ST. LOUIS - MyKayla Skinner is a high-flying, fearless and fierce force on the gymnastics floor. And this summer, she hopes to be going for gold in Rio.
Her family -- including her mom Kym Skinner and sister Chelsea Barney -- hope to be there with her.
"I'm real excited," Kym told 12 News just hours before MyKayla was to take the floor at the P&G Gymnastics Championships in St. Louis. "It's been a long journey, but we're excited."
That journey started when MyKayla was just 5 years old and got involved in gymnastics. Almost immediately, her coaches knew MyKayla had the talent to be a star. Add in years of hard work and the dedication of a champion, and now the 19-year-old is one of the best gymnasts in the world.
"It's like the coolest thing," said MyKayla's older sister Chelsea Barney. "I'm so proud of her and it's fun to be like ... 'That's my sister.'"
Chelsea, Kym and MyKayla's entire family have had to sacrifice for her success. They haven't taken a family vacation together in eight years. They've missed birthday parties and holidays for MyKayla's tournaments and practices.
They've also come to realize MyKayla isn't exactly like the rest of the family.
"MyKayla's kind of a different child," her mom said. "She doesn't show her nervousness so much and she's quiet."
"Our family is very open and bubbly and we can talk for days," MyKayla's sister said. "And then there's MyKayla, and she's really quiet and she won't say a word."
Chelsea, a former gymnast herself, thinks that's been one of my keys to MyKayla's success.
"I think that's what works for her," Chelsea continued. "She doesn't let the drama get to her or the intensity get to her."
Despite what's on the line in the next two weeks -- a trip to the Summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro -- MyKayla's mother isn't letting the emotion of the competitions get to her.
"I used to get really nervous," Kym told 12 News, "but now that she's older, is poised, confident and does well, I'm not quite as nervous as I used to be."
That's a very different story for others in MyKayla's family, especially Chelsea. Even though she's seen her little sister compete under the bright lights on podium and on TV many times, the butterflies don't go away.
"I get really nervous," Chelsea said. "I get sick to my stomach and get nervous for her. I want the best for her and people to be proud of her."
There's no doubt people -- especially MyKayla's family -- will be proud as she continues on the Road to Rio, a road they all hope leads to a Olympic glory.