2009 was the year that ABC Family (now known as Freeform), premiered a hit TV show, Make it or Break it. This television show followed the lives of four gymnasts: Kaylie Cruz, Lauren Tanner, Emily Kemetko, and Payson Keeler. During its time on the air, viewers everywhere hung in suspense as to finding out which of the girls would make the Olympic team, would they all succeed? Or would some girls be lost along the way? Though the show spoke on many different topics that girls and boys alike could relate to, an unspoken hero escaped from the shadows--Payson Keeler.
Even though the show went off the air in 2012, I still religiously watch episodes when I get the chance, and still to this day, Payson Keeler is, in my opinion, a heroic character for all. Through the tough times, Payson has shown viewers what a Champion is made of. Here we are, about five years later after the show ended, and my top five reasons why Payson Keeler is an unspoken hero for all.
1. Mind of Steel and Dedication
As the series opens, and even as it continued through its span on the ABC Family, Payson demonstrated how she remained focused on her Olympic goals. Despite how her teammates were focused on boys and being normal teenagers, Payson was truly the poster child for motivation and achievement. Immediately, she reminded me of myself and who I wanted to be. I always had my eye on one plan and one plan only, to be a professional dancer just like Payson wanted to be an Olympic Champion.
2. Destined to win it all
Heading into the Nationals episode, Payson was destined to win it all. This competition was the defining moment for the character and her career. During Nationals, Payson also had been battling a back injury. She was incredibly determined to win that she was abusing the use of cortisone, which is a type of medicine that assists people with numbing the pain that comes with an injury. After seeing another character, Kelly Parker, lie about taking cortisone for her own injuries, Payson refused to lie anymore and didn't take the cortisone before her last rotation of Nationals.
This shows to be yet another moment in which Payson Keeler shows to be an incredibly relatable character. I've grown to be not only determined to achieve my dreams, but just like Payson, I'm one to not let an injury stand in my way. I've cheered and dance during basketball games with a busted shoulder and went to practices with a sling and still participated like the sling never existed. Besides the use of cortisone, Payson shows that an injury is an obstacle in life and you should never let it hold you back, no matter what it is.
3. Every hero must fall in order to rise again
Payson falls from the uneven bars and breaks her back at Nationals; which means that Payson loses her shot as National champion. For those who hold a sport dear to their heart or something they rely on for a career, this particular moment hits close to home and breaks your heart. Payson discovers that though she followed the rules and practiced her artistry day in and day out, there are different plans laid out for everyone. With a broken back, Payson is told that she'll never do gymnastics again; everything she had was all of a sudden gone. Her heroism in this moment is shown when she is defeated. Every hero must fall in order to rise again, and how she chooses to fight her way back illustrates that the fire in her was not put out by an injury.
4. She's the comeback kid
Though doctors, her parents and coach said she'd never be back to gymnastics, Payson was back. The fact that Payson was still focused on her Olympic goals, shows viewers that our dreams can come true if we work hard enough. It is so important for us to not let any type of obstacle get in the way, but find a way around it. After all the hours put into our sports, our work must go a long way. Like Payson Keeler, we fight, we fight until we know in our hearts we can achieve anything we dream of. Payson had a long tough road ahead of her, as she re-adjusted her approach to the sport; she showed all fans that sometimes the plans we had have to be broken or re-figured and that's okay.
5. She made it
Through the hours of practice and sacrifice, along with injuries and heartbreak from boys, Payson Keeler became the Olympian. This moment showed that the leader of the pack was the inspirational story behind the series. Payson Keeler is the unspoken hero of Make it or Break it, because she showed the achievement of not giving up. Every time I watch the show and see Payson, it reminds me of a quote:
You stumble, you fall, but you're always redeemed.
That's what Payson shows.
She is the true definition of what an athlete should be, someone who keeps going. We all face times when we don't think we can succeed or our dreams are over, but like Payson Keeler, even though she thought everything she worked for could come crumbling down, she fought to the top.
As a fan of the show, I advise that when you feel as though another practice or another homework assignment gets you down, channel your inner Payson Keeler.
How will you conquer your goals?
