GymCastic: The Gymnastics Podcast

We’ve got bees in our bonnets! This week, we're celebrating the true meaning of Thanksgiving: pointing out every little thing that bothers you about loved ones. The things in gymnastics that drive us absolutely crazy, no matter how small, shallow, or irrational — the nitpickier the better! Floor Music Pet Peeves. Yes, we mean you, car-engine sounds. And fake endings, Spotify barf, and so much more Peeve or Reprieve: The New Game Show That's Sweeping the Nation! Floor Choreography Pet Peeves. What's the choreographic equivalent of a dad joke? We'll tell you Pet Peeve Skills. Sell the farm because we are tearing some animal leaps to pieces Pet Peeves at the Competition. Wrists, salutes, and meets that look like dog shows The Un-Pet Peeves. Special commendation for the skills and styles we just love YOUR STORIES We asked for your craziest meet and training equipment stories, and you delivered, vaulting right out the double doors and into the courtyard! The GIFT of Club Gym Nerd Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes, dedications, mini-commissions and group commissions Club Gym Nerd members get access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here and even "tapestries" (banners perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast here. RELATED EPISODES Authorized Neutral Athletes Gymnastics Movie Club: Perfect Body Trouble in Romania Best Cheng Ever? RESOURCES & CITATIONS Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim Follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti The Highest D and E scores from The Gymternet Men's Gymnastics coverage from Kensley Neutral Deductions MORE WAYS TO LISTEN HERE    

Gabby is heading to national team camp! The FIG released its ad hoc requirements for Russian and Belarusian participation in meets in 2024. We ask the important question: does anyone actually meet these requirements? Tom Farden has been placed on administrative leave by Utah, which they say is due to recent behavior "not related to student-athlete welfare." NCAA Signing Day! We run through which top elites will be competing for which schools and who won the Most Famous Names sweepstakes MEET NEWS Jade Carey and Yul Moldauer won the title at Swiss Cup, but the real winner was Spencer, who gets to discuss the strategy of Swiss Cup again USAG released the selection committee minutes for the 2022 World team and we feel like something is still missing... MINI-COMMISSION Today, we have a mini-commission from Club Gym Nerd member Anthony, who ordered a segment all about Listunova—her achievements through the years, from junior world champion, to the Olympics, to now. JOIN CLUB GYM NERD Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes, dedications, mini-commissions and group commissions Club Gym Nerd members get access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here and even "tapestries" (banners perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast here. RELATED EPISODES Gymnastics Movie Club: Perfect Body Trouble in Romania Best Cheng Ever? RESOURCES & CITATIONS Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim Follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti The Highest D  scores from The Gymternet Men's Gymnastics coverage from Kensley Neutral Deductions MORE WAYS TO LISTEN HERE    

We watched the 1997 TV movie Perfect Body and now we REALLY need to talk about it as a family. Especially... That thing where you just started training elite and you're 16-27 years old and also the Olympics are tomorrow and you're going to make it Gender roles: Still going great, no notes How bars coaching means just yelling "TAP" 100 times in a row Why this movie has never heard of high school, or Seattle What the 1996 team gold did to deserve ALL THE SHADE it gets from this movie How you get random cortisone injections from Cathy Rigby over by beam Clingy boyfriends who interrupt training and somehow don't get murdered???? The Stunt Doubles of Insane Back Flexibility: Chari Knight and Kristie Phillips, and where this movie ranks in terms of gymnastics skill accuracy Just an extended purple windbreaker fever dream where you train on a low beam in a hotel room Moody vault timers at sunset and whatever an "All City Gymnastics Demonstration" is How the soundtrack NAILED it, and much more JOIN CLUB GYM NERD Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes, dedications, mini-commissions and group commissions Club Gym Nerd members get access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here and even "tapestries" (banners perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast here. RELATED EPISODES Every GymCastic Commissioned episode Spitfire (Kristie Phillips Movie) GymKata  TV's Biggest Gymnastics Fails Nadia the movie CNN Parkette's Documentary: A Quitters Try Commentary Hall of Shame  No No Nunnoisms 80's Fight Recent: Romanian Infighting  Best Cheng Ever? RESOURCES & CITATIONS Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim Follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti The Highest D and E scores from The Gymternet Men's Gymnastics coverage from Kensley Neutral Deductions MORE WAYS TO LISTEN HERE    

