In this episode of the Gaming Gymnastics Podcast, Winston welcomes guest Jacob Edwards, a Commonwealth gymnast for Wales, to discuss his journey in gymnastics, including his experiences at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and his aspirations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Jacob shares insights into the challenges of dealing with injuries and the importance of a strong support system, including family and teammates, in maintaining motivation during tough times.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Commonwealth Games Experience: Competing in the 2022 Commonwealth Games was a significant highlight, providing a massive confidence boost and an opportunity to perform on a big stage, especially with strong home support in Birmingham.
• Injury Management and Motivation: Dealing with injuries is a common challenge in gymnastics. Maintaining motivation during recovery involves focusing on what can be done rather than what cannot, and relying on a strong support system of family and teammates.
• Preparation for Future Competitions: The goal is to prepare for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with immediate steps including getting fit and strong after recent injuries. Upcoming competitions like the Northern Euros and British Championships are crucial for assessing progress.
• Adapting to New Code of Points: The new gymnastics code emphasizes execution over difficulty, which may level the playing field. Gymnasts will need to be strategic in their routine planning, focusing on clean execution and adapting to the new requirements.

BEST MOMENTS
"Commonwealth Games, just the whole experience was unreal... to be able to compete in the all-around final, as well as the team competition was just... a great achievement and very proud of it." - Jacob Edwards

"In my head, I still knew that I had to be ready... I still went to training. I still did my stuff." - Jacob Edwards

"Injuries are the most brutal thing that can happen to anyone in sport... it really has a mental impact." - Jacob Edwards

MY SOCIAL LINKS

https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/

Host Bio:

As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His impressive achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics success.

In this episode of the Game of Gymnastics podcast, Winston and fellow gymnast engage Sol Scott the junior European vault champion and team champion of 2024. Sol shares his journey in gymnastics, starting from his early days at Hunter Gymnastics Club to competing at prestigious events like the European Youth Olympic Festival and the European Championships.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Journey in Gymnastics: Sol Scott began gymnastics at the age of four and progressed through various levels, ultimately reaching elite status by age eight. His training regimen evolved from recreational classes to 20-30 hours a week by age 13.
• Competition Highlights: Key highlights in Sol's career include competing at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Slovenia in 2023, where he won a team gold and an individual bronze on vault, and participating in the European Championships earlier that year.
• Differences in Competition Formats: Sol noted the distinction between the European Youth Olympic Festival, which had a more communal atmosphere with various sports, and the European Championships, which focused solely on gymnastics and fostered a stronger team dynamic.
• Skill Development Focus: Currently, Sol is working on upgrading his skills across various apparatuses, including transitioning to more complex tumbling passes on floor and enhancing his routines on pommel horse and rings, indicating a strategic approach to skill progression.
• Mental Preparation for Competitions: Sol emphasizes the importance of consistency in his warm-up routines and mental preparation, focusing on key skills and maintaining a positive mindset to boost confidence before competitions. He also acknowledges the challenge of managing distractions, such as checking scores during events.

BEST MOMENTS
"I started gym at the age of four... always running about, trying to do new things like cartwheels." - Sol Scott

"It was such a good experience, especially competing with the seniors... it was such a good atmosphere." - Sol Scott

"I think this is a great time to work on my strength, my handstands and my giants with straight arms." - Sol Scott

MY SOCIAL LINKS

https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/

Host Bio:

As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His impressive achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics success.

In this episode of the Gamers Gymnastics Podcast, Dan Smiley shares his journey as a Scottish gymnast, reflecting on his early training at Earls Gymnastics Club and his experiences in the Middle East. He discusses the importance of setting both short-term and long-term goals, emphasizing how they keep him focused and motivated in his pursuit of excellence in gymnastics.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Importance of Goal Setting: Setting both short-term and long-term goals is crucial for maintaining focus and motivation in gymnastics. Short-term goals help in the progression towards broader aspirations, such as becoming the best gymnast possible.

Mental Resilience: Gymnasts often face challenges and setbacks, such as injuries or poor performances. Developing a positive mindset and using techniques like positive self-talk can help athletes bounce back from difficult days and maintain their confidence.

Value of Team Environment: Being part of a supportive team can significantly enhance a gymnast's experience and performance. Training with talented teammates and having mentors can provide motivation and accountability, fostering a positive training atmosphere.

Time Management Skills: Balancing training, education, and work requires effective time management. Gymnasts learn to prioritize their commitments from a young age, which helps them manage their responsibilities as they grow older.

Adaptability and Continuous Improvement: The journey in gymnastics involves constant learning and adaptation. Athletes must be willing to work on their weaknesses, set new challenges, and adjust their routines based on evolving standards and personal goals.

