Maggie Nichols

Maggie Nichols is a former elite gymnast and NCAA champion recognized for her advocacy on behalf of abuse survivors in the sports industry. Nichols began gymnastics at age 3 and joined the U.S. National Team at 14. She was a leading contender for the Olympic Games until a knee injury ended her Olympic bid. In 2015, Nichols became the first athlete to report sexual abuse by a USA Gymnastics team doctor, an action that contributed to significant reforms within the organization. Initially identified as Athlete A in investigative documentation, Nichols later publicly shared her story alongside other survivors, with her experiences featured in the Netflix documentary "Athlete A."

Nichols transitioned to NCAA gymnastics, joining the University of Oklahoma, where she became one of the most decorated collegiate gymnasts. She was the ninth NCAA gymnast to complete a Gym Slam and the first to achieve this for Oklahoma, earning multiple national championships in uneven bars, balance beam, and all-around competitions while consistently ranking among the top NCAA performers in all four events.

After her competitive career, Nichols served as a student assistant coach for the Sooners gymnastics team while earning a master's degree in intercollegiate athletics administration from the University of Oklahoma, in addition to a bachelor's degree in communication with a minor in business. She established the Maggie Nichols Foundation to support organizations assisting abuse victims and survivors. Her memoir, "Unstoppable!: My Journey from World Champion to Athlete A to 8-Time NCAA National Gymnastics Champion and Beyond," details her experiences in gymnastics and advocacy. Nichols also works as a certified personal trainer. Through public speaking and advocacy, she shares her journey of resilience and her commitment to promoting athlete safety and well-being in sports.