Livvy Dunne

28:07The weather was gorgeous. Oh yeah, you were feeling it. I felt extremely confident. You were vibing as my youngest would say. I was majorly vibing, yes. And yeah, I knew the pictures were great this year. I saw little sneak previews of them. I always tried to catch a peek. I had no clue though. Nobody told me that I was shooting for a cover. I knew that that bikini was MJ Day, the chief editor's favorite one. So we shot it twice. So I was like, okay, she must really like this one, but I've done that at shoots in the past where I've not gotten the cover. So I ended up, you know, continuing gymnastics season that ended and I was on family vacation at my grandma's condo where it all started, which is funny where my social media blew up.

28:54So there must be some good mojo there. I think so. Yeah, definitely. So I was there on family vacation and my mom my my whole family knew that I got the cover they knew during the gymnastics season besides me and I was on family vacation and they're like oh Sports Illustrated wants to do an interview with you I'm like I'm on vacation though like a day like gymnastics just ended I was like okay like it's fine and my mom's like please do your makeup like please can you please do and I was like why and she's like you never know with SI it could be on like it could be on the screen at a Mets game.

29:31It could be. So I was like, OK, fine, I'll do my makeup, did my makeup. I get on the call. They then asked me how I felt looking at each of these behind the scenes photos from your shoot. And I was like, OK, tell us how you how you felt in the moment. So I looked at some pictures and I was like, oh, no, this was the last shot of the day. It was really fun. Oh, the water was beautiful. We were vibing, we were dancing. And then they put the cover on the screen and they're like and what do you think of this one and I was like no way I like I nearly fell out of my chair and I was like no way and I started freaking out my family all knew they were laughing their asses off because they set you up yeah they knew all along so thank you mom for making me do my makeup because they were recording it it was a recorded interview you.

30:24Yes. So it ended up just being one of the most authentic, special moments ever. And, um, it's really changed my life. It's such an honor because of so many, there's so many icons and amazing women that have been on the covers before me and that paved the way for me, for, for all to align me being on the cover. So I'm just so grateful. Well, it's amazing. And so then you parlay that to the runway. Yeah. Right. So tell us about that iconic split. Yeah. So actually, this is the first summer that I am free. And here you are. This is the first summer where I don't have to train for gymnastics preseason.

31:07So I agreed to do Miami Swim Week. And I've never done that before in the past. I've been offered to go every single time I've shot with SI. And I've said no because of training and stuff and different obligations. So I went to Miami. I had no clue what to expect. I've never walked on a runway a day in my life. I've only ever like walked in my bedroom mirror, like after watching the Victoria's Secret fashion show growing up. Like I've like literally never walked a runway. So I get to the rehearsal. You just do a quick run through of the show real quick, literally two hours before the show. And they're like, okay, Liv, you're opening the show.

31:48Oh, shoot. I've never even watched somebody like walk down the runway in person. Do you think maybe that was a blessing? I think it was. So I got to open the show with a Sports Illustrated t-shirt on, which was so cool. And it was an iconic moment. And then I decided right after the rehearsal, I remember I was, I was talking with my sister. I was consulting with only people that I knew would agree with me. I was like, should I do a split? Of course. You know, you know the answer you want to get. Yeah. And they were like, yeah, they just go for it. So I asked the head lady MJ and she was like, honestly, just have fun with it because this is not an ordinary runway.

32:30This isn't stoic. No. And I've never walked down a runway. So I'm like, I kind of think dropping into a split would be fun and show my athleticism. And be you. Totally. And I don't think I've ever seen anybody do it. And people, when watching a fashion show like Sports Illustrated, want to see personality. They want to see movement. They want to see you having fun. The time of your life. Yeah. Because it really was in the moment. It was so fun. It's so great. And yeah, I oiled myself up and dropped into a split. It's amazing. Yeah. It's amazing. It was so much fun. And I mean, and you just, you look amazing.

33:04Thank you. Yeah, I mean, really. I feel like it's a very full circle moment where you're talking about like your childhood missing out on stuff, right? Because you're working so hard to become this gymnast. And then you get these insane opportunities later in life where you're on vacation in Bermuda shooting for the cover. And then you're on the runway. Like what a crazy – like you sacrifice so much and look where you are now. Definitely. And I think one of the coolest parts about that runway show is the amount of girls they're watching. Really? Because some people on social media are like, oh, this fashion show is just for guys.

