Olympic Gymnast Danell Leyva Talks Reality Shows and Cuban Food

Leyva and step-father Yin Alvarez are already preparing for Olympics 2016.

It's been almost a year since Danell Leyva's life vaulted into the limelight, but the Cuban-born Olympic gymnast said there are some things that never change.

"I don't think I've ever stopped eating the Cuban food," he said. "That's like a daily thing, a constant need of ours."

The 21-year-old bronze medal winner is already preparing for the 2016 Olympics in Rio with coach and step-father Yin Alvarez, who said the food is an integral part of the training.

"A lot of people think that gymnasts do a lot of special diet," he said. "What I recommend to my gymnasts is 'eat.'"

Danell Leyva Adjusting to Newfound Fame

After a minor setback with inflammation in his shoulder - just a few weeks of rest and therapy - Leyva is training harder than ever to reach his goal for 2016.

"I'm really shooting for the gold," he said. "That's the main goal, to get gold in all around and in team."

For him, that means smarter training, cleaner body positions and a lot of patience.
In the meantime, he and Alvarez are taking the fame in stride. They are hosting two meet-and-greets at their gym Universal Gymnastics Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.

"I've been in this for 40 years, so now I see people more excited about our sport," Alvarez said. "And I like that, because I love my sport."

PHOTOS: Leyva Takes Bronze

They even said they wouldn't mind taking the attention to the next level. Leyva said he was proud of fellow Olympian Ryan Lochte's new reality show. He added that would love one of his own, but he knows who the true star would be.

"Obviously, my show would clearly turn into his show," said Leyva pointing at his step-father. "He's the star of everything. If they had a first season, halfway, it would be like the Dan Leyva show, then all of a sudden it would be 'Oh nevermind, it's the Yin Alvarez show, just kidding guys.'"

[View the story "Handstands with Danell Leyva and Yin Alvarez" on Storify]

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