Gasya Atherton

Growing up in Kazakhstan, Akhmetova-Atherton honed her gymnastics skills. She says she had a natural build for the sport and excelled quickly. She competed internationally and even placed first in her country. It was then that she was given the chance of a lifetime. Akhmetova-Atherton was offered the opportunity to star in Cirque du Soleil at the age of 17. She worked as a performer until the birth of her second child, Kaysen. Though she gave up Cirque du Soleil, she continues to practice gymnastics to this day.