GymCastic: The Gymnastics Podcast

It's elite national championships week. Let's break it down. Join Club Gym Nerd for the ad-free extended episode, live Q&A podcasts all week and complete members-only archive.
GET IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE-SHOW TICKETS
HOW TO FOLLOW U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS
Times are Phoenix local time/Pacific. Podcast times are estimates.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 — PODIUM TRAINING
Watch on FlipNow.TV; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube.
9:00–11:00 a.m. — Junior Men
11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. — Senior Men
2:30–5:00 p.m. — Junior Women
5:00–7:30 p.m. — Senior Women
PODCAST ~8:30 p.m. — Senior Women's Podium Training Report
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 — MEN'S DAY ONE
1:00 p.m. — Junior Men on USAG YouTube
7:00 p.m. — Senior Men on Peacock /NBC; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 — WOMEN'S DAY ONE
Noon — Junior Women on USAG YouTube
7:00 p.m. — Senior Women on Peacock/NBC ; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube
PODCAST ~10:00 p.m. — Senior Women's Day One Meet Report
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 — MEN'S DAY TWO
10:30 a.m. — Junior Men on USAG YouTube
4:30 p.m. — Senior Men on Peacock/NBC ; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube
PODCAST ~8:00 p.m. — Senior Men's Final Meet Report
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 — WOMEN'S DAY TWO
10:00 a.m. — Junior Women on USAG YouTube
3:00 p.m. — Senior Women on Peacock / NBC; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube
LIVE SHOW ~6:00 p.m. — get tickets now GymCastic Live: Senior Women's Final
PLAY THE FANTASY GAME
Build your U.S. Championships team at GymCastic Fantasy League. Use the Elite Score Explorer to compare gymnasts and choose your lineup.
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Club Gym Nerd: Ad-free podcasts, weekly live Q&A episodes, bonus content, complete archive, games, scoring tools, VIP forum and live-show discounts
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Limited Time Offer – Make healthy eating simple. Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with our code GYMCASTIC at huel.com/GYMCASTIC. New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show!
TOOLS, GAMES AND RESOURCES
LA 2028 Roster Lab
Elite Score Explorer
International Gymnastics Calendar
GymCastic Games
GymCastic Newsletters
The Balance Beam Situation
Gymnastics History
Resistance Resources
Cover art and photographs © GymCastic / Steve Cooper. All rights reserved.

ON SALE NOW: GymCastic LIVE at U.S. Championships in Phoenix
WHEN: Sunday, Aug 9th after the women's final podium ceremony at 6pm-ish
WHERE: Streaming online or Phoenix, AZ
WHAT: It's the post-meet after party (with a bar and snacks). We will discuss the meet immediately after it happens—and you never know who will appear at a GymCastic live show.
HOW: Tickets on sale now. Club Gym Nerd members get your discount (check your email).

Ellie Black (CAN) makes Commonwealth Games history as the first gymnast ever to win two Commonwealth all-around titles. We discuss the competition highlights, Gabriel Langton's frightening high bar fall, the shakeup at World Gymnastics (FIG), gymternet news and which NCAA teams would best suit today's international elite stars.
COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Ellie Black (CAN) wins her second Commonwealth all-around title
Breanna Scott (AUS) takes silver and Lia-Monica Fontaine (CAN) wins bronze
Australia wins the women's team title ahead of Canada and England
Kate McDonald (AUS) wins bars gold
Canada wins the men's team title
Reuben Ward (SCO) delivers a home all-around victory for Scotland
Watch in the United States on beIN Sports. See the full gymnastics results.
MINI COMMISSION: INTERNATIONAL ELITES GO TO COLLEGE
We match Rebeca Andrade (BRA), Kaylia Nemour (ALG), Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos (FRA), Kishi Rina (JPN), Manila Esposito (ITA), Flávia Saraiva (BRA), Eythora Thorsdottir (NED), Ellie Black (CAN) and other international stars with their ideal NCAA programs.
Want your own mini commission? Join Club Gym Nerd at the World Champion level.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Ellie Black Makes History and Phoenix Schedule
01:37 – Gabriel Langton's High Bar Fall
04:00 – Nicolas Buompane out in World Gymnastics Shakeup
07:18 – Ellie Black's Historic Commonwealth Double
10:05 – Commonwealth Women's Team Final
15:21 – Club Gym Nerd and GymCastic Tools
18:54 – Women's All-Around Final
30:29 – Apparatus Finals and Opportunities for Comedy
40:34 – Canada and Scotland's Historic Men's Victories
45:38 – Rage-O-Meter: Commentary About Chinese Gymnasts
46:54 – Gymternet News and Romanian Safeguarding
54:02 – Nicola Bartolini Retires
55:54 – World Gymnastics Keeps Its Russian Policy
57:15 – Magnificent Seven and Phoenix Live Show
1:00:07 – Mini Commission: International Elites Go to College
1:28:16 – Club Gym Nerd and Behind The Scenes
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Club Gym Nerd: Ad-free podcasts, weekly live Q&A episodes, bonus content, the complete members-only archive, games, forum access and live-show discounts
Shop GymCastic
TOOLS, GAMES AND RESOURCES
LA 2028 Roster Lab
Elite Score Explorer
International Gymnastics Calendar
GymCastic Games
GymCastic Newsletters
The Balance Beam Situation
Gymnastics History
Resistance Resources
Cover art and photograph © GymCastic / Steve Cooper. All rights reserved.

