What did the GG Beta Readers Think?

Ask and ye shall receive.

I am learning so much from this round of book writing. In early October, I summoned a great team of beta readers, from all over the world. All ages, both male and female, some who are flippers, some who have never considered gymnastics.

I received such incredible feedback from this beta team. I thought I’d curate some of the responses and share them here. I am definitely onto something good with Geriatric Gymnastics.

From my female readers

This is an encouraging bit from Joy, one of my 40-something female readers. She hit the nail on the head!

I’m struck by how this is a memoir of your gymnastics journey that also incorporates scientific references, so it isn’t just fluff. Yet it reads as easily as any story.

I love this takeaway and this is precisely the point of the book. I wanted to share the research that I had done over the last several years as I have wrapped my brain around this crazy activity. Many hours have been spent looking up the studies that support my decision to maintain this lifestyle choice.

As for who Joy thinks would appreciate the book:

I would recommend to friends, particularly the ladies in my gymnastics class. Also maybe friends who wonder why I have started this new journey myself. I think late 30s and up would be a target age but younger athletes (and coaches /trainers/therapists) would get a beneficial insight into aging athletes if they read it.

I could also see athletes entering retirement who may fear “what’s next” would be encouraged. My sister-in-law is a physical therapist who has worked with gymnasts (and this aging one) I would probably give her a copy! Your doctors and therapists need copies on their shelves or waiting room coffee tables.

And from Carrie, a 50-something female fitness enthusiast (non-gymnast):

I loved the mix of research-based insights and engaging anecdotal narrative. I was alternately fascinated by the usable well being material and curious about Stacey’s journey. The writing flows naturally, the quotes are appropriate, the headings help me skim when I’m not as personally engaged, and Stacey’s encouragingly wry sense of humor shines through it all.

This makes me aware that not every section in the book will hit home with every person who reads it. But they can pick and choose the things they want to pore over more.

Carrie even offered a book-jacket quote:

Take a tour with Tirro of all the reasons you can take up flipping (or any new physical activity) later than you might think. Her engaging narrative is interspersed with solid research and helpful re-framing of fear. This coach walks the walk and will have you flipping the pages in preparation for flipping in the gym.

This is how it connected emotionally with Heather, a 50-something female gymnast from Wales:

Most emotional (and grateful) bit … p. 52 “I am living in a time where being ‘older’ is now celebrated as a time of awakening, curiosity and possibility.” It excites me to read that there are others out there of a similar age, still enjoying being upside down and also trying to improve.

Message overall—yes, give it a go—do these things to make the experience safer, better and more successful. Lots of fun to be had, and a real sense of achievement. All while keeping us stronger longer.

Sections two and four I’ll definitely want to revisit to take on advice from. If I ever have an injury, I’d be heading for a more thorough read of section three!

I’m so happy that these are the messages that are coming through each chapter.

And from the perspective of Mary, a 60-something female gymnast, a beautiful recommendation:

I most definitely would recommend it to friends of a similar age that are interested in gymnastics. As one of the oldest members of this gymnastics community who is hoping to learn new skills and prevent injury, it without a doubt gave me a better perspective into injuries and recovery as well as the community of people involved in adult gymnastics. It certainly would appeal to people over 40 who are searching for ways to improve mobility, flexibility and living a healthier lifestyle.

Does it resonate with male readers? YES.

The following was from Deon, a late 20-something male with no ties to gymnastics. He’s rooted in mental health and psychology, and a former high school athlete.

I would recommend this book to either a teenage athlete, because of its ability to provide perspective on the power of age and experience and can ultimately encourage a deepened gratitude within young athletes, as well as to older adults who express a yearning for liberation yet are subscribing to antiquated ideas of age limitations. Certainly the powerful perspective on pre-menopause would prompt me to recommend this to the women in my life who are entering middle age – both athletes and non-athletes – for the effective tools and insights offered on this particular topic.

He went on to offer this as an overall recommendation:

This book is an endearing read, weaving together insights from womanhood, (sports) psychology, and the universal archetype of the athlete’s journey in order to – in a broader sense – illuminate the ageless wonder of commitment to a process of whole-being growth, and – more specifically – detail the powerful process of transformation one amazing woman’s seemingly unorthodox journey with gymnastics has been able to facilitate.

By the end, one has laughed at Stacey’s wit, been warmed by her charm, moved emotionally by her triumphs and injuries, launched into contemplation by her streamlined wisdom, and has ultimately been equipped with powerful psychological and performance tools/insights which inspire readers to eagerly commit to their own best version of self, realized through a conscious commitment to their own authentic passions.

Some of the most valuable insight came from Kurt, a 40-something male gymnast from Sweden. His feedback helped me to make some alterations that made the story flow better. I am so grateful for his candor. In the end, he appreciated the book:

I would gladly recommend it to anyone of my adult gymnastics friends, especially if they are having a rough time. Much of the book is very applicable to life in general, even for non-gymnasts and I might well force my wife to read the finished product.

I couldn’t ask for a more glowing recommendation.

Moving forward

I still have some things I’m considering for tweaking, but overall, I’m definitely heading in the right direction. Right now, I’m in phase three (or four?) of moving this book forward: querying literary agents.

This is a new experience, since my last books were self-published. So, all of my effort now is scouring the agency lists for people looking to represent non-fiction memoirists of the active, peri-menopausal ilk. As of this posting, I have sent 31 queries, and will continue to do so until I get a bite.

I have deep gratitude for the GG Beta Reading team for taking the time to read Geriatric Gymnastics and give me thoughtful, honest feedback.

For the moment, I’m putting it all out there. I’m keeping an open heart and allowing myself to be vulnerable to rejection (I’ve already gotten two passes, sad face). To be honest, that doesn’t bother me much. I know there’s an audience out there for this piece.

When it’s time, the universe will reveal the path to the next open door.

For more, subscribe (for free) to my Substack, catch my flippy progress videos and tutorials on YouTube at The Geriatric Gymnast, Instagram at StaceyWritesandFlips and TikTok at StaceyTirro.

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