Romanian Infighting Today, we're checking in with a quick mini-sode (our main commissioned episode will come later this week) about what has happened in Romania since the women's team qualified to the Olympics at worlds last month. We discuss what Jessica has learned from sources who witnessed what happened to Ana Barbosu during podium training at worlds—as well as in the mixed zone—as well as Catalina Ponor's television interview about it, and whether it is appropriate for Ponor to remain in the athlete rep position JOIN CLUB GYM NERD Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes, dedications, mini-commissions and group commissions Club Gym Nerd members get access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here and even "tapestries" (banners perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast here. RELATED EPISODES The History of Romanian Gymnastics (Commissioned) Best Cheng Ever? 2023 Worlds Beam and Floor Vault and Bars Women's AA Men's AA Women's Team Men's Team Behind the scenes: Gabby Freakin' Douglas Is Back Tom Farden Investigation episode  Inside the FIG: Steve Butcher RESOURCES & CITATIONS Romania Criminalises Cyber Harassment  FIG Code of Conduct FIG Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim Follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti The Highest D and E scores from The Gymternet Men's Gymnastics coverage from Kensley Neutral Deductions MORE WAYS TO LISTEN HERE    

Pan Ams Event Finals Did we just see the best Cheng in gymnastics history from Rebeca Andrade? We discuss, with comparisons to the best from Cheng Fei and Simone Biles. Should the judges have given this a 10 E score? Do we want to live in a world where this isn't a 10 in execution? Plus, the best moments from the rest of the event finals at Pan Ams, including titles from Zoe Miller and Kaliya Lincoln, controversy in the beam final, and the comedy stylings of Franchesca Santi and Jordan Chiles. Mini-Commissions We have two mini-commissions this week! First, from Beth, we have a mini-commission on Gabby Douglas. We discuss the historic significance of her return, the latest skills she's posting on socials, and how her 2016 routines would hold up against the 2023 US worlds team. Next, from Jay, a mini-commission on Kristie Phillips being left off the 1988 Olympic team. We discuss the greatness of Kristie Phillips as a performer, the data on why she actually should have been on that Olympic team, and the syndrome of TV commentary affecting your memory of how a gymnast actually performed. JOIN CLUB GYM NERD Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes. Club Gym Nerd members get access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here and even "tapestries" (banners perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast here. RELATED EPISODES The History of Olympic Trials Controversies 1988 Olympic Team Finals (Commissioned) Behind the scenes: Gabby Freakin' Douglas Is Back 2023 Worlds Beam and Floor Vault and Bars Women's AA Men's AA Women's Team Men's Team Tom Farden Investigation episode  Inside the FIG: Steve Butcher RESOURCES & CITATIONS Valeri Liukin to Coach Team USA while under Investigation by SafeSport Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim Follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti The Highest D and E scores from The Gymternet Men's Gymnastics coverage from Kensley Neutral Deductions MORE WAYS TO LISTEN HERE    

In headline news, we discuss Kara Eaker's retirement from gymnastics and her statement alleging abuse at Utah, as well as the definition of verbal and emotional abuse, and the importance of personal accounts like this Plus, Jessica Gadirova's ACL tear and the history of ACL recovery timelines in top elite women, as well as an injury update on Josc Roberson. Pan Am Games All-around finals are complete at the Pan Am Games and we know the Olympic qualifiers! We discuss the highlights of the finals, which gymnasts are made of OOB magic, and bestow an ROV award. From Antwerp to Paris What we learned from worlds and how that shapes our outlook for the Paris Olympics, including the historic era of unpredictability in the women's team competition, the men's all-around dynamic, and necessarily rules adjustments and clarifications regarding—say—the reserve athlete list for event finals. Plus, moments to remember from worlds, the latest gymternet news, and some of your feedback. JOIN CLUB GYM NERD Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes. Club Gym Nerd members get access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here and even "tapestries" (banners perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast here. RELATED EPISODES  2023 Worlds Beam and Floor Vault and Bars Women's AA Men's AA Women's Team Men's Team Tom Farden Investigation episode  Inside the FIG: Steve Butcher RESOURCES & CITATIONS Al Fong Under Investigation by US Center for SafeSport Valeri Liukin to Coach Team USA while under Investigation by SafeSport Utah gymnastics under outside review after emotional abuse allegations - Former gymnasts and parents allege coach Tom Farden verbally and emotionally abused athletes, others defend coach - Desert News Investigation  Independent Final Report - University of Utah Gymnastics Program Culture under Tom Farden Self interview with Suni Lee on kidney condition Bias in gymnastics studies Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim To follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti The Highest D and E scores from The Gymternet Men's Gymnastics coverage from Kensley Neutral Deductions MORE WAYS TO LISTEN HERE    

