Princess Catherine Lyons and her coach, former international elite, Rochelle Douglas have been together since Catherine was six!

Princess Catherine Lyons of Europa and her coach, former international elite gymnast, Rochelle Douglas, are here! We noticed these two in the very popular YouTube series called Team Sparkle. Princess Catherine is known for her exquisite form, her elegance, her uncommon maturity, making audiences cry with her expressive melancholy and angst-filled modern dance choreography. She's on a major winning streak, in 2012 she won the all-around at the  British Espoir Championships; in 2013 she swept it, winning all-around and all four event finals; and this year she’s won gold on floor in every meet she entered, including the English Championships and British Championships; and finally she capped off the year by becoming the 2014 Junior European Floor Exercise Champion where she helped the British team take silver. At Euros she also had the highest Execution score of any junior. And you know how we LOVE that. We have her coach, Rochelle Douglas, to thank for this. Rochelle was an International gymnast from 1994 to 2000 and competed at European and World Championships along with Lisa Mason and Holly Murdoch, only just missing out on the 2000 Olympics.  She’s passionate about building truly artistisc gymnasts and getting them to the highest level. We discuss:

• Achieving such a high level of artistry and execution at such a young age.
• The story behind Princess Catherine's floor routine and choreography.
• Why having puppy feet can be an adjustment, even for an artistic master.
• A typical day in the life of Miss Lyons and her coach who has two jobs!
• Why Catherine likes danger and how she mastered her switch split mount.
• Creating confidence and commitment to performance in young gymnasts.
• Keeping judges attention and drawing them into a routine.
• How Rochelle handled the disappointment of not making the 2000 Olympic team.
• Shenanigans that Rochelle and teammate, Lisa Mason, got into in their elite days.
• Steps the British program has taken to improve their results since Rochelle was competing.
• What happens at the Lilleshall National Training Centre training camps and what makes Amanda Reddin a special kind of leader.
• What Princess Catherine and her coach think of her nickname.

Full slide show of Rochelle and Catherine since the very beginning on our site here. 

Catherine Lyons on Twitter Rochelle Douglas on Twitter Europa Gymnastics Centre website.

• 94: Women’s European Championships Part One!
• 89: Everybody Loves Raymond! Pacific Rim, Men’s NCAA Championships, plus a Russian Championships/Tokyo World Cup recap DO OVER!
• 86: British Championships & Doha World Cup
• 80: 2014 American Cup: Recap & Photo Essay
• 64: Glasgow World Cup & NCAA 2014 Previews
• Episode 62: Pavlova to Azerbaijan, Oleg (Finally!) in Stuttgart & The Mexican Open Extravaganza
• Episode 22: Beth Tweddle
• Episode 20: Jenni Pinches
• Episode 19: Andreea Raducan
• 95: WAG European Championships Part Two — Lesser Known Stars and a Behind The Scenes Report
• 94: Women’s European Championships Part One!
• 86: British Championships & Doha World Cup
• 82: Cottbus, English Championships & Danusia Francis finally gets a 10 on beam!

Watch it on YouTube here.

The GymCastic Podcast by gymcastic.com is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at gymcastic.com.

We made it to 100! This is the shamelessly vainglorious episode where we answer all of your questions about our irrelevant personal lives, and the origins of show. This week, Dr. Uncle Tim, Blythe, Evan and Jessica chat about:

• Marta's very positive comments on Gabby Douglas, who made a triumphant return to camp!
• An intimate moment accidentally recorded in the background during the interviews
• Since Bill Cosby is saving Temple Men's Gymnastics, should the team now wear Cosby sweater uniforms?
• Evan reveals a grand secret that even Jessica didn't know about; and his most embarrassing on-assignment moment, as captured by NBC.
• Major changes for Olympic hopeful, Lexie Priessman, who left Cincinnati Gymnastics.
• How much sleep does Blythe get when she's on assignment at a World Championships?
• Play along with Dr. Uncle Tim for our very own quiz show based on the past 100 episodes.
• Why are only 19% of the gymnastics federations headed by women?
• The Commonwealth Games have been announced and our favorite twerker made the team.
• We reveal plans to form our own country in order to recruit the best gymnastics team in the world--including stamps, flag and signature beverages.
• Uchimora dominates per usual and Kenzo makes his case for Worlds.
• Gymnasts, coaches and summer vacation--Evan gives wise advice.
• Bailey Key and Roxanna Popa are training Amanar's

Lauren Hopkins launched her young adult fiction series based in the gymnastics world: The 2016 Trilogy

Dvora Meyers officially announced her book "The End of the Ten - The Fall of Perfection in Modern Gymnastics." Details on her site, Unorthodox Gymnastics.

Details on the fundraiser with BILL COSBY for the Temple Men's gymnastics team.

