Livvy Dunne, the former LSU gymnastics star, is opening up about her recovery process and adjusting to life after her gymnastics career.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE at Fanatics Fest in New York City, Dunne, 22, shared how she’s navigating the physical and emotional challenges of transitioning from athlete to non-athlete following a fractured kneecap in March.
Recovering from Injury and Adjusting to Life After Gymnastics
Dunne, who fractured her kneecap during her gymnastics season, is slowly but surely on the mend. “I fractured my kneecap during my gymnastics season, and it’s getting better slowly but surely,” she said.
Despite the injury, she has been keeping herself busy. “I’ve been grinding nonstop ever since the season ended, but I think that it is getting a little bit better,” she added.
As she recovers, Dunne admits she’s still finding her balance in life post-gymnastics. “I feel like as an athlete, I’ve always been disciplined and I’ve always had my finger on the pulse of what worked for me and what didn’t, because even the slightest difference in gymnastics is huge,” she explained.
“But, it definitely is a little bit different being a non-athlete anymore.” She’s working on adjusting to this new phase, explaining that the discipline and structure she learned as an athlete will still benefit her as she moves forward.
Enjoying Her Free Summers and the Relief from a Demanding Schedule
With her college career behind her, Dunne is excited to embrace the freedom of summer. “I think the hardest part about being a college athlete for me was balancing my summers correctly,” she shared. “I always have so many cool, fun opportunities in the summer, and I always do them and go to the beach and see my friends.”
As a student-athlete, the intense schedule left little room for relaxation, especially with brand deals and commitments to balance. Now, as a former gymnast, she’s finding relief from her previous busy schedule. “But I will really miss gymnastics,” Dunne admitted. “I’ve always been a competitor. I love competing, so it’s going to be a little weird for a while.”
Staying Close to Her Former Teammates
Despite stepping away from gymnastics, Dunne still feels deeply connected to her former teammates. “I text my teammates pretty much every single day. I’m super close with them, and I love to stay in contact with them because they were like my sisters, and they still are,” she said.
Although she no longer sees them every day, her bond with them remains strong. “I mean, I don’t see them every day anymore, but those are my girls. I love them.”
A Challenging Injury: The Fractured Kneecap
Dunne’s injury, which occurred in March, was an avulsion fracture of the patella. This type of fracture happens when a fragment of the kneecap detaches due to excessive pull from the quadriceps tendon or patellar ligament. Dunne’s injury caused her to miss LSU’s final home meet, which was particularly heartbreaking for her.
She shared the news on Instagram Stories, writing, “Hi friends! Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with an avulsion fracture of my patella and will not be able to compete on senior night.”
She continued, expressing her disappointment, “It absolutely breaks my heart to not get the opportunity to compete in the PMAC one last time. Tiger fans, you’ve been so good to me!”
Looking Ahead
While Livvy Dunne’s journey through recovery and her transition from college athlete to life beyond gymnastics is still a work in progress, she remains positive and committed to finding balance. As she continues to heal and embrace her next chapter, she stays close to her teammates and looks forward to the new opportunities ahead.
