McKayla Maroney

GymCastic: The Gymnastics Podcast

On the 10th anniversary of McKayla Maroney's final elite competition in Antwerp, Belgium we revisit her 2016 interview. The Olympic and World Champion settles long debated gymternet questions and we find out what caused the physical and emotional breakdown that ultimately ended her elite career. We discuss:

• If she feared blowback from speaking frankly about her experiences.
• The skill she tried that Marta Karolyi told her to never to do again.
• The circumstances surrounding her injuries and multiple surgeries.
• The post-Olympic tour conditions and their effects on her health.
• She answers fans suspicions that her injuries are due to poor nutrition.
• Some fans claim that All Olympia Gymnastics Center (AOGC) break gymnasts, her responds.
• Did the advice she received from her coaches contribute to her injuries?
• How she dealt with self identity as she struggled to stay healthy.
• Discusses the role of humility and insecurity through the Olympic selection process.
• Does she think the men's team should be more like the women's program in order to be more successful?
• Dealing with criticism on social media.
• She describes her personal experiences as an elite gymnast, and their influence on changes she would like to see made at the national team level.
• Who does she credit with teaching her that amazing vault technique: her second coach, Howie Liang at Gym-Max or her Olympic coach, Artur Akopyan at All Olympia Gymnastics Center (AOGC)?
• Why did she go overtime in 2013 at the Antwerp World Championships on floor

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RESOURCES

• • • Dial 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
    • Dr. Alan Goldberg's article on Coaching Abuse.
    • Safe4Athlete: What every parent and athlete should know.
    • Eating Disorder Hotline
    • Treatment centers for athletes with eating disorders EDRS or McCallum Place.
    • 24-Hour Suicide hotline [phone]
    • 2023 World Headquarters: Every Worlds Podcast, videos, interviews and data
    • Simone Biles Interview 2023 Classic
    • Shilese Jones Flight Series Profile
    • Spencer's The Balance Beam Situation
    • Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim

RELATED EPISODES

• McKayla Maroney's Coaches respond to her interview
• Aly and Lynn Raisman Interview
• Steve Penny ousted as USA Gymnastics President
• 243: Senate Bill 534
• 241: The Pittsburgh Incident
• 163: ENOUGH
• 221: Jane Doe vs. USAG Doctor
• 223: Tasha Schwikert
• 48: Kyla Ross
• Episode 31: Elise Ray
• Episode 28: Kristen Maloney
• Episode 33: Simone Biles & Her Coaches
• Episode 55: Worlds Wrap Up & Ferlito-Gate
• Episode 54: Event Finals Recap from 2013 World Championships
• Episode 53: All Around Finals Recap from Antwerp World Championships
• Episode 52: Triumph & Heartbreak Prelims Recap from Antwerp Worlds
• 114: Fallout From Gymnastike’s Handling of Maroney Hack & Tumble Episodes 3 and 4 with special guest Jenni Pinches!
• Episode 16: Elizabeth Price
• 146: Taylor Rice and The 2015 NCAA Championships
• Episode 9: Chellsie Memmel, Swiss Cup & FIG Presidential Proposals
• 151: Danell Leyva
• Episode 15: Joan Ryan Author of Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
• 232: Conflict of Interest

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