A few months ago, one of the brightest new names in American gymnastics almost disappeared from the scene entirely. Her path had become cloudy, weighed down by pressure, setbacks, and the looming decision of whether to continue at the elite level. The sport that once gave her so much joy felt more uncertain than ever. Yet today, she’s not only thriving. She’s got her eyes set on the biggest stage of all.

That gymnast is Jordan Chiles’ future UCLA teammate, Ashley Sullivan, who quietly made the decision last fall to delay NCAA life and give elite gymnastics one last full run. That choice has since turned into a powerful comeback story. After nearly stepping away from the sport altogether, Ashley Sullivan is now one of Team USA’s most promising contenders for the 2025 World Championships in Jakarta. And her season is already filled with milestones she didn’t think possible just a year ago.

Sullivan’s year began with a splash. Winning the all-around title at the 2025 Winter Cup in February. The victory was a surprise to most, and even more so to her. But it marked a dramatic shift, the start of what she now calls a second chance. From there, she traveled to Germany for the DTB Mixed Team Cup, helping the U.S. win gold. At the Jesolo Trophy, she picked up another team medal and took bronze in the all-around. It’s a rapid rise that might never have happened if she hadn’t made that pivotal decision late last year to keep going. A decision rooted not just in talent, but in resilience.

“I think mindset is the biggest part of gymnastics,” Sullivan said to Olympics.com. “Physically, I knew the skills were there, but there’s always that voice in your head. I had to learn to calm those doubts and fears,” she further added. Sullivan’s been through plenty. Injuries, burnout, and the emotional rollercoaster of competition. But now, she faces those hurdles differently. “Earlier in my career, setbacks hit me a lot harder emotionally. But now, I’ve been through it. I know I can come back. I’ve done hard things before, and I can do them again,” echoed Sullivan. 

As she prepares for the upcoming U.S. Classic and other domestic events, Ashlee Sullivan is opting to rest and refine instead of rushing into more competitions. Though she’ll skip the Pan American Championships in June, she’s staying active with national team training and is focused on upgrades and execution. Her goal is clear: to peak when it matters most, with a Worlds berth in Jakarta firmly on her radar. She’s no longer just hoping to make an impact. She’s planning for it, one routine at a time.

With her NCAA career waiting in the wings and the full force of elite gymnastics behind her once again, Sullivan is now proving she has what it takes to be both a college star and an international contender. It’s not just a comeback. It’s a reintroduction. And this time, she’s stepping forward on her own terms. And now, Sullivan has also started to look beyond her personal goals.

Ashlee Sullivan competes with heart, and it’s not just for podiums

Ashlee Sullivan isn’t chasing medals for the spotlight. They’re just part of the bigger picture. With every performance, the young gymnast is grounded in a purpose far beyond the podium. “I compete as best as I can not only for myself, but to contribute to something bigger than me,” she says. Sullivan even added, “I take pride in being someone my teammates can rely on, not only for my gymnastics, but for my unwavering support for them.” That perspective has become her superpower in 2025.

This season, Sullivan’s rise hasn’t just been about skill, though her results certainly speak for themselves. Her breakout victory at the Winter Cup and consistent podium presence internationally have validated her as one of Team USA’s most dependable all-arounders. But beyond her execution and consistency is a competitor who embraces the responsibility of lifting others up. Reflecting a maturity and clarity that resonates deeply in team settings, Ashley Sullivan stated, “I embrace both roles of being on a team.”

As she steps into NCAA gymnastics with UCLA while keeping her Olympic dreams alive for LA28, Sullivan isn’t rushing the process. “My approach is to take things one step and one competition at a time,” she explained. Her mindset, shaped by a high-performance environment and personal growth, has turned her into a key figure in the next generation of U.S. gymnastics—not just for her routines, but for the selfless drive behind them.