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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! 

As teachers and coaches how can we be great role models and leaders for our very young and impressionable girls? According the Cheryl Tomlinson, Self-Esteem is a daily practice. We practice fitness, gymnastics, our arts or career paths, why don’t we practice self-esteem? On episode 25 of Tumbling Along With Betsy, I speak with my dear friend Cheryl Tomlinson, a leader in the educational community, about ways we can help our young people achieve self esteem as well as how women can help one another live our best, most positive versions of ourselves. Some other topics we discuss:   Surrounding ourselves with people who want the best for us  Finding strength through writing journaling, prayer. Setting boundaries with people and avoiding burnout.  Join two friends as we discuss the environment in which our young people live and how coaches and teachers we can be the role models our children need. Cheryl Tomlinson is an Advanced Placement and Junior Literature Composition Instructor at University High School Academy in Southfield.Michigan.   She has over 24 years of education  as a teacher, principal, motivational and inspirational leader, speaker and community member. She has a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction-both undergraduate and graduate degrees are from Michigan State University. To get in touch with Cheryl Email her at  [email protected]  Or find her on Facebook as Cheryl Tomlinson

In this episode I interview  world renown physical therapist Gina Pongetti, who has traveled the world aiding and training Olympic, World Champion and competitive gymnasts at every age and ability.  We discuss everything from her recent stint at the Olympics and the “twisties,"  to more topics such as athlete awareness,  wellness, and more controversial topics such as the history of  abuse in our sport, nutrition, eating disorders,  injuries, advocating for athletes  and most importantly  the relationships and communication  between and amongst coaches, athletes and parents.  There are some PG 13 moments in the episode and we touch lightly in a constructive way on some of the abuses in our sport and  how we as clinicians can provide better solutions and services to our athletes and coaches.  Gina is a world of knowledge, experience, insight and an amazing advocate for our gymnasts! Thank you Gina!  You can find out more about Gina and her crew of 60 plus clinicians at Website www.medgym.net  Read articles and works with  Gina;  The Layer of Fear: https://www.insidegymnastics.com/news-features/thelayeroffear72721-2-2/ The Physics of Simone: https://www.insidegymnastics.com/news-features/thephysicsofsimone/ Simone Twisties: https://www.medgym.net/thetwistiesexplained-simone-biles-womensartisticgymnastics/ The Tolls of Being an Elite Gymnast https://www.nbcolympics.com/videos/physical-and-mental-tolls-being-best

World Champion and Olympic Elite Gymnast, Chellsie Memmel, aged 33 is on top of the world.  This past gymnastics season,  Chellsie rocked the gymnastics community as she made an amazing comeback to the Elite Gymnastics World.  In this podcast we discus how Chellsie has found joy again in her sport,  by training on her own terms, balancing family time, recovery time, mom time and work time all in the name of JOY for the sport.   We  also discuss what drove her to come back. How she got  in shape, her current nutrition practices, her recovery, training and how she does it all and manages to do it all with a smile on her face.   I for one am so inspired by all that Chellsie has done to rebirth the gymnastics community and inspire all of us ahem “people of a certain age” to be BETTER… CHELL YEAH! To find out more about Chellsie check her out at:  www.chellsie-memmel.com Instagram: cmemmel23 My GymJudge www.precisionchoreo.com 

Are you a gym owner, coach or entrepreneur who is seeking a better way to run your business,,, or you know there there is a better way, but you don’t know how to get there?  As Jason always says:  ‘You Can’t Steer the ship while you’re busy serving drinks in the lounge” Jason Silverman is a serial  business coach and  entrepreneur who is 100 percent passionate about making the world a better place one business at a time.  He helps gym owners and business owners get out of their OWN way to get on the RIGHT way!   This episode is great for any business owner, but specifically for those in the gymnastics, cheer, Martial arts and dance industries. We dive into many of the limiting beliefs gym owners share such as “I shouldn’t make money because I work with kids, and it’s the way we’ve always done it”  Learn amazing mindset hacks to overcome self-doubt and limiting beliefs that are holding you and your business back!  Jason UNDERSTANDS the gym community and gives  many awesome tips, nuggets and motivation for anyone who wants to get better, be better and do better!  Stop the “yeah BUTS” and start steering your  own ship and stop serving drinks in the lounge!  Let’s dive into it with Jason Silverman!    You can find out more about Jason  On Facebook:  Jason Silverman The Business of Gymnastics Facebook Page  On “The Real Deal Podcast” JasonMSilverman.com

