Quick Chat with Ragan Smith

At just thirteen years old, in her first year as an elite, Ragan caught the eyes of many with her adorable smile and fierce competitive style! (Don't let that small stature fool you!) Ragan began taking gymnastics classes when she was just one year old and was coached by her mother for several years. In 2009, Ragan moved to Northwhind Gymnastics to train with two-time Belarusian World Champion and 1996 Olympian, Elena Piskun. Under Elena, Ragan qualified to junior elite and managed a 7th place finish on floor at the P&G Championships. The following October, she made a big move from her hometown Dacula, Georgia to Coppell, Texas and began training at Texas Dreams under 1991 World All Around Champion and 1992 Olympian, Kim Zmeskal and her husband Chris. Under their guidance, Ragan will hopefully reach her full potential and find herself in Rio in 2016! We chatted with Ragan about her recent gym change, future goals, potential upgrades and more!

Photo Credit: John Cheng

For several years you trained under Olympian Elena Piskun, what was she like as a coach?
Elena was a very good coach and I loved having her as a coach. She encouraged me and would always tell me "you got this" which would make me feel like I could do well!

A few months ago you left Northwhind and are now training under another very famous Olympian, Kim Zmeskal. Why did you leave Northwhind and what led you to choose Texas Dreams?
I left Northwhind so I could train with other elites and be able to train with a team, instead of training by myself. I look up to my teammates at Texas Dreams and enjoy training with them! I chose Texas Dreams because Kim and Chris are good coaches and I was around them at every camp last year and I felt comfortable with them! I liked the way they coached and knew they could help me!

How different is it having several elite teammates versus one or none? 
I really like training with the other elites at Texas Dreams, it really motivates me! I look up to them, they encourage me, and they are very nice!

Did your family move to Texas with you or are you living with a host family?
My whole family moved to Texas in November. I did live with some families for about five or six weeks until my family could move here.

Even though last year was your first year as an elite, you are already a fan favorite! Does that add any pressure for you?
Being one of the favorites makes me feel good about myself. It doesn't really put more pressure on me, it makes me happy and makes me work harder!

What have been some of your favorites moments in your gymnastics career so far?
Getting invited to the National Team camps each month and qualifying to the U.S. Championships last August where I hit eight out of eight routines!

What are the National Team camps like? Do you have any interesting stories? 
The camps are intense, but fun and we learn a lot! I have enjoyed rooming with different girls and getting to know them all! I guess a funny story is how entertaining Laurie Hernandez is! She is so much fun to be around! We have roomed together several times and we play music, dance, and hang out with some of the other girls when we have time between training.

If you could have the career of any gymnast who would it be?
Kim Zmeskal- Burdette! I loved watching videos of her when she was competing and to see how powerful and small she was! Now that she is my coach, it feels great to see her everyday! It's great to be coached by an Olympian!

What has been the hardest skill for you to learn? What about the easiest?
The hardest skill is my double layout off bars. The easiest skill that I have learned is my front tuck on beam.



Are you working any new upgrades that you can share? 
I am working a double layout and a triple twist on floor. On beam I'm working a triple series and on vault a yurchenko double.

What are some of your long term and short term goals? 
My short term goal is to be on the Junior National Team and continue going to national team camps. My long term goal is to make the 2016 Olympic team!

Little Girls Dream Big

When I was eleven-years-old, I was in fifth grade, and my boobs were growing at what I deemed an alarming rate. I was moving from reading the Baby-Sitters Club to Goosebumps, Michael Crichton, and sneaking my mom’s trashy romance novels. I rode my bike to school, and my favorite game at recess was kickball. I liked it when my mom made tacos for dinner, and every Saturday morning, my dad took me and my siblings to our grandparents’ house for piano lessons. I had the bounciest trampoline in the world, and I pretended to be an Olympian as I flew through the routines I created. I attended tap, jazz, ballet, acrobatics, and gymnastics classes obsessively, fought with my two brothers, and looked forward to Friday night TV-TGIF. I still played with dolls, but I also thought about boys, and I escaped into books as often as possible.

When I was eleven-years-old, I was a normal kid. What were you doing when you were eleven-years-old? What was your dream? What were you afraid of?

I was eleven-years-old in 1992-1993. So was Adriana Giurca.

Adriana Giurca

Adriana Giurca had bigger dreams than I did, and more pressure as well. Adriana was a Romanian gymnast training at the famed Dinamo Club in Bucharest. She had talent, but in one moment of anger, her promise and her life were brutally ended.

Florin Gheorghe was her coach. He was in a bad mood the day Adriana died. He asked her to complete a dismount from the beam that had always been problematic for her. She miscued. And instead of responding with encouragement or even a dressing down, Gheorghe began slapping and violently kicking the girl. Another coach tried to calm him, but he demanded she mind her own business. Then Gheorghe grabbed Adriana’s head and banged it five or six times against the balance beam.

Bravely, Adriana tried to move to the floor exercise. She was asked to complete a difficult routine, but injured and fearful, she fell. She was punched and kicked by a grown man, and when she screamed, she was told not to cry and to shut up. She fell to the floor.

She never got up.

Adriana was taken to the hospital, where she fell into a coma and later died. Gheorghe told the doctors she fell off the uneven bars, but they knew that could not be true, not given the extent of her injuries. The truth came out eventually. It almost always does.

Romanian officials condemned Gheorghe’s actions and stated that violent and abusive behavior was not common in their gymnastics clubs. However, Adriana would often come home bruised, and though she tried to cover, her parents did not believe that her injuries were caused by training, and they complained to the school, demanding that she be transferred to another coach. That was scheduled to happen two weeks after she died. After Adriana’s death, other gymnasts came forward and testified that they were often subjected to corporal punishment as part of their training.

