Enough

After experiencing 13 different coaching styles throughout my 20 years of gymnastics, the one style that made the biggest difference in my life went against everything I was shown as a child. Nadalie Walsh showed me that I was not just an object being used to increase the popularity of my coaches or make money for a university; I was a human being with real emotions, real injuries (mental and physical) and real purpose outside of gymnastics. Nadalie saw through the happy go lucky smile put on my face day in and day out and wanted to dig into the doubt and fear that was waiting to break through the surface after so many years. One of the first real conversations I had with Nadalie, she told me that she saw the pain in my eyes and that it was finally okay to let it all go. As I sobbed and let it all go, she didn’t yell at me for being weak. Instead, I was comforted and told that we were going to work through it together and that it wasn’t just about gymnastics, it was about me as a whole. It takes a saint’s work to be able to reverse the culture that was instilled in us young girls for 20+ years, but after 3 years with Coach Nadalie Walsh I walked out of college knowing my purpose was much deeper than

the scores I was putting up for my team. I learned that I wasn’t supposed to function as a robot and the mean words/ comments said to me as a young girl were not mine to carry, because they were not true. There is nothing more special than having someone in your corner when you feel so alone, and that is exactly who Nadalie was for me. She was in my corner then and I know she will always be in my corner. The culture that Nadalie has created changed my life forever and will continue to change the lives of other girls coming through the world of collegiate gymnastics.”

~Rae Balthazor, University of Illinois 2016-2020, All American- Floor Exercise (2018)

“You’ve always had the power, my dear…”
This simple scene from The Wizard of Oz between Glinda and Dorothy encapsulates perfectly my 5 years as an athlete under Coach Walsh at both UWO and BSU.

As a coach, she empowers her athletes to trust their own powers and know they already have ENOUGH to accomplish everything they want.

Thank you, Nadalie, for always believing in me — but more importantly, for allowing me to always believe in myself.

— Teresa Phipps, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh 2004–2007, Ball State University 2007–2009, NCAA Regional All-Around Qualifier 2009

She once gave each of us an old key and taught us how that key was a symbol of authority.

She encouraged us that we have the authority to walk into any competition arena with confidence in ourselves and our teammates.

Later that year, many of us got a tattoo of a key.

Why do I share that story? Because a coach can have a lasting impact on their athletes beyond the sport if their focus is to create positive cultures and make healthy relationships their top priority.

On hard days, I look at my tattoo and remember: I hold the key in my journey of life — and I know I will forever be strong.

— Brittney Emmons, Ball State Gymnast 2008–2013, NCAA Regional Qualifier 2009–2013, Volunteer Assistant Coach, Utah State University 2013–2016

When Nadalie Walsh came into our program, she completely transformed our culture and confidence. Her leadership style brought a freedom and joy I have never experienced before. During my gymnastics career prior to meeting her, I had multiple injuries and very often felt miserable. I vividly remember her dancing around the gym, bringing encouragement and smiles to the faces of teammates who I typically did not see smile very often. She encouraged each of us to unpack our heavy backpacks that we were carrying so that we could be free from stress, self-doubt and fear. She brought love to a team that was ultimately just surviving and taught us how to thrive. Without Nadalie, our team, my friends and I, would not have the love for ourselves that we do today. Personally, I went from training one event for two years, to competing and contributing on 3 events because of how the environment Nadalie created empowered and believed in me. Her leadership brought three key factors into the program, faith, belief, and trust. Without her, I wouldn’t be the coach or person I am today. She is amazing women, leader, and mentor and I hope all coaches who read this book can help their athletes find the same freedom and joy in their sport that I found.

~Rachael Donovan, University of Illinois, 2015-2019

“The two years Nadalie was my coach were truly some of the hardest years of my life outside the gym but were certainly my best years from a gymnastics standpoint. This was simply a testament to her coaching style and the fact that she truly values the person before the athlete. Nadalie has such a keen way of expecting and pushing greatness out of an athlete while reminding them their worth doesn’t lie in their gymnastics or their performance. Having a coach that values you for the person you are more than the athlete you are allows for freedom on the gymnastics floor leading not only to measurable results in meets, but immeasurable results in life. I continue to take Nadalie’s philosophy and tools into my daily life with struggles or adversity I face. Nadalie is so much more than a coach; she is a mentor that is ready to lock arms with each girl and walk through some of the most defining years of their life.”

~Haylee Roe, University of Illinois 2015-2019

As Nadalie’s very first college recruit, I can attest that Nadalie’s greatest strength is her authentic belief.

This confidence is so compelling, so pervasive, so profound, that it has a lasting impact on athletes and programs.

When you’re coached by Nadalie, you can’t help but believe in yourself. You are strong. You are respected. You are enough.

And there is no greater gift than that.

— Vanessa (Virbitsky) Zink, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 2004–2008, Assistant Coach 2008–2009