BEST MOMENTS
"For me, goal setting is a big thing... it keeps me focused on what I need to do every day." - Dan Smiley

"If you can't do something and you can't change it, then don't worry about it." - Dan Smiley

MY SOCIAL LINKS

https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/

Host Bio:

As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His impressive achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics success.

In this episode of the Game Gymnastics Podcast, Winston and guest Oakley Banks delve into Oakley's impressive gymnastics journey, which began at the age of six. They discuss key highlights of his career, including his experiences at the European Youth Olympic Games and the Junior European Championships, as well as his recent participation in the World Cup. Oakley shares insights into his training regimen, the importance of adapting routines to his body type, and the strategic nature of team competitions like Bundesliga.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Gymnastics Journey: Oakley Banks began gymnastics at the age of six and has progressed through various clubs, ultimately joining Pegasus Gymnastics Club at nine. He has been part of the national squad since around 11 years old and has participated in significant competitions, including the European Youth Olympic Games and the Junior European Championships.

• Competition Highlights: A major highlight of Oakley's career was making the European Youth Olympic team, which he considers a significant achievement.

• Training and Preparation: Oakley trains six days a week and focuses on listening to his body to avoid injuries.

• Bundesliga Experience: Competing in the Bundesliga offers a unique experience where gymnasts must perform without a warm-up, which requires them to be confident in their routines. Oakley enjoys the strategic aspect of team competitions and finds them less stressful compared to individual competitions.

• Skill Development and Upgrades: Oakley is focused on upgrading his skills, particularly on the bars, where he aims to incorporate complex elements like the casino and ginga.

• "For me, I think making European Youth Olympic team was the biggest one... it just gave me a sense of hope." - Oakley Banks

• "I think competing for a different club is obviously a bit different as well... it gives me another opportunity, which I like to take." - Oakley Banks

• "I would rather do a casino, no pad, first go, than ever do a catch-up again." - Oakley Banks

• "It's a very, very stressful, but unstressful environment... it gives a little bit of extra money as well here and there, which is always good for gymnastics." - Oakley Banks

MY SOCIAL LINKS

https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/

Host Bio:

As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His impressive achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics success.

In this episode of the Game Gymnastics Podcast, Zion Aserie shares insights from his 11-year gymnastics journey at the City of Birmingham Gymnastics Club. He discusses his early beginnings as a hyperactive child, his progression through recreational classes, and his notable achievements, including winning the British Championships in 2018 and competing for Great Britain. Zion reflects on his goals of transitioning from junior to senior competitions, the importance of strength and conditioning in injury prevention, and the challenges of adapting routines to meet new requirements.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Gymnastics Journey and Achievements: Zion began gymnastics at a young age due to being hyperactive and has since achieved significant milestones, including winning the British Championships in 2018 and competing for Great Britain.
• Goals for the Future: Zion's ultimate goal is to compete in the Olympics and win a medal. As he transitions from junior to senior level, he aims to prepare for
• Upcoming Code Changes: The new code of points introduces various changes, including a reduction in the number of skills from ten to eight, which will require gymnasts to focus on higher-value skills and adapt their routines accordingly.
• Importance of Strength and Conditioning (S&C): S&C plays a crucial role in Zion's training, helping to build overall strength, prevent injuries, and address muscle imbalances. Consistency in S&C training is vital for long-term success.
• Adapting to New Requirements: Zion acknowledges the challenges of adapting routines to meet new skill requirements and the need for consistency in executing these skills during competitions.

BEST MOMENTS
"Honestly, I feel like every achievement that I've had in the sport has been just amazing." - Zion Azari

"The end goal, obviously, is to go to the Olympics and win an Olympic medal, hopefully Olympic champion." - Zion Azari

"It's a bit of a blessing, bit of a curse." - Interviewer

"I think once there's been a few competitions and stuff, you'll be able to have a bit of a better idea of what I actually need to do." - Zion Azari7

MY SOCIAL LINKS

https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/

Host Bio:

As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His impressive achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics success.

In this episode of the Game of Gymnastics podcast, Winston sits down with Gabriel Langton, a talented gymnast with over a decade of training experience. They discuss Gabriel's impressive achievements, including his recent success at the European Championships, where he won a team competition and earned multiple medals. Gabriel talks about the importance of execution over difficulty in gymnastics routines, the challenges of incorporating new skills, and the mental aspects of training and competition.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Execution Over Difficulty: In gymnastics, especially during major competitions like the European Championships, focusing on executing routines cleanly can be more beneficial than attempting overly difficult skills that may lead to mistakes.
• Importance of Skill Development: Continuous improvement in gymnastics involves not only refining existing skills but also learning new ones. Setting achievable goals for skill acquisition is crucial for long-term success, especially when transitioning between junior and senior levels.
• Mental Resilience: Mental strength plays a significant role in gymnastics. Maintaining motivation and a positive mindset is essential, especially after setbacks or injuries.
• Injury Management: Injuries are a common part of gymnastics, and each recovery process is unique. Understanding the importance of patience, following professional advice, and managing expectations during rehabilitation can help athletes return to their sport effectively.
• Adapting to New Rules: Changes in competition rules, such as the introduction of new scoring systems and skill requirements, necessitate that gymnasts adapt their routines and strategies.

