Helping Gymnasts Advocate For Themselves In The Gym

Every day, we pay our dues by doing the harder thing when it's the right thing to do, especially when it comes to speaking up about our health and boundaries in athletic settings.

• Most coaches (98-99%) want what's best for athletes and aren't maliciously pushing too hard
• For the 2% who prioritize results over athlete health, changing gyms may be necessary 
• Approaching coaches with education and empathy helps bridge the knowledge gap about injury recovery
• Focus conversations on performance enhancement rather than just injury prevention
• Building relationships with coaches through free seminars and gym visits creates better communication
• Google Docs shared between athletes, parents, coaches and PTs improve coordination during recovery
• Milestone-based recovery is more effective than arbitrary time-based protocols
• Teaching young athletes why progression matters using their gymnastics heroes as examples
• Using motivational interviewing by asking "what matters to you" creates more receptive conversations
• Natural consequences of choices work better than punishment in coaching relationships

If an athlete is struggling with speaking up about their limitations, coach them on how to communicate effectively with their coach about boundaries and help them understand why following medical guidance matters for their long-term goals.

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