When I was a little girl, I watched Nadia Comaneci score a perfect 10 and win three gold medals in the 1976 Summer Olympics. I enrolled in gymnastics shortly thereafter. I loved the sport. I loved doing back handsprings on the mat, fumbling on the bars and trying to keep my balance on the beam. I competed a bit but was far from fabulous.
Even as a young kid, it didn’t escape me how the small group of boy gymnasts, some younger than me, were chiseled like little Hercules. It wasn’t exactly a sport boys were lining up to do. Football, …read more

Most of you know (or may not know) that I coach gymnastics a few afternoons a week. I absolutely love working with the girls and it truly keeps me sane! Yesterday my team of 6-11 year olds traveled to a competition and of course, they did wonderful.
More than their performances, I couldn’t help notice the great things that were happening to these girls as they interacted as a team.
One little gymnast came up to me before the meet and told me she brought little baggies of grapes for each of her teammates, and could she hand them out. Of course …read more

This is the weekend that my gymnasts have been working towards all year – it is the state championship competition. For many of them, this will be the biggest competition they have ever been in. The competition is large and has to be held at a University so that there is ample room for parents, competitors and a generally good experience.
One of the most rewarding aspects of coaching, in my opinion, is watching these girls go from being recreational class students to “real” gymnasts in a year. They grow so much physically, mentally and in self confidence the first year …read more