As someone who was bulimic in high school as a dancer and was praised for weight loss, it always makes me so happy to hear people speak out about it and bring attention to the struggles that young athletes, especially young female athletes, deal with regarding body image and eating
God bless, Atler. I hope she knows how important she is to the gymnastics community. Not only do her skills still hold up today, she was one of the best at connecting with fans. Long before instagram/twitter was available for updates, I remember she would do online diaries that were always looked forward to. She deserves a lot of credit for where gymnastics/the gymternet is today. Wish her the best.
After seeing the beam episode I’m forced to the conclusion that her ‘perseverance’ narrative was better suited to that storyline, as opposed to the ED narrative they chose to weave in with the bars. Disappointing they can’t just focus on good gymnastics and the gymnasts personal stories without slicing and reframing everything into some larger melodrama.
Vanessa, you will never see this, but you were a hero of mine when I was younger. I had a little scrap book with all my favorite gymnasts and you had your own little section. I am so sorry that you had to struggle like this. You are a beautiful soul inside and out. I hope you can conquer you eating disorder issues. You are loved.
One of the main reasons I quit gymnastics is because I couldn’t mentally get over doing a back walkover on the beam (though I’d miss and smash my head) and also because I couldn’t mentally get over having to do a backflip dismount off the high bar (thought I’d miss and smash my face) the mental skill that goes into gymnastics is just as important as the physical!
there is something about going backwards. I used to do circus (I was an aerialist) and did a bit of acrobatics. I couldn't get over my fear of going backwards. And frankly it is a sensible thing to be afraid of. you could break your neck and spend the rest of your life as a quadriplegic. Not worth it.
What a treat it is to see Vanessa Atler again, to see where she is nowadays and that she has a family of her own. Like many others, I followed her story back in the day and really felt invested in her as an athlete and a person. I'm sorry she had such a difficult experience, but I think she is stronger than she knows. She comes across as a very sensitive and vulnerable person. She has come a long way on this difficult life journey and I admire her for it! Vanessa, you have so many fans out there who are STILL cheering you on! Go Vanessa!!
Vanessa, when you talked about raising your daughter & got emotional, I had the same situation. Since puberty, I have been overweight. When I had my 2 girls, I vowed to give them an excellent diet & a healthy mentality about food, appetite & body image. I began by breastfeeding them. I fed them no sugar for several years, just fruit, veggies, whole grains, all the things we’ve been taught are good nutrition. When older, I told them to eat nutritious food when they are hungry & stop when they feel full. Once they became adults, it was their decision. But while we as parents have control, use that time wisely & even when they slip up, the basics will come back. Bless you & your family dear💞
Vanessa’s story is so sad. She was such an amazing gymnast and was such a powerhouse on her three events. It’s too bad they didn’t let her be a specialist instead of an all around gymnast. I loved her gymnastics, and her spirit!
I'm so glad the topic of eating disorders and body image is talked about here- it's something that is really important to a lot of people, esepcially in sports like gymnastics, but it is rarely acknowledged.
Poor Vanessa Atler, something just always got to her on bars. But Steve not helping her to fix the problem is the main reason she didn't go to the Olympics. He did her a great disservice.
Yeah, why do people think criticizing and condemning someone will get them to change (it works, sometimes, but not without loss of relationship) rather than empathy and kindness (yet not lacking firmness when necessary)?
I remember when Tourischeva did that bars routine and the bars collapsed just as she stuck her landing. She walked off and never looked back. She was the quintessential imperturbable Soviet athlete.
Ludmilla was a wonderful gymnast. Her dismount was actually a Hecht off the low bar with full twist. She felt the bars start to collapse as she wrapped around the lower bar, and instantly changed her dismount to "get off quickly without the twist". She scored 9.8 and won.
I remember that, too. She was always so focused and nothing ever seemed to phase her. I do remember when she won the bronze (or was it silver?) on floor and she cried because she knew it was the last time she'd compete. She was the queen!
I respectfully disagree If you look at Lyudmila Tourischeva walking away she looks like she wants to cry. It ruined her dismount and she was upset She was a perfectionist
Yeah, my last coach RUINED gymnastics for me by weighing us constantly, posting our weights in the gym where everyone could see them, and not letting us compete if we didn't make HER weight goal for us. We starved ourselves, didn't drink water, sweated off weight, threw up, hated ourselves... gymnastics was always full of joy until the number on the scale became the only important thing :(
Laurie is awesome! I’ve always wanted to meet her. I’ve met several of gymnasts at my college at the University of Alabama, but I like to meet Aly Raisman😊👊🏾🌹🎸
Being a top level athlete and having adults focused on how you “look” ..... so enraging. Imagine hockey players, baseball, basketball.... any of these being expected to perform but not eat....