Adriana (far left) with Coach Gheorghe (back)

Adriana was beaten to death in November 1993, and on January 31, 1995, her coach was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to eight years in jail and ordered to pay restitution to the gymnast’s family, the equivalent of $5,600, but what price could be adequate to indemnify parents after the death of a child? Gheorghe only spent three and a half years in jail before he was released for good behavior.

I was inspired to write “Little Girls Dream Big” during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I was a gymnast myself as a child and a teenager- not a very good one, but I’ve always loved the sport nonetheless. I didn't know exactly what the focus of the book would be, just that I wanted to write a good gymnastics fiction novel. In my research, I came across Adriana’s story, and it sunk its teeth into me and wouldn't let go. This was a story that went largely unreported in America, so there is not a ton of information to be found, but what I did uncover was shocking and heartbreaking. I wondered if a murder like this had happened before. Will it happen again?

“Little Girls Dream Big” is inspired by Adriana’s story. It is NOT a true recounting of her tale, not by a long shot, nor is it meant to be semi-biographical. It is simply an homage, and since Adriana’s story is so obscure and unknown even in the large majority of the gymnastics community, I wanted to let readers know that this is not a far-fetched work of fiction. Something dreadfully similar not only could happen, but did happen. When you read this book and feel pain and horror over the death of Ileana Dalca, I hope you will take a moment to remember Adriana.

Why bring this up after so much time? Why pick the scabs on such old wounds? Personally, I do not think there should be a statute of limitations on mourning the death of a child, but more than that, America is a culture obsessed with perfection and accomplishment. Our young athletes are not only encouraged but obligated to train themselves as adults do, pushing themselves to the very limits physically and mentally, in the pursuit of greatness. There’s nothing wrong with reaching for a goal and wanting to be the best. I just would like for everyone to take a pause, think about Adriana, and ask yourself how far is too far? We need to ask ourselves if we are sacrificing our young athletes on the altar of achievement. They’re just kids, after all.

What were you doing when you were eleven-years-old? Some of you might be eleven now. I was riding my bike around the neighborhood, swimming over the summer and sledding over the winter, bickering with my brothers, trying to get good grades, and doing my best to make friends. I wasn't worried that my softball coach was going to hit me with a baseball bat because I struck out or living in fear that my jazz teacher would toss me off the balcony if I missed my mark. Adriana Giurca probably wasn’t so different from me, and she shouldn’t have paid a price so high. Just one death like this is one too many. Go online and read Adriana’s story, and as you move forward in your life, remember that child abuse in any form needs to be eradicated. It’s our responsibility as a society as a whole, and Adriana’s story reminds us of that.

-Nicole Angeleen

If you want to read “Little Girls Dream Big,” visit Nicole’s website at www.nicoleangeleen.com or search for “Nicole Angeleen” on Amazon or Smashwords.

Desiderio Eyeing Rio 2016

When Christina Desiderio began turning perfect cartwheels at home at the age of six, her mother knew gymnastics was her calling. She was immediately signed up for gymnastics classes and within 6 months, Christina was competing in her first competition. In the summer of 2010, Christina left her home in New Jersey and relocated in Pennsylvania in order to train at one of the most prestigious gyms in the country - Parkettes. "My parents choose Parkettes because if this was my dream, they wanted me to be with the best!" Christina said. "My coaches are awesome! They want me to be the best I can be, not only in the gym, but in life!" Training at Parkettes also gives Christina a chance to train along side her idol Elizabeth Price. "I am so very lucky to be able to practice with her everyday. She's always so focused and bubbly in the gym! I will always look up to her." she said. Along with Ebee, she also trains with a group of junior elites. "My teammates are a lot of fun! Like most teammates, we like to hangout outside of the gym and are always encouraging each other. I'm lucky to train with them!" she added.

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

Under the guidance of Bill and Donna Strauss, Christina began showing remarkable results such as winning the State Championships on vault, beam, and floor and winning the vault and beam titles at Regionals in 2012. Christina concluded her 2012 season at the JO National Championships where she placed 5th on beam- her best event. In 2013, Christina switched gears and began preparation to compete in the elite ranks. At a developmental camp in June she qualified to elite, which would give her the opportunity to compete at the Secret Classic and have a shot at qualifying to the U.S. National Championships. At the Secret Classic- her first major elite meet, Christina placed 10th all around and 4th on beam- solidifying her spot at the P&G Championships! At the P&G Championships she placed 8th on beam and finished off her first year as an elite satisfied. "I fulfilled all my goals for 2013 by making it to Championships and going to some national team camps!" Christina also loved getting to compete on a podium in front of the big crowd and signing autographs after the meet. "I felt like a celebrity!" Christina recalled.

Christina and her teammates signing autographs!

Outside of the gym, Christina doesn't have much free time. "I really don't have a normal life!" she joked. "I live an hour from the gym, so I'm in the car a lot!" She usually spends her weekends catching up on school work. "It's really hard to do school during the week because I come home so late, so I have to do a lot of it on the weekends. It doesn't leave much time for fun!" she admits.



Christina is currently working hard in the gym for when the elite season rolls around. She hopes to add a few new upgrades into her routines including a maloney on bars, a back handspring-back handspring- layout full on beam, a yurchenko double on vault, and a double layout on floor. Her goals for this year are to make the national team and represent the USA in international competitions. "I'm really very proud of how far I've come and I look forward to doing more in the future." she told us. Three years from now, Desiderio hopes to find herself in Rio representing herself and her country in the Olympic games!

Interview with Icelandic National Team Member- Agnes Suto

Icelandic gymnast Agnes Suto is a fan favorite among the gymternet and is a very active member herself through her tumblr blog- Project-Suto. She is coached by Lajos Kiss and her mother Katalin Ugszigeti, who competed at the World Championships for Hungary in 1978 and 1979. This past October, Agnes competed at her second World Championships and is working hard with hopes of returning again next year. We recently caught up with Agnes to talk about her career so far and plans for the future.

