Battling Three Medical Conditions, Stephen Nedoroscik Gets Candid About Performing on DWTS: ‘Not My Normal’

‘The Pommel Horse Guy’ always needs a special item to keep going—and no, it’s not his signature Clark Kent glasses! After helping Team USA break a 16-year curse by snagging an Olympic medal, Stephen Nedoroscik has been stealing the spotlight. He’s not just a one-trick pony—nope, he joined Dancing With The Stars! The Olympic bronze medalist swapped pommel horse spins for fancy footwork and has already performed three times. And guess what? He’s crushing it.
While some might have doubted his dancing chops at first, Stephen’s already being pegged as a top contender to take home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. Not too shabby for a kid from Massachusetts who’s juggling not one, but three medical conditions! First, he’s got strabismus, which makes him cross-sighted (hence the glasses), and coloboma, which affects how his eyes develop.
But that’s not all—he’s also got asthma. In fact, in an interview with The New York Post, Nedoroscik opined that he has to carry his inhaler all the time. That might explain why he seems so serious sometimes. Who wouldn’t be right, trying to juggle three medical conditions?
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Now, that may hold true for your average Joe. But for Nedoroscik? He’s embodying his title: ‘Clark Kent of Gymnastics.’ These conditions don’t stop him from constantly smiling and cracking jokes. Opening up about his real personality, Stephen told The Post, “I mean 100 percent… Most of America sees me serious on the pommel horse spinning around. This is not my normal, and it’s fun to try new things, try new hairstyles, and boogie down on the floor.”
Stephen Nedoroscik is clearly having the time of his life on the 33rd season of Dancing With The Stars. Rocking a funky 80s mullet-style wig, he and his partner, Rylee Arnold, took on Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again” with none other than guitarist Joel Hoekstra playing live. This fourth performance on the show was electric, lighting up the DWTS stage and earning a solid 32/40 score. Not bad for a guy who usually sticks to just pommel horses!
For his fans, this is a whole new side of Nedoroscik. Dancing is worlds away from gymnastics, yet with each episode, he’s looking more and more like a pro. His Superman-themed paso doble from episode two already turned heads, and now he’s raising the stakes even higher. With all the praise flooding in, it’s clear Nedoroscik is on track to be the next big thing in U.S. men’s gymnastics. But behind all that success, Nedoroscik’s physical complications have a significant contribution.
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Is Stephen Nedoroscik’s eye condition a blessing in disguise?
Cheryl Nedoroscik, Stephen’s proud mother, recently appeared on Spotify’s ‘Got It From My Mom’ podcast. Reflecting on a variety of topics, the Olympian’s mother opened up on her son’s eye complications. Battling two threats at once, Cheryl stated that it was very hard for Stephen to drive. This happened because the Olympic champion could not adjust to bright lights due to an underdeveloped pupil. But this turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Stephen Nedoroscik.
via Reuters Paris 2024 Olympics – Artistic Gymnastics – Men’s Pommel Horse Final – Bercy Arena, Paris, France – August 03, 2024. Stephen Nedoroscik of United States reacts after performing. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
With the stress of learning how to drive off his shoulders, Stephen Nedoroscik devoted himself fully to gymnastics. Being driven around by his parents, the Pommel Horse Guy perfected his craft to emerge as an Olympic champion. Recalling Stephen’s childhood days, Cheryl mentioned that he did not have a normal social life like the others of his age. Stephen practiced at the gym throughout the week and only had time off on weekends.
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Even so, he still had to juggle his homework and other responsibilities, making it tough for him to fully enjoy the ride. But fast forward to 2024, and it looks like all those sacrifices have paid off in a big way. The Clark Kent of gymnastics, Stephen Nedoroscik, is now one of the hottest prospects in both the gymnastics world and the entertainment industry!