U.S. Nationals Preview plus Kyle Shewfelt on his new book, Make It Happen

GymCastic: The Gymnastics Podcast

NATIONALS PREVIEW

• The biggest questions we have heading into nationals—featuring Konnor McClain's sudden gym move, Riley McCusker's injury status, whether Sunisa Lee will do the all-around, and who's going to write the worst article about Simone's vault
• Athletes opting out of doing interviews — good news or greatest news?
• What does two weeks more time look like for Morgan Hurd and Grace McCallum? Is Spencer still trying to make Leanne Wong happen? What does Kara Eaker need to do?
• Laurie Hernandez goes next level with a Tiktok AA reveal
• MAN THINGS: Kensley tells us about national team funding, the Pan Ams team and who's really in contention for a +1 Olympic spot for the US men, and likely Olympic team permutations heading into nationals. Plus, the greatest retirement tweet of all time.

INTERVIEW Make it Happen: My Story of Gymnastics, the Olympics, and the Positive Power of Sport by Kyle Shewfelt

• Three time Canadian Olympian, and 2004 Olympic gold medalist Kyle Shewfelt is here to talk about his new book. Listen for how you can win an autographed copy of the book or even a 15-minute chat with Kyle himself. Pre-order the book here.
• WIN THE BOOK AND A VIDEO CHAT WITH KYLE
  • HOW: On Twitter or Instagram and let us know about the coach who made the biggest positive impact on your life and why? Photos are encouraged but not required. Use the hashtag "PositivePowerContest and tag @GymCastic and @kyleshewfelt. DEADLINE: The deadline for entries is Sunday, June 6, and winners will be announced on the June 9 episode of GymCastic.
  • WHAT: Three random winners will receive an autographed copy of Kyle's new book, Make it Happen, and one winner will have a 15-minute video chat with the gold-medalist himself!
• We discuss:
  • The Amanar, The Shewfelt, or The Shewmanar? We decide what's fair.
  • Partying with Produnova.
  • Unlearning and modeling good coaching. Advice from his favorite Child Psychologist .
  • Why he waited so long to write a book, instead of capitalizing on his 2004 gold-fame.
  • We talk about mutual commentary regrets and how we want to change commentary, coaching and fan culture to make it more positive.
  • How he would have taken his power back when he tied with Marian Drăgulescu.
  • Creating a healthy environment without being demeaning.
  • Why his career is example of reaching the highest level in gymnastics with positive coaching.
  • "Death Conditioning" vs. the no pain, no gain vs. being allowed to fail in order to gain perspective.
  • How to gymnastics coaching and culture through agency, partnership and communication.

JOIN CLUB GYM NERD

• Join Club Gym Nerd or buy a gift membership for access to Behind the Scenes episodes.
  • Behind The Scenes: Gymnastics Time Warp
  • Behind The Scenes: Sr. Session Two US Classic 2021
  • Behind The Scenes: Sr. Session One US Classic 2021
  • Behind The Scenes: No Catsuits Allowed
  • Behind The Scenes: More Project K (for Karolyi) Details
• Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here.
• We have masks too! And Pride gear!

RELATED EPISODES

• Episode 21: Kyle Shewfelt
• 200: Alicia Sacramone
• Simone Biles' Yurchenko Double Pike Has Landed and US Classic Review
• US Classic Preview Starring Chellsie and Simone
• Chinese and British Trial Chaos, and Project K: Decoding Romanian Secret Police Files on The Karolyis with Dr. Simona Petracovschi
• Unitard Revolution

THE FLIGHT SERIES: Shilese Jones