Tell me about yourself.

Katelyn: My name is Katelyn Ohashi. I'm going into my senior year at UCLA. I’m on the gymnastics team. I was on the 2009-2013 U.S. national gymnastics team. I’ve had some major injuries in my career which prevented me from going pro, so I decided to attend college. I am half Japanese and half German. My parents are both 3rd generation and have never visited their home countries.

What are your beauty struggles?

Katelyn: My biggest insecurity is body image. In gymnastics, there is a lot of body shaming. I’ve learned recently to accept my body and get rid of the negativity that surrounds it. I’m still very sensitive about these things. As women almost all of us are criticized about our body, but as an athlete its amplified because you are in the spotlight.

Also my skin has been an issue. I break out very often. I don’t wear a lot of makeup but lately I’ve had to because my skin is not where I want it to be.

I have granuloma annulare which is a skin condition where I get dark spots all over my body. I’ve visited so many doctors and they can’t find a cause or solution. I have never been insecure about it but I always have to explain it. I think it stems from a combination of stress and an autoimmune disorder. I’m a pretty open person so I don’t get embarrassed about it but it gets tiring answering peoples questions. The spots are all over my stomach so it’s hard to take swimsuit pictures. People have asked questions like whether I’ve been abused and I answer no that’s just my skin.

What is your go-to beauty product or routine?

Katelyn: I really wish I had more of a routine. I just use a face wash in the shower during the day and occasionally at night. Unless my skin gets bad, I don’t really do much. I really like Shea Moisture products on my skin and I love the avocado oatmeal mask from Freeman.

Do you think beauty is politcal?

Katelyn: 100%! Absolutely. A gymnast named Kristi Henrich passed away when she was 20 years old. She weighed around 50-70 pounds. It happened because the coach told her that she wouldn’t make the Olympic gym team if she didn’t lose weight. Whats crazy is that she was not overweight. In gym, you aren’t just judged on your ability, but also on how you look. I wrote a post about it. (Read about it here)

In gym, makeup is forced on really young girls. If we don’t put on makeup, we are docked points. My mom used to get so mad at me for not wanting to put on makeup. I never felt the need to present myself with makeup because I believed I should be judged on my skills. After that competition, there were so many comments about my hair not being perfect. I won a big competition and people only cared about how I looked.

When I was working at a gym camp last summer, one of the little girls was like ‘that girl is ugly, her hair looks like yarn’. That little girl was 6 years old and she already had an idea of what beauty is.

What is your self-care routine?

Katelyn: Writing is one of my favorite things to do. I’ll sit on the beach alone and write for hours. I meditate for at least 10 minutes. My mind is very active and constantly thinking. Listening to guided meditations about self-improvement and self-love helps me focus in. Right now, I’m reading a lot to get more content with my blog. I’ve been reading the new testament in the Bible because I am trying to improve my relationship with God. Someone once told me, “I don't put my trust in people down here; I put my trust in God up there.”

What is your favorite song right now?

I am literally obsessed with Jorja Smith’s album. My favorite songs are Goodbyes, Tomorrow, Lifeboats (Freestyle) and Don’t Watch Me Cry.

Keep up with Katelyn:

Instagram: @katelyn_ohashi

Blog: www.BehindTheMadnessSite.wordpress.com