My Hero Gabby

As coaches and club owners (and even team parents), it’s easy to become attached to kids who are not our own children.  In fact, despite having four children of my own, I constantly refer to JAG gymnasts as “one of my kids…” when talking to friends which is super confusing to others who don’t teach […]

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#ReeseGoals: The Power of Post-Its on a Bathroom Mirror

This is the actual bathroom mirror of one of JAG’s athletes. Reese, who just turned 9, is finishing her Level 4 season. When her mom posted this photo of Reese’s mirror, my heart exploded with pride and with her mom’s permission, I wanted to share this with all of you. There is so much that […]

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The Big Picture: The Perfect 10

   In gymnastics, the score of perfection once was a 10. When thinking about how to react to a problem or make a decision, that number 10 is incredibly useful. Television commentator and business journalist Suzy Welch, whose writings are carried in Oprah magazine and The Wall Street Journal, describes the method of 10/10/10 in […]

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A Baker’s Dozen: 13 Things That A Gymnast Needs From Her Coach

  She needs you to be happy to see her.   Nothing starts a workout better than a coach who enthusiastically greets their athletes. She needs you to show her she is more important than her performance. That means being kind to and speaking to her after a meet no matter the outcome. She needs you […]

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The Power of Yet

“I’m not good at this…” “I’m not good at this…yet.” It’s amazing how that small three-letter word—yet—changes the entire meaning and direction of the sentence. When we say we are not good at something, ending the comment there, we commit to a limiting belief and a fixed mindset telling ourselves that the trait is beyond […]

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7 Keys to Understanding Motivation in Your Young Athlete

“I just don’t know how to motivate her…” It’s a common lament of parents and coaches. The child who just seems to lack the joie de verve toward an activity, and yes, sometimes that activity could be gymnastics. Before concluding that an apparent lack of motivation means you as the parent or coach is doing […]

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A Dozen Life Lessons to Learn from Simone Biles

Simone Biles is a role model for everyone who watches her or is fortunate enough to meet her. And there are probably hundreds of things we can learn from this amazing athlete and exceptional human being—but here are 12 that resonated with me. Preparation is key. In the days leading up to her Olympic competition, […]

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10 Reasons Why I Love Aimee Boorman

She understands what an incredible sport gymnastics is for all kids.   Aimee says, “I love watching kids grow. Gymnastics is more about life than just being a sport.  It teaches you about respect, dedication, time management, drive…I could go on and on.” She puts the child before the gymnast. According to the The Los Angeles Times Aimee […]

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8 Lessons Gym Parents Can Learn from the Parents of the Final Five

Remember: fun is essential. What was the tweet Nellie Biles sent her daughter Simone just before she began her first day of competition? It was this: “Long terms goal is here/embrace the experience and have fun. I love you – Mom.”  Give her household responsibilities. Think Olympians are exempt from doing their part around the […]

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Because There is No Such Thing as Perfect: Why the Perfect 10 is Perfectly Gone in Elite Gymnastics

    “Wait? What happened to the perfect 10?” This question will be on the lips of many a casual gymnastics fan, confused by the scoring system at the Olympics this week. “What the heck does a 15.877 even mean?” Well, aside from meaning that’s a really great score, the 15.877 (and all the other […]

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