Gymcastic: The Gymnastics Podcast

WATCH REPLAY for a limited time only!  GET MOHINI LIVE SHOW REPLAY NOW! Gymnastics' Dumbest Rules (Best of GymCastic) Recorded in June 2023. We’re calling out the worst, stupidest, most self-defeating and awkward rules and conventions in gymnastics, starting with... Leotard Rules - aka the Olympics of regulating women's bodies Venture with us to a world where "elegant," "proper," and "modest" are all words found in the official rule book of a competitive sport in the year 2023—and breasts are expressly prohibited Why Is Gymnastics Still the Military? Saluting and lining up in front of the generals for inspection? Where are we? (with a Simone Paris update) The Apparatus World Cup of Stupidity From the assumption that all women are the same height, to what the FIG considers to be "undisciplined and abusive behavior," to that thing where a double front doesn't fulfill the front tumbling requirement, we take on the worst rules on each event Rules Mythbusters Things someone (usually Martha) pretended

WATCH REPLAY for a limited time only!  MOHINI LIVE SHOW! Headlines Finally: Utah brought in a live piano Jordan Chiles did a genius farewell last ever performance of her bronze medal winning floor routine Kentucky had a proposal at their instrasuqad Rhys McClenaghan on Dancing with the Stars We have a New Skill Alert Interview: Vanessa Zamarripa Stunt woman, author, NCAA Champion, national team member while in college, first U.S. woman to ever successfully compete a Cheng tells us about her career and her new children's book, Mia and the Win From Within. Zam also shares her best advice for other gymnasts or athletes looking to break into the stunt world and what skills she recommend they sharpen up on. Gymternet News The FIG announced an increase to the number of athletes competing in the 2025 world championships in Jakarta, Indonesia  It was also announced that the 2027 Worlds will be hosted in Chendu, China Illia Kovtun is leaving Ukraine for Croatia Hezly Rivera expressed her intentions of competing a

VIRTUAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW:  MOHINI  LIVE SHOW Interview: Amelie Morgan It had been 93 years since the British women's gymnastics team had won an Olympic team medal, then Amelie and her teammates took home a historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Now entering (and excelling in) her senior season at Utah, Amelie has hit 86 of 87 career routines. In this week's interview we discuss: What she wished she had known about communication and time off as a young elite Her decision to move on from elite gymnastics, and specifically why she didn't try to make the Paris Olympics team The extraordinary loophole that now allows her, as a foreign athlete, to earn NIL money Homeschooling Changes in the British Gymnastics system Competing in the high altitude in Utah Doing gymnastics at a height of 5'6" and more! Gymternet News West Virginia took their team photos in a coal mine We ponder other stereotypes that we are ridiculous, but also make us giggle Rebeca Andrade named Woman of the Year by GQ Brazil Join 

VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON TICKETS ON SALE NOW: MOHINI LIVE SHOW   Interview: Elle Reeve Elle Reeve is an award-winning journalist renowned for her incisive reporting on pivotal moments in recent American history. She gained national acclaim for her Vice News coverage of the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, delivering an unflinching look at the event that highlighted the rise of white nationalism. Her work, praised for its depth and courage, earned a Peabody Award. Reeve has continued to report on critical political and social issues, including the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Known for her immersive storytelling and empathetic approach, she has contributed significantly to public understanding of extremism and its impacts on democracy. Much of her reporting is chronicled in her new book, "Black Pill: How I Witnessed the Darkest Corners of the Internet Come to Life, Poison Society, and Capture American Politics." In this interview Reeve explains how her years of gymnastics