Pro Gymnastics Challenge streaming Wednesday, June 24th at 9pm Eastern.

The Nike Pro Sparkling Sunburst tights as worn by Ms. Gabby Douglas, Olympic Champion (available here). 

• Episode 23: Lloimincia Hall & The American Cup
• Episode 21: Kyle Shewfelt
• Tim Daggett: A GymCastic Classic Episode
• 87: NCAA Regionals, Russian Nationals & Miss Lloimincia Hall is discovered

Watch Liana Burkhart do a beam routine on her prosthetic leg here. WOOT! 

Australian Olympian, Oregon State star and Commonwealth team member, Olivia Vivian...just hanging out for a chat with us!

The Australian queen of antics is here! Olivia Vivian, perhaps the biggest ham in all of elite gymnastics, hung out for a chat. She helped Australia to a sixth place finish, its best Olympic finish in history in Beijing. Despite a back fracture, a mangled hand and being normal height of 5' 6", she's made a successful comeback to elite at the age of 24, almost 10 years since she first completed at the 2005 world championships. We can't wait to watch the Oregon Beaver compete at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this month. We are putting out bets on her to duke it out with the British in bars finals. We discuss:

• "Australian Gymnastics Jail" - her thoughts on the Australians being left home from Antwerp World Championships last year.
• Learning new techniques from coach John Carney at OSU to improve her already stellar bars.
• How college gymnastics in America gave her a better understanding of the competitiveness Peggy Liddick brings to the Australian program.
• Earning a living as an adult athlete and returning to elite training hours.
• The freedom and trust she experienced from her coaches as an adult elite athlete.

Check out Olivia's antics on her Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or Instagram.

Just some of the reasons we love Miss Vivian and her Instagram account.

Or watch our YouTube playlist for Olivia Vivian's interview here.

• 96: Australian Nationals & Men’s European Championships
• 97: Anadia World Cup & Canadian Nationals
• 90: The 2014 Women's NCAA Championships! Plus details from the Ljubljana World Cup, Korean Meet and Romania takes on Belgium and France
• 84: Meet Recaps! Jesolo & NCAA Conference Championships
• 82: Cottbus, English Championships & Danusia Francis finally gets a 10 on beam!
• Episode 52: Triumph & Heartbreak Prelims Recap from Antwerp Worlds
• Episode 48: Kyla Ross
• Episode 17: Growing Up In The Soviet Gymnastics System And Training At Round Lake

Three time Olympic medalist, Louis Smith MBE, talked to us back in October 2012.

It's a classic interview this week from back in October 2012, when we talked to Great Britain’s Louis Smith. The outspoken, three-time Olympic medalist talked to us about Strictly Come Dancing, handling the pressure, role models, his nude pommel horse photo shoot, style on the British team and Rio.

We are very excited to announce that Louis will be our very first GymCastic Book Club guest in August.

What: You read the book and submit questions about it for Louis.

How: Buy the book here, send your questions to us at  gymcastic @ gmail.com or leave a voicemail on Skype at username “GymCastic Podcast” or by dialing (415) 800-3191.

When: Submit your questions by the first week in August and we'll ask Louis when he's on the show in August.

• Episode 4: Louis Smith, Spanny's Athlete Oath, Making Men's Gymnastics More Popular
• Episode 22: Beth Tweddle
• Episode 21: Kyle Shewfelt
• Episode 20: Jenni Pinches
• Episode 35: Jake Dalton
• Episode 34: Rick McCharles
• 95: WAG European Championships Part Two -- Lesser Known Stars and a Behind The Scenes Report
• 94: Women's European Championships Part One!

MG Elite's Ariana Agrapides being carried on a lectica.

In the news, Uncle Tim, Evan, and Jessica chat about:

• Jazmyn Foberg, Rachel Baumann, Ariana Agrapides, Gabby Perea
• Should athletes accept endorsement deals before they have become champions?
• The Gabby Douglas update video from USA Gymnastics
• Sports Acro World Championships in Paris
• Is Kim Jacob up to the standard of past Honda award winners?
• Why doesn't the US send an artistic female gymnast to the Youth Olympic Games?
• Vanessa Atler interview, she's come a long way!
• Insane Skill Alerts from Max Whitlock, Eddie Penev and Mai Murakami
• Listener questions about England vs. Great Britan, men's age limits and more
• Wildlife in the gym: rats, June bugs, joey's and pigeons.

We are very excited to announce that Louis will be our very first GymCastic Book Club guest in August.

What: Read the book and submit questions about it for Louis.

How: Buy the book here, send your questions to us at  gymcastic @ gmail.com or leave a voicemail on Skype at username “GymCastic Podcast” or by dialing (415) 800-3191.

When: Submit your questions by the first week in August and we'll ask Louis when he's on the show in August.

