The Game of Gymnastics

In this episode of the Games Gymnastics Podcast, Winston delves into Alex's impressive gymnastics journey, from his early days in a Gymnastics Club to becoming the London Open All-Round Champion and representing Great Britain at the Junior World Championships. Alex shares insights into his training experiences, challenges with injuries, and the emotional rollercoaster of competing on international stages. KEY TAKEAWAYS Early Beginnings and Progression: Alex Yolshin-Cash started gymnastics at a young age (around four or five) at Utoxia Gymnastics Club, where he initially trained at a club level. His journey progressed significantly when he began competing in elite grades, leading to his first major opportunity with the GB national squad. International Competitions: Alex's first international competition was the Cottbus friendly in Germany, which was crucial for his qualification for the Junior World Championships in Turkey. His performance at the English Championships solidified his place on the Junior Worlds team, marking a significant breakthrough in his gymnastics career. Challenges and Injuries: Leading up to the Junior World Championships, Alex faced physical challenges, including lower back pain. Despite these difficulties, he managed to compete and perform well, demonstrating resilience and determination. Team Dynamics and Support: Throughout his competitions, Alex emphasised the importance of team dynamics and support from coaches and teammates. He felt a sense of responsibility to perform well for the team and appreciated the camaraderie that helped him stay focused and motivated. BEST MOMENTS"I started gymnastics around, I'd say about four or five at Utoxia Gymnastics Club... my gymnastics journey was rather slow." - Alex Cash "That competition was rather important for me because that was one half of the qualification for the Junior World Championships in Turkey." - Alex Cash "I almost felt coming into the Junior Worlds that I was slightly underprepared." - Alex Cash MY SOCIAL LINKS https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/ 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.

In this episode of The Game of Gymnastics Podcast, Winston shares a solo episode reflecting on the importance of goal-setting, navigating tough times, and building consistency. With the New Year approaching, he explores the concept of SMART goals and how incremental progress can lead to meaningful change. Winston also opens up about his own struggles with self-doubt and motivation, offering listeners a raw and honest perspective on overcoming challenges. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Importance of a “Why”: Understanding the deeper reason behind your goals is crucial for staying motivated, especially during tough times. SMART Framework: Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Rewarding, and Time-Bounded to maximise success. Incremental Progress: Small, consistent steps ("one degree a day") can lead to significant achievements over time. Mental Health and Reflection: Sharing personal struggles and talking to others can lighten the mental load and provide clarity. New Year’s Resolutions: Shifting the terminology and mindset around resolutions can prevent failure and encourage lasting change. BEST MOMENTS"Every single thing you do in a day, you have a reason for doing it. Whether it's conscious or subconscious, there’s something driving you." – Winston Powell"One degree a day might feel small, but over time, it makes all the difference. It’s the key to consistency and lasting progress." – Winston Powell MY SOCIAL LINKShttps://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/ 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.

In this episode of the Game of Gymnastics Podcast, Winston welcomes guest Jacob Edwards, a Commonwealth gymnast for Wales, to discuss his journey in gymnastics, including his experiences at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and his aspirations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Jacob shares insights into the challenges of dealing with injuries and the importance of a strong support system, including family and teammates, in maintaining motivation during tough times. KEY TAKEAWAYS Commonwealth Games Experience: Competing in the 2022 Commonwealth Games was a significant highlight, providing a massive confidence boost and an opportunity to perform on a big stage, especially with strong home support in Birmingham. Injury Management and Motivation: Dealing with injuries is a common challenge in gymnastics. Maintaining motivation during recovery involves focusing on what can be done rather than what cannot, and relying on a strong support system of family and teammates. Preparation for Future Competitions: The goal is to prepare for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with immediate steps including getting fit and strong after recent injuries. Upcoming competitions like the Northern Euros and British Championships are crucial for assessing progress. Adapting to New Code of Points: The new gymnastics code emphasizes execution over difficulty, which may level the playing field. Gymnasts will need to be strategic in their routine planning, focusing on clean execution and adapting to the new requirements. BEST MOMENTS"Commonwealth Games, just the whole experience was unreal... to be able to compete in the all-around final, as well as the team competition was just... a great achievement and very proud of it." - Jacob Edwards "In my head, I still knew that I had to be ready... I still went to training. I still did my stuff." - Jacob Edwards "Injuries are the most brutal thing that can happen to anyone in sport... it really has a mental impact." - Jacob Edwards MY SOCIAL LINKS https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/ 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.

In this episode of the Game of Gymnastics podcast, Winston and fellow gymnast engage Sol Scott the junior European vault champion and team champion of 2024. Sol shares his journey in gymnastics, starting from his early days at Hunter Gymnastics Club to competing at prestigious events like the European Youth Olympic Festival and the European Championships.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Journey in Gymnastics: Sol Scott began gymnastics at the age of four and progressed through various levels, ultimately reaching elite status by age eight. His training regimen evolved from recreational classes to 20-30 hours a week by age 13. Competition Highlights: Key highlights in Sol's career include competing at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Slovenia in 2023, where he won a team gold and an individual bronze on vault, and participating in the European Championships earlier that year. Differences in Competition Formats: Sol noted the distinction between the European Youth Olympic Festival, which had a more communal atmosphere with various sports, and the European Championships, which focused solely on gymnastics and fostered a stronger team dynamic. Skill Development Focus: Currently, Sol is working on upgrading his skills across various apparatuses, including transitioning to more complex tumbling passes on floor and enhancing his routines on pommel horse and rings, indicating a strategic approach to skill progression. Mental Preparation for Competitions: Sol emphasizes the importance of consistency in his warm-up routines and mental preparation, focusing on key skills and maintaining a positive mindset to boost confidence before competitions. He also acknowledges the challenge of managing distractions, such as checking scores during events. BEST MOMENTS"I started gym at the age of four... always running about, trying to do new things like cartwheels." - Sol Scott "It was such a good experience, especially competing with the seniors... it was such a good atmosphere." - Sol Scott "I think this is a great time to work on my strength, my handstands and my giants with straight arms." - Sol Scott MY SOCIAL LINKS https://www.instagram.com/wpowell05/ 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.