2025 U.S. Championships Day Two!

This is our live coverage from New Orleans. We'll start about an hour after the meet ends. Login to reveal the extended episode. Here's how to ask questions live. Can't make it live? Add BTS to your favorite podcast player (instructions here).

GymCastic LIVE featuring MORGAN HURD: REPLAY tickets here Women's Senior Day 2 All‑Around Results Rank No. Athlete Gym Prelim Final Combined 1 219 Hezly Rivera WOGA 55.600 56.400 112.000 2 217 Leanne Wong U of Florida 55.100 56.100 111.200 3 215 Joscelyn Roberson U of Arkansas 55.400 54.200 109.600 4 207 Ashlee Sullivan Metroplex 53.700 54.250 107.950 5 210 Simone Rose Pacific Reign 53.450 54.450 107.900 6 209 Jayla Hang Pacific Reign 52.250 55.400 107.650 7 214 Gabrielle Hardie Twin City Twisters 53.750 53.100 106.850 8 220 Dulcy Caylor World Champions 53.800 52.900 106.700 9 224 Tiana Sumanasekera World Champions 53.100 52.850 105.950 10 218 Claire Pease WOGA 51.600 53.950 105.550 11 206 Alicia Zhou Love Gym 51.950 52.800 104.750 12 204 Izzy Stassi Gym X‑Treme 53.300 50.750 104.050 13 211 Harlow Buddendeck RGA 52.000 52.000 104.000 14 201 Nola Matthews Airborne 52.150 51.750 103.900 15 223 Brooke Pierson World Champions 52.450 51.000 103.450 16 222 Reese Esponda World Champions 51.350 51.900 103.250 17 212 Ally Damelio San Mateo 50.450 52.150 102.600 18 221 Jordis Eichman World Champions 51.250 51.050 102.300 19 203 Annalisa Milton GAGE 51.300 50.600 101.900 20 208 Catherine Guy Pacific Reign 50.550 50.050 100.600 Senior Women's National Team

2025 Senior Women's National Team Presented by Xfinity

• Skye Blakely — Frisco, Texas/University of Florida
• Dulcy Caylor — Spring , Texas/World Champions Centre
• Jayla Hang — Bellevue, Wash./Pacific Reign Gymnastics
• Gabrielle Hardie — Sioux Falls, S.D./Twin City Twisters
• Claire Pease — Sunnyvale, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics
• Hezly Rivera — Oradell, N.J./WOGA Gymnastics
• Joscelyn Roberson — Texarkana, Texas/University of Arkansas
• Simone Rose — Sammamish, Wash./Pacific Reign Gymnastics
• Ashlee Sullivan — Richardson, Texas/Metroplex Gymnastics
• Tiana Sumanasekera — Pleasanton, Calif./World Champions Centre
• Leanne Wong — Overland Park, Kan./University of Florida

2025 Men's World Team

October 19-25 in Jakarta, Indonesia Taylor Burkhart — Arvada, Colo./Stanford University^ Brandon Dang — San Jose, Calif./University of Illinois Asher Hong — Tomball, Texas/Stanford University Patrick Hoopes — Lehi, Utah/U.S. Air Force Academy Brody Malone — Aragon, Ga./EVO Gymnastics Kameron Nelson — Columbus, Ohio/Ohio State University Donnell Whittenburg — Baltimore, Md./EVO Gymnastics

RELATED:

• Photo Galleries from 2025 U.S. Championships Day One Women's U.S. Championships 2025 Podium Training Report: 2025 U.S. Championships 2025 U.S. Championships Preview Episode

CHECK OUT FACT CHECKER'S NEW BOOK WITH AIMEE BOORMAN

• The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles by Aimee Boorman with Fact Checker is topping the sport charts - SUCK IT SPORTS BALLS! Get your copy now. And if you loved reading (or listening) to the book, please leave a review.

BONUS CONTENT

• • • Club members can watch Vanessa Atler's live show by logging in to her live show page, it will appear below.
    • Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes.
    • Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podcast being recorded, participate in watch-alongs with Spencer, access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails.
    • Not sure about joining the club? College & Cocktails: The Friday Night NCAA Gymnastics Post-Meet Show is available to sample (even if you aren't a Club Gym Nerd member yet). Watch or listen here.

