Life in a Leo

By Rebecca Dengrove

What's Life in a Leo about?

This is 20-30 minute Podcast about all things gymnastics! We want to celebrate athletes, coaches, judges, gym owners, parents and anyone that loves gymnastics! Come join us on this journey about what makes gymnastics so great! Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lifeinaleo/support

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Life in a Leo episodes:

02.01.2019
Episode 40: Interview with Olympian and total inspiration, Betty Okino
This week on Life in a Leo, I interviewed the amazing Betty Okino. Betty was part of the 1992 USA Olympic Team. This was the first team to win a medal at the Olympics. This was a time when the...
12.28.2018
Episode 39: Interview with gymnastics PT expert, Marla Ranieri
This week on Life in a Leo, I interviewed Marla Ranieri, a physical therapist specializing in gymnastics. As an elite gymnast herself, Marla completely understands what these athletes go through and what they are striving for. She is working to...
12.07.2018
Quick update - new episodes coming soon!!
Just a quick update and apology for not having an episode ready for you. We have more in the works and I’ll have a new one next week. Happy holidays and don’t forget to point your toes
11.16.2018
Episode 38: Interview with college recruiting expert Jill Hicks
This week I got to interview the incredibly accomplished Jill Hicks. Jill runs a business called Jill Hicks Consulting where she helps athletes in seven different sports navigate the college recruiting process. Her expertise is gymnastics but the other sports...
11.02.2018
Episode 37: Interview with level 7 gymnast Anabelle
Happy Friday and welcome to Life in a Leo! This week I got to interview, 10-year-old gymnast, Anabelle. She is training level 7 at San Mateo Gymnastics and just qualified as a TOPS National A Team Member! What a huge...
10.19.2018
Episode 36: How I manage my time, tips and tricks, past and present
Thank you so much to everyone that answered my question on Instagram regarding topics you want to hear on the show. This week I explore a topic suggested by @abriannagallo on time management. I talk about what I did when...
10.05.2018
Episode 35: Interview with Elodie Bazin, my French Colleague
This was so much fun. I got to interview one of my new co-workers who grew up doing gymnastics in France! It was great to learn a little bit about what that was like, her favorite event, her disgusting competition...
09.22.2018
Episode 34: Sorry, I don't have much for you today
I started a new job and am finding it difficult to create new episodes. I'm so sorry!! But, I'm still here and I'm going to try and get new episodes out. What do you want to hear? Email me -...
09.07.2018
Episode 33: Interview with Sophie Kleinberg
Happy Friday and welcome to #Lifeinaleo! We hope you enjoy this week's interview with Sophie Kleinberg. Sophie is training level 10 at a small gym in NYC. She started gymnastics at 7 years old after someone commented on how well...
08.31.2018
Episode 32: Goal setting & my USAG Nationals experience
Sorry, there was no episode last week. I'm working on figuring out how to budget my time and continue publishing this show. Thank you to everyone for tuning in and sharing your support. It means a lot. This week I...
08.17.2018
Episode 31: Interview with Erica Rubin Peressin
Happy Friday! In this episode of Life in a Leo, I interview a good friend and old teammate of mine, Erica Rubin Peressin. We discuss Erica's journey through the sport, getting a scholarship to the University of Michigan, and her...
08.10.2018
Episode 30: Interview with Ana Villela
Happy Friday! This week I had a great interview with level 5 gymnast, Ana Villela. Ana was so fun to talk to. Her passion and excitement for the sport of gymnastics are contagious. She has only been in the sport...
08.03.2018
Episode 29: Quick reflection on peaking at the right time
I've been having issues getting my interviews to record well and so this week I had to come up with a quick alternative. I'm working on getting it fixed so hopefully next week I can share the interview that was...
07.27.2018
Episode 28: The GK US Classic in Columbus, OH
In this solocast, I provide the 10 (actually 11) things I'm going to be watching for at the US Classic this weekend. It's also the Hopes Championships. We are so excited to see all these amazing athletes get out there...
07.20.2018
Episode 27: Interview with National Judge, Kathi Ortiz
Happy Friday! This week on Life in a Leo, I interviewed one of my friends and fellow judges, Kathi Ortiz. Kathi is currently living in the Chicago area and got into the sport of gymnastics in 1968. In addition to...
07.13.2018
Episode 26: Interview with Melisa Torres
This week I got the chance to interview Melisa Torres, the author of the Perfect Balance Gymnastics, a fiction book series. Melisa started gymnastics a little bit later in life and progressed through the sport. As a junior in high...
07.06.2018
Episode 25: The American Classics at University of Utah
This week I discuss the top 5 things I'm most excited about at The American Classic. The American Classic is one of two elite meets that athletes can compete in to qualify for US National Championships. There are a lot...
06.29.2018
Episode 24: How I'm interpreting the new composition rules
In this solocast (what I've decided to call it when I don't do an interview), I provide what my key takeaways are and some examples of how to interpret the new composition deductions in the new code of points. I...
06.22.2018
Episode 23: Part 2 interview with JaNay, Peng and Deanna
Here is part two of my interview with JaNay Honest, Christine Peng Peng Lee and Deanna Hong, the incredible trio that hosted Bruin Banter this season (can you tell, I'm obsessed). This week we go into more detail about their...
06.15.2018
Episode 22: Part 1 Interview with a mystery trio
This week I got to speak with the trio that put together Bruin Banter this past NCAA gymnastics season, JaNay Honest, Christine Peng Peng Lee, and Deanna Hong. https://youtu.be/wp0_PdKzYVg Just one of the few things these women are known for....
06.08.2018
Episode 21: How to care for your leotards