HEADLINES
Nadia Comăneci says Ana Barbosu's legal fees in the fight to retain her Paris 2024 bronze medal will be covered.
U.S. CLASSIC MORNING-AFTER COFFEE KLATSCH
Reese Esponda Wins the U.S. Classic All-Around
Esponda improved her top all-around score by nearly a full point, finished almost a point ahead of Jade Carey and entered the conversation for a World Championships team spot.
Full U.S. Classic results and video of every routine
Katelyn Ohashi Returns to Elite Gymnastics
Ohashi made her triumphant return to elite gymnastics for the first time since 2013—and competed in her first senior U.S. Classic.
Is Skye Blakely the All-Around Favorite for Nationals?
MINI COMMISSION: EFFICIENT ROUTINE CONSTRUCTION: request for smart routine construction for Dulcy Caylor and Kaylia Nemour
World Championships Qualifiers
China, Japan, South Korea and North Korea qualified teams to Rotterdam.
Amanda Yap of Singapore earned an individual Worlds spot.
The Uzbekistani and Filipino men missed Worlds qualification despite outscoring the United States and Brazil, which did qualify.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Ana Barbosu's Legal Fees
06:51 – U.S. Classic Debrief
12:55 – Reese Esponda's Worlds Case
21:25 – Katelyn Ohashi's Next Move
27:07 – Skye Blakely and Jade Carey
36:39 – Who We're Worried About
43:36 – U.S. International Standing
48:20 – Gymternet News
54:00 – Efficient Routine Construction
1:13:03 – Commonwealth Games and Worlds Qualifiers
RELATED EPISODES
Behind the Scenes: U.S. Classic 2026 Meet Report
 Behind the Scenes: Podium Training Report—U.S. Classic 2026
Behind the Scenes: Ohashi Is Back with Scott Bregman
UP NEXT
Behind the Scenes, our live Q&A podcast, Fridays at noon Pacific.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Join Club Gym Nerd for weekly Behind the Scenes episodes, our complete members-only archive, games, the forum and live-show discounts.
Shop GymCastic merchandise.
Thanks to our sponsor Huel -our exclusive offer of 15% OFF with our code GYMCASTIC at huel.com/GYMCASTIC. New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show!
GYMCASTIC TOOLS, GAMES AND RESOURCES
LA 2028 Roster Lab
Elite Score Explorer
International Gymnastics Calendar
GymCastic Games
GymCastic Newsletters
The Balance Beam Situation: Spencer's GIF Code of Points
Gymnastics History: Uncle Tim's gymnastics history and Code of Points archive
Resistance Resources
Cover art photos of Skye Blakely, Jade Carey and Reese Esponda © GymCastic/Steve Cooper. All rights reserved. Katelyn Ohashi cover-art photo © Melissa J. Perenson/Cal Sport Media.

Our immediate reactions right after the meet!   Everything from the 2026 U.S. Classic, including Reese Esponda's all-around victory, Katelyn Ohashi's return to elite competition, Skye Blakely's event titles, Jade Carey's upgrades, Nationals qualification, the biggest breakout performances, and historic gay TV moment. 
We also discuss NBC's broadcast, routine construction, Nationals qualifying procedures, and answer Club Gym Nerd questions.
This is our live Q&A show, where we answer your questions. Here's how to ask questions live. Can't make it live? Add Club bonus episodes to your favorite podcast player (instructions here). For the extended episode  log in, refresh this page and the extended player for Club Members will appear below. Not a member? Join here.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Historic Moment in Gay Gymnastics History
01:31 – Jade Carey Takes the Long View
03:11 – Reese Esponda's Bars, Beam and Winning Floor
05:41 – Katelyn Ohashi's Successful Elite Return
06:23 – Ohashi's Beam Inquiry and Qualification Score
08:45 – The Meet's Real Winner: Smart Routine Construction
10:09 – Why Ohashi's Comeback Is Already a Huge Success
13:07 – Could Ohashi Be Invited to Nationals?
15:53 – Skye Blakely Wins Bars and Beam
16:42 – Ally Damelio's Seitz
17:20 – Were the U.S. Classic Scores Too Generous?
19:12 – Leanne Wong's Smarter Beam Composition
22:53 – BONUS FOR CLUB MEMBERS BEGINS
To listen to the full episode login or join Club Gym Nerd for the extended Behind The Scenes episode every Friday: https://gymcastic.com/club/
23:53 – Why Katelyn Ohashi and Laurie Hernandez + Jade Made Jessica Cry
26:48 – Breakout Stars: Zoey Molomo and Isabella Anzola
31:50 – Building a World Team From the U.S. Classic
33:31 – How to Watch Peacock and the International Feed Together
34:29 – Jade Carey's Full-Twisting Double Layout Technique
36:50 – Do World Team Members Have to Be Top-Five All-Arounders?
37:10 – Should Jade Carey Increase Her Bars Difficulty?
42:02 – Charleigh Bullock's Compelling Bars Score
42:28 – Izzy Stassi's Elite Potential at Oklahoma
44:30 – Is the U.S. Currently a World-Gold Team?
45:32 – Tom Forster and the Selection Committee
49:10 – Why USAG Needs a Single-Event Qualifying Score
51:02 – Suni Lee and the Case for Specialist Qualification
52:25 – Should Katelyn Ohashi Petition to Nationals?
1:00:35 – Gymnasts Still Planning Elite Comebacks
1:03:12 – Shilese Jones' Comeback Status
1:03:30 – The Broadcast's Skye Blakely Resilience Narrative
1:08:48 – The Absurdity of Mandatory "Dry Seasons"
1:09:49 – What Does "No Partying" Actually Mean?
1:10:14 – Jessica Disappears to Dance in the Street
1:10:57 – Is LSU's Injury Management a Problem?
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Club Gym Nerd: Join Club Gym Nerd for weekly Behind the Scenes episodes, our complete members-only archive, games, the forum and live-show discounts.
Shop GymCastic: Shop merch.
GYMCASTIC TOOLS, GAMES AND RESOURCES
GymCastic tools: LA 2028 Roster Lab, Elite Score Explorer and the International Gymnastics Calendar
GymCastic Games
GymCastic Newsletters
The Balance Beam Situation: Spencer's GIF Code of Points
Gymnastics History: Gymnastics history and Code of Points archive from Uncle Tim
Resistance Resources

