Tumbling Along With Betsy – Details, episodes & analysis

Gina Paulus is a trainer, and owner of Home Bodies In-Home Fitness Training. She is a coach who works with adult gymnasts and regular people all over the world. She is also a two time author of books Mind Over Fatter and Change Your Weights. Her world renown adult gymnastics camps and her “Just like Fine Wine” Facebook group are the main reason I wanted this amazing lady to come on the show. We focus our talk on adult gymnastics, its evolution, importance and why we should be open to having adult gymnastics programs in our gyms to help move gymnastics in the direction it’s going! If you are an ex -gymnast or someone who wants to try it out for the first time, I encourage you to take a listen! 

Notes on Gina:

July 30, 31,  and August 1st, Gina will hold her International Adult Gymnastics Camp in Boston, Mass.

Check out: Just Like Fine Wine on Facebook

Other places to find out about Gina: 

https://mastersgymnastics.wordpress.com/

https://www.homeexercisecoach.com/adult-gymnastics.html

https://www.instagram.com/ginapaulhus/

https://www.facebook.com/gina.paulhus

https://twitter.com/adultgymnastics

Cindy Bickman has been the owner of Chattoogta School of Gymnastics and Dance since 1976.She is the coordinator of the HUGS program, the Hope Unites Gymnastics with Special Athletes as well as the  Special Olympics International Ambassador.

Cindy has been working with the special needs community in our sport for decades and is the “go to” for learning and understanding how our special needs community is THRIVING through our sport.  For me, the podcast hit home, as  I am the parent of special needs children, we discuss the issues facing families who may be tentative signing their children up for gymnastics, the amazing growth and joy that working with special needs children brings both athletes and coaches as well as  specific stories of achievement from her athletes.

This episode was very personal for me as a mom, and I hope everyone can sit back and listen to two women discuss our communities, both gymnastics, and special needs. All children deserve to be given the chance to compete, and Cindy is seeing to it! 

Food Allergies: 

The problems= Fear,  frustration, lack of control, disappointment, unsure of who to trust, fear of disappointing others for something that is out of your control…

The answers: organization, education, preparation, planning ahead in every situation that involves food.

These are the daily issues and stories that face  someone who has food allergies and is the focus of episode #17 in Tumbling Along With Betsy.

I  learned a great deal about  food allergies in this episode and since this podcast have become even more empathetic and understanding as  how serious they are.

This is a a GREAT episode to listen to with your coaches, athletes and kids, because a lot of people  don’t quite  understand how serious food allergies are.  These are real stories of gymnasts, gymnastics coaches and gymnastics moms who battle allergies daily. 

Below are the guests who are featured in the podcast, I hope this episode is impactful to everyone who listens and will encourage everyone to grow in understanding on how they can help and be aware of those who have food allergies, specifically in the gymnastics world. 

EJ Wasielewski, gymnast and cheerleader. Severe peanut allergy and also a vegetarian (Please note her photo is courtesy of AmyJphoto.com 

Liane Moccia, mother of gymnast with severe peanut allergies. You can learn about the therapy she used with her gymnast daughter here: 

https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/oit

Shannon Dawe: Gymnastics owner and coach with severe mouth allergy called oral allergy syndrome. 

Katey Fontaine, mother of gymnast Jordan, who has milk and shellfish allergy

Amy Fallis, gymnastics mom, yoga instructor and coach. Two gymnasts with dairy and soy allergies, as well as she herself having celiacs disease (gluten) and dairy allergy

Dr. Stephanie McNally is an MD  of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwell Health (New York).

 In this episode Dr. McNally  talks us through ALL the stages, hormonal changes and challenges of the  female body, ranging  from puberty to pregnancy, peri-menopause and menopause and how this relates also to the female athlete and their parents. 

  There isn't a woman who will NOT relate to this podcast at some point.......

 We focus specifically on women in sports (my specific questions were toward gymnasts)  and also what happens as an athlete goes through puberty and some signs to be looking  for in  dealing with the "FEMALE ATHLETE TRIAD" 

We also discuss how nutrition and mental health all play into these crucial moments and how parents can foster the best environment for these changes. 