Photo Credit: International Gymnast

What is gymnastics like in Iceland compared to some of the other "bigger" countries?
The difference is big. The training hours are less, only few of the coaches have the experience to be able to coach on a higher level, and the system behind the sport is mostly about fun and friends.
Most of the clubs want to give everyone the opportunity to train, so it takes away space for the competitive gymnasts and it’s harder to get the work done. But over all, most of the kids training are happy, nobody stresses about the level, and it’s all about fun and joy.

Who are your inspirations when it comes to gymnastics?
I really look up to my mom and her success as a gymnast. She always keeps me motivated when I’m having hard times, as she has good experience.

What has been your greatest accomplishment so far?
I have had many good results from Icelandic Championships, but yet, I am most proud of placing 4th in all
around and on vault at the Hungarian Championships in 2009. The level of Hungarian gymnastics is higher so coming in 4th means a lot to me.

You are pretty active in the gymternet on tumblr, so as an elite gymnast, what are your thoughts on this fandom?
I think it’s a good thing that fans and gymnasts have a place to share their thoughts and I enjoy it alot. Yet there are people who dislike others with different opinions, but all we can do about it is ignore them and keep the mood positive.

What are your plans/goals for your future in gymnastics?
I would like to focus on one competition at a time and not plan too much ahead. I enjoy gymnastics, and I am lucky that my body can still handle training hard. I have no interest in retiring yet, I will keep
going as long as I can.

You have now competed in two World Championships, what has been the coolest moments from
that?
Back in Tokyo, the whole international experience was really new to me, and it kept me amazed for the whole 2 weeks while I was there. I felt like I was in the perfect gymnastics world! Tokyo will
always be one of my most loved memories since I met the person who changed lots of things in my life and became the most important.

Photo Credit: International Gymnast (Agnes with boyfriend Tomi Tuuha)

Antwerp was even better and it is really hard to get my thoughts together to answer this question as my mind fills up with all kinds of cool thoughts when I look back to that trip. There were so many highlights, like when I was on vault with McKayla Maroney and no one else (it was awkward as I was struggling with a layout and she was throwing Amanars, but the awesome feeling at that moment, pushed back the awkwardness). Also, when we marched into the competition hall at qualifications, I think that was the best feeling. The arena was full with loudly cheering audience and the competition itself was a once in a lifetime experience. And the banquet was just perfect. Every hard working gymnast got the opportunity to relax and have fun. I loved it and I am really motivated to make it to another World Championships.

Photo Credit: Agnes Suto (Agnes with Aliya Mustafina) 

If you could have the career of any gymnast who would it be?
Larissa Iordache. She uses all the opportunities to compete and enjoys all of them. She looks like she loves the sport and she is also super friendly.

What is one thing that not many people know about you?
I try not to make it too obvious but I tend to like Nutella too much. Also I am very good at annoying people, but I tend to spare everyone except my boyfriend.

Have you ever considered doing college gymnastics in the USA?
Yes I have! With my Hungarian friend, Dorina Böczögö, we really wanted to go, but I still need to finish school and our goals changed completely as we have new future plans. But it seems fun! Also I am aware of the fact the NCAA gymnasts train just as hard as elites, which I don’t think I could handle.

Photo Credit: mbl.is/Omar

What is the hardest part about gymnastics?
Keeping the focus and fighting through the hard days. But I always manage well! Also coming back from a longer break is challenging.

If you could do any other sport what would it be?
I want to try beach volleyball and dancing someday, but not on competition level

Follow Agnes on tumblr here.

One to watch: Catherine Lyons

Elegant, polished, and mesmerizing are often words you hear being used to describe thirteen year old Catherine Lyons- a British star on the rise. At first glance, Lyons seems like she would have an extensive dance background but surprisingly the only formal dance training she has is the 30 minute ballet session she does during practice. In only her second year competing at the elite level, Catherine has caught the eye of many thanks to her stunning choreography, extreme flexibility, and unique skills.

At the British Championships in 2012, Catherine placed 1st all around in the Espoir category. In 2013 she fell short of defending her title and wound up placing 2nd all around, but she made up for it by winning the floor title with an impressive 9.1 E score. At the 2013 UK School Games, Catherine had a stellar meet winning the all around title plus all four event titles! Then it was off to Japan for the Junior Japan International where she finished 8th all around and 4th on beam among some of the worlds best junior gymnasts. Most recently at the second British Espior Championships, Catherine swept the competition winning the all around title and all four events. Talk about a sweet redemption!



Catherine is a fan favorite particularly on beam and floor where she really shows off her grace and flexibility. On beam, Catherine does a jump to split mount from the side of the beam and an inverted Y turn; which the crowd really loves. On floor, Catherine takes "artistic gymnastics" to a whole new level with her contemporary style routine. "I really enjoy dancing as I can put emotion into it and show off." said Catherine "I have been taught from a young age that gymnastics is about the performance and trying to entertain the judges; it comes natural for me to show off." Interestingly, dance lessons are considered a reward at Lyons gym. "I've been allowed to start some contemporary style dance at the end of my ballet session as a treat if I work hard." said Lyons. Catherine lists her idols as Aliya Mustafina and Beth Tweddle, both gymnasts whom she is inspired to be like.

Lyons won't become a senior until 2016, but she has plenty of goals to work for along the way. "Right now my main goal is to upgrade more in all my routines. I would like to get onto the junior European team in 2014, after to that I'm just taking it step by step." But there is one other thing for sure that Catherine would like to accomplish. "Another big aim is to actually stop growing!" Lyons joked.  For now, Catherine Lyons will continue to be a delight to watch on the junior stage until her time comes to shine- which just may be in Rio 2016.

