Life in a Leo
By Rebecca Dengrove
Life in a LeoFeb 01, 2019
Episode 40: Interview with Olympian and total inspiration, Betty Okino
This week on Life in a Leo, I interviewed the amazing Betty Okino. Betty was part of the 1992 USA Olympic Team. This was the first team to win a medal at the Olympics. This was a time when the athletes had to compete both compulsory and optional routines. Betty was known for her beautiful lines and gracefulness. She has a couple skills named after her. The most famous being the triple turn on beam.
What I loved about talking to Betty was how much mental toughness she displayed through her career in the sport. She had so much drive and determination that she was able to overcome her fears and achieve her dream of becoming an Olympian.
Betty has continued to stay involved in the sport, giving back and building on the qualities she thinks make it so unique and important in young girls (and boys) lives. Betty has recently joined the National Team Staff, she also runs her own camp called Peak Training, and choreographs routines all over the country. If you want to learn more, check out www.bettyochoreo.com or find Betty on Instagram @BettyOChoreo or @BettyOkino.
Thanks everyone for tuning in. If you are competing this weekend, good luck! Hope everyone stays warm and don't forget to point your toes ;)
Episode 39: Interview with gymnastics PT expert, Marla Ranieri
This week on Life in a Leo, I interviewed Marla Ranieri, a physical therapist specializing in gymnastics. As an elite gymnast herself, Marla completely understands what these athletes go through and what they are striving for. She is working to make sure injuries don't keep them from reaching their dreams. This is done by performing an injury prevention assessment to find out what strength, range of motion and biomechanics deficits a gymnast has that may put them at risk for certain injuries.
It was fun to learn what got Marla to this place in her career and what she is working to do to improve the care for gymnasts going forward. Definitely check out the app/resource she has created at https://www.betterpt.com/
If you have any feedback or ideas for future episodes, or even want to appear on the show, you can reach us at Rebecca@leotard.com or on Instagram @Rebeccasmomleo.
Hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays! We want to thank our community for all the support. You guys are the best!! Hope everyone has a safe and very Happy New Year!! Looking forward to more episodes in 2019!
Keep up all the hard work, stretch and condition, and of course, don't forget to point your toes...
Quick update - new episodes coming soon!!
Episode 38: Interview with college recruiting expert Jill Hicks
Episode 37: Interview with level 7 gymnast Anabelle
Are you watching World Championships? What do you think? What are your favorite moments so far? You can send us an email at Rebecca@leotard.com or you can reach us on Instagram, @Rebeccasmomleo. We hope to hear from you :)
If you're competing this weekend, good luck and good skill. Hope you have fun out there and of course, don't forget to point your toes!
Episode 36: How I manage my time, tips and tricks, past and present
I talk about what I did when I was still a gymnast, some of the tools I use now as an adult, and ways to plan your time. Check out monday.com/ if you want to learn more about one of the tools I live by these days. And remember, we are all human and mistakes happen. We can't always plan our time perfectly, so be kind to yourself and learn what works for you!
Good luck to everyone competing this weekend. Hope you have a great meet! And good luck to Team USA at World Championships. Can't wait to watch all the amazing athletes in Doha.
If you want more info or have other ideas, you can reach us on Instagram - @Rebeccasmomleo or by email - rebecca@leotard.com. Hope you have a great weekend and don't forget to point your toes!
Episode 35: Interview with Elodie Bazin, my French Colleague
It was a little challenging at times with the language barrier, but we figured it out. Let us know what you think? Have you ever done gymnastics in a different country? What was it like and what did you learn? Did you or are you growing up outside of the USA? How is gymnastics different? Let us know - Rebecca@leotard.com. We hope to hear from you!
Everyone competing this weekend, good luck, stay focused, have fun and don't forget to point your toes! Thanks for listening!!
Episode 34: Sorry, I don't have much for you today
Have you started competing this season? Let us know how it's going. What level are you doing? Are you competing in excel? Are you heading to World Championships? Now that's exciting!! We can't wait to see who makes the team.
Finally, we are running a contest to promote Miss Val's new book - Life is Short, Don't Wait to Dance. Create a video dancing, whatever you want, and email us or post it on Facebook or Instagram. Make sure to use the hashtag #dontwaittodance and tag @MissVal @UCLAGymnastics and @Rebeccasmomleo We can't wait to see what you create! Five winners will be selected and will receive an autographed copy of Miss Val's book and a Rebecca's Mom grip bag!
That's it for this week. Hope you all have great meets and don't forget to point your toes!
Episode 33: Interview with Sophie Kleinberg
If you want to share any ideas with us about the show, we would love to hear from you. You can reach me at rebecca@leotard.com.
Finally, we would love it if you would vote for our pink leotard in the Flo Gymnastics lovely leo competition. www.flogymnastics.com/articles/6246901-lovely-leos-2018-us-gymnastics-championships-day-2
Thank you so much! Hope you have a great weekend, enjoy being back in school and don't forget to point your toes!
