This week we are thrilled to be joined by seven-time All-American and rising senior on the Utah gymnastics team, Ella Zirbes. Ella is known not only for her beautiful gymnastics but also for being an advocate for mental health in the sport as someone who has very publicly struggled with performance anxiety. We dive deeper into the struggles she’s faced and how she’s learned to manage her anxiety while competing. We also talk about the pressure and expectations that come with representing a program with as rich a legacy as the Red Rocks, dealing with social media, and the roller coaster that was her junior season.

Thank you to our monthly Patreon supporters:

Lee B, Cookiemaster, Happy Girl, Erica S, Semflam, Amy C, Becca S, Cathleen R, Faith, Kerry M, Derek H, Emily, Sharon B, MSU, Kimberly G, Lela M, Mara L, Jenna A, Alex M, Dana, Lidia, Maria P, Alicia O, Cristina K, Hayley B, Bethany J, Kentiemac, Marni S, Betny T, Emily C, Cathy D, Lisa T, Libby C, Thiago, Debbie, Taryn M, Amy M, Chuck C, Kaitlin, Susan P, LFC_Hokie, Ella, Kay, Julie B, Austin K, Jane, Sarah, Amy, Stephen S, Johanna T, Alison S, Alberto D, Kristina T, Abigail W, Jennifer K, Kate M, Naomi S, Claudia L, Erin L, Thomas B, Lauren D, Kihika M, Beth C, Amy, Renee PM, Ryan V, Brandon H, Okcaro, Tyler, Paola, Heather, Kate, Danielle, ALittleUnderRotated, Lacy, Dana C, Grace, Pat G, Lexi G, Laura N, Kathy, Katie A, Róisín, Megan J, Emily D, Britton, Ry Shep, Reyna G, William A, MB, Jackson G, Stella, Ulo F, Noah C, Melissa H, Alexis, William M, Susie, Leslie G, Catherine B, Laura L, Katy S, Kathy M, Kathy S, Okcaro, JD B, Cookiecutter, SuniFan, Caroline M, kcmojojojo, Sammy S, Fabio B, Lacie M, Sara G, Kerry H, Leah D, Margaret G, Molly, ClemsonTigersFan, Lisa B, Sarah M, Grace M, Laura A, Justin D, Jas, Kendrick C, Rich A, Ty T, Nick S, Becky E, Annsley M, Melody M, Stacey M, Erica H, Kathy, Teressa, Angela C, Bridgett C, Ashley D, Whitney J, Shelly A, Erika B, DFP, Lisa M, Samantha T & Mallory D!

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In this month's episode of Mental Gymnastics, Dr. JD Barton sits down with Maggie Nichols, a 2015 World Team Champion and floor exercise bronze medalist, as well as an eight-time NCAA Champion during her career as an Oklahoma Sooner. She talks about the disappointment of not making the 2016 Olympic team, the pandemic abruptly ending her career, navigating body image issues in the sport, the attention that came with Athlete A, finding joy at Oklahoma, and more!

Thank you to our monthly Patreon supporters:

Lee B, Cookiemaster, Happy Girl, Erica S, Semflam, Amy C, Becca S, Cathleen R, Faith, Kerry M, Derek H, Emily, Sharon B, MSU, Kimberly G, Lela M, Mara L, Jenna A, Alex M, Dana, Lidia, Maria P, Alicia O, Cristina K, Hayley B, Bethany J, Kentiemac, Marni S, Betny T, Emily C, Cathy D, Lisa T, Libby C, Thiago, Debbie, Taryn M, Amy M, Chuck C, Kaitlin, Susan P, LFC_Hokie, Ella, Kay, Julie B, Austin K, Jane, Sarah, Amy, Stephen S, Johanna T, Alison S, Alberto D, Kristina T, Abigail W, Jennifer K, Kate M, Naomi S, Claudia L, Erin L, Thomas B, Lauren D, Kihika M, Beth C, Amy, Renee PM, Ryan V, Brandon H, Okcaro, Tyler, Paola, Heather, Kate, Danielle, ALittleUnderRotated, Lacy, Dana C, Grace, Pat G, Lexi G, Laura N, Kathy, Katie A, Róisín, Megan J, Emily D, Britton, Ry Shep, Reyna G, William A, MB, Jackson G, Stella, Ulo F, Noah C, Melissa H, Alexis, William M, Susie, Leslie G, Catherine B, Laura L, Katy S, Kathy M, Kathy S, Okcaro, JD B, Cookiecutter, SuniFan, Caroline M, kcmojojojo, Sammy S, Fabio B, Lacie M, Sara G, Kerry H, Leah D, Margaret G, Molly, ClemsonTigersFan, Lisa B, Sarah M, Grace M, Laura A, Justin D, Jas, Kendrick C, Rich A, Ty T, Nick S, Becky E, Annsley M, Melody M, Stacey M, Erica H, Kathy, Teressa, Angela C, Bridgett C, Ashley D, Whitney J, Shelly A, Erika B, DFP, Lisa M, Samantha T & Mallory D!

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This is the 8th and final episode of the Recruit Reflection series, brought to you by Full Out Collegiate Recruiting. This week, we have one of our most interesting recruit perspectives yet: Caroline Walker from Air Force. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to get into a military academy or what Air Force cadets experience, this episode is a must-listen. We also talk about the U.S. Classic and share our thoughts and highlights from the competition, from Katelyn Ohashi just missing out on qualifying for Championships to Reese Esponda proving to be a real contender. We also discuss what we think the future holds for USA Gymnastics, and more!

Thank you to our monthly Patreon supporters:

Lee B, Cookiemaster, Happy Girl, Erica S, Semflam, Amy C, Becca S, Cathleen R, Faith, Kerry M, Derek H, Emily, Sharon B, MSU, Kimberly G, Lela M, Mara L, Jenna A, Alex M, Dana, Lidia, Maria P, Alicia O, Cristina K, Hayley B, Bethany J, Kentiemac, Marni S, Betny T, Emily C, Cathy D, Lisa T, Libby C, Thiago, Debbie, Taryn M, Amy M, Chuck C, Kaitlin, Susan P, LFC_Hokie, Ella, Kay, Julie B, Austin K, Jane, Sarah, Amy, Stephen S, Johanna T, Alison S, Alberto D, Kristina T, Abigail W, Jennifer K, Kate M, Naomi S, Claudia L, Erin L, Thomas B, Lauren D, Kihika M, Beth C, Amy, Renee PM, Ryan V, Brandon H, Okcaro, Tyler, Paola, Heather, Kate, Danielle, ALittleUnderRotated, Lacy, Dana C, Grace, Pat G, Lexi G, Laura N, Kathy, Katie A, Róisín, Megan J, Emily D, Britton, Ry Shep, Reyna G, William A, MB, Jackson G, Stella, Ulo F, Noah C, Melissa H, Alexis, William M, Susie, Leslie G, Catherine B, Laura L, Katy S, Kathy M, Kathy S, Okcaro, JD B, Cookiecutter, SuniFan, Caroline M, kcmojojojo, Sammy S, Fabio B, Lacie M, Sara G, Kerry H, Leah D, Margaret G, Molly, ClemsonTigersFan, Lisa B, Sarah M, Grace M, Laura A, Justin D, Jas, Kendrick C, Rich A, Ty T, Nick S, Becky E, Annsley M, Melody M, Stacey M, Erica H, Kathy, Teressa, Angela C, Bridgett C, Ashley D, Whitney J, Shelly A, Erika B, DFP, Lisa M, & Samantha T!

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