• 100! Biomechanical Booty Advantage
• 99: Princess Catherine Lyons and Coach Rochelle Douglas
• 98: Eddie Penev the Bulgarian-American Bullet
• 88: Rhonda Faehn & Mackenzie Caquatto
• 81: Jenny Hansen
• Episode 41: Laurie Hernandez & Coach Maggie Haney
• Episode 3: Russian Regime Change, Fashion Code and a Chat With Anna Li

Watch out YouTube play list here.

Diana Tatevossian, Donna Tatevossian, Alexandria Alaman perform at USA Championships in the sport of Acrobatic Gymnastics (formerly Sports Acro).

In the news, Jessica, Uncle Tim and Elizabeth Grimsely chat about:

• The fashion, safety, random whistling sounds, top 40 music and insane skills from the Trampoline, Double Mini, Rhythmic, Tumbling and Acrobatic Championships
• Can Duckworth fill Sarah Patterson's heels as she retires after 36 years at the University of Alabama
• Gabby Douglas leaves Chow’s again - where should she go now? Jessica gives us an elaborate plan for Gabby while Uncle Tim speculates about the business end of things.
• Then we answer your questions about men's age limits - why did Kenzo become a world champ at 17?
• Do pro gymnasts delay official retirement to milk endorsements? Or are they just keeping their options open?

CALLING AWESOME TYPISTS! Our transcription team serves the deaf gymnastics population by transcribing each episode with their passion for typing and gymnastics. If you'd like to join Team GymCastic Transcription and help our deaf audience read each episode faster by emailing us at gymcastic @ gmail.com

Have you joined the book club yet? Louis will be our very first GymCastic Book Club guest in August.

What: Read the book and submit questions about it for Louis.

How: Buy the book here, send your questions to us at  gymcastic @ gmail.com or leave a voicemail on Skype at username “GymCastic Podcast” or by dialing (415) 800-3191.

When: Submit your questions by the first week in August and we'll ask Louis when he's on the show in August.  

Elizabeth Grimsley writes about gymnastics over at allflippedout and tweets about it here. 

USA Gymnastics full gallery of great photos from USA Championships on Facebook.

• Episode 26.5: Jenny Hansen, Casey Jo Magee and Anna Li with an Announcement!
• Episode 3: Russian Regime Change, Fashion Code and a Chat With Anna Li
• 03: Ranch Classic & Sports Acro World Championships
• 102: Classic Episode with Louis Smith
• 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

Catherine Gonzalez and the cool green skirt.

Watch this week's YouTube play list here.

This week Uncle Tim, Spanny Tampson, Lauren Hopkins, and Jessica chat about:

• Which skills and/or apparatus cause the most exertion-induced flatulence.
• The good and bad--the unusual team final format at the Commonwealth Games
• Could Donnell Whittenburg be this generation's Marian Dragulescu?
• Nadia, Shannon Miller, Dominique Dawes, Mary Lou Retton and Bart Conner on ABC's Extreme Weight Loss, featuring an adult gymnast!
• Who's in, out, and ones to watch at this weekend's Secret Classic in Chicago.
• Jessica and Spanny share their body image struggles as adult gymnasts.
• We pick our Rio Olympic teams based on this year's Secret Classic roster.
• The Chow-manar vs. The Raisman-manar.
• How will Gabby Douglas's move to Buckeye's with Nia Dennis benefit them both.
• The State of Danell Leyva; training in Miami for the altitude in Colorado, don't mix.
• Spanny Tampson's review of Gymnastike's Beyond The Routine series at Texas Dreams.
• What goes through our minds while we watch rings routines.
• Can "women's" gymnastics remain a viable sport if it can only be done at the elite level, before puberty?
• Beautiful Cuban gymnastics shine at the Festival Panamericano; Yesina Ferrera Nunez and Manrique Larduet.

Use this VPN to watch the Commonwealth Games from anywhere:  TunnelBear 

Watch ABC's Extreme Weight Loss with obese, 44-year-old Georgeanna, who wants to get back to gymnastics here.

• Episode 48: Kyla Ross
• Episode 72: John Orozco
• Episode 33: Simone Biles & Her Coaches
• Episode 22: Beth Tweddle
• Episode 39: Victoria Moors
• Episode 42: The 2013 Secret US Classic from Chicago
• Episode 41: Laurie Hernandez & Coach Maggie Haney

Or watch this week's playlist on YouTube here.

Kyla Ross and Simone Biles are all smiles on the podium at the 2014 Secret U.S. Classic.

Louis will be our very first GymCastic Book Club guest in August.

What: Read the book and submit questions about it for Louis.

How: Buy the book here, send your questions to us at  gymcastic @ gmail.com or leave a voicemail on Skype at username “GymCastic Podcast” or by dialing (415) 800-3191.