On the 10th anniversary of McKayla Maroney's final elite competition in Antwerp, Belgium we revisit her 2016 interview. The Olympic and World Champion settles long debated gymternet questions and we find out what caused the physical and emotional breakdown that ultimately ended her elite career. We discuss: If she feared blowback from speaking frankly about her experiences.  The skill she tried that Marta Karolyi told her to never to do again.   The circumstances surrounding her injuries and multiple surgeries. The post-Olympic tour conditions and their effects on her health.  She answers fans suspicions that her injuries are due to poor nutrition.   Some fans claim that All Olympia Gymnastics Center (AOGC) break gymnasts, her responds.  Did the advice she received from her coaches contribute to her injuries?   How she dealt with self identity as she struggled to stay healthy.  Discusses the role of humility and insecurity through the Olympic selection process.  Does she think the men's team should be more like the women's program in order to be more successful?  Dealing with criticism on social media.  She describes her personal experiences as an elite gymnast, and their influence on changes she would like to see made at the national team level.  Who does she credit with teaching her that amazing vault technique: her second coach, Howie Liang at Gym-Max or her Olympic coach, Artur Akopyan at All Olympia Gymnastics Center (AOGC)?  Why did she go overtime in 2013 at the Antwerp World Championships on floor  SUPPORT OUR WORK Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes. Club Gym Nerd members get access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here and even “tapestries” (banners perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast here. RESOURCES Dial 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Dr. Alan Goldberg's article on Coaching Abuse. Safe4Athlete: What every parent and athlete should know. Eating Disorder Hotline Treatment centers for athletes with eating disorders  EDRS or McCallum Place.  24-Hour Suicide hotline 1 (800) 273-8255 2023 World Headquarters: Every Worlds Podcast, videos, interviews and data Simone Biles Interview 2023 Classic Shilese Jones Flight Series Profile Spencer's The Balance Beam Situation  Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim RELATED EPISODES McKayla Maroney's Coaches respond to her interview  Aly and Lynn Raisman Interview  Steve Penny ousted as USA Gymnastics President 243: Senate Bill 534 241: The Pittsburgh Incident 163: ENOUGH 221: Jane Doe vs. USAG Doctor 223: Tasha Schwikert 48: Kyla Ross Episode 31: Elise Ray Episode 28: Kristen Maloney Episode 33: Simone Biles & Her Coaches Episode 55: Worlds Wrap Up & Ferlito-Gate Episode 54: Event Finals Recap from 2013 World Championships Episode 53: All Around Finals Recap from Antwerp World Championships Episode 52: Triumph & Heartbreak Prelims Recap from Antwerp Worlds 114: Fallout From Gymnastike’s Handling of Maroney Hack & Tumble Episodes 3 and 4 with special guest Jenni Pinches! Episode 16: Elizabeth Price 146: Taylor Rice and The 2015 NCAA Championships Episode 9: Chellsie Memmel, Swiss Cup & FIG Presidential Proposals 151: Danell Leyva Episode 15: Joan Ryan Author of Little Girls in Pretty Boxes 232: Conflict of Interest World Headquarters

