I Have Cool Friends

Sam welcomes to the podcast not one but two cool friends, Norah Flatley and Margzetta Frazier. They are both former national team members, competing across the country and internationally for Team USA. Additionally, they are both freshmen at UCLA and are crushing it for the Bruins this season! In this episode, Norah and Margzetta talk about their shared experiences with Elite gymnastics, balancing academics and athletics, and their plans for the remainder of their collegiate careers.

Sam welcomes Olivia Karas to the podcast. She is currently a senior at the University of Michigan where she contributed to their 2019 Big Ten Championship. Olivia was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2016 and she has scored a 9.925 or higher on every single event, so far, of her career. In this episode, Sam and Olivia talk all about the peaks and valleys of Olivia’s collegiate career, from a devastating Achilles injury to competing in the Flip for Chip memorial meet.

It was alumni weekend at UCLA and Sam has two very special guests on the podcast to celebrate. First, gymnast, dancer and film actor Ariana Berlin Rotstein joins the show to discuss the flash mob sendoff she and the other UCLA alumni gave to Miss Val at her last meet as Head Coach. Next, international gymnast, Danusia Francis shares her favorite memories of Miss Val and discusses her plans to compete and qualify for the 2020 Olympics.

Sam welcomes McKenna Kelley to the podcast. McKenna is currently a senior at Louisiana State University (LSU) where she recently scored a perfect ten competing in her latest meet. In this episode, Sam and McKenna talk about McKenna’s collegiate gymnastics career, from overcoming a devastating Achilles injury to the possibility of competing in a fifth year.

Sam welcomes head coach of the women’s gymnastics team at the University of Alabama, Dana Duckworth. Dana’s relationship with Alabama has spanned over two decades. She was a former student athlete and worked under Sarah Patterson as an assistant coach for the women’s gymnastics team for fifteen years.

In this episode, Sam and Kyla break down UCLA’s latest meet against the University of Utah, specifically their performance on bars. Kyla shares some insights into how she prepares prior to collegiate meets and how she got the nickname Kyla ‘Boss’ Ross. Kyla talks about the peaks and valleys of her Elite gymnastics experience. Finally, Kyla discusses her goals for the current season, which include achieving a perfect ten on floor and winning another national championship at UCLA.

In this episode, Sam and Courtney talk about Courtney’s illustrious gymnastics career spanning Elites, collegiate, and the Olympic Games. Courtney talks about the peaks and valleys of her Olympic experience, as well as the tour she went on post-Olympics. As the head coach at her alma mater, Courtney describes the unique dynamic of working with her former collegiate coach and now current assistant coach, Suzanne Yoculan Leebern.

In this episode, Sam and Trinity discuss Trinity’s experience so far as a freshman on the University of Florida women’s gymnastics team. Trinity breaks down her performances at the latest meets against Auburn and Oklahoma. Sam and Trinity discuss the differences between Elite and collegiate gymnastics. Trinity describes her fellow freshmen teammates and gives out superlatives to each of the girls. We also hear about her pursuit of other sports, including track and diving.

In this episode, Sam and Jessica talk about Jessica’s incredible career as a gymnast, from the Elite and Olympic levels to the collegiate level. Jessica shares how she has managed to stay motivated throughout a career of such longevity. She also recounts the Olympic Games she competed in and the different challenges she faced in all three. She talks about her experience as a gymnast representing a smaller nation and the struggles she has faced as a result.

In this episode, Sam and Mykayla discuss what has made Mykayla such a consistent competitor in her collegiate and Elite careers. Mykayla credits her confidence and belief in herself as two of the main components of that consistency. They talk about the major differences between Elite and collegiate gymnastics, including the different training and conditioning routines and expectations for each. Mykayla talks about the 2016 Olympic trial process and her experience as an alternate.

In this episode, Sam, Amelia and Lexie recall early memories of their friendship, including their time at TOPs and Elites. Amelia and Lexie grew up attending multiple training camps together and looked up to Sam as a mentor and role model. As Amelia and Lexie grew up, they decided to attend different colleges and they speak to their reasoning behind that decision. They talk about the coaches they have had throughout their gymnastics careers from Elites to the collegiate level.

Sam welcomes to the podcast collegiate gymnast, Katelyn Ohashi. Katelyn’s gymnastics resume is as impressive as it is extensive. She was a four-time member of USA Gymnastics’ Junior National Team, the 2011 junior national champion and 2013 American Cup champion. Katelyn is also a six-time All-American at UCLA where she helped her team win the 2018 NCAA championship title last year. In that same national championship run, Katelyn was the co-champion on floor exercise.

Welcome back to Season 2 of the I Have Cool Friends podcast! Sam welcomes to the podcast collegiate gymnast, Maggie Nichols. Maggie is a junior at the University of Oklahoma and has already accomplished so much in her gymnastics career. Maggie won a gold medal with the American team and an individual bronze medal on floor exercise at the 2015 World Championships.

Welcome to Season 2 of the I Have Cool Friends Podcast! 2018 was such a special year, as Sam details in the opening of this episode. The podcast has already surpassed 100,000 downloads spanning 100 different countries and is the number one podcast in the college and high school sports category! It recently broke into and top 100 in the overall general sports category, as well. Today, Sam welcomes back recurring guest, Bridget Sloan.

Sam welcomes to the podcast close friend and former 2008 Olympic teammate, Bridget Sloan. Saving the best for last, Bridget is the final guest on Sam’s exclusive bonus series where she has interviewed all members of her 2008 Olympic team. Bridget’s gymnastics accomplishments include nine-time NCAA champion with the University of Florida, 2008 Olympic silver medalist, and 2009 World Champion in the all-around.