33:40No. Like, no, no, no. There were girls everywhere, front row. Miami Swim Week was a huge deal, and I had no clue. There are girls that are watching. I've had so many girls come up to me, way more girls than guys lately, talking about the runway and talking about, you know, women's sports to me. And that makes my heart so happy because I want girls to know that you don't have to limit yourself to one thing. You could really do it all and be successful in all areas, whether it's, you know, your sport being an academic All-American, which I was fortunate enough to be. You can be on the cover of Sports Illustrated, be confident in your body and drop into a split.

34:22You can do whatever you want and find success in whatever you want and be confident. So, and obviously I haven't always been like this. I haven't always just been confident right off the bat. Gymnastics, you grow up in a leotard. That is so hard. Especially when you're a teenage girl. Yeah, totally. So it's really hard growing up in a leotard, having these eyes on you and having to feel perfect. And I did have a very big male audience at the beginning of my college career. and that was hard. It was hard to feel like people were watching me, judging me. I definitely have had some problems. Yeah, I definitely had some problems with some body issues and I think that's something that not a lot of people talk about with gymnasts because you can, like I said, you can just find success in however you feel confident in any body shape that you are because Because gymnastics is just one of those sports where you have muscles.

35:24And people, when I first started posting, men were like, I do not like those muscles. They would call me a linebacker. They would call me a football player. Oh, yeah. That's what you look like. Yeah. So I was like, okay. Like, even if that is the case, then why are you commenting on anyone's body online? Why are you looking? Yeah. It was ridiculous. And I think one of the things that taught me, and it was a timely process to learn to love those muscles, is when I did those SI shoots and I greased my body up and all the girls around me were hyping me up and that family dynamic. And it was just so fun.

36:00And it was definitely – it was not overnight. So I want people to know that. I didn't just decide one day that I was confident and drop into a split. That took a long time of growing to love myself and the body that I'm in and the muscles that I've worked so hard for and I've accomplished so many great things in this body. That was the moment where I dropped into a split and I was like, yeah, I did that. Yeah. In this body. I own it all. Yeah. You know, in our business in WWE, some of the guests that we've interviewed and that I had the chance to interview on a different show have talked similarly about body issues, about being worried they're too muscular.

36:42um, shoulders, biceps, you know, like muscles that a lot of girls don't necessarily have, especially at a young age, but the gymnasts seem to have. And that, you know, some of our female athletes also have had and struggled with. Yeah. And it's, it's so, I feel so bad for us girls sometimes because it's like, no matter what we look like, we, we struggle and judge ourselves, whether we have a little extra weight or we're too muscular or whatever people are saying, you know, it's so hard. It is. And I think that recognizing that this is the body that you accomplish so many great things in. Yeah.

37:25Like this is what God gave you. So you might as well fall on it. And I mean, I seriously have struggled a lot. I've, you know, dabbled into Photoshop. That's definitely a touchy subject. And I know I've gotten a lot of backlash because of that. and that's because I truly was not confident in myself and I've grown so much from these times and I and it's a normal thing you can do it if you want you don't have to I had such a hard time for a minute there while I was blowing up because so many people were making all these comments and I felt like I had to be perfect and I think that it's so cool that so many girls I'm talking this was years ago, but now so many girls are coming up to me and, you know, thinking that dropping to a split on a runway is so cool and being a badass athlete and, and being in school and accomplishing all these things.

38:19It's just so cool to see the positive feedback from females. Yeah. So I think that, yeah, it's just been so cool to watch my audience slowly change into what it is now because there are so many young girls and um i just want them to know that they can do it all and body image stuff it does not change overnight and that was really hard for me and especially with sports illustrated you don't get to see those pictures after they're taken like i mean yeah i can get a peek but i don't get to choose what's in the magazine you just like put cover that up yeah yeah I was like so hard at first because someone else is in control of like your destiny to be in a magazine like the cover yeah yeah so I didn't get to like pick the cover photo I didn't get to pick I don't get to see any of the sports illustrated photos until they're online with everybody else and when it's your Instagram you get to like pose and angle yourself the way that you want in every single picture and I think that learning that okay I still look good in these photos and I should love this because I'm in freaking Sports Illustrated and I've accomplished so many great things in this body.

