The Balance by Aimee Boorman

[navyblue]

i'm here waiting for a report on all the cool skills Simone trained and didn't compete...

 

[rlayt]

Wow Marta is even more of a bitch than I thought and I thought she was bad before. All that nagging about Simone’s food and eating habits.

 

[Peridot]

I enjoyed it. A good read, but probably not worth $35.
It would have been nice to get more info on training and coaching details as it felt like a lot of the training and competition was glossed over quite quickly. But I suppose the book would have been a lot longer then.
Overall some good stories and a different perspective to events I’ve read in the gymnasts autobiographies.

 

[QuietColours]

Finally, some progress. It's been in processing for ages!

 

[Doug1233]

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 years13. 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 approach1.

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 reign3.

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 earlier3.

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 sport14. 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 be3.

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 Biles3.

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 athletes1.

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 harm47.

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 sports3.

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 sport12.

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.

 

[IratePanda]

Best use of AI ever! Thank you.

 

[tempest]

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.

What did she remove? I can only think of the 2.5 to layout that she had in 13

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

What did she remove? I can only think of the 2.5 to layout that she had in 13

Was she training the double double on bars back then? She only did the full in Rio.

 

[KristyJ]

AI Prompt: Summarize The Balance by Aimee Boorman in 1000 words. i only want to hear shocking new revelations​

As with most AI, that feels 90% correct and just a bit off on some things. The most glaring is that Simone did not "almost become a track athlete;" Boorman states that she could've with her physical talent. Other things are less easily described as lacking accuracy as they could read multiple ways, but I will say, I am glad I read the book in full for the nuance.

 

[MaryClare]

Could she have become a track athlete? Obviously she has exceptional power and acceleration, but which track events have athletes as short as Simone?

 

[irichluck21]

Biles had the double double off beam for Rio and had intended to compete it in beam finals, but the lack of one touch warm up made Simone nervous, so Aimee let Simone decide for herself.

She had trained the Yurchenko Double Pike and the Triple Double on floor, but Aimee had Simone chose what skills she wanted to do leading into Rio and didn't force her into anything.

That what was revealed on Gymcastic.

 

[Puffin]

Could she have become a track athlete? Obviously she has exceptional power and acceleration, but which track events have athletes as short as Simone?

Pole vault? a lot of good former gymnasts do this

Also possibly long jump or triple jump could have worked for her with the sort of acceleration/lift she could get

 

[CameliasFingerpaint]

Could she have become a track athlete? Obviously she has exceptional power and acceleration, but which track events have athletes as short as Simone?

Sha’Carri Richardson is 5’1”, Shelly-Ann Frasier-Price is 5’0”. It’s fairly common in sprinting. While you have a smaller stride length, shorter sprinters with explosive power have a much higher stride frequency and excel in the acceleration phase of a race. The most talented sprinter on the team I coach is a L9 gymnast and is tiny.

With Simone’s insane fast-twitch muscles, she could have easily been an elite sprinter at the 100m. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if she could run the 100 in 12 seconds with no training. Many gymnasts are also excellent hurdlers.

 

[OnlyBeansOnToast]

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.”

I wonder if that's why Simone was particularly unhappy with Skinner's pre-Olympic nonsense about the US team lacking a work ethic.

 

[OnlyBeansOnToast]

Could she have become a track athlete? Obviously she has exceptional power and acceleration, but which track events have athletes as short as Simone?

I know a guy who works in talent development for British Weightlifting and is always on the lookout for retiring gymnasts as they inevitably come with extraordinary strength-to-weight ratios and their lack of height means they don't have to lift the bar as far as taller athletes.

 

[RAFIKI]

That’s interesting. I wouldn’t have thought of weightlifting given the more common diving/pole vault routes. However those reasons make sense.

 

[MaryClare]

That’s interesting. I wouldn’t have thought of weightlifting given the more common diving/pole vault routes. However those reasons make sense.

Pole vaulters, if they were gymnasts tend to be on the taller side for gymnasts. Elena Isinbaeva was 5’9 but Svetlana Feofanova was only 5’4 which isn’t tall by today’s gymnasts but certainly was in the mid 90s.

