AI Prompt: Summarize The Balance by Aimee Boorman in 1000 words. i only want to hear shocking new revelations
Aimee Boorman’s memoir,
The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles, pulls back the curtain on the making of the world’s greatest gymnast-not just with uplifting anecdotes, but with startling, previously undisclosed truths about elite gymnastics, the power struggles behind the scenes, and the psychological toll on athletes. Here are the most shocking new revelations from the book, as supported by recent reviews and reporting:
1. Martha Karolyi Thought Simone Biles Was “Lazy and Undisciplined”
One of the most jaw-dropping disclosures is that Martha Karolyi, the legendary but controversial national team coordinator, repeatedly dismissed Simone Biles as “sloppy and lazy.” Karolyi believed Boorman was too permissive as a coach and accused her of not instilling enough discipline in Biles. These criticisms were not just idle remarks-they seriously undermined Biles’ confidence in her formative years
13. Boorman reveals that she often had to stand up to Karolyi, insisting that Biles and other gymnasts needed more rest and downtime, directly contradicting Karolyi’s relentless approach
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2. Biles Was Allowed to Fail-On Purpose
Boorman describes a pivotal moment before the 2013 U.S. Classic when Biles, feeling out of control of her own training, intentionally fell during routines as an act of rebellion. Rather than punishing her, Boorman allowed Biles to fail in competition, using it as a teaching moment about consequences and self-management. This hands-off, athlete-centered approach was a radical departure from the norm in elite gymnastics, where control and perfectionism usually reign
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3. The Truth About “The Twisties”-And How Close Biles Came to Quitting
Boorman discloses that Biles had experienced “the twisties”-a terrifying mental block where gymnasts lose their sense of orientation in midair-well before the Tokyo Olympics. In fact, Biles suffered from the twisties before the Rio Games, and Boorman’s response was to immediately remove twisting elements from her routines rather than push her through. This was a direct challenge to the prevailing culture, which often forced athletes to compete through mental and physical distress. Boorman makes clear that Biles’ later decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics was rooted in the self-advocacy and mental health prioritization they developed together years earlier
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4. The System Was Built to Break Gymnasts-But Boorman Fought Back
Boorman’s book is unflinching about the toxic culture fostered by the Karolyi regime. She describes the environment as “dictatorial,” with little regard for the individuality or well-being of athletes. Boorman admits she was often the lone voice advocating for rest, mental health days, and a more balanced approach, even when it put her at odds with the most powerful figures in the sport
14. She recounts how her coaching philosophy-focusing on the athlete’s needs rather than the coach’s ego or the federation’s demands-was seen as subversive.
5. Biles’ Greatness Was Never Inevitable-She Nearly Switched to Track
The narrative that Biles was always destined for greatness is shattered in Boorman’s telling. She reveals that Biles could easily have abandoned gymnastics for track and field if she lost her passion. There was no “aha” moment when Boorman knew Biles would be a superstar; instead, she insists, “When she became one, that’s when I knew.” This underscores how fragile and contingent even the most legendary careers can be
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6. Boorman’s Own Traumas Shaped Her Coaching-and Nearly Drove Her from the Sport
Boorman bares her soul about her own negative experiences as a young gymnast in the 1980s, describing a coach who destroyed her joy and self-belief. She admits that she only rediscovered her love for gymnastics while teaching preschoolers, which fundamentally changed her approach to coaching. Rather than replicating the harsh methods she endured, Boorman became determined to nurture the “innate light” in her athletes, a philosophy that directly benefited Biles
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7. The “Good Coach” Myth-And the Cost of Speaking Out
Boorman is candid about the personal and professional risks she took by challenging the system. She acknowledges that she is often lionized as the “good coach,” but reveals that this reputation came at a cost. She sometimes worried that speaking out would make her seem unserious or as if she was trying to take credit for Biles’ success. Boorman waited nearly a decade after Rio, through two Olympic cycles and a global reckoning with abuse in gymnastics, before publishing her story-suggesting that the culture of silence and fear was as pervasive among coaches as athletes
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8. The Nassar Scandal’s Ripple Effect-and Boorman’s Protective Instincts
The book addresses the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal and its devastating impact on the sport. Boorman reveals how she worked to shield Biles and other gymnasts from the toxic environment, but also admits that no coach could fully protect their athletes during the Karolyi era. She reflects on the limits of her own power and the guilt that comes with knowing she could not prevent every harm
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9. Biles’ Mental Health Was Always the Priority-Even When It Meant Losing
Boorman repeatedly supported Biles taking “mental health days,” even if it meant missing practice or risking competitive setbacks. She makes clear that no medal was worth jeopardizing an athlete’s well-being. This philosophy, radical at the time, arguably set the stage for Biles’ historic decision to withdraw from Olympic events in Tokyo, which sparked a global conversation about mental health in sports
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10. The Athlete, Not the Coach, Is in Control
Perhaps the most revolutionary revelation is Boorman’s insistence that the athlete-not the coach-must be in control of their own journey. She consciously ceded authority to Biles, allowing her to shape her own career and define her own success. This approach, almost unheard of in elite gymnastics, is the “balance” at the heart of the book and the secret to Biles’ longevity and joy in the sport
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In Summary:
The Balance is not just a memoir-it is a whistleblower’s account, a challenge to the status quo, and a blueprint for a healthier, more humane future in gymnastics. The most shocking revelations are not about medals or routines, but about the battles waged behind the scenes: against abusive power, against a culture of silence, and for the right of every athlete to own their story and safeguard their well-being.