MERCH

• GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even "tapestries" (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast!
  • Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store

NEWSLETTERS

• Sign up for all three GymCastic newsletters

RESOURCES

• Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation
  • GIFs of the Week and Meet schedule with links.
• Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim
• Kensley's men's gymnastics site Neutral Deductions

RESISTANCE Submitted by you.

• • • Action
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2025 U.S. Championships Day One WAG!

This is our live coverage from New Orleans. We'll start about an hour after the meet ends. Login to reveal the extended meet report. Here's how to ask questions live. Can't make it live? Add BTS to your favorite podcast player (instructions here).

GymCastic LIVE featuring MORGAN HURD: Tickets on sale now SENIOR RESULTS OF DAY ONE

1. Rivera - 55.600 and beam with 14.350.
2. Roberson - 55.400, leading FX with 14.150 and tied for first on UB with Zhou for 13.650.
3. Wong - 55.100 and leading VT with 13.675

Not a member? Join here.We have a weekly Behind The Scenes live Q&A podcast and post-meet live exclusives all year long. It's all part of the bonus content for our Club Members who supporting our work year around.

CHECK OUT FACT CHECKER'S NEW BOOK WITH AIMEE BOORMAN

• The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles by Aimee Boorman with Fact Checker is topping the sport charts - SUCK IT SPORTS BALLS! Get your copy now. And if you loved reading (or listening) to the book, please leave a review.

BONUS CONTENT

• • • Club members can watch Vanessa Atler's live show by logging in to her live show page, it will appear below.
    • Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes.
    • Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podcast being recorded, participate in watch-alongs with Spencer, access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails.
    • Not sure about joining the club? College & Cocktails: The Friday Night NCAA Gymnastics Post-Meet Show is available to sample (even if you aren't a Club Gym Nerd member yet). Watch or listen here.

MERCH

• GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even "tapestries" (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast!
  • Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store

NEWSLETTERS

• Sign up for all three GymCastic newsletters

RESOURCES

• Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation
  • GIFs of the Week and Meet schedule with links.
• Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim

RESISTANCE Submitted by you.

• • • Action
      • ResistBot
        • Turns your texts into faxes, postal mail, or emails to your representatives in minutes
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            1. State your name and zip code or district
            2. Be concise with your question or demand (i.e. What specific steps is Senator X taking to stop XYZ)
            3. Wait for answer
            4. Ask for action items - tell them what you want then to do (i.e. draft articles of impeachment immediately, I want to see you holding a press conference in front of...etc.)
      • Indivisible
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      • Know Your Rights Red Cards
      • We Have Rights Video
      • ACLU: Your Rights

2025 U.S. Championships Podium Training!

This is our live coverage from New Orleans. We'll start about an hour after the podium training ends. Login to reveal the full show. Here's how to ask questions live. Can't make it live? Add BTS to your favorite podcast player (instructions here).

GymCastic LIVE featuring MORGAN HURD: Tickets on sale now

• BONUS CONTENT
  • • • Club members can watch Vanessa Atler's live show by logging in to her live show page, it will appear below.
      • Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes.
      • Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podcast being recorded, participate in watch-alongs with Spencer, access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails.
      • Not sure about joining the club? College & Cocktails: The Friday Night NCAA Gymnastics Post-Meet Show is available to sample (even if you aren't a Club Gym Nerd member yet). Watch or listen here.
  MERCH
  • GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even "tapestries" (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast!
    • Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store
  NEWSLETTERS
  • Sign up for all three GymCastic newsletters
  RESOURCES
  • Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation
    • GIFs of the Week and Meet schedule with links.
  • Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim

  RESISTANCE

  Submitted by you.

  • Action
    • ResistBot
      • Turns your texts into faxes, postal mail, or emails to your representatives in minutes
    • 5Calls App will call your Congresspeople by issue with a script to guide you
      • • Make 2 to your Congressional rep (local and DC office). 2 each to your US Senators (local and state offices)
          1. State your name and zip code or district
          2. Be concise with your question or demand (i.e. What specific steps is Senator X taking to stop XYZ)
          3. Wait for answer
          4. Ask for action items - tell them what you want then to do (i.e. draft articles of impeachment immediately, I want to see you holding a press conference in front of...etc.)
    • Indivisible
      • Practical ideas about what you can actually do in this moment, check it out: indivisi.org/muskorus
  • Donate or volunteer for organizations suing the administration for illegal actions
    • Lawsuit tracker by subject
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    • Podcasts:
      • Amicus
      • Daily Beans
      • Pod Save America
      • Strict Scrutiny
  • Immigrant Rights
    • Know Your Rights Red Cards
    • We Have Rights Video
    • ACLU: Your Rights

Who's in the running to be the brand new AA Champion, who makes World Team Camp and most importantly, skills, upgrades and art to watch!