Every week we are in and out of the gym training our butts off. We live in our leotards and sometimes we forget how to best care for them. This week I provide some advice on how to best take...
06.01.2018
Episode 20: Interview with Erin Kirschenbaum
This week I got to interview one of my favorite Soul Cycle Instructors, Erin Kirschenbaum (https://www.soul-cycle.com/instructors/231/erin/). Erin grew up as a very focused ballet dancer training with the Boston Ballet. After high school, she decided she was ready to try...
05.25.2018
Episode 19: Artistry
This week I discuss the three things that judges look for when evaluating artistry on floor. I break down each deduction and provide my best interpretation of the JO Code of Points. The music in the episode is Stevie Ray...
05.18.2018
Episode 18: Interview with Hannah Kaufman
This week I interviewed our amazing summer intern, Hannah Kaufman. In addition to being our intern, Hannah is studying dance and sociology at Rutgers University. She got her start in dance doing jazz and hip-hop but quickly found a passion...
05.11.2018
Episode 17: Failure
This week was another solo episode. Next week I will be back with an interview so stay tuned. The topic for this week was inspired by an experience I had when I was volunteering for an organization I feel passionately...
05.04.2018
Episode 16: What are the requirements to start from a 10.0
Happy Friday! In this episode, I explain how to get a level 9 or 10 routine to start from a 10.0. I felt inspired by Easterns and Westerns taking place this weekend and JO Nationals next weekend. I thought it...
04.27.2018
Episode 15: Interview with Emily Chan
This week I spoke with Emily Chan from Singapore, the youngest FIG women's artistic gymnastics judge in the world! Emily runs a YouTube channel and Instagram account called Flip Fly Tumble (@flipflytumble) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_1JiHs3Bw0GVfLqLFH7OPw where she creates video edits judging elite...
04.20.2018
Episode 14: Interview with UC Davis Alumni
This is a very special episode. It's the first time I interviewed a group of people. In addition, these were three of my teammates at UC Davis. Meghan was two years ahead of me and Flora and Lynn was a...
04.13.2018
Episode 13: Interview with Taylor Goron
This week I wanted to bring you something a little different. I got the chance to interview my friend, Taylor Gordon. Taylor is a professional dancer. She started dancing from the time she could walk, leaving home at the age...
04.06.2018
Episode 12: Some Thoughts on Execution
Ever wonder why your routine scored an 8.1 and your teammate got an 8.8? Maybe it's the execution...I have been a judge for 22 years. I provide some insight into what judges are looking for on all four events. I...
03.30.2018
Episode 11: Interview with Blakley
Blakley is an 8-year-old Level 4 gymnast at National Gymnastics Training Center in Orange County, CA. She has been doing gymnastics since she was 1 year old, and has been competing for 3 years. Blakley is known for being a...
03.23.2018
Episode 10: Interview with Lauren Hopkins
This week we interviewed Lauren Hopkins, Editor-in-Chief of the Gymternet. She aims to bring the very best coverage, interviews, features, histories, and opinion pieces from the people who really “get” gym – other gym fans. As a journalist, Lauren has...
03.16.2018
Episode 9: Interview with Maddie Larson
This week we got to interview the talented Maddie Larson. Maddie takes us through her journey in gymnastics, starting at 2.5 years old, and now competing as a 12-year-old level 10. Maddie aspires to be an elite and compete in...
03.09.2018
Episode 8: Interview with Hallie Mossett
Today we interviewed the incredible Hallie Mossett. Hallie started gymnastics at the age of 5, quickly progressed through the sport to become elite and make it on to the US National Team. In 2014, Hallie started her NCAA career as...
03.02.2018
Episode 7: 10 things about Winter Olympics Ice Skating Leos
I didn't get my interview done early enough this week, so I decided to bring you the top 10 things I learned about ice skating leotards from the 2018 Winter Olympics. Hope you enjoy it. Let us know what you...
02.23.2018
Episode 6: Interview with @_gymnastisabelle_
In the latest episode of Life in a leo, we interviewed gymnast Isabelle, an Instagram phenom with over 140,000 followers. This 8-year-old gymnast shares her goals for the season, her favorite gymnast and food and what life in a leo...
02.16.2018
Mariah Merkle Interview
This week we interviewed Mariah Merkle. You might know her as @Triplefull on Instagram. She is one hard working 18 year old! Mariah coaches gymnastics, trains and competes in CrossFit, and manages one of the most successful gymnastics fan pages...
02.09.2018
Cheryl Gambuti
Cheryl Gambuti was an elite gymnast, a coach, a national judge, a meet director and the parent of a level 10 gymnast. She understands the sport of gymnastics from every angle. Take a listen and get to know Cheryl a...
02.02.2018
Bailey McCabe interview
This week we interviewed Bailey McCabe from Auburn Gymnastics. Bailey is entering her third season as a level 10 gymnast. She is a sophomore in High School. She tells us about some of her new upgrades and her current bars...
01.26.2018
Episode 2
Today we interviewed world champion power tumbler @Mel_Doucette. She started as an artistic gymnast in NH eventually competing for The University of Bridgeport in college. After college she went back into the JO program and competed level 10 and Elite!...
01.19.2018
Candy from Rebecca’s Mom
This our first episode. We interviewed Candy Dengrove. The founder and CEO of Rebecca’s Mom Leotards. She has been in business for 25 years and has lots to share. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lifeinaleo/support
12.20.2017
Intro to Rebecca
We are here to discuss what makes gymnastics great! Do you have a lucky leo, prefer strength or flexibility any lessons learned and all sorts of stuff. Don’t forget to email us the best things that happened all week [email protected] ---...
12.12.2017
Intro to Life in a Leo
Life in a leo introduction --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lifeinaleo/support

