Gymnastics coaching

From toddler mommy-and-me classes to competing at national level competitions and coaching regional competitive teams, gymnastics has always been my passion and first love. When I wasn’t training, I was watching videos, practicing at home, designing leotards, choreographing routines, or memorizing the FIG handbook. It might sound extreme, but I was truly living my dream.

As I grew older, I began assisting with coaching. At first, it wasn’t easy. I was too soft-spoken and shy to manage the energetic 8-10 year olds or handle the occasional rebellious teenager. But over time, my confidence and skills grew. I learned how to spot, give technical advice, and choreograph routines. However, coaching gymnastics requires more than just technical knowledge or didactic training.

In an environment where kids trained 3-4 times a week for 2-3 hours, starting as early as age 9, building strong personal relationships with both the athletes and their parents became essential. The gym needed to feel like a safe and happy place. As I gained more experience in both competing and coaching across different levels, I learned to adjust the intensity of training to fit the needs and goals of each group. To create the right environment,getting the timing just right was essential. Knowing when to push hard and when to ease off, when to challenge them and when to give them some space. Especially when it came to overcoming fears, an individualized approach and their trust were key.

The kids would ask me everything—from why their muscles ached after a tough workout to deep questions about dreams and life, like whether they should go on a ski trip with their boyfriend’s family. As I gained their trust and respect, the coaching experience became so much more rewarding. Getting to know each gymnast and working together to develop new skills was incredibly fulfilling. Their excitement when they mastered a move or overcame a fear was just as motivating as it was contagious.