength, grit, and tenacity are remarkable and unwavering.
But if being the father of an ambitious Olympic gymnast has taught him anything, it is that Levi's strength, grit, and tenacity are remarkable and unwavering.
“She just turned 18; she is no longer our little girl. At the same time, we are still navigating that letting-go, holding-on stage. It’s exciting and a learning curve. But just like during her years of training on her own, she has grown up quickly. We shouldn’t worry too much,” he said.
“She just turned 18; she is no longer our little girl. At the same time, we are still navigating that letting-go, holding-on stage. It’s exciting and a learning curve. But just like during her years of training on her own, she has grown up quickly. We shouldn’t worry too much,” he said.
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