The Garden on LinkedIn: Talent Spotlighted: Hailey D'lynn Talent: Cheerleading 📣 Hailey… (2024)

Tonight is the first night of the USA Gymnastics Women's Artistic Olympic Trials. With such a depth of talent in the US, the Trials are actually a more impactful event than the Olympics itself because of how difficult it's going to be to select the team.Being a data person, I was thinking about how the evolution of scoring has changed the way sport operates and how analytics can be done to optimize routine composition and select teams. The men's side relies heavily on analytics to select their team, while the women's team typically incorporates a few more subjective factors such as experience and reliability.Gone are the days of the perfect 10 which was a core feature of gymnastics for decades. It was a mix of execution and difficulty where the score would start under a 10, but you could earn "bonus" points to get to a start value of 10.0, once you hit the 10.0 start value though, there was no incentive to do anything more difficult. Now, the cap on difficulty is gone and there's a two tiered scoring system, a difficulty score and an execution score. The reason the USA is so dominant in the world of women's gymnastics is because their difficulty is unmatched. That doesn't mean the execution doesn't matter, however. It's a balancing act now between how many deductions come from a skill vs. it's difficulty value. With difficulty, you add risk to the execution score which can be a make or break scenario in an Olympic setting where all 3 scores count in the team finals. This is a factor in how they'll select the teams. Obviously the gymnasts performing the highest difficulty, Simone Biles (who let's be honest is beyond impressive in both categories), Jade Carey, Suni Lee, have higher upper bounds on their scoring potential in one or more events, but also have more risk. A fall or major error could result in a huge problem for Team USA. This means that gymnasts with higher execution and consistency like Leanne Wong, Hezley Rivera or Kayla DiCello might be able to make a play for the team even if they're not top all-around scorers. With injuries from Konnor McClain and Skye Blakely, this is the first year I feel like I truly don't know what the team is going to look like. What I would give to be involved in running the analytics used to select this team. If I had more free time I'd probably make my own model just for fun!Anyone else planning on watching tonight? I can't wait. 🤸♀️

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What does my daughter’s gold medal in gymnastics have to do with skyrocketing your service-based business? This weekend, my little 6-year-old entered her first gymnastics competition. Shes been watching clips of the Olympics and has been captivated by some of the gymnastic routines. As I watched her nervously step onto that mat, bar and beam my heart raced faster than during any client pitch I've ever made.She was worried she would fall in front of so many people watching.And guess what? She gave it her all, stuck most of the landings AND took home a GOLD in her group! 🎉VERY proud mum moment!It might not quite be the Olympics but her journey to the top of that podium taught me some things about running a successful service-based business.Here are 3 golden lessons I learned:1️⃣ Consistency is key: Just like my daughter's daily practice, your social media presence needs regular, quality content to shine.2️⃣ Embrace the wobbles: In gymnastics and business, not every move is perfect. It's how you recover that counts. There was a moment I thought she was about to tumble off the side of the beam - but I saw her take a deep breath, regain her balance and carry on without losing her cool.3️⃣ Celebrate small wins: Each new skill mastered is a step towards greater success. The same goes for your business milestones! As a social media manager and growth strategist, I've seen firsthand how these principles can transform a business from amateur to gold-medal worthy.She may only be 6 and it might only be a small local gym club but all athletes start somewhere and just taking part today with us watching and cheering (loudly) in the crowd meant a lot to her.So, fellow service-based business owners, I challenge you:What's your "gold medal" goal this quarter? And how are you planning to stick YOUR landing?Share in the comments - let's inspire each other to reach new heights! 💪🚀

