Mary Sanders is an optimist and it’s that character trait that allowed her to make the United States Olympic Gymnastics Team, become a star Cirque du Soleil acrobat, and succeed in entertainment.

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In 9 Lives by 35, Mary shares her journey of financial struggles, coping with grief, rivalries with other gymnasts, and the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of convicted predator Dr. Larry Nassar. But she also shares her uncanny ability to reinvent herself, including the decade spent touring as an acrobat with Cirque du Soleil, her current role as an entertainment executive working for Shark Tank’s Robert Herjavec, and as a mother of two young children. Through it all, Mary never stopped believing in herself no matter what obstacles were thrown in her path. Instead, she leaned on her optimism, faith, and family, and pushed forward.