TICKETS ON SALE NOW: PORTLAND LIVE SHOW From romanian candles  to Mohini's pizza- all your favorite fluff pieces revisited. Originally published on July 15, 2017. It's the commissioned episode you've all been waiting for...the FLUFFCAST! We jump into all the most insane, hilarious, horrifying, sexist, perfect, amazing, diva-tastic, butterfly-gazing, Romanian candle-holding fluff pieces in the history of gymnastics broadcasts. Thank you so much to Fluff Feels for commissioning the episode we were born to do, and thank you to everyone who sent in suggestions! Jessica and Spencer dissect: 2000 Olympic All-Around fluff  NBC's Living-Parents Championship, starring Russian daddy issues and soldiers kidnapping Zamo. Prod's shaved eyebrow Prod's convertible flexing fluff, the only verifiably true fluff ever The legendary Romanian candle cups Elise Ray and the butterfly NBC's weird obsession with 1950s-style nuclear families 2000 Atler v. Dantzscher v. Beth Rybacki's tears How much resentment and blame? ALL

TICKETS ON SALE NOW PORTLAND LIVE SHOW Bela's Legacy Bela Karolyi helped usher many gymnasts over decades to the pinnacle of the sport. If medals are the measure of success, few can match his accomplishments. When addressing his legacy, however, it would be irresponsible to ignore the wake of destruction he left behind and the culture he helped cultivate that resulted in the largest sexual abuse scandal in American sports history. Many gymnasts, even those who have shared their own stories of abuse by him, have equally expressed gratitude and admiration. It's possible to recognize his accomplishments while also addressing the physical and emotional scars he left on the sport. We are sensitive to those grieving, but we also feel an obligation to honor those who have suffered by sharing a more complete picture of Bela Karolyi. In an exclusive, we have decided to share the most serious allegation against Bela, which we unearthed in our reporting while scouring the Romanian Secret Police documents. The accusati

PORTLAND LIVE SHOW HALL OF SHAME Update about Monica Phelps and her banned, pedophile husband Sexually inappropriate comments about minors: Nope. Sexually inappropriate comments about adults: Double nope. Infantilizing adults and calling them little girls: Triple nope. Weight Shaming: The Monica Phelps Chapter Being weirdly obsessed with adoption: The Al Trautwig Chapter Tragic moments in college commentary Tragic moments in putting on accents GYMCASTIC'S OFFICIAL BROADCAST DOs and DON'Ts 18 Dos and (mostly) Don'ts for gymnastics broadcasts concerning comparing gymnasts to dented cars, being the smile police, "Bela's girls," and talking about a gymnast's "personality." BANNED WORDS AND PHRASES From "supple" to "weight" to "international look" to "ancient" to "4 inches wide," we have some words and phrases that are hereby banned from gymnastics commentary. The most important message for any commentator to reiterate before they begin broadcasts re smashing the patriarchy for the witches they couldn't bu

Director Katie Walsh is back to answer your questions about the making of the Simone Biles Rising documentary and talk about what it was like to be on the floor filming during the Paris Olympic Games. This episode was recorded October 30th in our weekly Behind The Scenes episode where Club Gym Nerd members asked questions live or afterwards on their favorite podcast player. Behind The Scenes is a weekly live Q&A podcast and post-meet live exclusive. It's all part of the bonus content for our Club Members who support our work year around. Last live show of the year! Tickets on sale soon. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified first. Add all the exclusive Club Gym Nerd bonus content to your favorite podcast player -  instructions here. Not a member? Join here. Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!). It includes: Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes podcast, dedications, mini-commissions , group commissions, exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktails episodes. Plus discounts and first di

This week: Absolutely everything about the final two episodes of the Netflix docuseries, Simone Biles Rising. Plus lots of audio clips of Simone's interview Q&A from the premier in Hollywood that Jessica attended last week (all the details on the premier on Behind The Scenes here). No big deal, but Jessica is in the last two episodes. We also discuss the FIG election news and some Halloween-worthy gymnastics horror stories thanks to that Hart to Hart's gymnast-cat-burglar-cruise-ship-bar-routine tv episode we talked about last week. Our final live show of the year will be in Portland, Oregon in December! Details coming soon! Club Gym Nerd members will get early access to tickets and a discount.   Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!). It includes: Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes podcast, dedications, mini-commissions , group commissions, exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktails episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch. Exclusive VIP section on the