MORGAN HURD LIVE SHOW SATURDAY! Get Tickets U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS: PODCAST SCHEDULE

*Times are estimates depending on duration of post-meet athlete interviews

Aug 6 - Senior Women Podium Training - Live Podcast 8:30pm Central*

Aug 8 - Women Day 1 - Live Podcast 10:00pm Central*

Aug 9 - LIVE SHOW WITH MORGAN HURD Doors open 2:00, show 2:30

Aug 10 - Women Day 2- Live Podcast 9:00pm Central*

Aug 12 - U.S. Men's & Women's Championships recap podcast

1:40 GYMTERNET NEWS

• Someone stole Suni's statue!
• Simone Biles: I chose boundaries over burnout - and made Olympic history
• Suni Lee "I"m Finally understanding how good I am"
• Update on Loreno Bonicelli's catastrophic injury at University Games.
• The only black boys gymnastics team in the country needs your help.
• Russian Olympic and World Champion Melnikova leaves election to focus on gymnastics.
• Lakeland Florida sheriff asking other victims of Alexander Katchalov who coached at Elite World Gymnastics to come forward.

U.S. Championships Preview

15:40 New National Champion contenders

21:39: Who Qualifies for World Team Selection Camp; and should there be a one-event qualifying score?

33:42 Potential upgrades & Skye's events confirmed

36:46 Storylines we are watching

44:42 Fluff piece redemption arc eligible topics

51:15 I'm just a fan scores are lame: Artist and Cool Skill Watchlist

U.S. Championships Fantasy Game Play Now!

(it's free)

RELATED:

Live Reaction Podcast from Chicago Videos and interviews from 2025 U.S. Classic Photo Galleries from 2025 U.S. Classic Classic Preview podcast

UP NEXT:

• Behind The Scenes: Live Q&A podcast podium training and women's competition days from U.S. Championships in New Orleans.

BONUS CONTENT

• • • Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes Q&A show.
    • Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podcast being recorded and get access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, early bird discounts on live shows, two extra podcasts: Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails.
    • Not sure about joining the club? Here are some samples.

MERCH

• GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even "tapestries" (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast!
  • Shorts are now available in the GymCastic store

NEWSLETTERS

• Sign up for all three GymCastic newsletters

RESOURCES

• Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation
• Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim
• The Gymternet Nations Database
• Just added Group Commission: Pantheon of Gymnastics

RESISTANCE Submitted by our listeners.

• Action
  • ResistBot
    • Turns your texts into faxes, postal mail, or emails to your representatives in minutes
  • 5Calls App will call your Congresspeople by issue with a script to guide you
  • Indivisible
    • Practical ideas about what you can actually do in this moment, check it out: indivisi.org/muskorus
• LITIGATION: Donate or volunteer for organizations suing the administration for illegal actions
  • Lawsuit tracker by subject
  • ACLU
  • Southern Poverty Law Center
  • Northwest Immigration Law Project
• Stay Informed:
  • 6 Tools for Tracking the Trump Administration's Attacks on Civil Liberties
  • Podcasts:
    • Amicus
    • Daily Beans
    • Pod Save America
    • Strict Scrutiny
• Immigrant Rights
  • Know Your Rights Red Cards
  • We Have Rights Video
  • ACLU: Your Rights

Welcome to Behind The Scenes Bonus!

This is our weekly Q&A episode for Club Members who support our work all year long. We also have live exclusives after competitions like this week's US Championships. Login to reveal the full show Here's how to ask questions live. Can't make it live? Add BTS to your favorite podcast player (instructions here).

GymCastic LIVE featuring Morgan Hurd Tickets on sale now

Not a member? Join here. Behind The Scenes is a weekly Q&A live podcast and post-meet live exclusive. It's all part of the bonus content for our Club Members who supporting our work year around.

