Proof, perhaps, that mother does know best because the 15-year-old St Hildas Collegiate School pupil went on to win three gold medals and a silver at the national championships in Hamilton this week.
Walsh took the overall gold medal in the level 7 category after winning the rope and club event and placing second in the hoop.
"There was a time a few years back when I was going to quit but Mum made me keep going," she said.
"I'm glad she made me keep going now."
Over the past few years, Walsh has had to give up other interests to put in the work needed to achieve success.
Leading into the nationals she was training for up to 11 hours each week and had hoped to do well.
"I knew we were all really close but I wasn't sure what was going to happen."
Walsh had previously won a gold medal in an apparatus event but her gold medal in the overall category was a especially pleasing and her best result "so far".
She got her start in the sport 10 years ago and hopes to compete at the Australian championships in Perth next year.
She has competed at the championships before but would like to come away with some medals this time.
Leading results: level 9, Brooke Hastie (3rd Rope, 3rd Ball, 3rd Clubs, 3rd Overall); level 8, Regan King (3rd Rope); level 7, Mikaela Walsh (1st Rope, 2nd Hoop, 1st Clubs, 1st Overall, Tanya Moss Trophy for Level 7 NZ Champion), Sinead Hart (2nd Rope, 3rd Hoop, 3rd Clubs, 3rd Overall), Dale Hurring (2nd Ball); level 5, Rosa Water (3rd Clubs), Alexa Anderson (3rd Ball); level 4, Rosie Hardie (2nd Free, 2nd Overall); Grade IV group, (Anderson, Thorsnes, Thomson, McGrannachan, Walsh) 2nd Overall.
