The Game of Gymnastics

EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this solo episode, Winston shares a personal and honest update on one of the biggest setbacks of his gymnastics career so far — a dislocated ankle that required surgery and a long road to recovery. He walks through the days and weeks leading up to the operation, what actually happened during surgery, and how he’s approaching rehab both physically and mentally. From initial p...

In this episode, Winston sits down with Dominic Cunningham, a World and European finalist, Commonwealth gold medallist, and former GB gymnast who now represents Ireland on the international stage. Dom shares his incredible journey through elite gymnastics — from the early days of ADHD-fuelled energy, to medalling at major international competitions, narrowly missing a world medal by just 0.009, an...

In this episode, Winston sits down with Alice Sumners, a former GB gymnast turned coach and choreographer. Alice shares her extensive gymnastics journey, starting from her early beginnings at just one year old, to her rise through various squads, culminating in her time with the GB squad. Alice shares her standout moments in competition, including her experience of winning the British Royal Champi...

In today's episode, Winston is joined by Sam Ghinn, a talented gymnast and co-founder of the fast-growing sportswear brand Satus. Sam shares insights from his nearly 20-year journey in gymnastics, including his experiences as a junior British champion and a member of the England squad. Sam discusses the inception of Satus, the challenges of balancing training with running a business alongside Olym...

In this episode, Winston takes us through the intricate process of routine construction in gymnastics. The importance of trial and error when developing routines, how gymnasts select skills based on their individual strengths and the requirements of each apparatus. Winston shares personal insights and experiences, including his own considerations while preparing for upcoming competitions. This pro...

In today's episode, Winston examines the various competition formats in men’s artistic gymnastics, including team competitions, all-around events, apparatus finals, and qualifications. Winston covers essential aspects such as warm-up procedures, touch warm-ups, and the strategic elements involved in team events. Winston highlights the importance of understanding these formats to better appreciate...

In this episode, Winston talks through the intricacies of gymnastics scoring, focusing on the two main components: the Difficulty Score (D-score) and the Execution Score (E-score). Listeners will gain insights into how scores are calculated, including the importance of element values, penalties, and bonuses, as well as the roles of different judges in the scoring process. Winston also shares perso...

In today’s episode, Winston welcomes Jameel Ali, a talented gymnast representing Trinidad and Tobago, who shares his journey from competing at university level in the United States to making his mark on the international stage. Jameel discusses his experiences at the Pan American Championships, including the challenges he faced after recovering from knee surgery and the adjustments he made to his...

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 m...

In this episode Winston delves into the rich history of women's artistic gymnastics, highlighting its evolution from pre-1950s calisthenics to a globally recognised competitive sport. The discussion covers key milestones, including the first Olympic appearance in 1928, the introduction of standardised apparatus in 1952, and the impact of the Perfect 10 scoring system, which was later replaced by o...

In this episode Winston shares his journey of mastering the challenging gymnastics skill known as the cassina. Initially believing that this skill was beyond his physical capabilities due to their height and weight compared to other gymnasts, Winston recounts the process of learning and eventually catching the casino in just under two months. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding the Casino Skill: The casin...

Winston takes us on a journey through the fascinating history of men’s artistic gymnastics. From ancient Greece and Roman military training to the creation of modern apparatus, the introduction of the Code of Points, and the sport’s ongoing evolution into the Olympic spectacle we know today. KEY TAKEAWAYS Gymnastics originated in ancient Greece and Rome as a form of military training. The 1800s re...

In this episode Winston welcomes South African gymnast Luke James, who recently competed at the African Championships in 2024, securing gold medals on floor and vault, as well as a bronze in the all-around and high bar. Luke shares his journey from training in Durban, South Africa, to competing in the NCAA at Nebraska, discussing the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. KEY TAKEAWAYS Tr...

Winston interviews Kevin Penev, an accomplished gymnast who recently transitioned from competing for the USA to representing Bulgaria. Kevin shares insights into his gymnastics journey, which began in a family deeply rooted in the sport, with both parents as gymnasts and his brother also competing KEY TAKEAWAYS Family Influence in Gymnastics: Kevin's journey into gymnastics was heavily influenced...