BEST MOMENTS
"I think my biggest achievement would be winning the team competition at the European Championships in Rimini a couple months ago." - Gabriel Langton

"It's good, it's big, it's very big. But you've not always been, you've never been a ring specialist." - Interviewer

"I would say I've never thought of myself as a specialist, really. I've always thought of myself as an all-around gymnast." - Gabriel Langton

"It's finding the balance of difficulty execution. If you've got a new skill that you want to put in, you can always put it in, but you've got to weigh up what you're gaining from it." - Gabriel Langton

"The hardest thing would be on the way back, the small setbacks that continue to happen." - Gabriel Langton

MY SOCIAL LINKS

https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/

Host Bio:

As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His impressive achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics success.

In this episode, Winston welcomes guest Hamish Carter, a seasoned gymnast with a rich background in both British and American gymnastics. Winston & Hamish delve into Hamish's journey from training at the City of Birmingham to competing in the NCAA system in the United States, highlighting the stark differences in training culture and competition dynamics. Hamish shares insights on the importance of team ethos in college gymnastics, the challenges of transitioning from an individual to a team-focused mindset, and the strategies for maximizing both difficulty and execution scores in routines.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Team Ethos in Gymnastics: Transitioning from individual to team-oriented training in the NCAA system highlighted the importance of team culture.

• Training Philosophy: In college gymnastics, the approach to training emphasized replicating competition conditions.

• Balancing Difficulty and Execution: As routines shift to eight skills, gymnasts must carefully balance the difficulty (D-score) and execution (E-score) of their routines.

• Personal Growth and Journey: Each gymnast's path is unique, with no defined "prime age" for peak performance. It's essential to focus on personal progress rather than comparing oneself to others.

• Learning from Experience: Reflecting on past performances, including mistakes and successes, is crucial for growth. Emphasizing a positive mindset and logical analysis of errors can help gymnasts improve without dwelling on past disappointments.

BEST MOMENTS

"The NCAA was like a different world that I didn't understand... gymnastics is an individual sport, but going to college made me realize that it's a team sport in a weird sort of dynamic."

"If I messed up a routine at the start... it's like, no, you carry on. We're judging the routine. That definitely improved my whole approach towards my gymnastics."

"There's no such thing as the prime age... people are on their own journey, and I think to focus on that... it doesn't help just because I was focusing on the external factors."

"It seems more like the whole of training, the whole of the session is based around as if it was a competition."

"The whole point of training in college for me was to try and replicate competition as much as possible in the training environment."

Host Bio:

As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His impressive achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics' success.

SOCIAL LINK

https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/

In this episode of the Games Gymnastics Podcast, Winston sits down with Sam Oldham, a former elite gymnast and coach, to discuss his remarkable journey in the sport. Sam shares his early experiences in gymnastics, starting at the age of seven, and how he channelled his hyperactive energy into training, eventually representing Great Britain at international competitions. Sam reflects on his coaching journey, the value of resilience learned through gymnastics, and his current focus on inspiring the next generation of gymnasts through recreational programs and school outreach.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Early Start and Passion for Gymnastics: Starting gymnastics at the age of seven provided a positive outlet for energy and hyperactivity, leading to a deep passion for the sport that shaped a successful career.
• Transition from Junior to Senior Levels: The transition from junior to senior gymnastics was facilitated by early exposure to senior routines and training alongside older gymnasts, which helped set high benchmarks and expectations.
• Importance of Training Together: Training juniors and seniors together fosters a competitive environment and allows younger gymnasts to learn from more experienced athletes, which can enhance their development and understanding of the sport.
• Resilience and Life Skills: The challenges faced in gymnastics, such as injuries and competition setbacks, build resilience and determination, equipping athletes with valuable life skills that benefit them beyond their sporting careers.
• Coaching Philosophy and Impact: Transitioning into coaching revealed a desire to inspire and encourage participation in gymnastics at a broader level, focusing on recreational gymnastics and outreach to schools to ignite interest in the sport among children.

BEST MOMENTS

"I struggled at school quite a lot... I have since found out that I had ADHD as a child, and I channelled that energy into gymnastics."

"I think that transition was made easier because of that, the way that we did 10 skills... I was already doing men's gymnastics at that point."

"Did you find that quite easy, that transition?"

"For me, 100% they should be training together... You need to see what that next level is."

"I think it will again raise difficulty because everybody's going to try and how do I get the biggest advantage?"

Host Bio:

As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His impressive achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics' success.

SOCIAL LINK

https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/