What's Life in a Leo about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Life in a Leo episodes:

Episode 40: Interview with Olympian and total inspiration, Betty Okino

Episode 39: Interview with gymnastics PT expert, Marla Ranieri

Quick update - new episodes coming soon!!

Episode 38: Interview with college recruiting expert Jill Hicks

Episode 37: Interview with level 7 gymnast Anabelle

Episode 36: How I manage my time, tips and tricks, past and present

Episode 35: Interview with Elodie Bazin, my French Colleague

Episode 34: Sorry, I don't have much for you today

Episode 33: Interview with Sophie Kleinberg

Episode 32: Goal setting & my USAG Nationals experience

Episode 31: Interview with Erica Rubin Peressin

Episode 30: Interview with Ana Villela

Episode 29: Quick reflection on peaking at the right time

Episode 28: The GK US Classic in Columbus, OH

Episode 27: Interview with National Judge, Kathi Ortiz

Episode 26: Interview with Melisa Torres

Episode 25: The American Classics at University of Utah

Episode 24: How I'm interpreting the new composition rules

Episode 23: Part 2 interview with JaNay, Peng and Deanna

Episode 22: Part 1 Interview with a mystery trio

Episode 21: How to care for your leotards

Episode 20: Interview with Erin Kirschenbaum

Episode 19: Artistry

Episode 18: Interview with Hannah Kaufman

Episode 17: Failure

Episode 16: What are the requirements to start from a 10.0

Episode 15: Interview with Emily Chan

Episode 14: Interview with UC Davis Alumni

Episode 13: Interview with Taylor Goron

Episode 12: Some Thoughts on Execution

Episode 11: Interview with Blakley

Episode 10: Interview with Lauren Hopkins

Episode 9: Interview with Maddie Larson

Episode 8: Interview with Hallie Mossett

Episode 7: 10 things about Winter Olympics Ice Skating Leos

Episode 6: Interview with @_gymnastisabelle_

Mariah Merkle Interview

Cheryl Gambuti

Bailey McCabe interview

Episode 2

Candy from Rebecca’s Mom

Intro to Rebecca

Intro to Life in a Leo