88: Rhonda Faehn & Mackenzie Caquatto

An all-interview episode with 1988 Olympic alternate at the Seoul Games and Florida head-coach, Rhonda Faehn. She is a super gym-nerd, just like us. We discuss:

Competing at World Championships with no ligaments left in her ankle.
The pile of injuries that led to her injury-retirement from UCLA.
How she met her super-hot, French, tennis coach husband at Florida.
What was Rhonda thinking as her team made uncharacteristic falls at Regionals.
What it was like living away from home with Phoebe Mills and then the Kristie Phillips family.
Being a Karolyi Kid; one of the first crop of gymnasts to train with Nadia’s coaches when they first came to the US.
If there were any perks, like extra leo sparkles for becoming national champions.

Mackenzie Caquatto won a silver medal with the US team at the Rotterdam World Championships in 2010. Then she became a key player at the University of Florida and led the Gators to their first ever, national championship.

Can having a boyfriend actually improve a girl’s gymnastics?
Choosing artistic gymnastics over rhythmic gymnastics.
The injury that ended her elite career and landed her in a wheelchair two years in a row.
How college improved her consistency and confidence on beam.
How her elite coaches and college coaches worked together to help her reach her goals to compete for the US.
Her suggestions for improving the team dynamic in elite gymnastics to improve the confidence and experience of elite gymnasts.

Announcement! The first ever GymCastic Meet-up is happening at the NCAA Championships. Come join us for a drinky-poo and gym-nerd out with your people!

When: 3:30-4:30 on Saturday, April 19th before Super-Six Finals.

Where: Todd English Pub, right behind the parking structure at BJCC arena. It’s only a three minute walk to the meet from here. The address is: 2221 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N, Birmingham, AL 35203.