When: Submit your questions and we'll ask Louis when he's on the show in August.

In the news, Uncle Tim, Blythe, and Jessica discuss these important topics from the US Secret Classic :

• Simone Biles has committed to UCLA, will she compete or be tempted to go pro?
• Lauren thinks MyKayla Skinner should use the Frozen song instead of her current music. See it here.
• Our favorite moments, skills, newbies to watch and veteran heart breakers.
• Does a win at the Secret Classic predict future success - Uncle Tim tells us with a quiz.
• New trends in choreography, artistry and skill combinations.
• Our high hopes for bars, could the US medal drought on bars may be over?
• The bonuses were in effect for the US Classic and where do the ladies rank internationally?
• Why Kyla Ross and Simone Biles would be perfect running mates for presidency in 2028-ish.

Free VPN's to watch your favorite gymnastics programs outside or within the US Zenmate or GetUsVPN

Lauren Hopkins is at The Gymternet. Read Spencer's analysis on The Balance Beam Situation.

• 105: Chicago Secret Classic Preview, Cuba is Back & Nadia Promotes Adult Gymnastics
• Episode 42: The 2013 Secret US Classic from Chicago
• Episode 41: Laurie Hernandez & Coach Maggie Haney
• Episode 33: Simone Biles & Her Coaches
• Episode 48: Kyla Ross

Here is the video of Simone Biles doing Kyla Ross's choreography in the background during the Secret Classic.  

• 2014 Senior Secret Classic Competition Photo Gallery
• 2014 Junior Secret Classic Competition Photo Gallery
• Photo Gallery of Podium Training at the 2014 Secret Classic

Or watch on YouTube seniors or juniors.

Tumble star, Kristin Allen with her acro partner Michael Rodrigues, coach Alex Pakrah (bottom L), and celebrity Bobby Lockwood.

Kristin Allen and Michael Rodriguez are legends in the world of acrobatic gymnastics, formerly acro sport. These two daredevils are world champions and were the first American's ever to win the World Games. We discuss:

• How acrobatic gymnastics can teach men how to touch a woman respectfully
• All the details about Tumble and how to watch in the United States
• The most difficult conditions they ever performed under.
• The benefits of partnership
• Upsidedown miscommunication horror stories, injuries and fashion!
• The worst thing that can happen when your being drug tested by the International Gymnastics Federation
• How story lines and acting can help improve artistic gymnasts performance quality
• The most awkward travel story we've ever heard--it involves a cave.

Follow Kristin Allen on BBC One's Tumble here. If you are outside of the UK and want to watch Tumble on BBC One, you can use FreeTVCafe.net here.  Use at your own risk. There are a ton of play buttons that will automatically download crap onto your computer. Be extremely careful not to click on an advertisement. Less risky is using a VPN like Zenmate or GetUsVPN. 

Kristin Allen runs the Acrobatic Gymnastics Foundation. Follow them on Instagram @officialiheartacro and Twitter.

• 106: Biles and Ross Dominate the 2014 US Secret Classic
• 105: Chicago Secret Classic Preview, Cuba is Back & Nadia Promotes Adult Gymnastics
• 104: Gabby Douglas Missing In Action & USA Championships
• 103: Ranch Classic & Sports Acro World Championships

Claudia Fragapane (top left), Olivia Vivian (top right), and Glawgow volunteer Jamie Day (center bottom).

Jessica, Blythe, Emma and Jamie chat about:

• Did Australian head coach, Peggy Liddick's controversial plan to take potential event medalists and leaving their all around champion at home.
• Our fears that the British media are portraying Fragapane as the next world champion and will set her up for unreasonable expectations.
• Jamie tells us what it was like to volunteer in Glasgow for gymnastics and be forced to eat candy!
• Dipa Karmakar's double front vault. Was it worthy of it's namesake, the great Produnova?
• Louis Smith and Kristina Thomas carrying an injured Sam Oldham onto the podium for his gold medal in a Kerry Strug-esque moment of glory.
• The most anticipated pommel horse show down since the 2012 Olympic Games.
•  The fantastic attitude of Becky Downie who competed injured for a title on bars but three falls on beam.
• The gym-romance between Hannah Whelan and Sam Oldham.
• Will Max Whitlock challenge for an all around medal at Worlds?
• Ellie Black vs. Claudia Fragapane in the vault finals- -we discuss whether or not the outcome was fair.
• Olivia Vivian, Miss Congeniality of the gymnastics world.
• The massive improvement of the Welsh girls and Indian women's gymnastics.
• Sportsmanship gymnastics style.

