Travel stories from New Orleans, things you didn't see on the stream and which national champions have never won an event title.

Check out a little video teaser of what happened at the Morgan Hurd Live Show. REPLAY tickets here

This is our weekly live Q&A podcast. We start every week at noon Pacific/ 8 GMT. Login to reveal the video show. Here's how to ask questions live. Can't make it live? Add BTS to your favorite podcast player (instructions here).

• 00:00:44 - Spencer is recovering from nationals and working on a clickable Code of Points, specifically a good example of a back two and a half • 00:01:45 - Jessica describes her experience with dry needling for a shoulder injury • 00:02:49 - Jessica shares her rage induced shoulder injury diagnosis  • 00:06:07 - New Orleans stories: Friendly people, Lyft driver for Putin and military academy public schools • 00:19:09 - Attempting to intervene with a drunk driver in a parking lot • 00:20:55 - Buying plane tickets for Worlds and the uncertainties surrounding media credentials and visas for the event in Indonesia. • 00:22:26 - Financial challenges of covering World Championships, including the high cost of travel and low ROI • 00:26:18 - Jessica and Spencer ask for audience ideas on how to raise funds for their coverage, including potential rate increases or sponsorships. • 00:26:50 - Breaking news about Olympic venues being allowed to keep their sponsorship names is discussed, saving significant money and improving navigation. • 00:27:55 - Play a highlight reel of the Morgan Hurd live show (replay tickets available for limited time), featuring a competitive "password" game that they might make available to club members. • 00:32:22 - The winner of the U.S. Championships Fantasy is announced, and Spencer's 14th-place finish  • 00:32:46 - The potential absence of Rebeca Andrade from Worlds is discussed, along with confirmed strong contenders like Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and France. • 00:36:55 - A listener asks if any national champions have won the all-around title without winning any individual event titles at the same championships. YES! • 00:40:13 - A listener's question about practice gear for male gymnasts leads to a discussion about different styles of shorts  • 00:42:00 - The financial arrangements for elite student-athletes training outside of NCAA season with college coaches , including payment for coaching and travel. • 00:45:24 - The origin of the Chinese NASA knee length "matchy-matchy puffer jackets" worn by coaches at championships is revealed.  • 00:49:19 - A listener asks what Leanne Wong needs to do to win an all-around gold at Worlds; a technical discussion about her vault and floor upgrades. • 00:51:24 - Photo of Leanne Wong's switch ring, debating whether her heel reaches the crown of her head for deduction purposes. • 00:53:38 - A tangent, obviously, ensues about the anatomy of the skull , specifically the occipital protuberance, and Spencer's unique anatomical features. • 01:02:32 - The men's gymnastics D-score bonus system explained  • 01:04:53 -GAGE leo = the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" dress • 01:05:23 - A technical theater major, asserts that their demanding schedule is comparable to that of a student-athlete. • 01:07:45 - Why the U.S. Championships format differs from Worlds and Olympics, suggesting a qualification day followed by event finals. • 01:09:15 - Jessica and Spencer discuss why the U.S. Championships format prioritizes all-around consistency over event finals, attributing it to coaches wanting multiple opportunities for athletes to compete. • 01:12:27 - An update that Russian and Belarusian athletes are competing as neutral athletes in World Aquatics events • 01:14:05 - Jessica expresses sadness that Individual Worlds, her favorite competition for new skills and dramatic comebacks, does not make money back for their coverage. • 01:16:17 -  "Resistance" Segment: tools to fight authoritarianism and stories of causation and hope. • 01:18:09 - Good news about a judge striking down Trump administration's guidance against diversity programs in schools and colleges. • 01:18:36 - California's special election on redistricting to counter Texas's actions to add GOP seats is highlighted as a positive resistance effort. • 01:20:20 - A listener encourages contacting senators and representatives to pass a joint resolution to prevent Trump from misusing D.C. police for federal purposes, citing concerns for non-citizens and athletes. • 01:24:32 - Spencer shares a positive message from USA Curling regarding their commitment to welcoming transgender athletes, despite new USOPC guidelines. • 01:26:15 - Jessica commends USA Gymnastics for highlighting non-binary and queer athletes on social media, emphasizing that compliance in writing doesn't mean compliance in action. • 01:27:05 - Happy news from a listener in Montana about their hometown adopting the pride flag as an official city flag despite state restrictions.

RELATED:

• Photo Galleries from 2025 U.S. Championships
• 2025 U.S. Championships Recap
• Day One Women’s U.S. Championships 2025
• Podium Training Report: 2025 U.S. Championships
• 2025 U.S. Championships Preview Episode

BONUS CONTENT 

• Club members can watch Vanessa Atler's live show by logging in to her live show page, it will appear below.
• Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes.
  • • Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podcast being recorded, participate in watch-alongs with Spencer, access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails.
    • Not sure about joining the club?  College & Cocktails: The Friday Night NCAA Gymnastics Post-Meet Show is available to sample (even if you aren't a Club Gym Nerd member yet). Watch or listen here.

MERCH

• GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even “tapestries” (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast!
  • Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store

NEWSLETTERS

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RESOURCES

• The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles by Aimee Boorman with Fact Checker  Get your copy now. And if you loved reading (or listening) to the book, please leave a review.
• Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation 
  • GIFs of the Week and Meet schedule with links.
• Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim
• Kensley's men's gymnastics site Neutral Deductions

RESISTANCE  Submitted by you.

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