Rewind: Interview with Betty Okino

If you know anything about the history of USA gymnastics, then you surely know about Betty Okino. She was born in Africa, moved to the United States when she was three years old, and raised by parents of Romanian and Ugandan decent. Formerly a competitive dancer, Betty began gymnastics at the age of 9 and was a junior elite just four years later. Before she knew it she was traveling across the country for international competitions and winning medals galore. 1991 was a breakout year for Betty. She won the American Cup and two medals at the World Championships- a silver with the team and a bronze on beam. In 1992 she won another World Championship medal, this time a silver on bars, and was selected to represent the USA at the 1992 Olympic Games. There she helped team USA win the bronze medal, placed 12th in the all around finals, and competed in the beam event finals. Betty is best known for her long balletic lines and being the first women to compete a triple spin on the beam. In our interview, Betty reflects back on some of the high's and low's of her career, training with the Karolyi's, and tells us what she's been up to today.

Photo Credit: Corbis

You started gymnastics at the age of 9, which is late compared to most elite gymnasts. What made you want to do gymnastics and how did you progress so quickly? 
Yes I started gymnastics at the age of 9, yet I began dancing when I was 4. I began competing in National Dance competitions at the age of 5, and to be a contender at the national level, you had to be able to tumble. So I had a jump on your basic run of the mill tumbling skills. As a child, my mom would read to me the book "Nadia," and I became enamored by the sport and the experience of being in the Olympics. I asked my mom regularly to put me in gymnastics. Every time I was interviewed for the paper or on the news for my dance accomplishments, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would always say "an Olympic Gymnast." Finally when I sat completely awe inspired as Mary Lou Retton became the USA's first ever Olympic Champion, the deal was sealed. I started gymnastics classes soon after. I had a vision, and my progress in the sport was powered by that vision.

When did the Olympics become a realistic goal for you?
To tell you the absolute truth, the Olympics were always a realistic goal for me, nestled somewhere deep in my heart, and no matter what challenges that idea was faced with, it never wavered. Yet to be super specific, when I first moved to train with Karolyi's, I was put into another elite group headed up by another one of Karolyi's coaches, Rick Newman. Bela and Martha put me there for about 3 months, until the US Classic meet, where I was to be given a chance to prove myself. Long story short, at the beginning of the Classic Rick was my coach, by the end of the competition on the final event, Bela was coaching me and greeting me with his legendary bear hug after landing my dismount. After the competition Martha put her arm around me and said, "well Betty, now are you ready to work?" To which I nodded my head up and down emphatically. Through their eyes I saw my potential, and I had such faith in their ability to coach me to the Olympic Games, that it was made absolutely certain in my mind that day. After all, everything up to that point was unfolding pretty close to how I had visioned. I always knew Bela and Martha would be my coaches, and that they would take me to the Olympics.

What were the Karolyi's like as people and as your coaches? Has your relationship with them changed since the end of your gymnastics career? 
As coaches Bela and Martha were very focused, pretty much all business with few sporadic moments of play, which we savored, making every effort to prolong the moments because it meant a bit of rest. Martha was always very sharp and stern with moments of compassion. Her lighter more endearing side came out when traveling abroad, and most especially when shopping abroad, Martha loves to shop! Bela was always very brute and demanding. He's a man's man, a self proclaimed Romanian John Wayne. He tends his farm, rides his horses, ranches, and hunts, and it was that type of no nonsense, no complaints, no weakness attitude that he governed his athletes with. Bela had a passion for being "the best," anything less was unacceptable and he expected the same from his gymnasts. He does have a lighter side. Occasionally in the middle of practice he would start telling us a story, about his time coaching Nadia and company in Romania, dealing with the Communist Government, playing hand ball in school, or stories about Mary Lou. Story time with Bela was always a good time, he tells a great story, and usually a long one. Story time and news crew filming time were the only times we experienced a slight break in intensity during practice. For Martha, it's shopping. For Bela, he is in his element in nature. He would always come back from hunting trips just a bit softer- a little bit more relaxed. My relationship with Bela and Martha has evolved from controlling coach and somewhat submissive athlete, to a mutual respect and even keeled friendship.

(Top: Betty Okino, Mary Lou Retton, Martha and Bela,
 Bottom: Jennie Thompson, Kim Zmeskal, & Dominique Moceanu)
Photo Credit: Karoyliscamp.com

What were things like in the gym with you being fluent in Romanian, the Karolyi's native language?
Once Bela and Martha learned that I understood Romanian, they stopped speaking Romanian in the gym in front of me, when they didn't want me to know what they were talking about, because I would report back to my teammates whatever they were saying, so they switched to speaking Hungarian.
How did they find out you spoke Romanian?
One day they were discussing what they wanted us to work on during practice. I went back in the line with my teammates after finishing my tumbling run and told them what we would be doing next. So we started to move on to the next thing, when Martha and Bela realized they hadn't yet told us what we were going to be doing next. They stopped us and said, "Bettyson"- that's what Bela called me, you know like 'Karate Kid' Danielson? Anyway, he says, "Bettyson...do you understand Romanian?" to which I said, "yes, of course." That was pretty much the end of Romanian in the gym, when they didn't want us in on the conversation.
With Romania being one of the USA's biggest rivals, did speaking Romanian ever come in handy while traveling?
Speaking Romanian allowed me to form a close connection at that time between the US team and the Romanian team, as I became the go between for us all to communicate and talk about boys, life, training, you know that sort of thing. It was great, we all looked forward to seeing each other at competitions and eliminating the language barrier formed a sort of bridge into their world and visa versa. Knowing several languages always comes in handy while traveling. It helps me to feel comfortable where ever.

What was your relationship like with some of your teammates? Was there a lot of rivalries between you?
My teammates and I were all business in the gym. Out of the gym we were regular teenage girls, having limos sent to take us to see NKOTB in concert, courtesy of our sponsors...yes I said NKOTB. Kim [Zmeskal] loved Jordan Knight and I loved Joey MacIntyre! We were all very focused, given the intensity of our training. Kim and I hung out outside of the gym, when time permitted. We were besties, yet we definitely pushed one another in practice and competition, becoming better athletes in the process, yet there was only love and support between us- no bitterness, as competition is often known to create. I felt a kind of sisterhood with all my teammates.