Topics:

• Morgan Hurd's is our special guest for the live show at the U.S. Championships in New Orleans (will coincide with her USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame induction), and all the stories she can't say in her induction speech.

• We need a tag line for live shows Schedule for the U.S. Championships: episodes after women's podium training, women's day one, and women's day two, with the live show featuring Morgan Hurd before men's finals.

• NCAA roster cap, explaining how "designated athletes" committed before the cap allow teams to appear "over the limit" for years without violating rules.

• The transition from the vault horse to the table was primarily influenced by safety concerns, notable injuries and near-injuries at the 2000 Olympics.

• The Japanese World's team selection prioritizes all-around champions despite debates over this strategy for individual-focused World Championships.

• Conversations on spectator etiquette at sporting events included anecdotes about telling people to sit down during routines and comparisons to rules in tennis and hockey.

• A sunburn incident, a concerning story about raw milk and meningitis, and a "creatine debacle" related to humidity-induced muscle cramps.

• Ideas for a gymnastics musical about the 2024 Paris Olympics were brainstormed, suggesting plot points like Simone Biles' mental health journey and the "Nemour drama".

• Resistance News: Five Calls app and ResistBot and some positive legal updates.

CHECK OUT FACT CHECKER'S NEW BOOK WITH AIMEE BOORMAN

• The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles by Aimee Boorman with Fact Checker is topping the sport charts - SUCK IT SPORTS BALLS! Get your copy now. And if you loved reading (or listening) to the book, please leave a review.

BONUS CONTENT

• • • Club members can watch Vanessa Atler's live show by logging in to her live show page, it will appear below.
    • Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes.
    • Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podcast being recorded, participate in watch-alongs with Spencer, access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails.
    • Not sure about joining the club? College & Cocktails: The Friday Night NCAA Gymnastics Post-Meet Show is available to sample (even if you aren't a Club Gym Nerd member yet). Watch or listen here.

MERCH

• GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even "tapestries" (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast!
  • Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store

NEWSLETTERS

• Sign up for all three GymCastic newsletters

RESOURCES

• Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation
  • GIFs of the Week and Meet schedule with links.
• Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim

RESISTANCE Submitted by you.

• • • Action
      • ResistBot
        • Turns your texts into faxes, postal mail, or emails to your representatives in minutes
      • 5Calls App will call your Congresspeople by issue with a script to guide you
        • • Make 2 to your Congressional rep (local and DC office). 2 each to your US Senators (local and state offices)
            1. State your name and zip code or district
            2. Be concise with your question or demand (i.e. What specific steps is Senator X taking to stop XYZ)
            3. Wait for answer
            4. Ask for action items - tell them what you want then to do (i.e. draft articles of impeachment immediately, I want to see you holding a press conference in front of...etc.)
      • Indivisible
        • Practical ideas about what you can actually do in this moment, check it out: indivisi.org/muskorus
    • Donate or volunteer for organizations suing the administration for illegal actions
      • Lawsuit tracker by subject
      • ACLU
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    • Stay Informed:
      • 6 Tools for Tracking the Trump Administration's Attacks on Civil Liberties
      • Podcasts:
        • Amicus
        • Daily Beans
        • Pod Save America
        • Strict Scrutiny
    • Immigrant Rights
      • Know Your Rights Red Cards
      • We Have Rights Video
      • ACLU: Your Rights

It's the interview you've been waiting for! This week we welcome Katya Zamolodchikova to the show. We discuss Katya's gymnastics origin story, ponder the legacy of Svetlana Khorkina's existence as a human being, thoughts on elite vs. NCAA gymnastics, and whether Nellie Kim or Nadia Comaneci would win in a bar fight.

GYMCASTIC LIVE with MORGAN HURD

Satuday, August 9th. Keep checking link for tickets.