• 107: Acro World Champions Kristin Allen & Michael Rodrigues
• 106: Biles and Ross Dominate the 2014 US Secret Classic
• 2014 Senior Secret Classic Competition Photo Gallery
• 102: Classic Episode with Louis Smith
• 101: Olivia Vivian
• 81: Jenny Hansen
• 96: Australian Nationals & Men’s European Championships
• Victoria Moors: A Photo Gallery from the 2014 American Cup
• 86: British Championships & Doha World Cup

An Inside View of gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games - by from our friend MIchelle Webb who volunteered in media at the games.

I was, and still am, skeptical about the team format. The reason they did it was because they didn't have enough of the most highly qualified judges to run all the panels simultaneously. That makes me wonder if there are rules against judges from non-competing nations judging or if it was a money thing in forking out for extra officials. One good thing about the way they organised the countries was that it meant spectators got to cheer on gymnasts from just about every country. All the big teams except Wales had MAG in one session and WAG in the other. That was very nice for the fans and it also meant gymnasts could watch their male/female counterparts perform. Of course the big consequence of the country draw was that MAG medals were decided in the first session and WAG medals in the second. That meant those that paid more for "finals" tickets only saw half the competition be decided but it was great for the session one spectators who didn't get to see the medal ceremony but saw the big MAG England v Scotland battle.

I would be interested to know what the gymnasts thought of it. I'm curious how being able to focus on limited events per day stacked up against being different and having to compete multiple days in a row. As a trampolinist I would be perturbed having to compete set and voluntary routines on different days, I'd prefer to get it done and out of the way! I guess there was the potential for tactics to change based on day one scores but I'm not sure we saw any of that.

The announcer was good about explaining which teams were coming in and out. Teams were marched in and out at the same times as other groups were rotating events so it was a bit disjointed. With so much going on it was extremely difficult to keep track of the scores. The main scoreboard had MAG and WAG scores, subdivisions and rotation numbers and was probably tricky to follow for newbies. I'm not sure the non-gym nerds were too bothered but I found it had less ebb and flow than a normal team competition. I always remember Barry Davies (God) being disparaging about Romania winning Sydney TF while sitting on the sidelines. Having a score to chase is less dramatic than everyone competing at the same time although it does give you more time with the calculator. I'd say that the format was very good for newbies as they got a heck of a lot of variety with MAG,  WAG and many countries. I think gym nerds would prefer the better focus the traditional format provides.

Competition

Won't say too much here because everyone can watch the routines but...

Get well soon Sam.

Can we please ship CWG gymnasts to Marta and teach them to stay on the fecking beam?

I've never seen so many smiles in a WAG AA competition, lovely to watch gymnasts be chuffed with their performances and enjoying themselves.

The cameraderie between all the gymnasts was great. Particularly liked seeing the Scotland and England coaches shaking hands/high fiving during the march rounds.

Singapore WAG are a nice team, smart form and decent difficulty.

Watching gymnasts from smaller nations is a good reminder of how difficult gymnastics really is. It is easy to forget the level of preparation giants and basic ring moves require when you just watch top teams.

Rhian Pugh (2004 Junior Euro bar champ) was judging. She was a line judge during the team competition and I think a timing official for UB finals. Pretty neat that she was officiating at a competition including the Zuchold which was in her routine back in the day.

The music played was matched to the gymnasts going. When Wales had performed and Welsh fans dressed as daffodils were shown in the audience they played "Delilah" by Welsh artist Tom Jones. After Ruby Harrold finished on bars they played "Ruby ruby ruby" by the Kaiser Chiefs!

Behind the scenes

My Clydesider volunteer role was "press tribune team leader" which meant I looked after the journalists, distributed scores and made sure only authorised people came into the press tribunes (working area which was behind vault/beam). It was so cool to see the back stage organisation of an event and it was wonderful to contribute to the gymnastics and the Games as a whole. As a bonus I actually got to see a fair bit of gymnastics which helped me feel better about selling my tickets when I got my volunteer position. Some neat things that happened/were spotted and that I'm allowed to talk about were...

Craig Heap taking pictures of his screen for the England 1-2-3 and Christine doing the same when her gymnast Georgina Hockenhull won bronze on beam.

I got to go on the field of play to move photographers' benches around during RSG podium training. They were also used in London and still had 2012 stickers on them. Nice to see things being re-used in a sustainable games.

For the team and HB medal ceremonies I moonlighted in the mixed zone where my job was to walk gymnasts from the broadcast area to the written press mixed zone. Such a cool job and being there meant I could listen in on the interviews. Peggy and Lauren both said that they were the third ranked country going in and that they won silver rather than it being a disappointment. Peggy also mentioned her team being under-prepared, will peak for worlds and that she's happy they were all healthy. All the medallists got a bag of goodies which included a frame/mount thing for their medals. It was proper amusing to see the judges all trying to get pictures with Louis while the volunteers were trying to shepard him to journalists.

