The Year of New Beginnings with Nastia Liukin

Samantha Peszek is on a mission to connect athletes, coaches, and parents with the best resources the gymnastics world has to offer. Utilizing Samantha’s gymnastics network, (she really does have cool friends) guests will be experts in their field and shed a light on hot topics, tips for improvement, and inspiration. Listeners will have the opportunity to learn from some of the sport’s greats, participate in giveaways, and apply relevant tips to everyday life, in and out of the gym.

Sam welcomes to the podcast close friend and former 2008 Olympic and 2007 World Championship teammate, Nastia Liukin. Nastia’s gymnastics accomplishments include the 2008 Olympic all-around champion, five-time Olympic medalist, the 2005 and 2007 world champion on the balance beam, and the 2005 world champion on uneven bars. She is also a four-time, all-around U.S. national champion, winning twice as a junior and twice as a senior. Since retiring from gymnastics, Nastia has continued to support and promote the sport of gymnastics as an analyst, advocate, and entrepreneur. She was part of the effort that saw Los Angeles awarded the 2028 Olympic Games and is currently involved in projects aimed to inspire the next generation of females.

In this episode, Sam and Nastia recall early memories of their friendship at the Pan Am, World Championship and Olympic Games. Nastia opens up on what it was like growing up in the spotlight as the daughter of two famed Russian gymnasts. Sam and Nastia talk about the current uncertainty surrounding USA Gymnastics and the characteristics they would like to see in the new CEO and governing body. Among these characteristics are transparency, communication and effective leadership. They also suggest actions that former USA gymnasts can take to help the sport recover from the recent scandals it has suffered. Finally, Nastia stresses the importance of educating and training young gymnasts not only in their sport, but also in life skills that will serve them well long after retirement.

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Key Takeaways

• Sam welcomes Nastia to the podcast
• Sam and Nastia recall early memories of their friendship
• Sam and Nastia reveal each other’s best qualities
• The moment Nastia knew she wanted to go to the Olympics
• Nastia chronicles growing up with parents who both were gymnastics legends
• Why Nastia stopped competing the quad twist
• The importance of confidence in gymnastics
• Nastia talks about the three World Championships she competed in
• Recalling favorite Olympic memories, gymnastics and otherwise
• Nastia sums up each of her 2008 Olympic teammates in one word
• Nastia discusses the pros and cons of growing up in the public eye
• The biggest misconception people have about Nastia
• Nastia’s goals for the next ten years
• The uncertainty surrounding USA Gymnastics
• The importance of helping gymnasts be at the top of their game, both in their sport and in their lives
• The changes Nastia hopes to see for USA Gymnastics
• Sam and Nastia share their opinion on the characteristics they would like to see in the new CEO of USA Gymnastics
• How former USA Gymnastics National Team members can help
• Nastia answers fan questions
• Nastia’s plans for the new year ahead
• Nastia reveals one thing people can do to get 1% better each day
• Where fans can follow Nastia

Tweetable Quotes

You always find the positive in something even, like, when there’s no positive to be found.

I don’t necessarily feel like I thought of it as added pressure. It was almost, like, ‘I want to achieve this because I want to be like them.’

It really is, like, every single emotion you’ve ever felt in your entire life you feel, like, in that moment at some point during the Olympics.

The hardest part for me is, like, people don’t really know the real me.

I think ‘top of the game’ now, the definition of that should mean, ‘Are we doing that in a safe way? Are we creating environments that help these gymnasts be successful, not only in the sport, but in life after gymnastics.

And the one positive that I do see from this situation is that I think it is going to unify gymnastics clubs and gymnasts and everyone that is so passionate about our sport.

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