Get Tickets KATYA ZAMOLODCHIKOVA INTERVIEW

Login for bonus content here

Ladies and gentlemen, girls, gays, and theys, it's the episode you've all been waiting for; this week we welcome drag queen, actor, host of one of the funniest YouTube channels on the internet, and certified Gym Nerd, Katya Zamolodchikova to the show! In this episode we discuss everyyttthinggg you have ever wanted to know about Katya's gymnastics background including:

• Why Katya got into gymnastics
• Who is in Katya's gymnastics "trifecta of fucking doom"
• Svetlana Khorkina, Svetlana Khorkina, and Svetlana Khorkina. Did we mention Svetlana Khorkina?
• Which Russian gymnasts inspired her drag name
• Why gymnastics is "fucking weird" but also amazing
• Katya's SPICY take on why we should eliminate music from women's floor
• The skill Katya thinks was created by a "satanic demon" (Hint: it starts with "wolf" and ends with "turn")
• Katya's thoughts on raising the age limit so minors can't compete in the Olympic Games
• Designated Gym Nerd-out time to gush over all of Katya's favorite gymnasts and skills

RELATED:

• McKayla Maroney Interview episode
• Pelvic Floor Therapist episode on preventing peeing while doing gymnastics
• Spencer's Greatest Related Hits on The Balance Beam Situation:
  • • The Only Gymnast Who Ever Mattered: The Khorkina Story
    • Flatten The Curve with Svetlana Khorkina
    • When Wolf Turn Attack: a journey in GIFs
• Live Reaction Podcast from Chicago
• Videos and interviews from 2025 U.S. Classic
• Photo Galleries from 2025 U.S. Classic

UP NEXT:

Behind The Scenes: Live Q&A podcast every Friday at noon Pacific/7 GMT

BONUS PODCASTS

• Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes Q&A show.
• Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podcast being recorded and get access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, early bird discounts on live shows, two extra podcasts: Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails.
• Not sure about joining the club? Here are some samples from College and Cocktails

MERCH

• GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even "tapestries" (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast!
  • Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store

NEWSLETTERS

• Sign up for all three GymCastic newsletters

RESOURCES

• Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation
• Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim
• The Gymternet Nations Database
• Just added Group Commission: Pantheon of Gymnastics

RESISTANCE Submitted by our listeners.

• • Action
    • ResistBot
      • Turns your texts into faxes, postal mail, or emails to your representatives in minutes
    • 5Calls App will call your Congresspeople by issue with a script to guide you
    • Indivisible
      • Practical ideas about what you can actually do in this moment, check it out: indivisi.org/muskorus
  • LITIGATION: Donate or volunteer for organizations suing the administration for illegal actions
    • Lawsuit tracker by subject
    • ACLU
    • Southern Poverty Law Center
    • Northwest Immigration Law Project
  • Stay Informed:
    • 6 Tools for Tracking the Trump Administration's Attacks on Civil Liberties
    • Podcasts:
      • Amicus
      • Daily Beans
      • Pod Save America
      • Strict Scrutiny
  • Immigrant Rights
    • Know Your Rights Red Cards
    • We Have Rights Video
    • ACLU: Your Rights

Claire Pease is our 2025 U.S. Classic Champion! What are our biggest takeaways from this meet, favorite moments and what USAG said about the judging error. If you missed our immediate recap live from Chicago on Saturday night, listen here.

GymCastic LIVE in CHICAGO: REPLAY Tickets on sale now HEADLINES

• Claire Pease is our U.S. Classic all-around and vault champion!
• Myli Lew took the bars title, but first, a judging controversy
  • In a GymCastic exclusive: USAG issued a statement to us about the bars error
  • How can we fix these types of errors in the future?
• Ashlee Sullivan and her Arabian took the beam title
• Reese Esponda qualified herself to Championships ANNDDD took the floor title while she was at it

Classic

• Important updates heading into Championships
  • Skye Blakely submitted a successful petition to compete at U.S. Championships
  • Tiana is coming back from her Pan Ams ankle injury and is resting for Championships
  • Members of the 2024 Olympic team and alternates are eligible to petition to U.S. Championships
• Who were our E-score champions of the meet?