Photo Credit: Fanpix.net

Talk about a few of the high and low points in your career. 
All the low points in my career were due to injury, and I had the lion's share. I suppose the most challenging time was when I fractured my back 6 weeks before the Olympics. The doorway for doubt in one's self is flung wide open when injuries occur, especially when they seem to occur one after the other. The timing of that injury seemed most unfortunate at the time, yet I was to experience one of my greatest life victories in transcending the doubts and projections of failure from my parents, family, coaches and most of all my own self. A battle waged inside my being in the two months leading up to the Olympics. It was quite literally the battle of good vs. evil. "Will you give power to doubts, fear and failure, or will you hold firm to light of faith, and the vision placed in your heart so many years ago?" I understood that I alone must choose my destiny. I could give up, because that's what most of the people around me were suggesting, or I could hold firm to the light of my dream and in doing so allow myself to be lifted into the victory of the accomplishment. I chose the latter. So It appears that the lowest point in my career, in many ways, was also the highest point in my career.

You competed in the 1992 Olympic Games and won a bronze medal with the team. What was that experience like for you? Do you feel like you accomplished everything you set out to do?
The 1992 Olympics were somewhat bitter sweet. I had won a great personal victory in transcending fear, doubt and injury to dance on the floor at the Games, yet I was not in peak shape. I felt tired and drained by the time we got to Barcelona to compete, and as I have discussed the experience with my Karolyi teammates that were on that Olympic team, they too expressed the same sentiment. Everything was supposed to come together, our energy, our physical health, our routines and our enthusiasm to create one epic, golden moment of awesomeness! I mean, that's how the dream goes, but it wasn't like that. We were battered, bruised, and just surviving the experience, instead of thriving in it. All that said, marching out onto the podium for the first day of competition and feeling the immensity of the crowd, the cameras going off, the over all magnitude of the event...it was big! I am grateful for the experience of representing the USA in the Olympic Games. There is no other event like it, which unites the world and the world's top athletes for 16 days of epic celebration of the limitless human spirit and physical excellence. I am grateful to have stood along side my team, on the medal podium, with an Olympic medal around my neck, and the American flag waving above us...that moment is unforgettable. I am grateful for having met the first ever, legendary Dream Team- one of the highlights of the games. No, I did not accomplish everything I set out to do in the Olympics, yet I now have the wisdom of my experience that has become a powerful tool in my over all life story of victory. I am truly grateful.

You have 2 elements named after you in the code of points, how did those skills come about? 
The triple turn on the balance beam was born out of my love for dance, and my captivation with Mikhail Baryshnikov and his ability to seemingly pirouette forever. I began practicing my pirouettes in order to master them, then decided I could be the Baryshnikov of the gymnastics world by pirouetting on the balance beam. I would practice the triple on my beam at home everyday. I competed it several times as a junior before I moved to Karolyi's to train. Bela and Martha almost always had us play it safe and consistent in competition, but when beam finals of the 1991 World Championships rolled around, Bela knew it might be my last opportunity before the Olympics to perform the trick in a major event, and thus have it named after me. So during beam warm ups in the holding gym, he pulled me to the side and said "let's do the triple." I got on the beam and started warming it up and Martha said, "what are you doing? You're going to do the double...you can win beam for sure, and the triple is inconsistent." I got through warm ups somewhat unsure as to which one of my coaches to listen to, meanwhile they were arguing amongst themselves as to triple or no triple. Bela stood firm, continually whispering in my ear to do the triple. Time was up, it was my turn to mount the podium, Martha looked at me and said to be consistent, "do the double." Bela then walked me to the edge of the podium, and with absolute certainty in his eyes said, "do the triple...you can do it." So I did the triple, kicked my leg out of it just slightly, yet it was the only mistake in an otherwise perfect routine. I got the bronze, just 1/2 a tenth away from the gold, and I got an element named after me, which was one of my ultimate gymnastics goals! Martha wasn't too happy about it, citing that the wobble on the triple cost me the gold, yet Bela was stoked, and I felt good.

              

The "Okino" uneven bar dismount was really out of necessity. I required a more difficult bar dismount. I had been training a double front and double front half out, yet it was hit and miss. I had a really powerful free hip, so we started playing with a dismount that would come out of the free hip. It was brilliant, I learned it in a day, and was putting it in my routine with absolute consistency by the end of the week. Neither Bela or I ever considered that the move was an original, or that it would be named for me.

How would you describe yourself as a gymnast? 
As a gymnast I was statuesque, graceful, consistent and elegant.

What was the best advice you received during your gymnastics career? 
"If you can dream it, you can do it." So simple and so obvious really. From a scientific stand point, we know that the body goes where the mind is. Quite literally, if you can go there in your dreams, vision, or thoughts, then your body will go there in actuality. This simple statement, along with a few bible scriptures, became a sort of mantra for me during my most trying times as an athlete. It helped me believe that my dream would come true. It was given to me on a plaque by our athletic trainer at the Karolyi's, named Leslie Spencer. Leslie encouraged me, stood by me, and believed in me during a time when no one else did. I am incredibly grateful to her.

Overall how would you sum up your gymnastics career? What are some of your greatest memories?
How do we really sum up years of life changing experience? For the sake of this piece I'll say, perfect. Some of my greatest memories are; getting my kip for the first time, Bela and Martha calling me up into their training team, when Nadia first moved to the US and was training with us at Karolyis in preparation for a tour, standing in line with her, taking turns tumbling into the pit...talk about surreal. Scoring my first perfect 10 on vault at the American Cup, which was one of my gymnastics goals, our team USA winning a silver medal in the first ever World Championships held on American soil- it was epic, the thunderous roar of the 60,000 person crowd was so deafening, that every time the US was up on an event, the countries competing floor had to stop the competition until we finished because they couldn't hear their floor music. The many friendships that were formed, many of which are still in effect today, traveling the world as an honored guest, and representing the USA in the Olympic Games. Lastly and perhaps most important, because I apply this today, learning how to vision, apply, apply, apply and then experience the manifestation of those actions, this is the basis of all creation, big and small...and it all started with a kip.