“It’s All About Change”  In this episode of Tumbling Along with Betsy, Author Melisa Torres and I discuss many important topics facing the world of gymnastics, including her newest book: “Season Of Change”  which deals with topics ranging from a new gym, new coaches and relearning skills, all challenging parts of a gymnast’s journey.   We also discuss a major them in her next book series: PUBERTY and BODY CHANGES and how this will be a central them in the next segment of her Perfect Balance Gymnastics Book Series.  I truly enjoy working and talking with Melisa because we have the same mission on helping develop well rounded, confident, independent and strong young women.  I’ve realized just how very important it is to be a strong woman leading other strong women in our sport. I would encourage any young reader and gymnast to pick up this book series.  Some other major topics of discussion in this episode: How reading is so important to our kids and broadens their vocabulary and life experiences.  SafeSport and how she used her latest book to encourage athletes to have a voice. The lack of diversity in literature and how gymnasts have acquired BALANCE through COVID How women cheering on other women (girls cheering on girls) is a central theme to her books. Also, when checking out of Melisa’s store you can receive 10 percent off all of your purchases when you use the code BETSY10 coupon code!  Check Out Melisa on her website:  www.melisatorres.com 

Gymnastics is a scary sport and as a former Elite gymnast,  Ariana LeBlanc has first hand knowledge of the mental challenges surrounding the sport. She uses her past experiences as a fearful, anxious athlete suffering from low self esteem,  as fuel to help her top level athletes gain mindfulness,  emotional, mental and physical control of their actions in the gym.   In Episode 20 of Tumbling Along with Betsy we cover:  -Why gymnastics is such a scary sport -Offer hope to those athletes struggling with self doubt, anxiety and low self esteem - How to bring athletes  back to the present moment through breathing _How Ariana  engages her athletes with specific fears and dealing with “what ifs”  -Covid fears  -Children as individuals and different learners - Gymnasts advocating for themselves and the current state of gymnastics  - How using the breath and meditation can help gymnasts overcome anything!  I was particularly excited about this episode as Ariana is a client of mine in my mentorship program! It has been fun to watch her business soar in the gymnastics community!  Ariana LeBlanc holds a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health and is a school based clinician who also works with Gymnasts! Her experience in gymnastics is vast, as a child she was and Elite gymnast and  a member of both the United States  Tops National team as well as the Junior Elite National Team  You Can find out more about Ariana and contact her about her services for athletes and children at http://www.themindfulgymnast.com as well as on Instagram, the.mindful.gymnast as well as on Facebook as Ariana LeBlanc 

Where Engineering meets gymnastics! If you are a coach of gymnastics, young or old, take some time to listen to this refreshing up and coming coach! Coach Taylor and I are just two coaches hanging out talking about his journey in gymnastics, his passion and recent career change.  We discuss the structure of the sport and how it molded him. The love and WHY people need to do gymnastics!!! How gymnastics is quite simply PHYSICS and how it carries over to EVERYTHING in life! We also discuss several other important topics.  What its like being a collegiate walk-on  gymnast, the love for the sport, the topic of  diversity, inclusion  and race relations as being the “elephant in the room." In this podcast we have an honest and frank discussion on the fact that we all have work to do!  The Gymgineer does a great job equating progressions of race relations to progressions of gymnastics skills-genius! He also gives props to strong women and men coaching partnerships! We discuss  athletes who want to quit and dealing with conflict analytically and empowering kids!  Check Coach Taylor out!  Other topics we cover:  Career change,  taking a pay cut for passion! Mental health being happy in your career! How much he loves pizza, play football and his dog Lima! Instagram:  COACH TAYLOR: @the_gymgineer Facebook: COACH TAYLOR @thegymgineer Email: [email protected] About Coach Taylor:  Gymnastics coach and specialist Civil Engineer Licensed EIT Certification University of Iowa Media Intern Inside Gymnastics Magazine 

John Min is a PASSIONATE gymnastics coach and gym owner of MAGMA Gymnastics in Bridgewater and Phillipsburg, NJ. He has successfully opened two gyms within the time frame of the pandemic.  Our conversations range from discussing the challenges of gymnastics in the current climate,  toxic gym culture, inclusivity and diversity, body image and nutrition,  sharing knowledge amongst and between coaches, strategies on helping kids when they want to quit and supporting the athlete through challenging times. His message of "SPQR" has made him one of the most successful and admired coaches in our sport! This podcast is a must for all coaches who LOVE our sport and who want to make our kids healthier, more well rounded athletes! Thanks John!  You can find out /follow or contact John here:  Website: www. MagmaGym.com Email: [email protected] Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok: MAGMA 

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