Polina Shchennikova shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Polina, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Right now, I’m being called to lead more boldly. To step fully into my identity, not just as a former elite and division 1 athlete or a current business owner, but as a visionary.
Growing up in the gymnastics world I did, we didn’t have a voice. And if we did speak up, it often came with repercussions. After stepping away from gymnastics to work on myself and heal from the things I went through, I never imagined I’d return. But over time, whether you call it intuition, a gut feeling, or divine prompting, I felt a quiet voice calling me back.
And I came back in the boldest way possible: I opened my own gym.
It was the loudest statement I’ve ever made. PAK Gymnastics is more than a business; it’s a legacy of healing, rooted in everything I had to overcome. That’s the part most people don’t see, but it’s the part that matters most. Because through it all, I’ve learned how to let go without losing hope. I was scared to release what was no longer meant for me, while still believing God’s plan is meant for me. I’ve been learning to balance faith and discernment, openness and boundaries, and heart and head.
I’ve stopped shrinking myself and my vision to make others comfortable. And I’m so glad I finally listened to God’s calling on my life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Polina Shchennikova, a former elite gymnast, two-time U.S. National Team member, and now the proud owner of PAK Gymnastics. But my story isn’t just about medals or titles. It’s about healing, redemption, and building the kind of gymnastics culture I wish existed when I was growing up in the sport.
After stepping away from gymnastics to work through the silent wounds the sport left behind, I eventually felt led by God to return back to the sport. But not as the same girl who once felt like she had no voice. This time, I came back as a visionary.
I officially became the owner of PAK Gymnastics in Lehi, Utah on March 1, 2025 and it is more than just a gym, it’s a movement. A place where athletes are seen as people first. Where joy, growth, and mental health matter as much as skill. Where legacy isn’t defined by a podium, but by the impact we leave on and off the mat.
What makes PAK Gymnastics different isn’t just our programs, but our purpose. We’re not just training gymnasts. We’re raising confident, kind, resilient humans who believe they belong. Whenever someone steps into our facility, we welcome them into the PAK with open arms and the hope of giving hem a deep sense of community and family.
Outside the gym, I also love creating social media content that’s real, funny, and relatable, especially for coaches, parents, business owners, and athletes. Whether it’s the chaos behind running a gym, the emotional layers of sport, or the quiet victories nobody sees, I try to bring people in and remind them: you’re not alone.
I believe in leading with authenticity, building a community that feels like family, and reminding the next generation that their voice matters. Always.
So, whether you’re an athlete, a parent, or someone who’s been through the fire and found your way back, welcome to the PAK. There’s room for you here.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My parents. Without a doubt! They didn’t just teach me how to work hard, they fully embodied it. As immigrants, they built everything from the ground up. There was no safety net, no shortcuts, just resilience, faith, and a deep belief that if you want something, you earn it.
They were both world-class athletes on the Soviet National Team who left everything they knew behind in Russia to start over in a country where they didn’t speak the language, had barely any connections, and had nothing handed to them. They didn’t just work hard, they worked relentlessly. Early mornings. Late nights. Coaching. Working security… pouring their heart into other people’s kids, all while raising three of their own.
They never complained. They just kept showing up. For their athletes. For our family. For the dream.
They taught me that work isn’t just what you do, it’s how you carry yourself. With discipline. With humility. With pride in your craft, even when nobody’s clapping for you. They didn’t chase recognition; they quietly gave everything they had for our family and for the sport that changed our lives. They taught me that excellence isn’t about perfection, it’s about integrity. That consistency matters more than applause. That leadership isn’t loud, it’s what you do when no one is watching. Every time I walk into my gym, I carry their legacy with me. The work ethic, the humility, the “find-away” mindset. They taught me not just how to dream, but how to build.
They built a life out of nothing but love, grit, and grace, and in doing so, they gave me everything.
So when I walk into PAK Gymnastics and turn the lights on, I think of them. Because what I’m building now is only possible because of what they built first.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of failing.
There were so many times I wouldn’t even start something because I was scared I’d mess it up. I thought failing meant I wasn’t good enough, so instead, I played it safe. But eventually, I realized that failure is just a mindset.
I spent most of my gymnastics career feeling like a failure, even when I was achieving things most people only dream of. But looking back, I was never actually failing, I was learning. I was building resilience. I was gaining things of value that couldn’t be measured by medals or scores.
Now, I believe I either reach my goals, or I learn something that helps reroute me to a different version of success. Because it’s not about how you start, it’s about how you get back up and finish.
Before becoming a young business owner, it was always “highly recommended” that I wait until I was older, and that it was important to save every dollar while I was young. And that most businesses fail in the first couple years. But I just thought: “You know what? People spend their entire lives waiting for the right moment. If I fail, I’m already 100% more successful than the people who never took the chance to try.” I’d rather go all in now, while I’m young and while I have the opportunity and drive, than to live my life wondering about the what-ifs.
Being a young business owner doesn’t scare me anymore. If anything, it equips me. Because I know how to fail forward. I know how to keep moving, even when it’s messy or uncertain, because faith isn’t the absence of doubt. It’s choosing to go blindly in the midst of it.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I think my response answers all of the questions in one answer:
People often think that excellence and mental health are in opposition. You can train hard and honor your humanity. You can accept discipline and prioritize joy. The idea that you have to break people down to build them up is outdated. Every day, we work hard to break the illusion that toughness comes from harshness.
Gymnastics especially has historically glorified burnout, silence, and perfectionism as a necessary cost of success. But those are not badges, those are red flags.
That is why I am committed to building a space where coaches feel supported, parents feel included, and athletes feel safe. Where healing and high standards coexist. Where community is just as important as competition. Where athletes can be challenged, not broken.
So yes, the public version of me is the real me, but full of layers. What you see is real: passion, the drive, the heart for the kids and community, the fierce love for gymnastics, but there is also a quieter version of me that people don’t always see. The one that is still healing, still questioning, still processing everything I went through in this sport. The public version of me is healed with scars that show.
Because of it, I’ll take the long road. I’ll do the hard work. I’ll challenge the norms because I’m not just building a business. I’m building a legacy.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
That it was only about gymnastics.
People might see the medals, the routines, or the business, and assume the legacy is athletic, but the truth is, what I’m building is a legacy of healing for the sport as a whole… one that’s deeply rooted in everything I had to overcome to get here.
Yes, gymnastics was the vehicle. But the real work? It was letting God walk me through parts of my story that hurt the most, and trusting Him to turn it into something good.
Coming back to a sport that once broke me, and rebuilding it with purpose and compassion, that was never just my idea. It was something God placed on my heart, and I chose to say yes. What people may not see is the pain it took to develop the purpose. The quiet resilience. The moments I wanted to walk away, but faith told me to stay.
But that’s the legacy. What happens when you choose to lead with vision instead of fear. When you create something new, not in spite of your wounds, but because of them. It’s about building a space where athletes feel safe, coaches feel supported, and families feel seen. Where excellence is pursued with joy. Where faith, love, growth, and leadership all have a place. I’m not just building a business… I’m building a legacy where I can lead with both empathy and excellence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pakgymnastics.com
- Instagram: polinashchennikova and pakgymnastics
- Facebook: pakgymnastics
- Youtube: polinashchennikova22
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