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THIS WEEK’S INTERVIEW
Mary Lee Tracy (MLT) has coached two Olympic gold medalists (four Olympians total) and has had over 25 national team members. Mary Lee was recently hired as USA Gymnastics Developmental Coordinator, only to be asked to resign after survivor backlash and “contacting a survivor.” She was joined by Valorie Kondos-Field (Miss Val), UCLA head coach and advocate for culture change at USAG. This interview was conducted on September 9th 2018. We discuss:
- Criticism of MLT’s coaching methods, including: nutrition, weigh-ins, injuries and tone-deaf social media posts.
- What both coaches have done wrong in the past and understanding victim shaming.
- Her thoughts on Marta Karolyi and the culture at the Ranch.
- Her defense of Nassar interview.
- If she ever stood up to Martha Karolyi or asked for changes at the Ranch.
- Her social media posts and comments, including Kelli Hill’s response to Aly Raisman on our Facebook page.
- What she has learned from talking to survivor, Amanda Jetter.
- Prevention of grooming behavior and why banned coach, Steve Elliot, was fired from her gym.
- And some fun stuff about artistry, like Martha vetoing Lexi Priessman’s floor routines over and over.
FURTHER READING
- GYMNASTICS; Being Good Isn’t Always Enough for U.S. Team
- OUT OF BALANCE: A Look Inside USA Gymnastics’ culture of abuse
- USA Gymnastics changes course amid heavy criticism, asks coach who defended Nassar to resign
- Tracy Takes Over as Elite Development Coorindator
- Miss Val Time’s Up USAG
- Miss Val Together We Rise
- The End of Kerry Perry
- The Balance Beam Situation on MLT’s hiring.
- Kelli Hill vs. Aly Raisman the Ranch soap metaphor.
BOOK CLUB CONTEST*:
What: 5 copies of Miss Val’s book: Life is Short, Don’t Wait to Dance
Grand Prize: Book… plus a 15 minute personal phone call with Miss Val.
How to Enter: Using the #DontWaitToDance on Twitter or Instagram, post a 5 second video doing your favorite UCLA floor choreography.
Bonus entries: Link to the book. Enter as many times as you want.
When: Now to October 5th
*Conflict of Interest Disclaimer: Jessica’s husband co-authored this book.
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RELATED EPISODES
- 282: GymCastic Book Club – Fierce, by Aly Raisman
- 281.5: Aly Raisman Comes Forward As Nassar Victim
- 318: 2018 US Wonder Woman Nationals
- 277.5: McKayla Maroney Alleges Abuse from Nassar
- 257: The Daniels Report
- 241: The Pittsburgh Incident
- 227: Jane Doe 2 Sues Karolyis
- 221: Jane Doe vs. USAG Doctor
- 187: McKayla Maroney
- 163: ENOUGH
- 56: Preventing Abuse in Gymnastics
- 15: Joan Ryan Author of Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
MORE WAYS TO LISTEN
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THE SILENT GENERATION IS THE WWI GENERATION, THEY ARE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE SILENT GENERATION. They are borderline baby boomers/Generation X.
This in general is a great conversation. I was with all of it until Valorie stated “This is my truth. Don’t make a judgment of right or wrong.” I think I understood what you were attempting to say but this came across as I am right so don’t ever criticize me. Yet, over all great conversation that I truly pray that it brings more clarity as to your positions, experience and hopes for the future. Thank you Valorie and MAry Lee!
Thank you for doing this interview, I think it was really important. Let’s just say, I’m glad Mary Lee resigned. There is so little ownership over the issues regarding nutrition, injuries, and even about Nassar. Either she actually is ignorant, or she’s just playing dumb; it’s a reflection of what’s wrong with the organization.