Olympic Gymnast Aly Raisman Shares Her Easy Dog Walking Workout — Plus How She Learned to Speak Up (EXCLUSIVE)

Gymnast Aly Raisman is one of the most inspiring athletes around. Now retired, she competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics and has three gold medals to her name. Raisman has always projected both power and grace, and as the oldest girl on her team and designated captain both years, she was beloved for her supportive big sister vibe. 

In 2017, Raisman made headlines when she spoke up about the traumatic abuse she endured as a teen gymnast, and became an eloquent advocate for survivors everywhere. Raisman is committed to making a difference and being a force for positivity within her sport, and over 10 years after she catapulted to fame, she remains admirably down to earth.

Aly Raisman, who recently partnered with Purina to promote EverRoot dog supplements, spoke to FIRST for Women about being a dog mom, going to the 2024 Olympics, reconnecting with her old teammates and more.

A proud pet parent

Raisman adopted her dog, Mylo, in 2020 and her life changed forever. “I got Mylo from the Heart of Rhode Island shelter almost four years ago,” she says. “I can't even imagine my life without him. When I got to the shelter, he looked at me with his beautiful blue eyes and I just fell in love,” she says with a smile. She and Mylo share a real connection. “I feel like he’s a very expressive dog, and it’s easy for me to read him,” she adds. “He’s always very curious and wants to copy what I'm doing and what I'm eating.”

Mylo also figures into Raisman’s workout routine. Since her retirement, she’s taken a more low-key approach to fitness, and she says these days, “Most of my working out is just going for long walks and walking Milo many times a day. I like being able to share that with him.” 

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Aly Raisman’s self-care strategies

During her years as a champion gymnast Raisman was accustomed to pushing herself to the limit, but she now embraces self-care and finds joy in the little things. “I've been reading a lot lately, and I’ve been trying to watch less TV and be on my phone less. Limiting my screen time has been important,” she says. “I like reading mysteries and trying to predict what’s going to happen. My goal is to read one book every week. I don't always do that, but I'm trying to. I look forward to reading before I go to bed, and I think it helps me sleep better too.”

Of course, Mylo also helps Raisman unwind. “I find reading and snuggling with Milo makes me very happy,” she says. “Gardening has also been very relaxing for me, and I'm trying to learn how to cook. I’m trying to do new hobbies and do things that allow me to unplug and not be looking at a screen.”

Finding the courage to speak up

As an inspiration to so many women, where does Raisman find her own inspiration (well, other than Mylo)? “I'm inspired by people who are honest and real,” she says. “I think that in the social media age, it can be really hard to find people that are authentically themselves and don't show up with a filter. I try to surround myself with people who are real and honest and open about their lives and what they're going through.”

Finding the courage to speak up in her own life wasn’t easy, but the athlete says that relying on a strong support system was key. “It’s about first taking care of yourself, and I know that can be really hard,” she says. “Find a support system, whether it’s a friend, a teacher, a colleague, a therapist — I think having people in your life that you can go to, so that you don't have to do it alone, is very important,” she adds. “It takes time and you should be patient and kind towards yourself.”

“Oftentimes we're so hard on ourselves,” she notes, “But just know that you're doing the best that you can. And know that if it's hard to find a support system, that's also normal. Not everyone in life is going to be understanding or supportive, but just don't give up until you find the people in your life who will be there for you.”

Keeping up with the Olympics

Even if Raisman isn’t hitting the mat anymore, she still keeps up with gymnastics, and attended the 2024 Olympic games as a spectator. “It was really nice to be able to watch the other events and to cheer the gymnasts on,” she says. “One of my favorite things I got to see was beach volleyball. It was at a beautiful stadium, with a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower, and it was such a fun vibe and a dance party.”

Raisman also had the opportunity to reconnect with her fellow gymnasts. “I saw several of my Olympic teammates in Paris,” she says. “It's really nice to see everyone and keep in touch. I was just at Kyla Ross' wedding in June. She was my 2012 Olympic teammate. And then I got to sit with Madison Kocian, who was my teammate in 2016, on the first day of competition in Paris. It was good to be able to share that experience with her,” she says.

She continues, “Laurie Hernandez was also in Paris, so we saw each other, and then Simone Biles was competing. To be able to see them and spend time with them is just great. It's so cool to see that life has taken us all in such different directions, but we're still connected and we still get to see each other.”

Reflecting on what she learned from her years of competition, Raisman says, “When you're passionate about something, I think that working towards a goal feels really good. I've learned that from gymnastics. It helped me be very detail-oriented and specific with what I was trying to accomplish each day.” While her day-to-day routine may look different now, she brings that same determination and focus to everything she does.

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