Podcasts Sports GymCastic: The Gymnastics Podcast 187: McKayla Maroney Best of GymCastic

187: McKayla Maroney Best of GymCastic

Published: July 13, 2016, 4:25 p.m.

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Olympic gold medalist and three time\xa0World Champion, McKayla Maroney has much to share\xa0about where she has been, what happened along the way and where she is going next. She settles long debated gymternet questions\xa0and we find out what caused the\xa0physical and emotional breakdown\xa0she referred to in this\xa0video last year. We discuss:

  • If she\xa0feared blowback from speaking frankly about her experiences.\xa0
  • The skill she tried that Marta told her to never to do again. \xa0
  • The circumstances surrounding her\xa0injuries and multiple\xa0surgeries.
  • The post-Olympic tour conditions and their effects on her health.\xa0
  • She answers fans suspicions that\xa0her injuries are due to poor nutrition. \xa0
  • Some fans claim that AOGC break gymnasts, her thoughts.\xa0
  • Did the advice she received from her coaches contribute to her injuries? \xa0
  • How she dealt with self identity as she struggled to stay healthy.\xa0
  • Discusses the role of humility and\xa0insecurity through the Olympic selection process.\xa0
  • Does she think\xa0the men's team should be more like the women's program in order to be more successful?\xa0
  • Dealing with criticism on social media.\xa0
  • She describes her\xa0personal experiences as an elite gymnast, and their influence on changes she would like to see made at the national team level.\xa0
  • Did she really have to hire\xa0bodyguards after the Olympics?
  • Who does she\xa0credit\xa0with teaching her that amazing vault technique: her second coach, Howie Liang at Gym-Max or her Olympic coach,\xa0Artur Akopyan at All Olympia Gymnastics Center (AOGC)?\xa0
  • Why did she go overtime in 2013 at the Antwerp World Championships on floor?

McKayla Maroney official website and YouTube\xa0channel.

  • Fill your emotional chalk bucket!\xa0Positive Coaching Alliance is a national non-profit developing \u201cBetter Athletes, Better People\u201d by working to provide athletes a positive, character-building youth sports experience. Check out their free resources and\xa0courses. There are even trainings\xa0specifically for gymnastics.\xa0
  • US Olympic Committee SafeSport: Learn about the dangers of emotional\xa0misconduct in sports. Definitions and model policies\xa0to prevent\xa0emotional and verbally abusive coaching.\xa0
  • Resources :
    • Dr. Alan Goldberg's article on Coaching Abuse.
    • Sports phycologist and diving Olympian, Dr. Megan Neyer at\xa0Neyer Performance Strategies\xa0offers therapy and training for gymnasts and gymnastics schools.
    • Safe4Athlete's\xa0therapists\xa0referral network.\xa0
    • Treatment centers for athletes with\xa0eating\xa0disorders \xa0EDRS or\xa0McCallum Place.\xa0
    • 24-Hour Suicide hotline 1 (800) 273-8255

We are having our very first design contest, and your art could be Gymcastic's newest t-shirt. \xa0Submit your best gymnastics themed art to be made into some sweet swag. Grand Prize (x2 Winners):\xa0Your design featured on our page, your artwork on the bodies of gymnerds everywhere, and a free t shirt with your design! How to Submit:\xa0Post your design on Instagram, Tumblr, or Twitter.\xa0Use the hashtag #gymcasticdesigncontest FAQ and Rules here.\xa0

Club Gym Nerd is our way of saying thank you for helping us pay the bills! GymCastic members are automatically entered to win 6 awesomely gym nerdy prizes per year and get lots of perks like\xa0being able to\xa0preview\xa0this week's big interview with McKayla Maroney. \xa0This month, one lucky member will win the exclusive, sold-out, Cloud & Victory Legends sweater.

  • Join Club Gym Nerd\xa0here.
  • Get\xa0one of our awesome shirts\xa0here.

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