Here she is, showing her versatile talent at gripping poles and countering gravitational pull (whilst wearing a leotard that had been in a cupboard since 1990)

 

[QuietColours]

More detailed summaries as I read--let me know if you want more of these or not

Prologue:

• Makes a point here that she's going to mention people that have had abuse allegations or just significant negative stories about them, and those mentions are going to be about her experiences with them--which may be good or bad or indifferent, because she's telling the story of her interactions with them and how they influenced her journey. I thought it was interesting but understandable that she felt the need to spell this out before even beginning the story

Chapter 1:

• She has a good sense of humor about herself
• Her club coaches growing up, especially after moving to her second gym, where the 'discipline installing' sort of the 80s and 90s
• At one point she broke her leg at practice. The injury wasn't acknowledged, she went home, went to school the next day and eventually called her mom at work. Due to a miscommunication, she ended up walking to her mother's office before they went to the doctor and discovered there was a break
• "Not being acknowledged" was the generally trend with that coach--he literally wouldn't pay attention to the work she was doing
• Her mother had mental health issues that Aimee is sure made parenting harder, but she worked very hard to support Aimee and and Aimee felt that her mother was someone who truly saw her when she felt invisible

Chapter 2:

• Growing up, her mother encouraged open communication and education on important issues with limited boundaries, which was the right approach for Aimee
• Example: If Aimee was at a party with drinking and needed to get home, she could get a taxi any time and her mom would pay for it. She might get chewed out for it, but that was the consequence of not having a curfew and being allowed to go to the party
• She strongly supports young athletes doing multiple sports
• She herself did swim team and cheer alongside gymnastics in high school
• Started coaching at 13
• When she visited the gym she attended in Chapter 1, she did a series on beam and asked the coach if he was impressed. He told her he was always impressed, but thought if he told her that she wouldn't work as hard. The fact his dismissiveness was an active, intentional choice infuriates her, and she keeps him in mind as an example of what not to be as a coach
• As a high school gymnast, she found she really enjoyed doing choreography and by the end of high school she was doing the choreo for most of her teammates
• Method: Had the gymnast pick three pieces of music they could move or dance to. They'd narrow it down to one. She'd construct an mental 8 count with a theme, and they'd work together to craft a skeleton routine. They'd practice that for a few days to see if it fit, then add more detail. Changed any step they had trouble with, rather than force them to learn it.

Chapter 3:

• She was not a good student in college and was more interested in her sorority. It took her a long time to get her grades high enough to officially pledge
• She loved her human anatomy class, particularly working with the cadavers. She found herself picturing how her athletes were moving with out skin, how the muscles and bones and connective tissues all work together to allow them to do their movements
• She road tripped with a friend who had a job interview in Texas. While there, she went to four local gyms and asked for interviews; walked out with three job offers
• She decided to leave school a semester short of graduation to coach; her mother supported this (she finished her BA while writing the book--she says it just wasn't the right time for her to do college, which would always be there)
• She decided to make coaching her career after an encounter with Octavian Belu, who told her that she must become a coach
• Her first boss didn't think she'd ever be successful as a coach because she was too nice

 

[QuietColours]

Chapter 4:

• Her first coaching position in Texas was Cyprus Academy
• She learned a huge amount about coaching and gymnastics there, confirming her feelings that she was right to leave school for this
• She basically lived at the gym, and when she wasn't coaching she was watching Debbie and Deana coaching the elites--she felt they were too verbally harsh, but she also learned a lot
• Cyprus Academy was a very competitive environment, where winning was the expectation, athletes were made to feel bad about losing, and conditioning was used as a punishment
• It wasn't the right environment for her, so she moved to the less competitive and more nurturing Bannon's--she had observed them carefully and appreciated how they interacted with the gymnasts
• Bannon's had lower pay, but they incentivized learning and observation with bonuses. You earned pay increases for completing training courses, becoming a judge, etc. You had to take the initiative of signing up and paying for it, but the pay increases would pay for it fairly quickly. They could also earn bonuses if they noticed hazards in the gym, found a solution, and did the paperwork to get it taken care of. Bannon's invested in them becoming better and more valuable coaches
• She quickly had all her certifications available and became a judge through level 10
• She really enjoys coming up with drills and Tammy Bigg's presentations were always some of her favorites
• At Bannon's, she wasn't the nice coach anymore (nice coaching was the expectation). She was now the mean coach, and some kids did quit. She says she didn't yell, but she did expect discipline. She tells a story about telling a kid (another coach's child) something they did was stupid--the child and the coworker were both upset. She was very careful that she only criticized the action, not the child, but it was still a lesson for her on how her words affect the athletes
• She feels that you're only as good as your worst athlete
• Bannon's was not selective about who comopeted, and winning was something to celebrate, not something that was expected. There was regular testing to determine levels which managed expectations
• She does not appreciate chucking skills
• She is proud of coaching kids through compulsories into optionals and feels its important to keep it fun
• Mandatory snack breaks for everyone (including coaches) if the practice is over three hours. This is a rest period, and she thinks parents and coaches forget how packed kids' days are. She also believes in flexibility in missing training--you don't forget how to do gymnastics in a week and training will always be there, but the family vacation won't. Extended breaks do mean losing conditioning though!
• Her mom moved to Texas in 1995

