I spent the last four years living my dream as a Division I athlete at the University of Minnesota, competing bars and beam, and learning more about grit, patience, and perseverance than I ever thought possible.

I started my college journey as a walk-on... no guarantees, just a deep love for gymnastics and a willingness to work hard. Over time, with a lot of dedication (sweat, tears, hugs, laughs), things began to fall into place. My senior year turned out to be everything I could’ve hoped for and more. I was honored with opportunities that reminded me it was never about being the best gymnast...it was about bringing my best self. Supporting my team whether I was on the bench or on the beam.. being there for them emotionally, creatively and consistently behind the scenes is what I’m most proud of. And somehow, it all aligned. I even ended my final meet with my career highs, joined the Big Ten Championship Team, recieved MVP, and to top it off a scholarship. Little me would’ve been so proud.

But behind all those moments, I was also a product design student at the University of Minnesota... sketching, prototyping, testing, failing, trying again. And when those two worlds collided? That’s when the idea clicked. What really stuck with me was this: gymnasts are some of the most creative problem-solvers out there. Especially when it comes to hand protection on the uneven bars.

And that’s where SHIFT began.

In the fall of 2025, I dove into a research project as part of my capstone in product design. We had the freedom to choose any problem we were passionate about... and for me, it was obvious. I wanted to explore the world of gymnastics gear, specifically the kind of everyday pain points athletes just deal with because better solutions don’t exist yet.

I spent time interviewing gymnasts, observing routines, and paying close attention to what was happening during practice... not just what you see on meet day. What I found was eye-opening but not surprising: gymnasts are constantly making DIY solutions to protect their hands, especially on bars. We’re talking Band-Aids made from folded athletic tape, thrown together in five minutes with half a roll of tape, only to rip off mid-set. It’s not ideal... but it’s all we had.

So I asked: What if we made the thing that gymnasts are already trying to create? The same preferred solution... But better. More reliable. More thoughtful. More fun.

SHIFT is the result of that question. A disposable, single-use hand protection product made by a gymnast... for gymnasts. It’s crafted from a flexible, engineered cotton blend that feels like two layers of athletic tape but only needs one. It’s strong where you need it, stretchy where you want it, and backed with a medical-grade adhesive that stays put while you swing.

Each pack is compact, easy to toss in a gym bag, and designed to simplify the pre-bar routine. No scissors. No folding. No guesswork. Just peel, stick, and go.

My goal with SHIFT isn’t just to solve a problem... it’s to make a small part of training feel easier, more intentional, and a little more fun... And this is only the beginning. Gymnastics is tough enough. Your hand protection doesn’t have to be.

Thanks for being here at the start of this new chapter. Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, a trainer... I’m so glad you’re here.

Here’s to Shift.
—Ella 🤍