Mind Changers at U.S. Classic

• What were our biggest takeaways?
• Should we be worried about the state of elite gymnastics in the United States after this meet?!!???
• Why Jessica thinks this group of elites is the "confidence generation"
• Why Nola Matthews and Pacific Reign are leading the artistry game
  • Who else finally got the artistry memo here?
• What new skills are we seeing in response to the new code?
• The skill Ally Damelio does on bars that should automatically make her the winner of everything
• Reese Esponda's crazy new floor combination and Vivi Crain's scorpion turn
• Why Dulcy Caylor's new tumbling pass is giving us 1992 flashbacks
• Our way-too-early Worlds team predictions
• Opportunities for comedy during the meet
• Important art and leotard fashion updates

RELATED:

• Live Reaction Podcast from Chicago
• Videos and interviews from 2025 U.S. Classic
• Photo Galleries from 2025 U.S. Classic
• Classic Preview podcast

UP NEXT:

• Behind The Scenes: Live Q&A podcast every Friday at noon Pacific/7 GMT
• July 28th podcast: Drag icon, actor and Drag Race winner, Katya Zamolodchikova joins us for a gymnastics coffee klatch episode.

BONUS PODCASTS

• • • Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes Q&A show.
    • Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podcast being recorded and get access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, early bird discounts on live shows, two extra podcasts: Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails.
    • Not sure about joining the club? Here are some samples.

MERCH

• GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even "tapestries" (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast!
  • Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store

NEWSLETTERS

• Sign up for all three GymCastic newsletters

RESOURCES

• Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation
• Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim
• The Gymternet Nations Database
• Just added Group Commission: Pantheon of Gymnastics

RESISTANCE Submitted by our listeners.

• Action
  • ResistBot
    • Turns your texts into faxes, postal mail, or emails to your representatives in minutes
  • 5Calls App will call your Congresspeople by issue with a script to guide you
  • Indivisible
    • Practical ideas about what you can actually do in this moment, check it out: indivisi.org/muskorus
• LITIGATION: Donate or volunteer for organizations suing the administration for illegal actions
  • Lawsuit tracker by subject
  • ACLU
  • Southern Poverty Law Center
  • Northwest Immigration Law Project
• Stay Informed:
  • 6 Tools for Tracking the Trump Administration's Attacks on Civil Liberties
  • Podcasts:
    • Amicus
    • Daily Beans
    • Pod Save America
    • Strict Scrutiny
• Immigrant Rights
  • Know Your Rights Red Cards
  • We Have Rights Video
  • ACLU: Your Rights

Live report from the 2025 U.S. Classic where Claire Pease is the new all around and vault champion. Myli Lew won UB with a big 14.05, Ashlee Sullivan won BB and Reese Esponda FX.

Welcome to Behind The Scenes!

This is our exclusive live from Chicago after 2025 U.S Classic. We have a weekly Q&A episode and live exclusives after competitions all year long. We estimate live (right here, on this page) around 10pm Central. Login to reveal full club version of the show. Here's how to ask questions live. Can't make it live? Add BTS to your favorite podcast player (instructions here).

GymCastic LIVE in CHICAGO: REPLAY Tickets on sale now Get Tickets

• • Not a member? Join here.The Scenes is a weekly Q&A live podcast and post-meet live exclusive. It's all part of the bonus content for our Club Members who supporting our work year around. CHECK OUT FACT CHECKER'S NEW BOOK WITH AIMEE BOORMAN
    • The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles by Aimee Boorman with Fact Checker is topping the sport charts - SUCK IT SPORTS BALLS! Get your copy now. And if you loved reading (or listening) to the book, please leave a review.
    BONUS CONTENT
    • • • Club members can watch Vanessa Atler's live show by logging in to her live show page, it will appear below.
        • Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes.
        • Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podcast being recorded, participate in watch-alongs with Spencer, access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails.
        • Not sure about joining the club? College & Cocktails: The Friday Night NCAA Gymnastics Post-Meet Show is available to sample (even if you aren't a Club Gym Nerd member yet). Watch or listen here.
    MERCH
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    RESOURCES
    • Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation
      • GIFs of the Week and Meet schedule with links.
    • Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim
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Olympic Champion, Kaylia Nemour speaks up about her gym change; Parkettes coach banned and we preview this week's US Classic.