This week: we discuss the gymnastics revenge horror short, "Stuck"; Simone's tour blooper; Jessica is going to the Simone Biles Rising documentary Premier this week; journalist Alina Alexoi has been suspended from European Gymnastics and the Romanian Gymnastics Federation (details here); FIG faces mass resignation in Parkour and lots of technical committee Presidents running unopposed; there are subjective judging problems in every ball sport, so don't let anyone tell you gymnastics is "a subjective sport"; should judges be able to watch replays at will; the time an acro world championship was almost lost after a judge incorrectly input the digital scores; college gymnastics commit updates; the most exciting meets on the NCAA schedule for 2025; the most ridiculous gymnastics episode of TV: Hart to Hart's gymnastics cat burglar cruise ship bar routine.    Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!). It includes: Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes podcast, dedications, mini-commissions , group commissions, exc

Mini-Commission on the Karolyi's and why they've never faced consequences When Beyonce met Suni Major NCAA news: no more letters of intent and Florida is getting everybody Vanessa Ferrari retirement Florida racks up the commitments Plus other signings And a Letter Extravaganza! We read through all your letters covering... Simone / Skinner beef Suggested changes for the Chinese team More bronze controversy feedback and thoughts The modesty of a $10,000 leotard Diuretics in Gymnastics 2016 Highest Scoring Team–Ashton over Gabby Bros talking about women sports Christianity in Gymnastics The changing age narrative VPNs Hacking the pommel horse dismount How to Become a Career Coach Why doesn't Simone dominate on uneven bars? Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!). It includes: Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes podcast, dedications, mini-commissions , group commissions, exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktails episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch. E

This week: All the gymternet news; Szombathely World Cup of artistry dominance and B dismounts; a mini-commission on the best and worst college for everything but gymnastics rankings; and Jessica watched the first two episodes of "The Money Game," a docuseries on the LSU NIL system and their top athlete earners.  Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!). It includes: Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes podcast, dedications, mini-commissions , group commissions, exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktails episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch. Exclusive VIP section on the message board Forum More goodies: GymCastic newsletters  2024 College & Cocktails menu (including mocktails, of course) GymCastic Fantasy Games GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even “tapestries” (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast! Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store RELATED EPISODES Behi

All about the legend, Dominique Dawes. How was she treated by the media, what backstories were told, the many barriers she broke though, the skills, the records, the iconic Prince video.  Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!). It includes: Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes podcast, dedications, mini-commissions , group commissions, exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktails episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch. Exclusive VIP section on the message board Forum More goodies: GymCastic newsletters  2024 College & Cocktails menu (including mocktails, of course) GymCastic Fantasy Games GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even “tapestries” (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast! Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store RELATED EPISODES Behind The Scenes every Friday: find them all here Behind The Scenes: GOAT Tour & Jordan's Swiss Appeal All About Aly Raisman B

The latest gymternet news; retroactively applying the artistry checklist to historic routines; revisiting the 2008 Olympic Team Final; Aly Raisman the 2010-2011 era. Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!). It includes: Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes podcast, dedications, mini-commissions , group commissions, exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktails episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch. Exclusive VIP section on the message board Forum More goodies: GymCastic newsletters  2024 College & Cocktails menu (including mocktails, of course) GymCastic Fantasy Games GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even “tapestries” (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast! Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store RELATED EPISODES Behind The Scenes: GOAT Tour & Jordan's Swiss Appeal All About Aly Raisman Battle Amanar Vault Funerals, Brandy Johnson and the gymternet news COMM

Today's exclusive episode is about Simone Biles GOAT tour rehearsals, but then Jordan Chiles' law firm made her bronze medal appeal public along with the video evidence, so we've got to talk all about it. Jessica spoke with experts, attorneys and Cecile Landi about the evidence showing that Simone Biles Olympic FX final inquiry was never processed. For everything you need to know about the medal fight listen to The Definitive Guide to the Paris Floor Bronze Debacle so far...  Behind The Scenes is a weekly Q&A live podcast and post-meet live exclusive. It's all part of the bonus content for our Club Members who supporting our work year around. Here's how to ask questions live. Can't make it live? Add all the exclusive Club Gym Nerd bonus content to your favorite podcast player -  instructions here. Not a member? Join here.  PARIS HEADQUARTERS: podcasts, schedules and fantasy game Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!). It includes: Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes podcast, dedications, mini-commis