Here's how to ask questions live. Follow up to the vault replacement athlete "administrative error"  BATTLE BEAM: The 2016 Olympic Champion, Sanne Wevers is into the final from the reserve list. It's Simone vs. Chinese Perfection vs. Three Champions (Wevers, Schaefer, Ashikawa) vs. Andrade.  FLOOR: Biles-Andrade-Jones podium again or are Flavia and her ankle ready to dominate? Plus men's Vault, P-Bars and High Bar and some mixed zone sexism from other media Want to hear rest of it and all the years of bonus content and interviews? All you have to do is Join the Club.   World Headquarters RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES 2023 World Headquarters: Every Worlds Podcast, videos, interviews and data Simone Biles Interview 2023 Classic Shilese Jones Flight Series Profile Resources & Research Spencer's The Balance Beam Situation  Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim To follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti Kensley is covering men's gymnastics at Neutral Deductions Score and difficulty ranking from The Gymternet

Here's how to ask questions live. A major FIG "administrative error" puts multiple gymnasts' Olympic qualifying spots into question. We will explain how the vault replacement debacle could ripple down to several countries. BATTLE BARS: the highest SV in the world Kaliya Nemour vs. Shilese Jones, Qiu Qiuyan and everyone else who doesn't even come close to Nemour's 6.9 D score hoping for medal, including Simone Biles. VAULT: Simone Biles and her giant yurchenko double pike vs. Andrade, maybe Gadirova w/the Chengs (has been replaced by Csenge Maria Backay). Plus Club Handspring Rudi  - Yeo Seojeong, Alexa Moreno, Coline Devillard. Pommel Horse: Rhys McClenaghan vs Lee Chih-Kai vs. Ahmad Abu Al Soud vs. Harutyun Merdinyan for ONE Olympic spot!  Rings: Eleftherios Petrounias vs Nikita Simonov vs. Vinzenz Hoeck vs. Artur Avetisyan vs Vahagn Davtyan for ONE Olympic spot! and Men's floor.  Here’s how our event coverage works: 1. We give everyone the main headlines and latest news! 2. We continue our conversation exclusively with our Club members because they sustain our work and travel year around. 3. Want to hear rest of it and all the years of bonus content and interviews? All you have to do is Join the Club. LOGIN FOR BONUS CONTENT  World Headquarters RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES 2023 World Headquarters: Every Worlds Podcast, videos, interviews and data Simone Biles Interview 2023 Classic Shilese Jones Flight Series Profile Resources & Research Spencer's The Balance Beam Situation  Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim To follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti Kensley is covering men's gymnastics at Neutral Deductions Score and difficulty ranking from The Gymternet

Simone won her 6th World AA Title and finally beat Latynina's record !  The All Around Final featuring : Reigning World AA champ, Rebeca Andrade (BRA), the GOAT Simone Biles (USA), reigning World silver medalist, Shilese Jones (USA) and basically champions or world medalists on every content from Africa with bars superstar Kaylia Nemour (ALG) to British World FX champ, Jessica Gadirova, beam ninja Qiu Qiyuan (CHN), happiest gymnast not he planet, Ellie Black (CAN) and Italy's toe point power house, Manila Esposito. Not to mention stars of every gym nerd's hearts who finally have world medals, Melanie de Jesus dos Santos (FRA) and Flavia Saraiva (BRA). Here’s how our event coverage works: 1. We give everyone the main headlines and latest news! 2. We continue our conversation exclusively with our Club members because they sustain our work and travel year around. 3. Want to hear rest of it and all the years of bonus content and interviews? All you have to do is Join the Club. Here's how to ask questions live. LOGIN FOR BONUS CONTENT    World Headquarters RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES 2023 World Headquarters: Every Worlds Podcast, videos, interviews and data Simone Biles Interview 2023 Classic Shilese Jones Flight Series Profile Resources & Research Spencer's The Balance Beam Situation  Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim To follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti Kensley is covering men's gymnastics at Neutral Deductions Score and difficulty ranking from The Gymternet

Here's how to ask questions live. Tonight AA featuring : Kazuma Kaya being Rosa Galiyeva'd for Hashimoto Daiki Jake "Air Pirate" Jarman, Asher Hong, Fred Richard, James Hall, Sun Wei battle for medals  PLUS a preview of the women's all-around final and event finals updates Here’s how our event coverage works: 1. We give everyone the main headlines and latest news! 2. We continue our conversation exclusively with our Club members because they sustain our work and travel year around. 3. Want to hear rest of it and all the years of bonus content and interviews? All you have to do is Join the Club. LOGIN FOR BONUS CONTENT  World Headquarters RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES 2023 World Headquarters: Every Worlds Podcast, videos, interviews and data Simone Biles Interview 2023 Classic Shilese Jones Flight Series Profile Resources & Research Spencer's The Balance Beam Situation  Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim To follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti Kensley is covering men's gymnastics at Neutral Deductions Score and difficulty ranking from The Gymternet

