Ep. 141: An Olympic Story and the State of Gymnastics Today with Dominique Dawes
On this episode of Health Gig, we speak with a three-time Olympian and member of the “Magnificent Seven” gymnastics squad from the 1996 Olympics, Dominique Dawes. We take a journey through her historic career, from how she got started all the way to making history at the Olympics. We also have an honest conversation on the current state of gymnastics in America. You do not want to miss this behind-the-scenes look.
More on Dominique Dawes:
Website: https://www.dominiquedawesgymnasticsacademy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dominique-Dawes/100044497986838/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dominiquedawes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daweser/
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Show Notes
[02:30] For part of my career, I would live with my coach because of the time commitment in the sport of gymnastics, easily we were training thirty-six plus hours a week as a young child.
[03:30] I won first all around and I believe I won every single event because there was no one else my age in that group.
[03:45] I would have a great deal of highs in my career and a number of lows, but it was a strong start.
[04:30] I remember when I first stepped in the gymnastics team, I immediately fell in love.
[05:15] I saw what these young girls were doing in this gymnastics gym and I was like, I could do it too.
[05:30] So I just love the challenge of the sport, the physical challenge. And then when I started competing at nine, I realized there was a great deal of emotional and psychological challenges as well.
[06:00] My mom was quoted in a local paper saying she's going to the 1992 Olympic Games.
[06:15] It was a conversation that myself and my coach had because it takes more than one individual making the decision. You have to have your coach on board. You have to have the right training staff and the support of your family 1because it is a family sacrifice and a family commitment.
[06:45] I was the middle child. And so I did go through the middle child syndrome where it was kind of like you're kind of left on your own.
[08:30] I am trying to be a part of that positive change because kids do need a balanced childhood.
[09:30] USA Gymnastics turned a blind eye and a number of people didn't listen to what many young athletes were saying in speaking out against what he was doing.
[10:30] There are so many young girls that are dealing with verbal, psychological, mental and physical abuse in the sport of gymnastics. They wake up, they're afraid. They're living in anxiety. it does not surprise me that those that went through the sexual abuse didn't necessarily speak out because they were already uncomfortable and they didn't know who to speak out to.
[11:45] If I have the love and embrace of my mom and dad, I would not have made that level of commitment and sacrifice to that one sport.
[12:15] I think all pain that we go through in life serves a greater purpose. And that's why I'm so passionate today and that's why I care about me making such a great impact through these academies that my husband and I are going to open.
[13:15] I don't want to exceed 20 hours a week because I want them to have a healthy childhood. Our children only have one childhood. They don't need to live in a gymnastics gym.
[14:15] I know that it's less than one percent if not less than half a percent of getting a shot at making an Olympics, having stepped in the sport of gymnastics at a young age.
[15:00] I focus on building happy, healthy kids. I want them to learn about having a physically healthy upbringing, emotionally healthy environment
[17:15] If you're training for the Olympics and you're an elite-level training athlete, you're going to feel pain almost every single day.
[19:45] For gymnasts when you're doing the sport of gymnastics your whole childhood and then it's over, you're like, what's next?
[21:30] We interviewed their parents, we interviewed their coaches. And you can feel and see the level of fear, the level of anxiety, and the level of sacrifice.
[23:15] I love the fact that these young girls of this generation are vocal because they want the sport to be a healthier sport. And it's only going to happen if we're all outspoken about it.
[23:45] When I opened my gym, a number of parents, children and even staff members came to me and they thanked me for what I was doing. And they shared with me the stories that either their kids have had or they personally have had in the sport of gymnastics.
[25:00] For the next generation of gymnasts, my four kids included, they need a healthier version of the sport of gymnastics. And that's what I'm telling parents. Your kids are going to learn the amazing fundamentals in the sport of gymnastics here, and they're also going to be empowered and encouraged, and lifted up.
[27:30] I truly do care about impacting and inspiring. That's the road that I took. So I started going back more into motivational speaking, even on the Hill, promoting a number of different issues that were very important to me.
[31:15] I've learned that now at almost forty-five years old, a mother of four kids and a wife that twenty-four hours in a day is not enough hours in a day.
Thank you for joining us on Health Gig. We loved having you with us. We hope you'll tune in again next week. In the meantime, be sure to like and subscribe to this podcast, and follow us on healthgigpod.com.
Quotes:
“I’m trying to be a part of the positive change movement when it comes to the culture of gymnastics because kids need a balanced childhood with less pressure, sacrifice, and commitment forced upon them at such a young age.” - Dominique Dawes
“I've learned that now - at almost forty-five years old, being a mother of four and a wife - twenty-four hours in a day is not enough for me, and I need to make sure I'm not trying to be a superwoman.” - Dominique Dawes
“It doesn’t surprise me that those gymnasts who experienced sexual abuse didn't necessarily speak out about it, because they were already uncomfortable and isolated. Unfortunately, the gymnast culture is based on intimidation, fear, and silence.” - Dominique Dawes
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