Seems that Gabby didn't want to commit to leaving in Iowa for the next three years. I live in the Midwest. I love it here. Lots of people who move here don't love it. It gets cold, really cold. It can be hard to fit in socially as a transplant here, I've heard that from many friends who moved here.
From a practical standpoint, it's a big longshot to make it to a subsequent Olympics for any female gymnast. If Gabby stays in Iowa, most opportunities to make a living will involve getting on a plane. Maybe there are some more opportunities to make a living, get an education, etc. in the next few years in California, as well as training for gymnastics to see if she has a chance at the long shot. Maybe the training atmosphere is something she will be happier with, instead of being in Iowa with threee really talented up and comers nipping at her heels and competing for the coaching attention.
Plane travel is exhausting, and it's probably not good for gymnastics training. Her family didn't want to move to Iowa. She wants to be with them. She loves them.
Leaving Chow was probably a super hard gut wrenching decision for her, but all things considered I don't think it's sad or tragic or horrible, just similiar to really hard decisions we all make as we venture into adulthood. Fade into a "D" celebrity? Is that what all the female ex Olympians are? Athletic celebrity is very fleeting for all females, that just the way it is. Let's celebrate this kid and wish her and her family well.
As to money owed, I don't know where that is coming from but certainly if she legally owes him money she should pay him. Now. Period. And yes, her family should earn their own living. Hopefully they will. It's early. Now because everyone is sort of hating on her, I am starting to really want her to make it to the next Olympics to prove everyone wrong. I like to champion the underdog! Ha, now she is an underdog which maybe will make her hungrier!