We also discuss body changes later in life and again focus on ways to best manage these transitional periods. 

Dr. McNally is also an Assistant Professor at The Zucker School of Medicine and is the Co-Founder of the "CALLS" program for female physicians. She also happens to be my lovely and very knowledgeable sister-in-law. Check her out on her social media platforms where she is a crusader for women doctors and mentorship! 

Find her on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and TICTOCK at:
StephTMcNallyMD

Jill Hicks is the owner of JH Consulting: A recruiting business that helps parents and gymnast navigate the college recruiting project is artistic gymnastic and A and T. 

She was a former Elite gymnast who went to Oregon State and coached college gymnastics for 20 years!

This episode focuses on the college recruiting process for athletes-PLUS an UPDATED PORTION DEDICATED TO RECRUITING DURING COVID 19 (you really want to listen to this part as many are struggling to find answers on how to maneuver through this time!) 

We also discuss how  we can develop and encourage our young athletes through their artistry, positive body image and help them really bring out their STRONG points that will make them stand out and SHINE!

This episode is much more than a recruiting lesson as Jill shares her own personal stories and how she helps and relates these to the families and athletes she helps! AMAZING WOMAN!

You can find out more about Jill here:
 
Website:

jhicksconsulting.com 


Facebook:
@jhicksconsulting


Email:
jill@jhicksconsulting.com 

FIND YOUR POWER WITHIN THE STORM OF CORONA VIRUS!

Long regarded as the premier and expert mental toughness coach in gymnastics, 
 Alison Arnold gives great tips, advice and actual TOOLS on finding our "EYE OF THE STORM" through this corona virus pandemic. 

Whether you are a coach, athlete, parent or a citizen just trying to find your way through this, Ali will help you find the calm, quiet  place within this STORM where you can regain your power and control, gain perspective and work through your daily fears and anxieties. 

Along with great breathing exercises, Ali gives the listeners some great insight and tools for dealing with turbulence within ourselves where we can find strength through the "THREE B.'s" (listen to find out what they are)......

We also learn how to be gentle, have self compassion, breathe, and know as a parents and coaches  you ARE ENOUGH. 

Ali is currently running some amazing deals with her mental toughness training camps for athletes and parents. To find out more, here is where you can contact and access her programming;

Email: docalison@aol.com

Websites: www.headgamesu.com

www.headgamesworld.com

Ali Arnold on Facebook

Heagames World on Facebook

headgamesworld on INSTA

Coach Dee: “Know Who You Are As A Coach”

Hey kids and coaches, its OK to 

STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!!! 

I truly enjoyed my conversation with International Gymnastics clinician, choreographer, dancer, coach and social media phenomenon, Deavera Todd.. or otherwise known as coach Dee.

In this episode we have a very candid conversation on how to help kids tap into their potential! How to  let kids EXPLORE and not be afraid of failure!

Deavera is SO Open and understanding about learning from others and does NOT take this coaching thing personal, something we all can learn. 

We discussed the new diversity in our sport, and how social media has exposed athletes of varying backgrounds  and encouraged more participants. 

What I loved most about my interview was the segment on knowing  who you are as a coach!  

DEE gives Great advice studying the best, and the worst—Knowing  all stories good and bad! I would encourage all coaches new and experienced to listen in on our chat! Thanks DEE! 

You can find Deavara and book her clinician services here: 

www.coachdeavara.com 

@coachdeavara  Instagram 

Coach Dee on Facebook 

In Episode #11 I talk with Marla Ranieri,   DPT, OCS at Drayer Physical Therapy and specialist in gymnastics injury prevention

All gymnasts  have different strengths, weaknesses and morphologies. They all have different pathways to healing as well. Getting a gymnast safely back to the gym after injury calls for specific progressions. So having a physical therapist that understands the healing process holistically is crucial.

  Marla  Ranieri , Dr of Physical Therapy specializes in JUST  this. 

Marla was an elite gymnast, and received a  full scholarship to Stanford University. She   wrote the chapter  “THE RETURN TO PLAY”  in the book “Gymnastics Medicine”  Marla has a real gift for diagnosing  athletes based on their injury, their experiences and their morphology.  