After the VT medal ceremony Dipa ran up to her coach to hang her bronze around his neck. Whatever you think about her vaulting and their strategy it was a cute moment.

Multiple journalists had never covered the sport before and asked me to explain what was going on. PERFECT job for me! I felt sorry for them being so out of their comfort zone but some of the errors I saw in articles were inexcusable and could have been solved with a quick google (China are world leaders in WAG) or glance at the information we gave them (Louis features in AA finals) grrrrrrr! I just loved using my gym nerd powers and explaining what was going on to my team of volunteers and journalists who asked.

Audience and Noobs

Various games were played with the audience to keep the energy levels high. Some of these applied to all the CWG venues but they are extra relevant to gymnastics given the down times between routines and that worlds is at the same venue next year.

"Weegie wave" was a term coined for the Games as far as I'm aware. This is a "Mexican wave" or "the wave" depending on where you are from. I was given blank looks at a US summer camp when I suggested a Mexican wave, once I explained it I was told the American name and that I shouldn't be racist! The same thing happened with Chinese whispers/telephone. Anyway, they got this going a lot and the audience had to race an electronic Clyde (Games mascot) around the arena. There was also a super slo-mo version where they asked the audience to be as graceful as the gymnasts.

Kiss-cam/highland dancing cam/air guitar cam. For this they would show members of the audience and get them to do as they were told. Most people were up for it. Notable events were getting the announcer on kiss-cam, Louis vs a NZ gymnasts on air guitar cam (as you can imagine Louis went for it) and the highlight was the Dan's on highland dancing cam. They were resolutely not up for it. Keatings just laughed and made jokes while Purvis gave us some head bopping. Such a shame!

There was an announcer who roved the audience doing interviews with kids and getting people to participate in the 30 second challenge. Variations of this were name countries in the CW, sports in the CWG, fruit, vegetables. Then they'd play a video of a sports star doing the same to see who would win.

Speaking of videos they had Beth reminiscing about her UB title in Manchester and Steve Frew doing the same about SR (which shockingly they cut off before the SR ceremony that he presented at).  There were also videos for each apparatus and they were actually pretty detailed, going as far as describing the special requirements on PH.

There were several acrobatic gymnastics performances from the GB juniors which were very well received.

The 2015 worlds were publicised a lot with the announcer mentioning that tickets had almost sold out.

All the noobs adored Claudia. There were lots of height comments. Super young kids around me kept asking their parents when Louis would be on, he's so well known now. Some on my team commented on the scary vauting of the Indian WAGs. None of them had any gymnastics knowledge and were fairly non-plussed about volunteering at this venue but 80% loved it, thought gymnastics was amazing and will be watching Tumble.

Watch this week's playlist on YouTube here.

 

The official unofficial podcast of BBC One's new show, Tumble. 

This week Jessica and Emma chat about BBC One's brand new show, Tumble:

• The alleged romance between world champion, Kristin Allen and the Teen Wolf,  Bobby Lockwood.
• Emma watched the show live and gives us all the details from inside the studio.
• Craig Heap dissing Louis Smith!
• Lucy Mecklenburgh vs. John Patridge -- ummm, yeah.
• Hater reviews and if they are valid or not.
• Background on the gymnastics and acrobatic stars featured on the show.
• The 60 and 50 year-old celebrities who are learning adult gymnastics.
• How to find an adult gymnastics program near you!
• Natalia Ilienko, the 1981 Floor Exercise World Champion, coaching Sarah Harding.
• If this is the best thing that ever happened to gymnastics or not. Hint, it is!

Louis Smith will be our very first GymCastic Book Club guest in August.

What: Read the book and submit questions about it for Louis.

How: Buy the book here, send your questions to us at  gymcastic @ gmail.com or leave a voicemail on Skype at username “GymCastic Podcast” or by dialing (415) 800-3191.

When: Submit your questions and we’ll ask Louis when he’s on the show in August.

Find a gymnastics program in the US on Jessica's website masters-gymnastics.com.

Find the gymnastics program that's right for you with a video introduction to all of the different disciplines of the sport.

LeoCards, iconic leotard postcards and posters by Meg here.

Find out more about BBC One's Tumble on the official website.

Watch full episodes on the BBC One YouTube Channel.

If you are outside of the UK and want to watch Tumble on BBC One, you can use  TVPC.com here or FreeTVCafe.net here.  Use at your own risk. There are a ton of play buttons that will automatically download crap onto your computer. Be extremely careful not to click on an advertisement. Less risky is using a VPN like Zenmate or GetUsVPN. 

