She Coached Me First, Loved Me Always

The Kid You Don't See

What if the athlete you see in the gym isn’t the same kid their parents see at home? In this episode of Behind the Salute, we explore the often unseen side of young athletes—the fears they hide, the pressures they carry, and the challenges they face when no one is watching. Coaches witness one version. Parents experience another. This conversation is for coaches, parents, and anyone who wants to help athletes thrive—not just in the gym, but in life.

Scoring Questions Answered Between DP & Xcel

During our recent podcast launch party, one of the most common questions was the difference in scoring between the DP and Xcel programs. Here is our take on this topic!

Just Stand There - But Don't Spot Me

'Just stand there, but don’t spot me’ can be a healthy step toward independence — until it becomes a habit rooted in fear. Sometimes athletes start relying on a coach’s presence instead of building trust in themselves. Confidence doesn’t grow from someone always standing there. It grows from learning you can do hard things on your own!

Learning to Love the Process

We spend so much time chasing results that we forget to appreciate who we’re becoming in the process. This episode dives into choosing happiness now—not later—and learning to find fulfillment in the climb, not just the view at the top.

She Coached Me First, Loved Me Always

In this special Mother’s Day episode of Behind the Salute, we sit down with Tracy — a coach, a mom, and the woman behind the athlete — alongside her daughter Jade, who’s lived the unique experience of being coached by her own mom. Together, they open up about what it’s really like when the lines between parent and coach blur. The car rides home, the tough corrections, the unspoken pressure, and the moments that meant everything but were never said out loud. This isn’t just a story about gymnastics — it’s about trust, growth, sacrifice, and a bond that goes far beyond the gym floor. We talk about: • The challenges of balancing love and expectations • What hits different when your coach is also your mom • The moments that tested their relationship — and strengthened it • Lessons learned on both sides of the mat • And what they wish more parents, coaches, and athletes understood Whether you’re a gymnast, a parent, or a coach, this episode will hit close to home. Because behind every salute… there’s a story. And for some, that story starts with mom.