A Baltimore gymnast who became an HBCU trailblazer is now inspiring young athletes nationwide after her floor routines went viral twice on social media.
A trailblazer at Talladega College
Kyrstin Johnson began her collegiate gymnastics career at Talladega College, only the second historically Black college or university to establish a gymnastics program.
During her time there, Johnson built an impressive résumé.
“I became a four-time All-American, 2024 USAG Vault Champion. I was the first HBCU gymnast to actually win event titles,” she said.
Her success helped bring national attention to HBCU gymnastics, but the celebration was short-lived. Despite the team’s accomplishments, Talladega later discontinued the gymnastics program.
“We literally all thought that we’re going to be going back to Talladega and then all of a sudden the rug just got snatched,” Johnson said.
A new chapter and a viral breakthrough
After the program was cut, Johnson transferred to Temple University. In 2025, two of her floor routines exploded online, earning widespread attention for their athleticism, creativity, and cultural expression.
Johnson said she originally posted the routines to show both the highs and lows of her journey, not expecting them to spread widely.
“I just really wanted to show my highs and lows. Not everything is just perfect. But people saw the culture and the love that I really put into that routine and it just went spiraling,” she said.
The routines featured music, dance, and movements that reflected Black culture and Johnson’s Baltimore roots. She said including familiar Baltimore-inspired moves was a deliberate choice.
“Whether it was the little cut-cut move, I was grateful that people from my city were able to see everything I put into my routine, every thought, every dance move,” she said.
Recognition beyond gymnastics
The viral attention led to opportunities beyond collegiate competition. Johnson was invited to light the torch and perform at the Gotham FC Girls and Sports Day Fun Run, becoming the first gymnast to do so.
“The fact that I was actually able to bring a performance out in the rain and in the cold for other people to see it was just really cool. I actually felt the support that I was getting from a different audience,” she said.
Mental health advocacy
While much of the online response was positive, Johnson said the sport’s mental challenges remain significant. She has spoken openly about experiencing the “twisties” and other mental blocks that can affect gymnasts.
“Making sure that you check on your athlete, your kid, your teammates, because I went through twisties, mental blocks. It’s really not talked about enough. Gymnastics is actually more of a mental sport than physical,” she said.
What’s next
Johnson is currently in the transfer portal and exploring the next step in her athletic career. She also plans to continue mentoring young athletes and hopes to launch a nonprofit organization focused on helping the next generation of gymnasts.
“I’m still going to be giving back and helping out these kids because they’re one of the reasons why I got to where I am,” she said.
For many young athletes watching online, Johnson’s journey has become a powerful example of resilience: from making history at an HBCU, to navigating unexpected setbacks to finding a wider platform through authenticity and self-expression.