Today I go over through my experience at the Men's London Open 2025, reflecting on the unique challenges faced during the competition. With temperatures soaring and a notably quick rotation between apparatus, the host discusses their routines on floor, pommel horse, vault, parallel bars, and high bar, providing insights into their performance and the mental hurdles encountered. KEY TAKEAWAYS Compe...

Get 10% off Rip Prevention and Protection with my code "Powell" - https://wodndone.com/?apply_coupon=powell In this episode of the Game of Gymnastics podcast, host Winston Powell is joined by David Shamah, a talented gymnast from Stanford University and a member of the U.S. national teams for junior competitions. David shares his journey in gymnastics, starting from his early days at a hometown gy...

Winston sits down with Yanni Chronopoulos, a talented Canadian gymnast who recently contributed to his team's silver medal win at the World University Games. Yanni shares his journey into gymnastics, starting at a young age and evolving through the competitive landscape in Canada and the NCAA system at Nebraska. He discusses the challenges and rewards of being an Olympic reserve, the intense compe...

Get 10% off Rip Prevention and Protection with my code "Powell" - https://wodndone.com/?apply_coupon=powell In this episode Winston delves into the recent changes to the code for men's artistic gymnastics as outlined in the latest FIG newsletter. Covering a variety of updates, including the new requirements for floor routines, such as the elimination of mandatory one-leg balances and the introduct...

Get 10% off Rip Prevention and Protection with my code "Powell" - https://wodndone.com/?apply_coupon=powell In this episode of the Game of Gymnastics Podcast, Winston delves into a detailed comparison of gymnastics scores between Great Britain (GB), Europe, and Asia, particularly focusing on recent competitions. The discussion begins with an analysis of the European Championships, highlighting GB'...

Get 10% off Rip Prevention and Protection with my code "Powell" - https://wodndone.com/?apply_coupon=powell In this episode of the Games Gymnastics Podcast, Winston provides an in-depth recap of the British Team Championships, highlighting both the competition and the challenging build-up leading to it. With a team facing injuries and limited members, the host discusses the performances of teammat...

In this episode of the Game of Gymnastics podcast, host Winston Powell talks to Jamie Lewis, the current English and British all-around champion, as shares his journey through gymnastics, including his early beginnings, the challenges of transitioning from junior to senior levels, and the impact of injuries on his career. Jamie reflects on his recent successes, including his impressive performance...

In this episode of the Game of Gymnastics podcast, host Winston is joined by Tejal Patel, the Pathway Support Lead at British Gymnastics, who holds a PhD in training load, injury, growth, and maturation in gymnastics. Tejal shares insights into her role, emphasizing the importance of developing gymnasts not just as athletes but as well-rounded individuals. The conversation delves into the performa...

In this episode of the Game of Gymnastics Podcast, host Winston engages in a lively Q&A session, answering a variety of questions submitted by listeners via Instagram. He shares insights into his personal experiences with injuries in gymnastics, discussing the frequency and recovery times associated with various injuries. Winston also reveals his favorite skills, the fun aspects of gymnastics, and...

Get 10% off Rip Prevention and Protection with my code "Powell" - https://wodndone.com/?apply_coupon=powell   In this episode of the Game of Gymnastics podcast, Winston interviews Frank Baines, a former international gymnast who represented Great Britain and Scotland for over 15 years. Frank shares his journey from a late starter in gymnastics to becoming the junior European champion in 2012 and c...

Get 10% off Rip Prevention and Protection with my code "Powell" - https://wodndone.com/?apply_coupon=powell   In this episode of the Game of Gymnastics podcast, host Winston Powell sits down with Scott Hann, a seasoned personal coach with 25 years of experience in gymnastics. Scott has coached notable gymnasts like Max Whitlock and Bryn Bevan and serves as the director of South Essex Gymnastics Cl...