Breaking News: emergency episode coming tomorrow, Tuesday Sept 16th, because Jordan Chiles has filed her own appeal against the C.A.S. bronze medal decision and included the evidence. This week we talk about Simone Biles GOAT tour pommel horse injection now featuring Simone; the lost 1982 generation including early gymnast-for-change hero, Alexandra Marinescu (ROM); answer a question about how Marta Karolyi really acted;  rank our top three Amanars and rage-o-meter about tv camera angles. Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!). It includes: Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes podcast, dedications, mini-commissions , group commissions, exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktails episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch. Exclusive VIP section on the message board Forum More goodies: GymCastic newsletters  2024 College & Cocktails menu (including mocktails, of course) GymCastic Fantasy Games GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag f

A Mini Commission on Brandy Johnson's time with the Karoyi's and her kidneys A Mini Commission where we break down the reputations of gyms and give you our first thoughts that come to mind when we hear a gymnasts is from a certain gym Gymternet news including: a GiF history of gymnast's first pitch fails The Rutgers situation Rebeca Andrade making her NFL debut Simone Biles holding a funeral for her vault The passing of Kara Welsh Li Li Leung recognized for making an impact Jordan Chiles making her runway debut Ellie Black winning the Fair Play Award at the Paris Olympics and much more Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!). It includes: Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes podcast, dedications, mini-commissions , group commissions, exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktails episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch. Exclusive VIP section on the message board Forum More goodies: GymCastic newsletters  2024 College & Cocktails menu (including mocktai

The year: 1986 The film: American Anthem The quality: low Spencer and Jessica spend way too long this week on a deep dive into what is perhaps the most significant film in the gymnastics pantheon, teen sports-drama-romance American Anthem. Jessica lovvvveeed this movie as a middle schooler. Spencer hates everything. It's gonna get good. We discuss it all: very excellent gymnast acting, backlit hair and 13-foot-wide denim jackets, THE TRIFFUS OF MURRRDERRR, an 11-week-old Jenny Rowland putting Daniela Silivas to shame, the lovely and sensitive handling of domestic abuse (jk it's monstrous), storing your grips IN THE LEAVES, excessive gymnastics grunting sounds, and the true hero of this story—Becky Cameron.  *originally recorded in April 2020 Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!). It includes: Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes podcast, dedications, mini-commissions , group commissions, exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktails episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show ticket

It wouldn't be a meet recap without deep moral lessons, receipts, robots, prophesies and pantheons. In this episode we discuss: USAG no longer has a senior national team training center (juniors do). FIG President, Watanabe, calls the floor final a tragedy. We'll tell you what that means for the future. How to implement robot judging properly. Romania has filed an appeal against their own gymnast's medal From concussion protocols to lessons on being iconic, all the takeaways from Paris. Washington Post gym nerd article on Simone Biles Domination Data   Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!). It includes: Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes podcast, dedications, mini-commissions , group commissions, exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktails episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch. Exclusive VIP section on the message board Forum More goodies: GymCastic newsletters  2024 College & Cocktails menu (including mocktails, of course) GymCastic Fantasy

Everything you need to know about the Paris Floor Final Bronze Medal Debacle featuring Jordan Chiles (USA), Ana Barbosu (ROM) and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea (ROM), Women's Technical Committee President, Donatella Sacchi and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Is this a nationalist fight between Romania and the USA or just poor decision making and execution of procedures by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG)? Did CAS act fairly and impartially? This is a guide from gymnastics insiders on everything that led to Jordan Chiles being told to return her bronze medal days after the competition ended. For our first series of FAQ's on this topic, listen to Behind The Scenes: Back from Paris with the ClusterFuggle of Bronze. In this episode we discuss: Who's at fault here (hint: it's not the gymnasts, don't @ them) What the heck happened that led to the game of bronze medal hot potato? Who got what score, was it changed, and why? Who made the decision to change Jordan Chiles score? Why might the line judge