Supporting Champions

In Part 1 of this Podcast Special we have Head Coach of UCLA Gymnastics and orchestrator of THAT viral gymnastics' routine by Katelyn Ohashi, Miss Val Kondos Field. Miss Val and I discussed; how she was a ballerina originally but transitioned into coaching in gymnastics, the culture of gymnastics in the United States and how it has gone rotten, we unpacked her philosophies that have been galvanised by real life experiences such as her battle with cancer, her book "Life is Short Don't Wait To Dance" and of course we spoke about Katelyn Ohashi's unbelievable routine. Next week, Katelyn herself will join us on the podcast. Miss Val had a long and successful career in ballet. She studied classical ballet and piano for 17 years. Her first transition into gymnastics came by first becoming hired to play piano for floor routines before moving into coaching. Miss Val sees her job much more as a life skills coach, a mentor than a coach. Coaching is all about motivating change, not dictating change. Coaching from the eg