Here's how to ask questions live. Tonight is the women's team final featuring: USA, Great Britain, Brazil, China, Italy, Netherlands, France and Japan Here’s how our event coverage works: 1. We give everyone the main headlines and latest news! 2. We continue our conversation exclusively with our Club members because they sustain our work and travel year around. 3. Want to hear rest of it and all the years of bonus content and interviews? All you have to do is Join the Club. LOGIN FOR BONUS CONTENT  World Headquarters RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES 2023 World Headquarters: Every Worlds Podcast, videos, interviews and data Simone Biles Interview 2023 Classic Shilese Jones Flight Series Profile Resources & Research Spencer's The Balance Beam Situation  Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim To follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti Kensley is covering men's gymnastics at Neutral Deductions Score and difficulty ranking from The Gymternet

Tonight is the mens' team final featuring: China, Japan, US, Italy, British, Canada, Germany, Switzerland.  RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES 2023 World Headquarters: Every Worlds Podcast, videos, interviews and data Simone Biles Interview 2023 Classic Shilese Jones Flight Series Profile Resources & Research Spencer's The Balance Beam Situation  Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim To follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti Kensley is covering men's gymnastics at Neutral Deductions Score and difficulty ranking from The Gymternet

2023 World Championships Here's how to ask questions live. Final Paris Olympic Qualifiers both individual, event and teams are finalized The individuals: UB specialist, Kaylia Nemour's  (ALG), Lynnzee Brown the first ever World competitor for Haiti, and LSU's Aleah Finnegan (PHL). Defending AA Champion, Rebecca Andrade and the Brazilian Team. Final places between Mexico, Romania, Australia and Germany fight for the final Olympic spots. Here’s how our event coverage works: 1. We give everyone the main headlines and latest news! 2. We continue our conversation exclusively with our Club members because they sustain us work and travel year around. 3. Want to hear rest of it and all the years of bonus content and interviews? All you have to do is Join the Club. LOGIN FOR BONUS CONTENT  World Headquarters RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES 2023 World Headquarters: Podcasts, Videos and more 2023 Worlds Brazil Podium Training 2023 Worlds US Podium Training  2023 World Championships Preview World Team Trials Women's Day Two Meet Report  World Team Trials Women's Day One Meet Report Podium Training Report 2023 U.S. Championships Preview Simone Biles Interview 2023 Classic Shilese Jones Flight Series Profile Resources & Research Spencer's The Balance Beam Situation  Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim To follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti Kensley is covering men's gymnastics at Neutral Deductions Score and difficulty ranking from The Gymternet

2023 World Championships We will go live right here on this page October 1st the first day of women's qualifying concludes  (10pm Antwerp, 1pmPacific-ish). Here's how to ask questions live. Topics: Simone's first time competing back in Antwerp where she won her first ever World title along side McKayla Maroney and Kyla Ross. Did the Italian team stay on beam? Who's looking good for Olympic qualifying. Are the British going to push the US in the team final. Here’s how our event coverage works: 1. We give everyone the main headlines and latest news! 2. We continue our conversation exclusively with our Club members because they sustain us work and travel year around. 3. Want to hear rest of it and all the years of bonus content and interviews? All you have to do is Join the Club. LOGIN FOR BONUS CONTENT  World Headquarters RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES 2023 World Headquarters: Podcasts, Videos and more 2023 Worlds Brazil Podium Training 2023 Worlds US Podium Training  2023 World Championships Preview World Team Trials Women's Day Two Meet Report  World Team Trials Women's Day One Meet Report Podium Training Report 2023 U.S. Championships Preview Simone Biles Interview 2023 Classic Shilese Jones Flight Series Profile Resources & Research Spencer's The Balance Beam Situation  Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim To follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti Kensley is covering men's gymnastics at Neutral Deductions Score and difficulty ranking from The Gymternet