GymCastic LIVE in CHICAGO this Friday: Tickets HERE Get Tickets before they sell out HEADLINES

• What does the LA28 schedule tell us about the Mixed Team event? The schedule for LA 2028: Artistic Gymnastics July 15-20 and 22-25, Trampoline July 21, Rhythmic Gymnastics from July 27-29
• The FIG revised its rules regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes. Will this make it easier for them to compete in international competition?
• Kaylia Nemour opens up about her decision to leave Avoine-Beaumont
  • Just a reminder, her coach was fired from his national coaching role because of his abusive training methods and later exonerated via investigation.
• Melanie De Jesus Dos Santos posted on Instagram that she had surgery
• Two coaches at Parkettes, John Holman and Robin Netwall, have been suspended by SafeSport for alleged misconduct.
  • Parkette elite Amber Trani spoke up about her experience
  • Related: A Quitter's Try – The CNN Parkettes Documentary (Commissioned)

Classic Preview:

• What are the stakes of this meet? What score do gymnasts need to qualify to Championships?
• Who needs to be at Classics and who doesn't?
• What scores do you want to reach to be in contention for a Worlds team spot?
• Who are the top all-around gymnasts here?
• What can we expect to see from Leanne Wong, Joscelyn Roberson, and Lexi Zeiss - all making their 2025 elite debuts
• What event specialists are we most excited to see?
  • Do we think Leanne and Joscelyn have their Chengs back?
  • Are there any U.S. gymnasts you would take to Worlds as a bars specialist?
  • Where do Jayla Hang, Hezly Rivera, and Tiana Sumanasekera fall on the beam hierarchy?
  • Can anyone break into 14-territory on floor?
• Why we are excited to see Reese Esponda and Myli Lew on the roster
• The artistry checklist, brought to you by Nola Matthews

Code Changes You Need to Know About Part Two

• The FIG is so done with your Tkatchev-half variations and is devaluing all of them
• The double layout 1/1 dismount was upgraded to an F so expect to see more of those
• Hallelujah because forward Stalders, or Endos, are being upgraded to a D-skill!
• What's the precision rule?
• Link to helpful thread from Pamchenkova.
  • Example of a -0.1 precision Ricna
  • Example of Ricna with no precision deductions
• The "we care about your ligaments" rule on bars
• Why Karina Schoenmaier probably loves the new 0.2 bonus for vaults that have different post-flight directions

Gymternet News:

• • Alicia Zhou won the all-around at American Classic with a 52.350, qualifying her to Nationals next month
  • Alabama Gymnastics and the self-reported NCAA violation uh-oh
  • Junior Worlds will be heading to the Philippines this year!
  • ICYMI Chuso took home vault silver at the Tashkent World Challenge Cup on her 50th birthday #Chusothings
  • Ruben Padilla won the World Cup title at the Coimbra World Cup with a new world D-score record!
  • Sam Peszek got engaged! Check out her Instagram announcement
  • Melanie De Jesus Dos Santos' must-watch mini documentary, Golden Soul, is out on YouTube. Check it out here
  • Clemson cleaning up: Paige Anastasi (UCLA), Ella Cesario (Cal), and Sophie Stuart (incoming freshman) will join Clemon for the 2025-2026 season
  • Riley McCusker (Florida) and Alexis Jeffrey (LSU) announced their comebacks for a fifth year
  • Amy Smith fired with cause: new information from The State obtained documents that clarified Smith was fired with cause aka Clemson does not need to pay her buyout
  • All about our new logo

UP NEXT:

• Live Show July 18th
• LIVE FROM US CLASSIC IN CHICAGO: Instant Recap podcast on Saturday about an hour after senior session two ends.
• July 28th podcast: Drag icon, actor and Drag Race winner, Katya Zamolodchikova joins us for a gymnastics coffee klatch episode.

BONUS PODCASTS

• • • Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes Q&A show.
    • Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podcast being recorded and get access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, early bird discounts on live shows, two extra podcasts: Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails.
    • Not sure about joining the club? Here are some samples.

MERCH

• GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even "tapestries" (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast!
  • Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store

NEWSLETTERS

• Sign up for all three GymCastic newsletters

RESOURCES

• Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation
• Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim
• The Gymternet Nations Database
• Just added Group Commission: Pantheon of Gymnastics

RESISTANCE Submitted by our listeners.