39:34So yeah, I think that's something that took a lot of time to learn, but I'm very grateful that it got me to the point where I'm at now because I'm happy with myself and I love the opportunities that I get to have and the platform I get to have to share these conversations. I don't know if I've ever seen a conversation really like this about gymnastics and, and your body. And yeah, I just think it's cool. Absolutely. And that's, that's your story, right? And that's what inspires you. And I want to ask you too, as, and, you know, go as deep as you want. But you talk a lot about perfection and single team sport, right?

40:22So you're in control of your own destiny. I would believe you're more of a type A personality. Yes. And oftentimes there is so much pressure that we put ourselves under when we're of that mindset. And especially being in such a high profile sport and, you know, being such a public figure, you know, on social media, what are some of the key lessons that you've learned and how did you learn them in terms of not having to be perfect or your definition of perfection? Yeah, I think I learned that as soon as I got to college because going into college, everyone is the best at where they're coming from.

41:10So I was the best at my gym in New Jersey. I was one of the best gymnasts in New Jersey and all these amazing gymnasts come to LSU and what used to be the best in whatever part of the country you're from is suddenly not the best when you have all the best gymnasts in the country altogether. And I think that was a really hard pill to swallow at first. Um, I'm talking about like gymnastics perfection right now. Yep. Uh, there's so many good gymnasts that are on a D one gymnastics team and you don't always get you don't get to control what the lineups are so that was a very hard thing when I first got to college because sometimes it isn't always fair and I mean I feel like that and I know that other gymnasts that way too of course it's out of your control and you have to just let the cards fall how they do like sometimes you don't make a lineup sometimes you are hurt and that's out of your control.

42:09And like, you can't be perfect every single time. If you practice a routine and it's a little bit wrong, that could cost you a lineup. So it really, that was hard at first in college because you're not the best anymore. Everyone is so good. And I would say with social media, it just took time and to learn to love myself. Because when you, it's hard to scroll. Loving yourself is the hardest lesson to learn. I mean, when you scroll, I remember scrolling and growing up, it was like the Victoria's Secret fashion show and models. Like those were the people that I'd see online that were like famous.

42:49And it's hard not to compare. And you truly can't because what you see all the time is not what you get. It really isn't. Like, I mean, my Instagram feed is all of my, you know, accomplishments and all these great moments in my life, whether I'm, you know, at the College World Series posing with a hot dog or like on the cover of sports with your cool jersey. It's just, you have to learn to not compare either. I think that's really important that it's usually just a highlight reel of all the great moments of your life with social media. Yeah. Not the upsetting ones, right? You don't necessarily.

43:26I usually don't share negative content or like I usually – that's not my avenue. Right. I know that some people do that and they share more vulnerable stuff, which I'm learning. I did share a vulnerable moment about the – about people coming to the airport and, you know, stalking me down for autographs. And at every single airport I would go to, there would be people waiting for me. And that was like a vulnerable thing for me because usually anytime I try to be vulnerable online, I get really bad backlash. I because of the position I'm in, people are like, we don't care. Like, but I think that was an important message because there are some boundaries and they cross my boundary.

44:13So I spoke out about it. And have you ever has Sports Illustrated offered to provide you with security? Has LSU? I do have security. I just don't travel with everywhere. I know, but even if they met you at the airport, because I understand what that's like when not at the fans accosting anybody, but they know the travel schedule. Yeah. And it is the craziest thing. And you were mentioning like, even if you are on a, you know, a flight where you stop somewhere and then you're, you know, you're going on to your next destination that this group of people or there are people who are there. and obviously you know there's some type of leak somewhere someone hacked into the system or whatever but it's it's important you should definitely make sure you have even if it's the airline itself that has a representative that can meet you yeah it's just really important your safety is really important definitely yeah thank you for no of course of course and um you know They're telling us we have to wrap, which I'm like, oh my God, I have so many great questions to ask you because I think you have so much to offer.

45:22So I'd love to know, you know, as we're wrapping this, what you gave us a lot of lessons for young girls. But if you could articulate, you know, to those young girls who really look up to you, you know, and who do see your 8 million TikTok followers and 5 million on Instagram. There's a lot of people, you know, and there's a lot of opportunity. I bet you're making more of an impact in people's lives than you even realize. You know, the subtlest thing you do, even just, you know, giving words of encouragement can change somebody's whole life. So what are those parting words that first you'd like to give to those young girls?

