Coaches Coaching After Negative Experience as a Gymnast

[Always Flipping]

Has anyone began coaching gymnastics after experiencing abuse or having negative coaching experiences as a gymnast? Was it healing or triggering to be a part of gymnastics again?

 

[raenndrops]

For our head coach, it was healing. She remembered the fun she had in the beginning.
When she became the head coach at our gym, she created a better environment for several years.

 

[estamey21]

I personally haven’t experienced abuse, but I definitely had bad coaches that did not make feel good about myself, disrespected my boundaries, and drained my love of gymnastics. I love coaching because I get to recreate all the good things I liked about gymnastics and gift these experiences to a new generation. It’s empowering! I feel part of a larger movement that is breaking the cycle of abuse.

 

[nj45576]

I was a part of a gym that was not healthy for 13 years of my life. We had very negative coaches that were verbally abuse and one that was physically abusive. I started coaching about a year ago and for me it has been so healing. It reminds me every day that I can break the stigma of mean coaches. With my girls, I always ask if its okay for me to move their body for form, or if I can spot them because I don't want them to be uncomfortable with me. I am incredibly reassuring and extremely proud of my girls. Ultimately, it has been healing to become a coach and become the coach that I never had.