What have you been up to today?
Today I am a beacon of God's Love through the Universal language of Life...this is my purpose. I am blessed in marrying my twin ray Jacob Daniel, and blessed in the unconditional love of our 3 furry babies- Ruby, a female black lab retreiver mix, DeVere a male golden chihuahua, and Izzy, a pretty black kitty... they're so flipping cute. I am also set to co-star in a film called "Hearts of Gold," about two individuals- one a young girl, the other a young woman, finding their purpose in life, while dealing with the challenging circumstances presented them, with gymnastics being the magnet that draws their lives together, and friendship being the bond that sees them through to victory. The film is written by Ty Simpson Jones, and has Louis Gossett Jr. set to star in it as well. The film is currently in pre-production.

In 2013, Jacob and I launched a music website called Fr33domPeople.com, for which we curate the content and manage the day to day operations. I co-host a bi-weekly radio show called The Voice of Fr33dom, which is a two hour show including talk, stitch, artist facts and an eclectic selection of really great indie, acoustic, mid-tempo, light electro and world music. I also produce original music and remix other artists along with Jacob, who is a long time Music Producer, DJ, we go by the name EOTL (emissaries of the light). We see music as a great unifier, and we look to make Fr33dom People a music destination for those seeking something new and different in their music experience. You can visit us at Fr33domPeople.com to check out our new Streaming Radio Channels, original music, and The Voice of Fr33dom radio show.

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent. " - Victor Hugo

We (Jacob & I) also recently co-authored a book, called "Yoga Stories," published last summer, 2013. "Yoga Stories" is a collection of personal stories written by individuals the world over, revolving around the practice of Yoga, and how it has helped transform their lives. Yoga is one of the many tools we use in our lives, to maintain optimum health, mental/emotional balance, flexibility and strength, all things that we feel are important in experiencing a harmonious life, at every stage of life. "Yoga Stories" is currently available as an Ebook through Amazon - Kindle and Google Play.

Check out "Yoga Stories" (here)

-We (Jacob and I) are currently working on our first novel, to be completed in 2014. It is a visionary, action, adventure novel, set not too far in the future, in a place called "Punk Jungle." I can't wait to see what happens !

"The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper, and re-imagines the world. " - Malcolm Gladwell

Thank you Betty! We wish you all the best in the future!

Bringing Back: Hollie Dykes

If I could bring anyone out of retirement it would likely be former Australian national team member, Hollie Dykes. Hollie is to this day, one of my favorite athletes to watch because of her gorgeous toe point and the artistic component she brought to this sport. It's unfortunate she retired from the sport so soon!

Photo credit: Jasmine Schneebeli

Hollie started gymnastics at the age of 4 at the Australian Institute of Sport. She made her major international debut at the 2006 Commonwealth Games where she helped the Austrailian team to a first place finish. She also brought home some hardware for herself- winning a gold on the floor exercise, silver on beam, and a bronze in the all around. She then went on to compete at the Pacific Alliance Championships (now know as the Pacific Rim) where she did a remarkable job- placing 2nd with the team, 3rd all around , 4th on beam, and 5th on floor. It was at this meet that I became a big fan of Hollie's gymnastics. I particularly loved her beam and floor work because it was so intricate and precise.

                           

Later that year, Hollie competed at the World Championships in Aarhus Denmark. She helped the Australian team to a respectable seventh place finish; an improvement on the eight place finish at the 2004 Olympic Games. Unfortunately, a fall from beam in qualifications left her unable to progress to the apparatus final, where she was a medal prospect. However it's important to note that her beam score from the all around competition would have been high enough to win gold in the finals. Despite that disappointment, she made up for it by placing 7th in the all around and was one of the only athletes to make it through the competition without a fall. Where Dykes lacked in difficulty, she made up for it in grace and consistency.

Before making her senior international debut that year, Hollie was toted as the most beautiful and technically precise gymnast Australia had ever produced. But just over a year later in 2007, the results were lagging slightly behind the expectations. Much of that had to due with injuries. Hollie's coach Peggy Liddick said in an interview with The Age "she barely made it to worlds last year, because we pushed her through so many competitions, and she just can't handle it; some athletes just can't handle it, and she's grown 10 centimeters and 10 kilos". Dykes was left off the 2007 Commonwealth Games team.

Photo credit: Thomas Schreyer 

Hollie was able to bounce back in time for the 2007 World Championships, but unfortunately it was not a good meet. The team failed to qualify for the team finals and Hollie didn't make any event finals. This would be the last time Hollie competed. She retired in January of 2008, just 7 months shy of the Olympic Games, citing personal reasons as her incentive. Back in December of 2007, Peggy Liddick said that Hollie was just taking some time off, however Dykes mother insisted that Hollie had quit the sport for good. She said she was prevented from going into details about the reasons for Dykes’s departure because of a legal contract with the Australian Institute of Sport.

Peggy said of Hollie's retirement "She had to convince me she wants to do it. I'm not going to force anyone to go to the Olympics." So with that, Hollie's career was over. It's still makes me sad to this day because she was such a talented gymnast and would have most likely been on Australia's Olympic team in 2008.

