It’s very good. I recommend it for coaches, parents, and serious older gymnasts.
It’s science based, but easy enough to read for every teenager.
Coaches can read this book to remind of important principles for being successful in Gymnastics and Life.
Gymnasts can treat it as a fill-in-the-blank workbook, if they prefer.
Honest and up-to-date. I found nothing with which I could disagree. 😀
I liked the section titled Handling the Hardships of Gymnastics.
The chapter on Quitting, best of all. This should be recommended to any older gymnast contemplating hanging up the grips.
Gymnastics is a master teacher of how to fail. More important, it is a master teacher of how to overcome failure. As a gymnast, you deal with so much failure that after a while it doesn’t seem so scary. Many people avoid challenges because they are so afraid to fail—but not you. You know that when you fail you are one step closer to success. You also know that failure is a normal (and helpful) part of life.
Julia Konner, MPH, CHES, is a former collegiate Division 1 student-athlete and coach with over 16 years of competing as an artistic gymnast. Through her many years as a club athlete, collegiate athlete, and team captain, she has faced her own adversities through injuries, body image issues, and impact that training 30+ hours/week has had on her social life.
Over the years she has helped countless young and college-aged athletes navigate the ups and downs of the complicated, arduous, and time-consuming sport of gymnastics.
Through her personal experience and intricate knowledge of the sport, Konner provides evidence-based advice for young gymnasts at every level. She holds a master’s in public health (MPH) from the University of California, Davis.
During and after finishing her graduate work, she worked in research and program management related to prevention and mitigation of chronic diseases through healthier lifestyle habits.
She remains active as a competitive CrossFit athlete, focused on both the physical side of strength as well as the mental. She currently lives in Washington, DC, and works in public health.
Interviews with Akash Modi, Justin Spring, John McReady, Kim Zmeskal, Betty Okino, Tracee Talavera, and more.
… unfiltered and heartfelt interviews presented in Beyond the Chalk Box. …
… the challenges and triumphs of former elite gymnasts …
Beyond the Chalk Box is not just a chronicle of athletic accomplishments. It’s a valuable resource for athletes, shedding light on the often-neglected aspects of athlete well-being.
It underscores the significance of a comprehensive approach to health, longevity, and joy in sports.
The book explores tools such as mindfulness, spirituality, self-compassion, visualization, and introspection, providing practical insights on how athletes can navigate the intricacies of their sport and cultivate resilience in the face of challenges.
Theresa Kulikowski-Gillespie is a holistic wellness and performance coach, physician assistant (PA), certified mindfulness meditation teacher, Army veteran …
A former 1996 Olympic Team Alternate and NCAA Champion, she now lives at West Point, NY, with her family and goldendoodle, Ollie.
"Gymnastics isn’t just a sport for me–it’s been my life’s journey, shaping me through challenges and triumphs. As you’ll see through the stories in the book, this is a common theme for each athlete.” Theresa Kulikowski-Gillespie on Beyond the Chalk Boxhttps://t.co/UXVsqW3vaQ
While far less popular with the general public, we should appreciate that some of these athletes train as hard as anyone. There will be some fantastic stories out of the Games.
Something tells me you best not mess with Bebe Vio, defending Paralympic champion in the foil B category.
I learned a lot from listening to Kensley and Sam recap the Paris Games.
Both were unconvinced by the judging of the Floor Apparatus Final.
Should Yulo have won Gold?
Paul Hall stepped down as British Gymnastics men’s head national coach. Recall he was appointed in 2018 after Eddie van Hoof was removed. Eddie is now leading the resurgent Canadian team.
Kensley was in Paris as an analyst. Shares some behind the scenes stories.
Sam talks much about strategy, team building, and psychology of competing at the highest level.
He has advice on what the USA needs for Los Angelos 2028.
Paul Juda was amazingly consistent over his Olympic run.
Seconds before I lead off the Olympic Games… First event, first guy up on Pommel Horse… remembering how hard I trained for this exact moment and telling myself it’s just another set. Suffice to say, my heart may have been POUNDING! Killer picture. https://t.co/EBEryTqAT7
Gymnastics Coaching.com 