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🤸♀️Risk Management in Gymnastics: Why Penalizing Simone Biles for Using a Spotter is a Step Backwards🔹The world of gymnastics has always celebrated athleticism, precision, and sheer dedication. However, the recent decision to penalize Simone Biles, for using a spotter raises crucial questions about the sport's approach to risk management.🔹Is the objective to champion high-risk performances at the cost of athlete safety?Gymnastics, like all sports, carries inherent risks. But it's essential to strike a balance between showcasing talent and ensuring athletes' well-being. Using a spotter for vault is a responsible choice – a safety net that can prevent severe injuries.🔹She was attempting the most difficult vault in women's gymnastics: a Yurchenko Double Pike.She is the first and only woman to have ever landed this vault in major international competition. It is now known as the Biles II (vault). It involves a backflip off of a vault and two full rotations in a pike position. It really is impressive (see video in link).🔹Why is a world-class athlete like Simone penalized for prioritizing her safety?Simone Biles has showcased time and time again that her skills are unparalleled. The rules set out a mandatory points penalty that apply to her or any other gymnast on vault for using a spotter - even if they never touch the athlete. Penalizing her or any gymnast for taking a safety precaution sets a dangerous precedent for budding gymnasts worldwide.🔹It's time to re-evaluate. It's crucial to reassess how gymnastics views risk andto encourage a culture where athletes are empowered to take necessary precautions.For now, it's been confirmed that the rule will not change before the Paris Olympics. But as gymnasts are pushing and trying more and more risky moves, I think this is a mistake.🔹In the meantime, I applaud Simone Biles and her coach Laurent Landi for putting her safety first.#riskmanagement #gymnasticshttps://lnkd.in/gRy4NUhc

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I learned something new about gymnastics at Toastmasters last night, and that has to do with the way gymnasts are scored.Perhaps everyone already knew this, but there are two sets of scores - the “A” scores and the “B” scores.The “A” scores refer to the difficulty level of the gymnast’s routine, the “B” scores to how well the gymnast executed the moves in that routine.I’m sure the Olympic committee has some clearly defined way of doing this, but it makes me think about the possible combinations for “A” and “B.”Most obviously, who should get ranked higher, the gymnast with a higher “A” score but lower “B” score or the gymnast who flawlessly performed an “easier” routine?How one thinks about and answers these questions says more about their own values than it does about the “objective” value of the score - we’re once again thrust out of the fact/opinion paradigm and into the realm of judgement, the “space of reasons.”So there’s that. Then there’s this undisputed fact: Simone Biles is the GOAT, regardless of what happens in Paris.Not quite an undisputed fact, but a hill on which I’ll certainly stand, if not die, on: skateboarding doesn’t belong in the Olympics, it belongs in the streets. Finally, because I’m a Hegelian and think in threes - the magic number - here’s the final undisputed fact of this post. Today is a Tune-Up Tuesday with David Reed, so you ought go check out his post for the day.🛹🛹🛹

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Like many, I've been absolutely glued to the 2024 Summer Olympics women's gymnastics competitions (all-around team, all-around individual, + individual events). I am blown away by Simone Biles, not only because she is obviously the GOAT, and thrilling to watch, but because she embodies so many stellar leadership qualities:1) She helps people -on- to her team: she invited Jordan Chiles to train at her gym, because she saw her potential, and she knew that Chiles needed to be in a supportive environment where she could build her self-confidence. 2) About that gym: Biles owns it with her parents. She has created the anti-Karolyi (look it up 😬 ) environment, where gymnasts can eat what they need to eat, smile, laugh, and not be subject to abusive overtraining. This is why there are so many "older" gymnasts on the US team. They're able to compete at a healthy weight, and they aren't accumulating so many injuries that they have to retire as teenagers.3) She congratulates and supports women who aren't on her team! Why? Because she can build more with reaching out a hand than she can by just being great on her own. She's creating a sustainable future for her sport, and I think she'll go on to be one of the major pillars of the business of gymnastics. A sport is bigger than one person, but one person can move mountains.

