Category: psychology

Miss Val profile

Great interview.

How a Ballet Dancer Reinvented UCLA Gymnastics, Survived Cancer, and Inspired a Community

Advertisements

U.S. gymnasts voicing their concerns

Dvora Meyers posted a good summary of the U.S. gymnasts who have been speaking publicly and candidly about their grievances with the sport and Federation.

Let’s celebrate when athletes feel empowered to speak out. These issues should be addressed by every coach, athlete and parent.

Artistic Gymnastics is a great sport … but could be even better.

Abused Gymnasts’ Voices Are Finally Being Heard

Robert Andrews, M.A., founder and director of The Institute of Sports Performance, worked with a number of U.S. athletes — including Simone Biles — on “mental training” posted his response:

Many gymnasts in the U.S.A, and perhaps many other countries are taught:

Don’t challenge or question a coach’s authority.

Don’t have a voice or speak up to address any concerns you have as a gymnasts.

Don’t utilize personal power in your relationship with your coach.

Don’t complain about the way you are being treated.

USAG Sexual Abuse Scandal Is A Symptom Of Deeper Issues

Alina Kabaeva profile

Alina Kabaeva is one of the most decorated gymnasts in Rhythmic Gymnastic history, with 2 Olympic medals, 14 World Championship medals, and 25 European Championship medals…

Kabaeva was among the six Russian athlete torch bearers who carried the Olympic flame through Fisht Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. …

Click PLAY or watch an interview from before her first Olympics on YouTube. She is a very confident athlete.

She’s no longer a Russian parliamentarian, by the way.

overcoming fear

Swedish filmmakers Maximilien Van Aertryck and Axel Danielson paid 67 people $30 to climb to the top of a ten meter (33 foot) high dive for the very first time all while being filmed. Would they decide to jump?

tywkiwdbi

I’ve taken boys to the 10m tower in the past. All jumped. I jumped. But it is scary.

We can challenge kids similarly in the Gym jumping into the pit.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Aimee Boorman interview

The best I’ve read.

What was your favorite way to spend a day as a child?

I was a latchkey kid. Single mom. We lived close by the park district where I started doing gymnastics. Then when I switched to private club gymnastics, I would go home and get ready for gym. I’d eat a snack, get on the public transportation and go to gym. My mom would pick me up after and that’s pretty much what I did every day, because my life was gymnastics …

… (Simone) came in during a field trip. You walked in and you see all these 6-year olds on a field trip. She got a note sent home with her that said, “Hey, do you want to come in and try some classes?” …

As far as Simone goes, she has star quality. She did really ugly gymnastics when she was little, but she was powerful. She was this teeny little thing. People would see how high she would tumble, how dynamic she was, and that she had this smile from ear to ear because she was doing what she loved. It was just fun for her. …

What is the most important word that embodies that relationship? 

I think it is trust. We were together for 12 years. It was a long relationship …

AN INTERVIEW – Sarasota Scene Magazine