46:07And then what are the ones that you give that you want to give to those female college athletes, you know, all over the country who are giving it everything that they have and who are finding themselves suddenly in that position where they're not the best or, you know, as the level they thought they were suddenly everybody's the best. And it's that that extra level. So what are those two different the messages for those two different audiences? I would say to the younger girls, I think I repeated it earlier, but you are more than your sport. Truly, and that's something that it's really hard to wrap your head around growing up when you're surrounded by adults where this is also like their livelihood and their passion.

46:53And that's their job. So sometimes, you know, if one thing goes wrong, it could feel like your life is ending. And that's something that I'm still trying to fix today. I bet. You're freshly out of gymnastics. Freshly out of gymnastics and sometimes some things in sports feel like detrimental. Like the world is over if you make a mistake or if, you know, you want to go get a water or do like the slightest thing. Like sometimes in sports you just have like a feeling like you can't. I don't know. Like I still wake up sometimes at 7 a.m. Like, oh, my God, did I miss weight? Like everything feels life or death.

47:35So I would tell young girls that you are more than your sport. And take it easy because there's so much more to life than what your performance is on a gymnastics mat or on a field or wherever it is. And I would say when you get to college and now dealing with NIL and that whole crazy world, surround yourself with people you trust because there's a lot of crazy, shady people that want to take advantage of, you know, young athletes that don't know what's going on in NIL. Sure, sure. It can be very shady. So I took my time finding the right agent. I didn't just have an agent right away after the NIL rule change.

48:20I know it took months to pick out who I felt comfortable with and I think that's so important is someone you trust yeah I say no to more things than I say yes to that's a so it's great yeah surround yourself with people that you trust and that you know and um yeah you don't have to rush into everything because there are some shady people in the NIL world I just know you have so much more. How much time do we have? Oh, because you got, because I think you have something. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, I'm sorry. This is for fanatics that I have to get in. So we saw you at the College World Series and you were rocking the LSU and then the Pirates jersey on the back, which I didn't even get to ask you about, Paul.

49:05But we know you're a diehard LSU fan. So our friends at Fanatics want to ask, what is your Mount Rushmore of LSU jerseys across all sports? Oh, man. It's such an unfair question. I hate the Mount Rushmore question for myself. I'm going to start with Haley Bryant. She's my best friend and was one of my teammates at LSU. Goat of gymnastics. She is an icon. I love her. And she has the most all-American titles ever. So she's going on the Mount Rushmore. I would say Mondo Duplantis. he is a track runner that constantly is setting records breaking world records olympic champion really nice guy he's going on the mount rushmore um oh man two more two more i would say joe burrow have to go with him obviously you have to

50:12I can't decide between Paul and Shaq. Go with Paul. I feel like it's Paul. Go with Paul. And I'll say, I have to go with Paul. I have to go with Paul. Sorry, Shaq, but I have to go with Paul because I love it. For many reasons. Awesome. Well, thank you so much, Livvy. This was just phenomenal. I love the message that you have in general. Be yourself. be proudly yourself. You're more than your sport. You're more than your, you know, how people see you and embrace all sides of you and know that, you know, perfection is a living, breathing thing and nobody's ever going to be completely perfect no matter what you try to do.

50:53So just try to be the best you can possibly be. Exactly that. Thank you guys so much. Thank you. Thank you. Clearly, we're wearing different clothing, but that's okay. Mine's like a very discreet outfit. Yeah, I mean, really. Subtle. Yeah. Do you want to do the gender reveal? It's a food baby. That's her line, actually. I stole it. Our colors. I'm not... They got it right away. They didn't have to explain. Joke's not funny. I know. You have to explain it. They laughed. That's what I do. They popped for you. It's my joke. I know. That's what I said. I stole your line. I did. I totally did. Any good line is worth stealing.