• 108: The Commonwealth Games
• 102: Classic Episode with Louis Smith
• 107: Acro World Champions Kristin Allen & Michael Rodrigues
• 106: Biles and Ross Dominate the 2014 US Secret Classic
• 82: Cottbus, English Championships & Danusia Francis finally gets a 10 on beam!
• Episode 22: Beth Tweddle
• 99: Princess Catherine Lyons and Coach Rochelle Douglas
• Episode 20: Jenni Pinches

Leo Cards by Meg

Princess Catherine Lyons with her coaches David Roy Wood and Rochelle Douglas.

Watch this week's playlist on YouTube here.

 

This week Jessica, Uncle Tim and Evan preview the 2014 P&G Championships:

• Since Evan will be doing commentary for the junior women and junior men's broadcasts, we try to come up with new descriptions for commonly used commentary-isms!
• We predict the winners, dark horses on each event and the all-around for the women's junior and senior field.
• Jessica and Evan argue about who will steal the junior show: Deanne Soza, Jordan Chiles, Nia Dennis or Norah "Lord of the Beam" Flatley.
• A listener implores us to examine the rare and uncommon bar routine of Miss Lexy Ramler.
• Why Rachel Baumann's tumbling is comparable to Beyonce, and Rachel Gowey is the Laurie Hernandez of this year's floor joy.
• Our sentimental favorites, the kids who may not medal but we can't wait to watch: Morgan Hurd, Lauren Navarro, Emily Gaskins, Amelia Hundley.
• The infamous ants-in-your-pants choreography for Gabi Gheorghiu that Marta Karolyi did. 
• We give advice about managing body image when starting adult gymnastics, celebrate our listener-scientists, and find out about all of the "country gymnastics" that our listeners do!

Find out how to watch live here.

The 2014 WAG Rankings from The All Around here.

Keep checking The Gymternet for updates on scratches from the meet. here.

The Secret Classic by the numbers here, some sexy data from Lauren.

Interested in trying gymnastics? Discover which gymnastics discipline is right for you, including adult, acrobatics, parkour, trampoline, tumbling, group and rhythmic here. Then find an adult gymnastics class on Jessica's website, master-gymnastics.com.

• 109: The Tumble Podcast
• 106: Biles and Ross Dominate the 2014 US Secret Classic
• 2014 Senior Secret Classic Competition Photo Gallery
• 2014 Junior Secret Classic Competition Photo Gallery
• Photo Gallery of Podium Training at the 2014 Secret Classic
• Episode 45: The 2013 P&G Championships Post-Meet Report
• P&G Championships by the Numbers: The Senior Women - Night 1
• Spanny Tampson Reports on Day One of the 2013 P&G Gymnastics Championships from the Hotel Bar
• Episode 44: Pan Am Report and P&G Championships Preview
• 105: Chicago Secret Classic Preview, Cuba is Back & Nadia Promotes Adult Gymnastics

Watch this week's playlist on YouTube here.

 This week Jessica and Emma Bailey recap episode two of the BBC’s new show Tumble. We consider these important topics:

• What time to arrive at the BBC One studio if you want to be in the live studio audience for Tumble.
• Would the American post-Olympic tour benefit from hiring the Tumble creators?
• The tear-jerking, beauty of the “Butterfly” performance by Beth Tweddle featuring some of our favorite junior elite gymnasts from the British squad.
• Which gymnasts (hint, Simone Biles) should wear Lucy Mecklenburgh’s green leotard from this week’s show?
• We speculate on the veracity of the incompetence demonstrated by the celebrities during their practices.
• Does Sarah Harding have poor cardio or is she just unaware that her mouth is hanging open throughout her performance?
• Claudia Fragapane gave great advice and the English champions from the commonwealth games
• Was the romance storyline between Kristin Allen and Bobby Lockwood, just a ruse to throw us off of the H Watkins and John Partridge, romance?
• Natalia Ilienko shed tears after the show.
• Determine that everything in life should come down to a “Vault Off”
• Nastia’s triceps and gorgeous arm muscles.
• Alex cuts off Louis Smith and Jessica is enraged!
• Is the quality of this show greatly improved because of the variety of professionals from different gymnastics disciplines — acrobatics, circus, artistic etc.
• Two contestants were members of the Royal Ballet - not normal humans, these are super athletes.
• We predict Amelle will be the last woman standing.

Jenny Pinches blog on Tumble. Danusia Francis has been blogging about Tumble on her blog as well. Check out all of Emma's nerdtastic adventures in gymnastics fandom at MoominWhiskey Meets.

Find a gymnastics program in the US on Jessica's website masters-gymnastics.com.

Find the gymnastics program that's right for you with a video introduction to all of the different disciplines of the sport.

LeoCards, iconic leotard postcards and posters by Meg here.

Find out more about BBC One's Tumble on the official website. Watch full episodes on the BBC One YouTube Channel.If you are outside of the UK and want to watch Tumble on BBC One, you can use  TVPC.com here or FreeTVCafe.net here.  Use at your own risk. There are a ton of play buttons that will automatically download crap onto your computer. Be extremely careful not to click on an advertisement. Less risky is using a VPN like Zenmate or GetUsVPN.