Episode 32: Goal setting & my USAG Nationals experience
This week I discuss some experiences with goal setting as a gymnast. I provide a little insight into using a technique called SMART. You can learn more just by searching online if you're interested.
I also share some of my thoughts about National Championships this year. It was so awesome seeing Margzetta wear one of our UCLA Gymnastics leotards as well as the ladies from MG Elite who competed in our leos on both days. If you liked our leos, Flo Gymnastics is having a contest right now to vote for your fave. Here's the link. If you can, please vote for the MG Elite leo. Thank you so much!
www.flogymnastics.com/articles/6245543-lovely-leos-2018-us-gymnastics-championships-day-1
A huge thank you to Maggie for thinking of us and giving us the opportunity to design her leos!
Episode 31: Interview with Erica Rubin Peressin
And of course, this weekend is the USA Gymnastics National Championships in Boston, MA. We are so excited to watch these ladies compete. I think a few of them are competing in Rebecca's Mom leotards this year. Let us know if you spot our leos out there and what you think? Hope everyone has a great weekend and don't forget to point your toes.
Episode 30: Interview with Ana Villela
Hope everyone has a great weekend! Keep working hard, stay focused and don't forget to point your toes.
Episode 29: Quick reflection on peaking at the right time
Today, I talk a little bit about what it means to peak at the right time. This is not something I thought much about as an athlete. I'm wondering if it's something coaches discuss and work harder towards now and have a better understanding of how to train for it. As an adult, I clearly can see when it happens or doesn't. Some examples I share in this episode are Morgan Hurd's timing for making the World's Team and the UCLA gymnastics team winning NCAA National Championships this year.
Do your coaches focus on timing things right for you as an athlete? How do they do that and what do you think about to make sure you are healthy and at your best throughout season. Let us know - rebecca@leotard.com. Have a great weekend and don't forget to point your toes!
Episode 28: The GK US Classic in Columbus, OH
Some of the gymnasts discussed in the episode include Konnor McClain, MG Elite (Zoe Gravier and Olivia Greaves), GAGE (Aleah Finnegan, Alexis Jeffrey, Leanne Wong and JaFree Scott), Sunisa Lee, Katelyn Rosen, Sophia Butler, Simone Biles, The Gymcastic Podcast, Olivia Dunne, Jordan Chiles, Ragan Smith, Morgan Hurd, Jade Carey, Ashton Locklear, Riley McCusker, Shilese Jones, Levi Jung-Ruivivar and Hezly Rivera (via a shout out from @gymnast_nateianna).
Have a great weekend and don't forget to point your toes!
Episode 27: Interview with National Judge, Kathi Ortiz
One of the other really cool experiences Kathi had was performing with The Flying Wallenda's. The Flying Wallendas is the name of a circus group, most known for performing highwire acts without a safety net.
Hope everyone is having a great summer! If you want to reach us with comments or feedback, you can email me at rebecca@leotard.com. Please make sure to rate and review us!
Keep up all the hard work, stay hydrated and don't forget to point your toes
Episode 26: Interview with Melisa Torres
Let us know who else you want us to interview and what you think of the show? You can email me at rebecca@leotard.com or message us on Instagram @Rebeccasmomleo. Hope you all have a great weekend, keep working those upgrades, and don't forget to point your toes :)
Episode 25: The American Classics at University of Utah
1. So many new elites - mostly talking about Hopes kids here
2. Tom Forster
3. The podium
4. All the athletes - w/bias towards MG Elite, Paramount Elite and GO
5. The Leotards (of course)
Good luck ladies! Have fun, stay focused and don't forget to point your toes :)
Episode 24: How I'm interpreting the new composition rules
We also gave a shout out to @gymnast_nateianna1 for her awesome work in the gym and her friend @alyssacolerolls for being a great friend and having a great work ethic! I love it when I hear from you guys and I love all the support you give to your friends too. You guys are a great community!!
Hope everyone has a great weekend, if your headed to camp, have fun and let us know how it goes and of course, don't forget to point your toes :)
Episode 23: Part 2 interview with JaNay, Peng and Deanna
Also, if you are visiting San Diego and want to catch Peng in her new gig, visit Sea World and make sure to check out the IllumiNight Show. seaworld.com/san-diego/shows/illuminight/
Good luck to all the judges out there who are testing this summer. I hope you are getting in lots of study time and learning all those new composition formulas.
Finally, in the words of Peng, JaNay and Deanna, be true to who you are, stay positive and have fun and of course, don’t forget to point your toes.
Episode 22: Part 1 Interview with a mystery trio
We discuss their career in gymnastics prior to UCLA, how they made their way to UCLA and of course their favorite and most memorable leotards. There was so much to discuss, so we only just start to scratch the surface of our conversation. Stay tuned for part 2 next week when we learn more about Bruin Banter, what it's like to have a coach like Miss Val and what Life in a leo means to each of these amazing women.
Please let us know what you think? We want to hear from you and learn more about our audience. You can always reach out over email. I'm rebecca@leotard.com or you can find us on Instagram and message us there @Rebeccasmomleo.
