Stepping out of your comfort zone is always a challenge. This article talks about preparing to take a giant leap out of mine.
While I’ve been flipping for 16 years now, I have never flipped anywhere but my home gym.
In the past year or two, I’ve seen lots of adult gymnastics “camp” and competition opportunities crop up on my social media feeds. They take place all over the country, and my training partner Tammy even went to Chelsea Memmel’s camp two years ago. The idea sounded super fun, but I never envisioned myself actually participating in such shenanigans.
One of the nice things about posting your stuff on social media is the widespread support, connection and inspiration you get from others like you. Two years ago, I connected with another adult gymnast on Instagram, Leilah McCarthy, who is in her 40s and competes regularly at level 8. She shows her progress at the gym, as well as her trapeze outings. She’s pretty badass.
For two years, Leilah has been encouraging me to compete in Nationals for trampoline (the only event I would ever consider). This year it was in Albequerque, NM. I had no interest in traveling all the way across the country and frankly, the thought of competing scares the bejesus out of me. I’m so used to flipping on our equipment at Flipper’s and my adult brain does not like change. I did not want to invite any sort of bad luck (injuries) into my world.
She also suggested that next year would be in Pittsburgh, which is (by comparison) much closer to home. I just let that lie. I’m not saying never, but right now I’m at “not yet.”
Stepping out of my comfort zone
While the competition idea seems remote, I’ve always wanted to try new gym spaces, just to see what it’s like to work on different equipment, especially the trampoline, which has lots of different options for bed surfaces.
Tammy had told me about Paradigm Athletic Center, another gym that recently changed ownership near her that now accepts adult students. It’s about five minutes from her, 45 from me, and they were having 2-hour open gym on Fridays in the summer. I figured, why not? Might as well check out a new space and play on some new equipment. They also had foam landing pits, something I’d never experienced and had always wanted to try.
While I didn’t relish the idea of driving through pre-rush hour traffic to work out, I was intrigued. See, Tammy also got me to sign up for my first adult gymnastics camp experience in August: FlipFest in Crossville, Tennessee. The thought of officially joining NAIGC and enrolling in a summer camp gymnastics experience was both frightening and exhilarating. Actually signing up almost made my heart stop.
But I did it anyway.
What is NAIGC?
NAIGC stands for the National Association Of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs. Just the name alone doesn’t scream “Hey you, 52 year old, come join up!!” Looking at the acronym, I was hoping that the “A” stood for Adult. Alas, it did not. But it’s stated purpose was inclusive:
The purpose of the NAIGC is to serve and expand opportunities for all levels of collegiate and adult gymnastics by providing structure for competition on local, regional, and national levels; facilitating communication; and building a community of support and camaraderie that encourages sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, and fun.
“…and adult gymnastics…” Okay, so maybe they are talking to me; I’m listening. I paid my $50 memberships dues and I signed up for FlipFest in Tennessee.
Managing the anxiety
While I love the idea of an adventure, I am still a creature of habit. My brain doesn’t like change; it never has. Anytime I am facing something new or a change in my normal routines, my brain tends to go into overdrive and I can feel my heart race.
It actually took me a few weeks to pull the trigger on registering for the event. This would be a huge leap out of my comfort zone. After all, it would require an 11-hour car ride, spending a weekend in a summer camp cabin, flipping in a new space with strangers, and then driving all the way back. But, it makes for an interesting girls’ weekend that would certainly be considered an adventure.
Wanderlust adventurer aside, I was definitely concerned about how my brain and body would actually handle all this. Just thinking about it, I could feel Mr. Lizard wiggling around in the back of my head, causing all sorts of chaotic ruminations.
The first logical step was to take the drive to the new gym facility. I needed to pre-game a little and shake out those “new place” nerves by engaging in a little exposure therapy. Before I immersed myself in a place 11 hours away from home, maybe I could desensitize Mr. Lizard a little bit by doing it 45 minutes away.
First steps in the new gym
I arrived at Paradigm Athletic Center in Florida, NY, a huge facility with an expansive gymastics area. Being the grand re-opening and a free open gym event, there were a thousand little kids running roughshod around the place. This alone gave me some pause, since children without structure causes a good deal of chaos. Chaos and safe gymnastics are not synonymous terms.
Despite the mayhem, I followed Tammy into the gym, put our stuff down, and started to scope out the space. We got on the side-by-side trampolines, which I later learned were called competitive string beds. They have much more rebound action, so you don’t have to use as much force to launch yourself really high. This was a little unnerving the first time, so I kept it to the easy stuff going forwards only.
I was afraid to do anything with back tumbling, since the trampolines were WAY more bouncy than I’m used to. The last thing I needed was to go careening off the trampoline and crush a child on the deck. So, I decided to do a few front tucks, just to get the feel of it, then move on.
A few minutes in, another one of our other flippy friends joined us. Kwesi had come to Flipper’s around a year ago and started his gymnastics journey. The three of us spent some time on the floor with the springboard working on our front flips.
What was probably most fun (and most challenging) was that I got to try landings in the foam pit. They had several: one in the TumblTrak/trampoline area and one under the high bar and rings. The toughest workout of course, is getting out once you land on those pillowy cushions.
Coming back for more
I was much braver for my second visit, and started to challenge some of the fear that I had experienced on the first day. The gym was much emptier this time around, so I could take some time to focus. On the trampoline, I actually did some back tucks and handsprings on those uber-bouncy tramps.
One of my goals in the last six months has been to regain my courage to chuck a back tuck on the TumblTrak. Since I broke my foot last year, I’ve had a lot of fear surrounding going backwards on that surface. The Paradigm track is very similar to ours at Flipper’s, but it has the pit as a landing option. Fortunately, on the second visit, I was able to break the clutches of Mr. Lizard and managed to chuck a few back tucks into the pit.
Next steps
In about three weeks, I’ll be heading to Tennessee with my flipping buddies. Turns out, we will be a threesome representing Flipper’s, since Lisette will be coming with Tammy and I.
This is the Tennesee Trio from Flipper’s Gymnastics.
We go for pretty pictures, but it’s really the process that’s most fun.
Until then, I’ll continue my exposure therapy, challenging myself both in my home gym at Flipper’s and in the new space at Paradigm. Thanks to Leilah, Tammy and I are even considering a little synchronous trampoline action since Paradigm has side-by-side trampolines. (This is our first start at Flipper’s.)
Who knows what the future will bring, but what I love about all of this is that new doors leading to unforeseen possibilities continue to open up. For this GenXer, that is an exciting thought. And having friends who are just as excited and driven is what really helps keep Mr. Lizard at bay. Stay tuned!
You can see my videos at the links below. Do all of the things: like, follow, subscribe, comment, etc. I love hearing from people who share similar experiences! YouTube Channel: The Geriatric Gymnast Instagram: @staceywritesandflips TikTok: @staceytirro Geriatric Gymnastics Website: staceytirro.com
Stacey's Headspace 
I got the chance to take part in an adult gymnastics camp two years ago – 4h of gymnastics per day for five days straight. Some of the most enjoyable days in many years, as well as exhausting…
Just the chance to work on different equipment with a new coach was such a boost for my gymnastics – I managed to throw my first “five in a row” connected front tucks on the fasttrack, my first ever handspring punch front on airtrack as well as some double pike and double tuck half out from the trampoline…
Hope you have as good a time on your camp as I had!
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Thank you for sharing this!! I’m really excited (and nervous) about this new experience and my plan is to make the most of it without getting hurt. I’ll be blogging about the experience, so stay tuned!!
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Loved it.
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