I used to compete a handstand dive. I loved it. It was easy for me and always a dive I could count on, even after two wrist surgeries and no longer being able to bend it, I adapted and my handstand still worked. That is, until World Cup in 2008 when I balked for the first time in my 15 year diving career. I was probably the person the most shocked by this. We took it out of my list of dives immediately. Something that for a long time instilled such confidence in me, was now a liability and source of concern. I moved on from it and kept going, but in the back of my head, it’s always bothered me. Needless to say, I haven’t done a handstand since then (okay, one on the Great Wall but I made a teammate hold my legs till we took the picture!)…until now. Apparently the cure was an eight year break and three kids. I still can’t bend my wrist, and it takes me a few tries sometimes, but it’s coming back quickly. It’s feels validating and exhilarating! ***for you non-diving folk, a “balk” is ba...