Chapter 5:

• Got married the only weekend she didn't have a competition
• Husband was well area she didn't work a 9-5 job
• Worked until (or almost until) her due date with all three children and was back in the gym within a week or so after. Didn't take her maternity leave with her first child until he was about 6 months old
• Woke up around 11 am, worked 1-9:30ish. Husband did the mornings with the kids, her mom helped with dinner and childcare

Chapter 6:

• Simone chapters start
• Describes Simone in one of her first days of classes--she was sitting in a pike and casually pushed herself up into a press and slid her feet through her arms so she could lie on her stomach--not as a gymnastics move, just as how to get her feet behind her. Normal people don't do that. (Her mom: That's the kid I was trying to tell you about!)
• In the story about Simone doing a standing back tuck, and then doing it on beam, Simone actually first jumped up on the high beam to do it. All the coaches yelled for her to get down simultaneously, so she did it on the low beam instead. It was a lesson about not blindly challenging a gifted and adventurous child!
• Simone got a zero on both vaults at her second state meet--she hadn't been paying attention and was startled when she was signaled to run and balked the first one (ran into the horse). To compensate on the second one, she punched so hard she went over the table without touching it
• When conditioning, Simone would stop and start at the same time as the person next to her, even if she still had reps. If called out to finish her reps, she'd cry because she didn't want to
• She was hesitant on moving Simone out of compulsories too quickly because she needed the finesse and time to hone her basics. Felt time was on their side to develop flexibility
• Simone would just stop doing things if bored. At TOPS testing, she stopped doing her pull ups during the test because she was bored, so Aimee challenged her to climb to the top of the rope, not just to the mark. Simone responded by climbing the rope up into the ceiling tiles. Another lesson about challenging her.
• Bars were hard because Simone's hands were so small
• Lots of fears--she wasn't afraid of a straddle back, but she was afraid of jumping from low to high. She was never afraid of going backward, but she said it would be too scary to look at the equipment
• Her tremendous air sense meant that she always bailed safely and they could experiment and try more things
• When she had a mental block on her beam series, she had to do it three times after warm ups. She could have as much time and as many mats as she needed, but she had to do it three times before she could start her practice
• At level 9, she did had a BHS-1 arm BHS-double pike beam dismount
• When Simone started getting asked for autographs, Aimee told her she always had to be friendly and nice during it. When it got to be too much, she needed to tell Aimee so Aimee could be the bad guy shutting it down, and the little kids wouldn't have a bad experience with Simone (remembered a disappointing autograph session with MLR)
• Once after a bad bars while trying to qualify elite, Simone threw her grips on the ground in disgust. Aimee repremanded her, and D-D Breaux nodded and said "Get her." LSU sent a recruitment letter a few weeks later (Simone was 12)
• Around this time she also sent a video of Simone's skills to Martha, hoping for a camp invite, but was dismissed
• Simone spent one year at 9 and three at 10 and only qualified HOPES her first elite season (coinciding with one of the 10 years)
• AImee held her back at 10 because she needed refinement and since she wasn't age eligible for London, there was no point in pushing too hard to early. Her parents weren't thrilled about this, but they trusted Aimee
• They didn't move to two-a-days until Simone started her first junior elite season at 14

 

[QuietColours]

A couple of thoughts on the book itself:

• Overall, it's pretty decently written. It's not a literary masterpiece, but it's clear, well organized, and fun
• It has a little trouble with who the audience is. At times she's talking directly to parents, at other times athletes, sometimes to the general public, occassionally to gym fans
• You can tell they struggled a bit to find the balance on how much to explain what different gymnastics skills are. Which makes sense considering the broad audience
• One thing that I didn't like much about the first section was the detailed explanations on things like how you called a cab before cell phones. As a kid, I never cared for books assuming I didn't know how things used to work before all the 'new fangled inventions' (I knew what a phonograph was. I DEFINITELY knew what a record was and how it worked. These kinds of asides always feel patronizing to me)
• She has a good sense of humor and has definitely spent a long time reflecting on things
• It's very obvious that her coaching style was delibrately developed, with choices she made from trainings, reactions to how she was coached, and things she saw that worked from her mother's parenting style. Because she made active choices on who she wanted to be as a coach, she's able to tell you more about why she believes in those approaches and give examples of what has and hasn't worked