51:32How's that? Okay, what are we doing? We're talking about pretty much this week, but I think Olivia Dunn, who we had the opportunity to interview. Livvy. Livvy Dunn. And she's amazing. She really is. And it's so interesting to me to hear all of these people at the top of their game, And especially athletes, I think, and we've, you know, obviously interviewed majority of athletes, but it's how what they do defines them. And with Livy Dunn, like she just finished her gymnastics career, like 2025, this year. Right. So that's a very hard transition, you know, when suddenly you're no longer doing the sport that you were defined or that you felt defined by.

52:24Right. And it was her aunt who really helped her get through that. And the main takeaway she kept having over and over was you're more than your sport. Yeah. I mean, obviously never competing at her level, but like playing sports my whole life through college when you get hurt and on a different level, but you get hurt and you lose that opportunity even for a game. Yeah. Mentally. Crushing. If you really care about the sport you're doing or what you're doing, it crushes you. Yeah. And to hear her say like she had to stop and think I'm more than my sport. And, you know, I wish I wish someone told college at least that or, you know.

53:05Yeah. And it's it's a it's a very important. At least as a two sport collegiate athlete, soccer and softball. Yeah. Yeah. And then got her MBA while holding down like three different jobs. I was I was sleeping in the car to take a nap outside of Gillette Stadium. because I was working. I wanted to work at the ticket office. I was just trying to get in. And I'm like, I'm touching Rob Ninkovich's family's tickets. You're like, you gotta go. That's weirdo. Stage five. Maybe you shouldn't interview Tom Brady. I told you. Listen, I feel that I kept it pretty cool. You have for grunk. You did. But yesterday I almost passed out when I saw him in the distance, which is weird.

53:53in the moment when you were meeting him I almost I got a little weak when I when I had the chance to shake his hand and what did you say to him oh um let's see so he got he did the WWE entrance and then he got tackled by Eli Manning yes and I said oh that's probably a story of your life and then we were talking about the contest because here at Fanatics they have this incredible contest it's like 10 different activations. The WWE superstar entrance is one of them. And it's fans and athletes competing together. And of course, Tom Brady's currently number one. But so I made that joke too. I was like, oh, well, Tom Brady, of course, you know, of course you're the GOAT.

54:33Of course you're number one. And then I said, I'm sure that's the story of your life too. And he loved it. Well, he laughed. I don't know. He loved it. It could have been a polite chuckle, really. No, you might not have even heard what I said. No, he heard you. He didn't hear me because I was. You were behind. In the distance. Yeah. Sweating. Back to more than your sport. Yeah. But yes, but being more than your sport. I mean, and I imagine Tom Brady even that we all, we don't know necessarily all the things that went down, but he retired and then unretired. Right. You know, and then came back to play for Tampa Bay.

55:10And how, like, what did he go through? You know, it clearly he wasn't ready. to say goodbye yet. Right. You know, and he he tried that on. He thought he was ready. The announcement got out. And then he was like, Oh, my God, I'm not yet. I'm not done. Yeah. And I mean, and Gronk, Randy, all these different people we've met with people you've talked to during Stephanie's places like you hear that same message of like, Who am I without this? This my identity, you know, in a sport or in a whatever it is. Chris Angel, right? Who is he without magic? Right. Everyone has something that they, you know, especially these people.

55:46I mean, what's Dom without In-N-Out Burger? Well, married. Well, well done. Right. Well done. Yes. I feel good about that. That was good. That was a good one. But, you know, Livvy is just, she's so well put together at such a young age, you know, And she's lived through a lot that I think, you know, people don't necessarily know. Like when she was saying people don't know I competed for Team USA, like that should have been. The number one. Exactly. It's so impressive. And she was so proud and so proud to have represented her country. And when she said my ankle bone died, which we did ask her about.

56:30It's real. And then it killed my Olympic career. She then erupted in laughter. but I was like, ooh, is that a defense mechanism? Or is she just really, that was a moment and she was just making fun of herself. But it's like, that's, she's such a remarkable,

56:49accomplished young woman, right? I sound like my mother to say young woman. I mean, I am not a young woman, but Libby Dunn is. She is. Let me riz you up real quick. I don't think you should use that word. See, but now you don't feel like your mother anymore. I made you forget. Maybe it's worse, but anyway. I was going to say, though, she seems very self-aware at such a young age. She's learned so much about herself, what she had to overcome, and she's just thriving now. I think she'd be an excellent WWE superstar. I mean. I'm just saying. You heard it here first. Yeah. We'll be right back.