Character
Confessions of a Gymnastics Coach: The Day My Athlete Called Me Out
I have a confession to make. The other night at team training, I slipped. One of my gymnasts finished an attempt, and as I was trying to watch nine other athletes at the exact same time, I casually threw out a, “Hey, awesome job!” Spoiler alert: It wasn’t awesome. Her form was off, her focus…
Read MoreBuilding Real Confidence: Why We Don’t Hide the “Red Pens”
I recently had a fascinating conversation with a parent that really made me think. She was hesitant about enrolling her child because she worried that competitive environments do more harm than good. Her view was that sports should focus entirely on constant praise and protecting a child’s feelings, rather than emphasizing competition or correction. We…
Read MoreThe 5-Step Homework Game Plan
We have officially entered that time of year. You know the one: the days are getting darker, the weather is getting lousier, and the glorious “honeymoon phase” of the new school year is officially over. The novelty of the shiny new locker and the cool teacher has worn off, and kids are staring down the…
Read MoreThe Ultimate Big Sister Energy: A Letter to a Newborn (From a 7-Year-Old)
Every now and then, a story makes the rounds in the coaching community that hits you right in the feels. A coaching friend of mine, Jeri, shared one with me a while ago, and it perfectly captures why we love what we do. Jeri coaches the upper-level competitive athletes at her gym, so while she…
Read MoreHow to W.I.N.
We stumbled across a brilliant piece of gymnastics wisdom the other day, and it hit us right in the feels because it perfectly mirrors our philosophy here at Gymfinity. We loved it so much we had to paraphrase it, polish it up, and share it with you. When our gymnasts step up to salute the…
Read MoreWhat is “it” with Goal Setting?
Long ago, at a Tumbling and Trampoline meet—I sent my son Owen onto the floor with a typical parental pep talk:“OK, Owen, go out there and go for it. You can do it!” He took off toward his team but quickly turned back.“Dad! What is it?” Great question. For years, athletes have heard coaches and…
Read MoreWhat Makes Winners Win?
Everyone has the inner drive to succeed, whether in sports, academics, or character growth. I believe that every child can be a winner. Sometimes it may manifest as a defeat in competition, but the victory will still arrive after the game. How can any child lose when they have the capacity to help others, to learn, to increase their motivation, to grow and to flourish?
Read MoreThe Value of Gymnastics Part 2
Gymnastics demands self-control, patience, and discipline. Children must practice focused control for activities like balancing on the beam or completing skill sequences. Learning patience, whether waiting for a turn or mastering a complex skill, builds character and mental strength. Active children can release energy in a healthy way, while those who need structure find it through the sport’s discipline.
Read MoreWhat Do We Learn After The Cartwheel
Success comes when we face our fears and act anyway. As a coach, watching a gymnast finally nail a skill after months of work is priceless. I face fears every day, just in different ways now, and gymnastics taught me how to push through.
Read MoreFinding My Own Way Through Gymnastics
Most of my friends thought I was a little strange. I was pretty solitary, spending most of my time in my own head, working through my mistakes and finding confidence in gymnastics. When other kids felt awkward or unsure, I found comfort and peace in the sport. Gymnastics kept me centered and gave me a purpose when I really needed one.
Read More