Fear is a common and powerful emotion in gymnastics, particularly when it comes to the prospect of injury. This fear can arise from personal experiences or the unsettling sight of others getting hurt. It often looms large in the minds of young gymnasts, holding them back from fully committing to ...

There’s no way around it—watching your gymnast struggle to get a skill she needs for competition season is hard. The closer the season gets, the more the frustration builds. You see it on her face after practice: that combination of exhaustion, disappointment, and self-doubt. You try to encourage...