10 Things You Don't Know About...Victoria Moors

1. I'm obsessed with Gossip Girl and their lifestyle!

2. I have four cats; Max, Boston, Cooper, and Tango. I also have a bird named Kevin.

3. My ultimate goal is to start a gymnastics line with Nike.

4. I'm obsessed with cookie dough ice cream. 

5. I want to spend my life in NYC or Toronto.

6. I love dressing up and my dream is to model for a high fashion company.

7. I'm quarter Filipino.

8. I've been working on my stalder tkatchev for 2 years!

9. I have a wicked men's floor routine!

10. My biggest role models are Nastia Liukin and Aliya Mustafina.


10 Things You Don't Know About:
Sarah Finnegan
Laurie Hernandez
Ragan Smith
Ari Agrapides
Ellie Downie
Vanasia Bradley
Jazmyn Foberg
Deanne Soza

Catching up with Nastia Liukin

After becoming only the third American women to win the Olympic All Around gold medal, Nastia Liukin left the Beijing Olympics as the most decorated gymnast and became an instant household name. For the last five years Nastia's life has been a whirlwind. Between traveling for appearances, commentating for NBC and being a full time student at New York University, Nastia has had a full plate. Thankfully, Nastia had a chance to answer a few of our questions regarding her gymnastics career and what's in store for the future.

Can you describe some of the highs and lows of you career? 

One of the highest points of my career was winning the all around gold medal at the Olympic Games. I will never forget the moment when they announced my name following the words "Olympic Champion." It seemed so surreal at that moment. 18 years of hard work, sacrifice, tears, injuries, and all the obstacles I had to overcome to get to that very moment. That's why I was so emotional in the moment, then I spotted my dad across the arena with tears in his eyes and I have never in my life seen him cry, so that made me tear up even more. 

Photo Credit: Ezra Shaw

Another highlight was last year at the Olympic Trials. Although it clearly wasn't my best performance, I ended my career with two standing ovations of almost 20,000 people. It was my first and only standing ovation in my career. It was so heart warming to see the fans on their feet cheering me on despite my poor performance. Of course I would have loved to have made a second Olympic team, but I believe everything happens for a reason. I learned more about myself and life in general in that weekend than I have in all my years combined. 

During you career you were always neck and neck with Shawn Johnson. What was your relationship with her like? Are close today?

Shawn and I were great friends during our competitive career. We were both very similar in terms of mentality on training- we were both very focused and driven. We roomed together often, which always worked out well. We both loved to read, write in our journals, and go to sleep early. As for today, our lives have taken different paths. We are living in different parts of the country, so we don't see each other often. I saw her last at Nationals when our 2007 Worlds team was inducted into the Hall of Fame. We both shared memories and couldn't believe it had already been six years since that Worlds. 

Looking back at your career, what were some things that you are most proud of?

I think one of the things I'm most proud of is winning the all around gold, against ALL odds. Many people had written me off from even competing in the all around just a year before when I was injured and struggled to perform my best. I owe SO much to my dad for putting together this master plan of preparation. It all led down to that one day in August. He was always extremely encouraging and made me believe that we COULD achieve this dream together. It was almost more challenging mentally than it was physically, so I really relied on the help of both my parents. They stood by my side, like most parents do, but never pushed or forced me to do anything. We always said it was team Liukin...my mom was as much a part of the team even though she didn't coach me in the gym, she supported both of us 100% every single day. We couldn't have done it without her. 

Photo Credit: Larry Slater

Do you have any interesting memories from your time at the Olympics?

One of my favorite moments from the Olympic games was walking into the competition arena for the very first time for podium training. The six of us were standing in the tunnel together and we all looked at each other wide eyed with butterflies in our stomachs. We had a little moment telling each other how proud we were and how amazing it was that we were at the Olympic Games representing the United States of America. 

In what ways has your life changed following the Olympics?

I think my life has definitely changed in many ways- being more busy and constantly traveling for different events and appearances. I'm so thankful to have been able to do something I truly loved since I was three years old and now to have made a career out of it. Another thing that stands out the most to me is realizing that if you set your mind to something and work extremely hard, anything is possible. 

What it like having a meet named in your honor?

I think the only greater honor I have felt was wearing the American flag on my leotard and represting my country at the Olympics games. Every year when I'm at the Nastia Liukin Cup I feel like I'm living in a dream. Seeing the signage with my name on it, the girls with their leotards and warm ups with my name in rhinestones, and most of all meeting all the girls and seeing the excitment in their eyes. I still really can't believe it. I owe so much to USA Gymnastics for not only supporting me throughout my career, but the continuous support with my competition and the Nastia Liukin Fund. Gymnastics will forever be a huge part of my life.

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

How is school going? 

School is going really well! I love learning someting new every single day and feel like my brain is expanding. Next week is finals week, so I'm about to be in stress mode. The interesting thing about it is, as stressful as it is, I love having something to prepare and study for. It reminds me of preparing and training for a competiton. My first semester I took 18 credits, which was quite a lot for my first year of school in six years! This semester I'm taking 16 and next semester I will only take 12 because of my travel schedule to Sochi for the Winter Olympics. 

Last year you started working for NBC and doing commentary for all the gymnastics meets. Was this an easy transition for you? 

I absolutely love it. I know I'm not a professional (yet), as the pros have had as many years of practice as I did training for the Olympics. I learn something new every single time we are on the air and when I re-watch the coverages. Somethings came natural to me because gymnastics is such second nature to me, but there are definitely things I had to learn  from either trial and error, or people telling me. I'm so grateful for this opportunity and I'm lucky to have the best team of producers and talent at NBC that I get to work with. This is something I have wanted to do since Beijing, so I'm excited to finally have this opportunity. 

WOGA is continuing to produce many top elite level gymnasts to this day, what do you think of some of the up and coming girls? Do you ever give them advice?

Whenever I’m home in Dallas I go to the gym everyday and spend a few hours watching and catching up with the girls and coaches. I do sometimes give them advice, but I try not to get in the way too much because they all have their personal coaches, so I don’t want to interfere with that. But of course when they come to me for advice I am always more than willing to help in anyway I can. 

What is one thing that not many people know about you? 

That’s a really tough question… I think many people know so much about me as most of my life has been gymnastics and in the public eye, which is why I really value my personal life and time I spend with the people I love and care about. But I guess many people might not know I love to cook, specifically bake. I also started walking when I was only 8 months old… so I guess I was ready to learn a floor routine by a year old! 