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Title: NCAA Gymnastics Regionals: Top 10 Battles to WatchThe NCAA Gymnastics Regionals are upon us, and the excitement is palpable. As an industry expert with years of experience analyzing gymnastics competitions, I've identified the top 10 battles to watch during this thrilling event. These matchups and storylines promise to showcase the incredible talent, dedication, and competitive spirit of the athletes and teams involved.One of the most intriguing battles is UCLA vs. The First 10 Weeks of the Season @ Cal Regional Final. UCLA has shown remarkable improvement throughout the season, but they'll face a formidable challenge from Cal, whose home scores on all apparatus give them a significant advantage. This matchup will test UCLA's resilience and ability to perform under pressure.Another exciting battle is The Seeds v Pressure @ Florida Regional Final. As the top seed, Florida carries the weight of expectations, while Michigan State has consistently proven their ability to stay competitive despite tough draws. The pressure will be on for both teams to deliver their best performances when it matters most.The Michigan Regional Final features a closely contested battle between Alabama and Michigan. Alabama will aim to edge out Michigan on beam and floor, while Michigan seeks to maintain their strong performances on these crucial events. The outcome of this matchup could have significant implications for the final standings.Individual qualification battles are also heating up, particularly on bars. The Bars 10s v Each Other @ Florida Regional showcases top gymnasts like Delanie Harkness, Nikki Smith, and Isabella Minervini as they vie for coveted spots in the next round of competition.As the regionals progress, it's clear that the level of competition and the stakes involved are higher than ever. These battles serve as a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of the athletes and coaches involved. The outcomes of these matchups will not only determine which teams and individuals advance to the next round but also shape the future of NCAA Gymnastics.I encourage all gymnastics enthusiasts, coaches, and athletes to closely follow these exciting battles and engage in discussions about the performances, strategies, and implications for the industry. By sharing our insights and perspectives, we can collectively elevate the sport and inspire the next generation of gymnasts.Let's show our support for these incredible athletes and teams as they compete at the highest level. Join the conversation using #NCAAGymnasticsRegionals and share your thoughts on the top battles to watch. Together, we can celebrate the incredible achievements and the bright future of NCAA Gymnastics.

There is a points deduction in this photo. Did you know?Simone Biles (and her coach) willingly take a deduction every time she does the Biles II, a vault that she has birthed into the gymnastics world (because she can do things that no other gymnast can do).Why the deduction? Because her coach stands to the side as a precaution, due to the fact that this explosive move could implode if Simone isn't perfect in its execution. He doesn't assist; he's there to avert catastrophe if he sees something awry.Why -is- this a deduction? You regularly see coaches step to the uneven bars when a difficult transition is happening, and there is no penalty. But for the vault, this is not the case. Part of blazing the trail, I suppose, is having to watch the rules try to catch up to you. In the future, I imagine this will be the standard on tricky vaults.In the meantime, Biles and her coach (Laurent Landi), are willingly taking the half-point deduction in the name of safety. The vault is so unworldly that its score can take the hit, but honestly, it shouldn't have to. There's a reason they call her the GOAT. Simone is the only woman to land this in international competition. She's the only woman to do a lot of things.--She has the most Worlds gymnastics medals (man or woman). 🏅--She has the most Worlds gymnastics gold medals ("). 🏅--She has the most Worlds womens gymnastics all-around titles. 🏅--She's the first American woman to win a Worlds medal on every event. 🏅--She has the most American gymnastics titles (man or woman). 🏅--She is, as of 2023, now the oldest woman to win an American women's gymnastics title (at 26, by more than two years over the next-oldest). 🏅--4 Olympic golds (in one year) and 7 Olympic medals total. 🏅She is the most dominant gymnast in the history of the sport, and has returned after battling one of the scariest ailments a gymnast/diver/etc can endure (the twisties). All this despite the flood of hatred and vitriol she endured for choosing her safety and well-being when pulling out of the 2020 Olympics. Dudes in the comments are -still- rage-crying about this successful Black woman.Stop deducting this woman's points. 😤#antwerp2023 #usagymnastics #SimoneBiles #BilesII #GOAT