IN this podcast we  discuss common injuries and how she screens athletes . Her mission  is the prevention of  major injuries. What is amazing about Marla is her ability to relate to the coach, athlete and parent and create protocols to recovery. 

Understanding our sport is so crucial to proper healing.  I found it fascinating that changing conditioning and pushing kids toward specific skills to work with their weaknesses and strengths is one of her areas of expertise. 

We discuss neuromuscular control and the myth that a six pack means a strong core!  We discuss proper breathing and other technique which add in  activating  the deep core muscles  without involving  back and hip flexors  amongst many other topics…

Marla is the solution to preventing injuries before they occur.  She herself experienced 8 surgeries and overcame everyone of them. She “gets’ the gymnast.  Marla is in New Jersey but she has dozens of clinics around the country that practice physical therapy specific to the gymnasts.. we need more like her in our gyms,,,,  and we discuss how she is making that happen…so let’s get it started.

ALSO: NOTE: Better PT now has a search platform for PT clinics that are doing Telehealth appointments for athletes who are dealing with injuries during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Here is the link to schedule your call:  www.betterpt.com 

To be a part of Marla’s Study on Bone Health for gymnasts go to: Email Address: marlaranieri1@gmail.com 

The Book: “Gymnastics Medicine”

“Better PT”

Website: www.betterpt.com

Linked In: Marla Ranieri 

Faith Mason, owner of Koreleo leotards,  is truly an innovator. After dealing with back pain and watching her teenage, gymnast daughter also struggle with back pain, she decided to take matters into her own hands a create the only medical grade, compression leotard on the market. Koreleo works to  battle the stress, inflammation and soreness that comes with gymnastics training.

Faith is a former athletes,  expert tennis coach and also  mom of a collegiate gymnast. 

Faith looks at leotards as training aides. In our interview we  discuss  how over time, the athletic gear, training aides of other sports have changed, so why wouldn’t a leotard?

Faith has great  perspective of both a coaching and also being a  gymnastics mamma. She is known as “Coach Mason” to her tennis students and is still working hard teaching them the skills of that sport. As a coach and a mom, she understands clearly both sides of athletics. 

 Her main mission is to help athletes be the best version fo themselves…. and through Koreloe she is able to help athletes recover, support and help with the muscular pain that is associated with training. Koreleo is an amazing product, so much that I myself am putting my own athletes in these fantastic leos, and it has made all the difference in the world….

I’m so excited for you to listen to this interview as we cover many topics relevant to gymnastics, the stresses related to it and how a balanced perspective of sport can also aide us in our journeys! 

You can find out about Faith’s leotards here:

Instagram: @compressionleotard (Koreleo Compression Leotard)

Website: www.koreleofit.com

Email: info@koreleofit.com

Facebook: Koreleo: Compression Leotard 

Stacey Umeh is a world class Artistic Prep Specialist who lives in Perth, Australia and is originally from Canada. She is a world class choreographer, coach, and traveling clinician who specializes in teaching artistry to athletes from ALL OVER THE WORLD! 

This  podcast was HUGELY enlightening for me. Although I took 10 years of classical dance training, I never really quite put the relevance and connection  of dance to larger more athletic skills in gymnastics. If you are a coach of gymnastics I highly encourage you to listen to this thought provoking and amazingly energetic and talented woman. 

Highlights: We discuss the evolution of our sport and it's roots in dance.  Stacey gives some great tips on techniques and how to reach our younger populations of gymnasts who may not be "sold" on classical ballet dance. It's never too late to start an artistry program, Stacey firmly believes that and taught me that even more so! I am sold, and you will be too

Stacey Travels the world as a clinician and has several amazing programs she has developed including:

The Creative Movement Group and  Parallel Universe:

Facebook: The Parallel Universe

https://paralleluniverse.com.au/

Instagram: @staceyumeh

Facebook: Anastasia Umeh


Email Stacey at: stacey@the-cmg.com 

A Podcast: http://pod.co/parallel-universe