Keep having fun out there, working hard, and don't forget to point your toes! xo
Episode 21: How to care for your leotards
If you have any questions or want more information on the products we recommend, you can email me at rebecca@leotard.com.
Shout outs this week go to @gymnastabrianna and @gymnast.soof. Keep up the great work ladies! You are doing awesome things out there.
Hope everyone has a great weekend, keep training hard, cleaning your leotards and don't forget to point your toes ;)
Episode 20: Interview with Erin Kirschenbaum
A few shout outs this week - @Yuna.the.gymnast, @AnastasiaCardino and @Grace.with.a.freckle.face. We love hearing from you guys. Hope everyone has a great weekend and don't forget to point your toes! xo
Episode 19: Artistry
Please take a look at our blog post on www.leotard.com this week to watch the YouTube videos of the three routines I reference for having wonderful artistry. I also think it's worth watching the profile of Alexei Ratmansky on YouTube, some Misty Copeland videos and Tiler Peck to see how they create such an amazing story with their dance, choreography, expression, and quality of movement. I think this provides some unique perspective to athletes typically focused on only gymnastics.
Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend and good luck to everyone competing or TOPS testing. Keep dancing and don't forget to point your toes!
Episode 18: Interview with Hannah Kaufman
Hannah shares her experiences as a dancer, a Rebecca's Mom intern and what she hopes to achieve after she graduates college.
We also would like to send a shout out to Hannah Clark at Azarian gymnastics. She is a level 9 Westerns Floor Champion!! What a huge accomplishment. Hannah, congrats and keep up the amazing work. Hope you've started learning some fun new upgrades for next season.
Let us know what you think? Email me, rebecca@leotard.com with any feedback or ideas for future episodes. We can't wait to hear from you. Hope you all have a great weekend and don't forget to point your toes. xo
Episode 17: Failure
The topic for this week was inspired by an experience I had when I was volunteering for an organization I feel passionately about. I was asked to work at a phone bank and it was one of the most frustrating experiences I have had. I wasn't even asking for money, but people just didn't want to hear what I had to say. This experience left me feeling rejected and frustrated. I felt like I had failed the organization.
I was also inspired by the #gymnasticsfailchallenge. This viral movement has humanized all these gymnasts but also provided us with lots of comedy. I believe everyone is posting moments where they aren't hurt and able to walk away from the fail.
Hope you enjoy my thoughts and take something positive away from what I share. We would love to hear from you, so please message me - rebecca@leotard.com.
Good luck to everyone competing this weekend! And don't forget to point your toes :)
Episode 16: What are the requirements to start from a 10.0
There are three main buckets to consider, special requirements, value parts and bonus. I hope my explanation and examples provide a bit of clarity as you cheer on your friends and family.
If you have any questions, please email me, rebecca@leotard.com. Good luck to everyone competing! We hope you have a wonderful, safe and fun meet. Don't forget to point your toes
Episode 15: Interview with Emily Chan
It was great chatting with Emily and learning a little bit more about her and her love of gymnastics. Hope you enjoy the episode!
Episode 14: Interview with UC Davis Alumni
Episode 13: Interview with Taylor Goron
Good luck to everyone competing this weekend! Keep training hard and don't forget to point your toes!
Episode 12: Some Thoughts on Execution
If you want to share your Best Things in the Gym, please email me, rebecca@leotard.com or send me a DM on Instagram, @rebeccasmomleo
Hope everyone competing this weekend has a great meet. Can't wait to see all the NCAA regional competitions (Go Bruins). Keep training hard, stay positive and don't forget to point your toes.
Episode 11: Interview with Blakley
Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend! Keep training hard and don't forget to point your toes.
Episode 10: Interview with Lauren Hopkins
Featured gymnasts in our Best Things from States segment -
@zoie_pelfrey @calliemcvey_ @haleyallengymnast @flippin_kira and @sarapaulella3 Congrats on all these achievements! Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Don't forget to help spread the word. Thanks for listening!
Episode 9: Interview with Maddie Larson
We also heard from @Averygymnast_ who shared her Best Things in the Gym This Week! Congrats, Avery!
Episode 8: Interview with Hallie Mossett
I found Hallie's interview to be truly inspiring. I hope you enjoy what she has to say. Make sure to let us know what you think. Also, please tell us about your best things in the gym. We want to hear from you. You can send a voice memo or even just an email and we will read it in our next episode. You can reach me at rebecca@leotard.com.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!! Keep flippin and don't forget to point your toes :)
Episode 7: 10 things about Winter Olympics Ice Skating Leos
Let us know what you think. Please email me rebecca@leotard.com and make sure to send us your Best Things in the Gym This Week!! This week we heard from Sarah who just learned her full, woohoo! Congrats Sarah, that's so awesome
Episode 6: Interview with @_gymnastisabelle_
We want to hear from you. Email me your Best Things In The Gym This Week at rebecca@leotard.com. You can send a voicememo or just an email and we will read it in our next episode. We hope to hear from you.
Hope you all have a great meet weekend and don't forget to point your toes!