Category: psychology

“Golden” – USA Elite documentary

The final episode in the 6-part series arrives July 21st.

It airs on PeacockTV.com. Free for those who appear to be in the USA and who have a U.S. zip code.

EXCELLENT.

The best recent documentary I can recall.

A real time look at changing Elite culture. For the better, I’d say.

Simply having Camp open to the video crew is a credit to Tom Forster and USAG. This is the kind of transparency we’ve always wanted.

I LOVE seeing regular training rather than only Instagram highlights. It’s mostly a grind. Golden shows that accurately.

I love seeing family life. Konnor’s problems, for example, and her family’s support.

I love seeing OTHER issues in their lives. Morgan’s social activism, for example.

Golden is not perfect.

Episode 3 should have explained to viewers the logic of selecting Gabby Douglas for Rio. It’s what I would have recommended. Instead, editors made it look like McKayla was personally unselected.

I was pleased they showed how misses are COMMON in training. But did we need to see DOZENS of Bar release misses? Also, I felt too many REALLY bad falls were included. Some of those could have been edited better or left out entirely.

“Golden: The Journey of USA’s Elite Gymnasts” follows Rio gold medalist Laurie Hernandez, 2017 World all-around champion Morgan Hurd, 2019 World Championships team members Sunisa Lee and MyKayla Skinner and first-year senior gymnast Konnor McClain.

The series, with hour-long episodes, follows the gymnasts over a five-month period as they train to vie for four Olympic spots …

NBC

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Inspiring – “WHAT AGNES SAW”

“What Agnes Saw” tells the story of 100-year-old Agnes Keleti. Hungarian went on to become a 10-time Olympic medallist in gymnastics and later a long-time gymnastics coach and educator.

In the film, we see the changing world through her eyes – highlighting all the moments of humanity through the decades of Olympics since her time in the Olympic spotlight. It closes with a look at the next generation of athletes, with a focus on teenage skateboarder Sky Brown.

Olympics.com

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Sam Mikulak on happiness

I blamed gymnastics for so much of my unhappiness.

It wasn’t gymnastics that I was unhappy with, it was myself.

Now I’m thankful for gymnastics and all my struggles because the resiliency I’ve gained is greater than any accomplishment or medal. It’s helped me love myself again.

I’m finally understanding the idea that it’s not the destination, it’s the journey.

Facebook

Angelina’s Olympic prep has changed

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Angelina Romanovna Melnikova talks to the Olympic Channel about her evolution since the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, she was 16 years old and now 5 years later she finds herself captain of a team of newcomers. She is ready to take on her new responsibilities as a leader to help the younger generation succeed.

Simone vs Herself – July 5h

Only on Facebook Watch.

In this one Simone talks about the criminal doctor. The Ranch.

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

Simone vs Herself – episode 2

Stuttgart Worlds. Beam double double.

She’s doing this Olympic cycle for herself. If and when Simone finally retires, she’ll remember this cycle for her many new named skills.

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

Sam Mikulak on mental health

Sam recommends getting professional help if you ever struggle with mental issues.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

2021 USA Senior Team

All 18 women named to the National Team will compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials in St. Louis.

Cool.

I’ve never understood why nations are so quick to cut the selection pool. It’s a HUGE accomplishment to make Olympic trials. The highlight of many Elite careers.

It’s a net WIN to have more gymnasts.

Simone Biles
Skye Blakely
Jade Carey
Jordan Chiles
Kayla DiCello
Amari Drayton
Kara Eaker
Addison Fatta
Shilese Jones
Emily Lee
Sunisa Lee
Emma Malabuyo
Grace McCallum
Riley McCusker
Zoe Miller
Ava Siegfeldt
MyKayla Skinner
Leanne Wong

I’m not sure whether petitions will be considered.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

Chellsie Memmel – DTY

Someone named Simone did well yesterday …

But it was 32-year-old mother of two, Chellsie Memmel, getting the loudest ovations.

Watch her reaction on bringing back the DTY.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

more options for gymnastics apparel

UPDATE – Canada already allows tight fitting shorts in competition for Trampoline sports.

Geman gymnasts good good press for wearing full-body uniforms at Europeans 2021.

For some that was a statement against sexualization of female athletes.

The better athletes feel about themselves in competition, the greater the chances for a safe and successful routine.

Sarah Voss

Canadian company DNA Performance Wear feels this was a step forward. But calls for FIG — in addition — to allow “partial leg coverings” and “shorts”.

Good idea.

Many gymnasts train in leotard and bike shorts. And many would feel comfortable doing the same in competition.

Click over to DNAperformancewear on Facebook to read more.

Or DNAperformancewear on Instagram.