• Action
  • ResistBot
    • Turns your texts into faxes, postal mail, or emails to your representatives in minutes
  • 5Calls App will call your Congresspeople by issue with a script to guide you
  • Indivisible
    • Practical ideas about what you can actually do in this moment, check it out: indivisi.org/muskorus
• LITIGATION: Donate or volunteer for organizations suing the administration for illegal actions
  • Lawsuit tracker by subject
  • ACLU
  • Southern Poverty Law Center
  • Northwest Immigration Law Project
• Stay Informed:
  • 6 Tools for Tracking the Trump Administration's Attacks on Civil Liberties
  • Podcasts:
    • Amicus
    • Daily Beans
    • Pod Save America
    • Strict Scrutiny
• Immigrant Rights
  • Know Your Rights Red Cards
  • We Have Rights Video
  • ACLU: Your Rights

Nemour hasn't moved to World Champions Center, Mary Lou Retton's arrest footage was released, code changes to get you up to speed for elite season, and a mini commission on the best gymnasts the world has never known

GymCastic LIVE JULY 18th: Tickets on sale now Get Tickets HEADLINES

• Nemour was training at World Championships Center aka Simone's gym last week with her French coach
• Footage from Mary Lou Retton's DUI arrest was released

ELITE SEASON IS WARMING UP: What updates to the 2025-2028 Code of Points should I know about?

• Overall, there weren't too many changes to this quad's edition of the Code of Points. Was that intentional?
• Our favorite and not-so-favorite parts about this new Code, and why we need to spend the entire episode talking about the face sketches of the gymnasts doing wolf turns in the table of elements
• Why Jessica thinks the beam code is perfect and Spencer doesn't
• The big floor shakeup that is killing all of our double-arabian half-out dreams
• How we can tell Sugihara Aiko did her homework and read the new Code of Points
• Changes to the FIG's artistry checklist: body posture, expressive engagement, and the "background music" deduction
• The "we care about your ligaments" rule on bars
• Why Karina Schoenmaier probably loves the new 0.2 bonus for vaults that have different post-flight directions

MINI COMMISSION: THE BEST GYMNASTS THE WORLD HAS NEVER KNOWN

• This week's Mini Commission is from our Fantasy Winner, Hailey Sen on the best gymnasts the world has never known. How many incredible gymnasts never made it to Worlds or the Olympics due to wrong timing, ill-timed injuries, or lack of national support and political issues?
• Hali Sheriff had some great skills for her era (Jessica narrated the short doc on Hali, the full documentary is now out)
• JAY JAY MARSHALL
• If you haven't seen this floor routine from Elizabeth (Liz) Reid, you need to watch it right now
• That time London Phillips did a Biles I back in 2005
• Shantessa Pama and her triple-back dismount off bars
• Why so many of us are still crying about Yesenia Ferrera and how she could've been the star of Cuban gymnastics
• All of the Chinese beamers that could have become World Champions

UP NEXT:

• Behind The Scenes on Friday at 12 Pacific/7 GMT
• Live Show July 18th

BONUS PODCASTS

• • • Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes Q&A show.
    • Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podcast being recorded and get access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, early bird discounts on live shows, two extra podcasts: Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails.
    • Not sure about joining the club? Here are some samples.

MERCH

• GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even "tapestries" (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast!
  • Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store

NEWSLETTERS

• Sign up for all three GymCastic newsletters

RESOURCES

• Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation
• Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim
• The Gymternet Nations Database
• Just added Group Commission: Pantheon of Gymnastics

RESISTANCE Submitted by our listeners.

• ACTION
  • Indivisible
    • Practical ideas about what you can actually do in this moment, check it out: indivisi.org/muskorus
  • 5Calls App will call your Congresspeople by issue with a script to guide you
    • • Make 2 to your Congressional rep (local and DC office). 2 each to your US Senators (local and state offices)
        • State your name and zip code or district
        • Be concise with your question or demand (i.e. What specific steps is Senator X taking to stop XYZ)
        • Wait for answer
        • Ask for action items - tell them what you want them to do (i.e. draft articles of impeachment immediately, I want to see you holding a press conference in front of...etc.)
  • ResistBot
    • Turns your texts into faxes, postal mail, or emails to your representatives in minutes
  • ACLU Mobile Justice App
    • Allows you to record encounters with public officials while streaming to your closest contacts and your local ACLU; REPORT any abuse by authorities to the ACLU and its networks.
• LAWSUITS
  • Donate to organizations suing the administration for illegal actions
    • ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center, Northwest Immigration Law Project
• STAY INFORMED
  • Suggested podcasts: Amicus, Daily Beans, Pod Save America, Strict Scrutiny
• Immigrant Rights
  • Know Your Rights Red Cards, We Have Rights Video, Your Rights on trains and buses video