From Concussion to Comeback: A Gymnast's Journey Back to Training
In this episode, Winston shares a personal update on their recent two-month hiatus due to a concussion sustained during training. Winston recounts the details of the injury, the challenges faced during recovery, and the impact it had on their training and daily life. Winston reflects on the emotional struggle of being sidelined while teammates continued to progress, emphasising the importance of mental resilience in sport. Additionally, Winston discusses his aspirations for the podcast, aiming to educate listeners about gymnastics and promote the sport to a wider audience.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Concussion Experience:
The speaker sustained a concussion on 1st September, which led to a significant break from training and podcasting. Initially, they did not realise the severity of the injury, attributing symptoms to a headache.
Impact on Training:The concussion, combined with a prior ankle injury, resulted in a two-and-a-half-week absence from the gym. The speaker described the mental and emotional challenges of not being able to train, especially when teammates were progressing.
Podcast Direction:
The break provided an opportunity to reassess the podcast’s direction. The speaker aims to educate listeners about gymnastics, its intricacies, and the dedication of gymnasts, hoping to increase the sport’s visibility and appreciation.
Future Content Plans:
Upcoming episodes will include discussions based on a book the speaker has written about gymnastics, covering topics such as scoring, competitions, and apparatus. There will also be a mix of interviews with gymnasts, coaches, and other sporting figures.
Personal Growth and Goals:The speaker is also focusing on personal development through part-time work and speaking engagements, emphasising the importance of building grassroots participation in gymnastics and sharing the discipline and motivation learned from the sport.
BEST MOMENTS
"I want to spread the word of gymnastics... my goal is to get people to know what it is and if people know what it is then they'll start to enjoy it."
"It was really tough not going into the gym... having to sit by and just wait while you know every one of your teammates is working hard."
"We train ridiculous hours, our bodies are always in bits, but we go in anyway, and we work our butts off."
"The British championships shouldn't be like half filling an arena. It should be selling out arenas."
"If you build up the bottom layer of the pyramid in terms of participation, the rest of it will grow."
MY SOCIAL LINKS
https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/
https://www.tiktok.com/@winstonpowell5
MY E-BOOK
The Game of Gymnastics: Understanding The Game
https://payhip.com/b/f6RjV
Host Bio:
As a member of the Senior Great Britain Squad, Winston Powell brings firsthand experience to every episode. His impressive achievements include being the Under 18 English Champion in 2023 and reaching the finals in three events at the Junior World Championships the same year: the All-Around, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bar finals qualifying 7th for the All-Around. With five international appearances as a GB gymnast, he has gained invaluable insights into the sport's highest levels. His passion for gymnastics, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by elite athletes, makes him the perfect guide to exploring the strategies and stories behind gymnastics success.
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
South Africa