• 108: The Commonwealth Games
• 102: Classic Episode with Louis Smith
• 107: Acro World Champions Kristin Allen & Michael Rodrigues
• 106: Biles and Ross Dominate the 2014 US Secret Classic
• 82: Cottbus, English Championships & Danusia Francis finally gets a 10 on beam!
• Episode 22: Beth Tweddle
• 99: Princess Catherine Lyons and Coach Rochelle Douglas
• Episode 20: Jenni Pinches

The green Egyptian scarab leotard Lucy Mecklenburgh wore on episode two of Tumble on BBC One.

Watch this week's playlist on YouTube here.

 

Jazmyn Foberg of MG Elite took the lead in the junior competition.

A full recap of day one of the women's competition. We discuss:

• Swaggie Maggie Nichols rise in the ranks
• The ranging case of nerves that swept the juniors.
• Trends in routine construction for the top teams
• How awesome Evan Heiter and Sam Peszek were at commentating LIVE.
• Favorites for World and Pan American Games.
• Adeline Kenlin and the coolest vault of the competition and Lexy Ramler getting the biggest cheers for her bar routine.

Watch live here. The 2014 WAG Rankings from The All Around here.

• 106: Biles and Ross Dominate the 2014 US Secret Classic
• 2014 Senior Secret Classic Competition Photo Gallery
• 2014 Junior Secret Classic Competition Photo Gallery
• Photo Gallery of Podium Training at the 2014 Secret Classic
• Episode 45: The 2013 P&G Championships Post-Meet Report
• P&G Championships by the Numbers: The Senior Women - Night 1
• Spanny Tampson Reports on Day One of the 2013 P&G Gymnastics Championships from the Hotel Bar
• Episode 44: Pan Am Report and P&G Championships Preview
• 105: Chicago Secret Classic Preview, Cuba is Back & Nadia Promotes Adult Gymnastics

 

Repeat senior champion, Simone Biles hugs new junior champ, Jazmyn Foberg by Christy Linder.

Today, straight from the P&G Championships in Pittsburgh, Jessica, Lauren, Dvora, Cordelia and Lindsey recap the event and:

• Kim Zmeskal tells us about the Hunger Games-themed leotards and the core values of her coaching (interview beigns at the 1:45:35)
• The rise of MG Elite, is quite possibly the top junior gymnastics program in the country.
• Laurent Landi, coach of Alyssa Baumann and Madison Kocian at WOGA, stopped by the GymCastic studios to give us an injury and goal update on his seniors.
• The wise, reliable, Kyla Ross.
• Breakout fan favorites, Jordan Chiles, Morgan Hurd, Macy Toronjo, Emily Gaskins, Marissa Oakley, Maile O'Keefe, Jazmyn Foberg, Deane Soza and Alexis Vasquez.
• The Uneven Bars Situation: Ashton Locklear, Madison Kocian, Kyla Ross and seemingly fantasy, gym nerd created bar routine of Brenna Dowell.
• Would it make any difference to our World and Olympic results if the US ladies went to more World Challenge Cups around the world?
• Should USAG President, Steve Penny, revoke the broadcast rights from NBC for showing John Orozco crying in London on the big screen in the arena while John waited to go on pommel horse?
• We present the deeply coveted GymCastic Execution and Artistry awards.
• Will Simone Biles be the Kohei Uchimora of women's gymnastics?
• Missing in action - where was Kyla's coach Howie this weekend?
• The MyKayla Skinner factor - she's made huge improvements.

Extra special thanks to the DoubleTree hotel in Pittsburgh for finding a great room for the podcast and feeding us warm cookies to sustain our recording long into the night!

Results from the 2014 US Championships here.

• 106: Biles and Ross Dominate the 2014 US Secret Classic
• 2014 Senior Secret Classic Competition Photo Gallery
• 2014 Junior Secret Classic Competition Photo Gallery
• Photo Gallery of Podium Training at the 2014 Secret Classic
• Episode 45: The 2013 P&G Championships Post-Meet Report
• P&G Championships by the Numbers: The Senior Women - Night 1
• Spanny Tampson Reports on Day One of the 2013 P&G Gymnastics Championships from the Hotel Bar
• Episode 44: Pan Am Report and P&G Championships Preview
• 105: Chicago Secret Classic Preview, Cuba is Back & Nadia Promotes Adult Gymnastics

A Christy Linder photo gallery is coming soon!

Watch every routine from the P&G Championships on the USA Gymnastics YouTube page here.

Jazmyn Foberg uses "Never Gonna Happen" by Lily Allen for her floor routine. Do you like it?