What is next for you? Are you planning anything exciting that you can share with gymnastics fans?

Right now I'm really focusing on school and graduating. My goal is to graduate before the Rio 2016 Olympics, but I'm not sure how reasonable that is with my travel schedule. I've been wanting to take summer classes, but that's when I'm traveling the most so it makes it difficult to commit to a summer session. I do have a few exciting opportunities that we are currently working on. I can't quite share them, but I think my gymnastics fans will be happy!  

Photo Credit: Unknown

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I'm such a planner and constantly stress about things like this. My new goal is to live one day at a time, BUT in 10 years, I definitely will have graduated college and most likely have moved back to Dallas or elsewhere. I really love New York City right now, but I don't see myself settling here and having a family. I hope to be married and have a family in 10 years and continue working with NBC and USA Gymnastics.

Price Is Right

When you are competing in such a large field of talented gymnasts, proving yourself as a contender in the eyes of Marta Karolyi is no small task. However, seventeen year old Elizabeth Price handles the pressure with ease,  prevailing in nearly every opportunity to come her way so far. Elizabeth, who is better known as Ebee in the gymnastics world; has put her name on everyone's radar and with good reason.

Photo Credit: Heather Maynez

The last two years have been a whirlwind for Price. In 2012 she made her debut on the senior stage by helping team USA win the gold medal at the Jesolo Trophy meet. In addition to the team gold, she competed her amanar vault for the first time and claimed the silver on that event. Just a few months later, Ebee embarked on one of the most important journeys of her life-attempting to make the 2012 Olympic team. It all started at the Secret Classic in May where she placed an incredible 5th all around; a result that not many people predicted beforehand. Following this competition, Elizabeth Price's name was now in the conversation. In June, she repeated her 5th place result at the Visa Championships and made the National team. Ebee quickly became known for her clean and powerful skills as well as her impressive tumbling done with ease. Last but not least was the Olympic Trials in July where she only continued to improve- placing 4th all around. Despite having the competition of her life, she was not named to the 2012 Olympic team. Instead, she was named one of three alternates and would travel along with team USA in case of an injury. Nonetheless the world liked what they saw from Ebee at trials and she certainly left her mark. Even though the Olympics are every gymnasts dream, Ebee was still honored to be named an alternate. "I was very excited when I was announced as an alternate for London. I mean, it's the Olympic team! That was the biggest thing to ever happen to me, I was so happy!" said Price.

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

 Being an alternate may have been a blessing in disguise for Ebee who was granted two World Cup opportunities in Stuttgart and Glasgow. Between both competitions, Price nailed six clean sets and took home two World Cup titles- the perfect way to end her first year as a senior. Not only was the world surprised by Price's remarkable year, but Ebee even surprised herself. "I definitely wasn't expecting everything that happened last year. I mean, I was hoping for the best, but wishing for something to happen and actually going out and doing it are two different things." Price explained. More impressively, Ebee won both competitions by a very large margin. In Stuttgart she won by over two full points and in Glasgow she won by over four points! "Being able to go to those meets and put up such a high number of hit routines isn't something that everyone can do. I'm happy to be able to say I'm capable of such consistency." Price added "2012 was definitly the highlight of my gymnastics career."


                 

Following her success in 2012, Ebee was then selected as one of two American athletes to compete at the American Cup in 2013. Unfortunately a hip injury that occurred during training forced her to withdraw from the meet and would keep her out of competition for several months. After two hip surgeries, Ebee began the long road to recovery. "Recovering from two hip surgeries was long and hard," Ebee said "After I hurt my first hip I had to stop doing everything that involved using my lower stomach and hip muscles. It took a lot of time before I was able to do gymnastics. Then I injured my other hip and had to stop everything again." Before she knew it, May had arrived and the Secret Classic was just around the corner. "I was trying to get at least one event ready, but there just wasn't enough time." she added. In order to have a chance of making the Worlds team, Ebee decided to skip Classics and aim to compete at Nationals just a few weeks later, even if it was just on two events. "I was working every event, but my routines weren't in good enough shape for me to compete everything, so I just did vault and bars." A fall off bars during the first day of competition kept her from winning a medal on that event, but she came back strong on day two and let everybody know that her hip injuries had not slowed her down one bit. Even though she missed making the Worlds team, she was yet again selected to compete in Glasgow and Stuttgart at the end of 2013. The first stop was Stuttgart which would be her first all around competition in 12 months! Ebee performed clean routines with the confidence we are use to seeing from her and was rewarded with her third World Cup title. "It feels great to say that I was able to come back after such a long time off and be able to defend my title in Stuttgart. There was a strong group of gymnasts at that meet, so winning just gave me more of that confidence that I like to have when competing at international meets."

Photo Credit: Unknown

Looking towards the future, Ebee is setting small, but realistic goals for herself along the way. "I want to compete in another World Cup competition to try to win gold and also compete at other international meets next year." she said. Ebee is also using precaution to ensure she remains healthy in the upcoming years. "My hip injuries are something that I really don't want to repeat, so even now I make sure I do exercises to keep my hips strong and avoid skills that may cause another injury." Price stated. Since competing in Glasgow and Stuttgart, Ebee is back in the gym and working hard on a few upgrades that she would like to add to her routines next year. "On bars, I'm working on doing an up-rise to stalder or toe-shoot full out of my maloney instead of the free hip. On beam I'm thinking about doing a new series and maybe adding some new connections. On floor I'm working a full twisting double layout and maybe a new dance skill. On vault I'm starting to work the half-on entry vaults." she shares. In November, Ebee  signed with Stanford University to be a part of their gymnastics team, but she is currently unsure when we can expect to see her competing there. "It's a big decision and I still have a lot of time to think about it." she says. For now, it's just another day back in the gym for Elizabeth Price as she prepares for what should be another big year in 2014.