Recorded immediately after Senior Women's podium training at the U.S. Classic.
Suni Lee officially announced her comeback documentary, Katelyn Ohashi unveiled upgrades ahead of the U.S. Classic, Jade Carey looked every bit the World Team favorite, and Spencer and Jessica break down everything they saw during senior women's podium training. Plus: behind-the-scenes stories, hot mic moments, start values, fantasy picks, and an extended Club Gym Nerd Q&A. 
For the full episode login or join Club Gym Nerd. Here's how to ask questions live. Can't make it live? Add Club bonus episodes to your favorite podcast player (instructions here). Not a member? Join here.

Before competition begins, build your team for the 2026 U.S. Classic Fantasy Game. Lineups lock Saturday at 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome, Hot Mics & US Classic Podium Training
00:52 Suni Lee Officially Announces Her Comeback
03:08 Should Single Event Specialists Have a Pathway to Championships?
06:28 Katelyn Ohashi's Upgraded Floor Routine
10:00 Katelyn Ohashi's Beam Changes & Strategy
14:00 Lost Luggage, AARP & Elite Warm-Up Rituals
15:10 Skye Blakely's Beam Upgrade
17:22 Leanne Wong's New Beam Composition
21:15 Beam Connection Bonus Explained
21:56 More Leanne Wong Routine Nerding
23:01 Fantasy Game, Elite Score Explorer & Roster Lab Updates
24:55 Store Sale, Referral Program & Bluesky Groups
BONUS FOR CLUB MEMBERS BEGINS
To listen to the full episode login or join Club Gym Nerd for the extended Behind The Scenes episode every Friday: https://gymcastic.com/club/
25:00 Beam Bonus Bungle Story
26:28 Final Thoughts on Leanne's Beam
28:59 Jade Carey Wins Podium Training
30:02 Jade's Upgrades & Event-by-Event Review
31:55 Izzy Stasi's Oklahoma Era & New Choreography
34:10 Zoe Molomo, Simone Rose & Dulcy Caylor Notes
36:45 Comedy Awards, Hot Mic Moments & Withdrawals
37:08 Club Gym Nerd Q&A Begins
38:00 Single-Event Qualification to Nationals Debate
43:02 Should Nationals Matter More Than Worlds Selection?
50:58 Who Was Terrible at Compulsories?
53:31 The Most Memorable Compulsory Disasters
56:40 Are Olympic Comebacks About Passion or Business?
01:01:39 Spencer's Dream Suni Lee Bars Routine
01:05:08 The Perfect Acting Role for Laurie Hernandez
01:05:58 Is Elite Gymnastics Inherently Bad for Kids?
01:08:43 Can You Reach Elite Without Early Specialization?

SUPPORT OUR WORK
Club Gym Nerd: Join Club Gym Nerd for weekly Behind the Scenes episodes, our complete members-only archive, games, the forum and live-show discounts.
Shop GymCastic: Shop merch.
GYMCASTIC TOOLS, GAMES AND RESOURCES
GymCastic tools: LA 2028 Roster Lab, Elite Score Explorer and the International Gymnastics Calendar
GymCastic Games
GymCastic Newsletters
The Balance Beam Situation: Spencer's GIF Code of Points
Gymnastics History: Gymnastics history and Code of Points archive from Uncle Tim
Resistance Resources