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EXACTLY WHAT DO THOSE GYMNASTIC SPOTTERS AT THE OLYMPICS ACCOMPLISH?This is specifically about spotters often seen at summer Olympics (including this past week at the Games in Paris) when a female gymnast is performing on the uneven bars.Every one of those competitors spends years, daily working on perfecting their routines, so it is not as if they are new to any gymnastics apparatus.Presumably, the purpose of the spotter standing by the uneven bars, repositioning himself as the performer moves from one bar to the next, and holding his hands toward her during each release, is to catch the performer if she falls. However, after religiously observing gymnastics competitions at 7 summer Olympic games (plus some world championships), watching countless performances on the uneven bars, and seeing many releases that resulted in falls, not once have I observed a spotter catch a gymnast during a fall or even really try to. Usually, I notice the spotter either appears to do nothing during a fall or makes a belated and very weak effort to interfere with the fall once it is nearly over. It appears that these spotters act instinctively in the moment to avoid contact with the falling athlete.Does that surprise me?No.I am not a gymnast, but I understand analytical dynamics, my area of emphasis in engineering.The mechanical energy at play during even an uncomplicated rotational release could be significantly harmful to the body of a spotter if trying to interrupt the fall of a gymnast from the uneven bars.Imagine (but do not try) this:Stand on two stacked dining room tables while rapidly swinging a 50-lb bag of potatoes in full vertical circles, and then suddenly release the bag toward a friend standing at ground level.That would be risky enough for the friend, but far worse if you were swinging two of those 50-lb bag of potatoes with one hand at once and suddenly released them. (Assumption: A typical gymnast today weighs 103 lb. See https://lnkd.in/ga4VwmYQ.)That brings me back to the question: What is the point of having spotters at the uneven bars in the Olympics?If they are not actually going to catch falling gymnasts, maybe the real intention is merely to offer a psychological illusion of protection from falls. Your thoughts?(Image credit: NBC Olympics)

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Simone Biles has changed the game of gymnastics, and maybe more importantly, she’s changed the game on mental health. Now the most decorated American gymnast in history, she is an inspiration. In the documentary “Simone Biles Rising” on Netflix we see how there are five (or now six) moves named after her because literally no one else has ever done them.We see her practice, and all of the hard work that goes into being a professional athlete. But we also get a glimpse into her mental health struggles. In 2020, Covid had just hit, and the Olympics were underway in Tokyo.After a few missteps, Simone decided to pull out of the competition.A seemingly unthinkable thing when you’ve worked your whole life to go to the Olympics, but she had a case of the “twisties”. A gymnastics term that they describe as being stuck in your head, and Simone’s coach even says that “it usually has nothing to do with gymnastics.” But when the world’s expectations are seemingly through the roof, it can feel like you’re not allowed to make mistakes. You’re not allowed to falter when the world is watching, especially in a sport where one wrong move can kill you. In 1996 Kerri Strug performed her now famous vault that clinched the gold medal for the American team.At the time, she was a hero, and she deserves credit for her perseverance and bravery. However, if you show a twenty-something that video today their response isn’t, “how amazing”, it’s “why?”.Why was she forced to do that?She was hurt.Why did we applaud a coach forcing a young woman to compete on an injured foot, medal or not?The mental health conversation has changed. It is no longer acceptable to tell a child “to walk it off” in the name of the game. Which is a profound shift, especially when the wounds are not physical. Simone Biles’ recent miraculous achievements just cements that not only did she do the right thing for herself in Tokyo, but she set a priceless example for the next generation.#netflix #thefemalequotient

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The next interviewee in my soon-to-be-published book, "Beyond the Chalk Box" is...John Macready! 1996 Olympian and current owner of FlipFest gymnastics camp!This was John's approach to training for the 1996 Olympics and is a short excerpt from the book:"After that, every night before bed, he had a piece of paper where he tracked his day on a scale from 1-10. It wasn't based on any measure of success other than his standard of excellence. He checked in with himself, and how he showed up that day, and if he knew he had given everything he could, he gave himself a perfect 10. He admits to having 8s and 9s but would aim for that perfect ten daily. This was an essential practice in harnessing the things that he could control, his efforts, and his daily attitude while letting go of those things he couldn't control, such as scores and other people." John and I had a great conversation. He shared his story of growing up in California before moving to Colorado to train for the 1996 Olympics at the Olympic Training Center. We also talked about deeper issues in athletics, such as Name, Image, and Likeness, the pressures of social media, and transitioning out of gymnastics. "Beyond the Chalk Box" hits bookshelves in a few short months!Are you interested in an ebook version? If so, let me know, and I'll make it happen!(Photo courtesy of Paul Ziert and International Gymnast Media)#beyondthechalkbox #gym #training #motivation #mindfulnessinsport #athletewellness #holisticsupportforathletes #holisticwellness #fitintuit #intuitivefitnessjouney #healingjourney #compassionatelistening #insighttimer #insighttimerteacher #insighttimerapp #mindfulnessmeditation #compassioninaction #integrativemedicine #holistichealing #olympics #flipfest #johnmacready

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