Why I Love: Flying high

Tamara Schlesinger, singer, 6 Day Riot

I used to be an international gymnast. It was a massive part of my life. I started when I was four, and it was all I ever wanted to do. As a teenager, I competed for Scotland and the British B squad. I broke my ankle when I was 17 doing a very simple warm-up, and I had to retire, but I love performing in front of people, which is probably why I turned to music.

I always watch the Olympics, but the events they do are different from what I did. At the Olympics, it's all about the bars and the vault, whereas I was in trios that were more like Cirque du Soleil. In one of the moves, two people would stand side by side, forming a basket with their hands, and I'd be thrown in the air from it, do a few somersaults then land back in the basket. Flying through the air is what I miss most. I still dream about it.

6 Day Riot Have a Plan, the second album from Tamara's band is out on Tantrum on 6 July (www.6dayriot.co.uk).