One of my hockey coaches told us not to eat before practice when he was mad at us, because he wanted to sprint us until we threw up. Then would yell at us when we couldn't perform exactly how he wanted. 🥴 it's ridiculous to expect any athlete, in any sport, to perform without food. Of course there's a certain way to eat for every athlete and it's wrong for anyone else to interfere. The athlete knows their body best!
I think you should read what Svetlana Khorkina has to say about gymnastics and weight. The physics of the sport will never favor someone who is overweight. It's unfortunate, but you can't fly high if you are heavy and if you do, you could seriously injure yourself. I thought it was kinda cold and heartless but also very logical.
@@brandonaldaymachuse6669 none of the gymnasts are overweight though and there's been gymnasts who weren't as skinny who were still amazing bar workers like tweedle for example. I honestly feel like it's more reliant on how well a gymnast can control their power and stamina on bars versus weight. Yes, a smaller athlete will definitely have an easier time, but that doesn't mean someone else won't do as good. Biles is small but still struggles on bars and suni is one of the best if not the best bar worker the US has atm. I can definitely see a taller gymnast struggling for sure though, especially since kyla proved that in this video. Honestly think it's unfair for them to get deducted as bad if they hit the low bar but I doubt fig would change anything smh
I’m glad they interviewed Vanessa. I always loved her as a gymnast - she was amazing and exciting to watch. I wish the adults in her life hadn’t failed her. I didn’t know everything she was going through, which makes it all more heartbreaking. I wish I could’ve given her a hug and told her how awesome she was (and still is). I hope she finds peace and happiness
Vanessa's story shocked me... how can somebody, actually an adult, had the courage to say to a teenager that she never gonna win because she was fat? ....I can't imagine all the consequences that have happened to her mind and self asteem 💖💖💖💖🙏I think Vanessa was and still is a beautifull woman 💖🙏
After see this, i can't be more proud of Simone Biles and what she did in Tokio, she really is a role model, she said all the girls that is just fine if you're not comfortable to step back, you don't need to be super skinny, you can eat pizza and still be the GOAT. All these women are amazing, Vannesa, Laurie and all others are heroes.
I've been seeing so much Simone Biles gaslighting -- a video of perfect athletes, a few cuts of SB doing well, but one cut of SB almost falling whereas no one else fell or made mistakes
ugh. dear vanessa atler: if you're reading this, girl, I reeeeeally want to give you a hug. you were truly born in the wrong era of gymnastics, and the fans think SO highly of you. you were the most exciting and talented athlete of the quad leading up to 2000, and your influence on the sport is REAL and lasting. a superpower. we love you!
I think she's still one of a lot of people's favorite gymnasts to this day. It's her personality which came through in her routines, and realness, and power.
@@LemonDropYum it's so sad that people still think that way about gymnasts. I never fail to see someone comment saying gymnasts now look like "men" and "aren't feminine or graceful" and it's disgusting. They're ATHLETES so clearly their bodies are gonna be strong so they can perform the skills they need. Standards are so toxic
I like the honest approach of this video! These very negative aspects need to be addressed, because a sport should not ruin peoples' psyche, it shouldn't make kids feel worthless, alone or scared. It should be the opposite and people watching the sport also need to know the downsides. Thank you for being truthful here!
This episode made me really sad. Especially when it came to Vanessa Atler. Finally seeing Steven Rybacki being a douche in action makes me so angry. Seeing Madison open up about this makes me so proud. So so proud.
after watching this, all i can say is i love you vanessa atler and im so sorry, you deserved better. you were amazing and i looked up to you when i was little. 🤍
"When I was 15, one of the boys in my class invited me to go to the movies with him. He is coming with his hand and taking [mine]. My heart starts beating. Then, all of a sudden, he throws my hand away and he screams!! Because my hand is full of calluses because we use bars a lot. That's what happens to gymnasts' hands. So, he wasn't ready for me, as we can see." 😂
5:05 Those gymnasts in the old days hitting the bars with their pelves is freaking me out! OMG ... At first I thought that was an accident. So glad the uneven bars are further apart now ...
When I was a gymnast, at 9 years old, my coaches were telling me I had to lose weight. I was constantly being told that my weight was a problem. I literally had 6-pack abs and was being told I was not thin enough. When I would get injured, my coaches would not believe me and I went 6 months before being referred to an "incredible" doctor who diagnosed me with fractures in the growth plates of my heel and ankle. This doctor turned out to be Larry Nassar. I shutter to think what would have happened to myself and my body had I not quit the sport several years later.
Oh god, I'm glad you got out before disgusting Nassar got his hands on you! It is SICKENING how many girls he abused, and how many adults let him get away with it :(
As a former child gymnast, I absolutely loved this. I am ballet dancer now, trying to pursue it as my career, so body image is still really important to me. This kind of messages are super useful, to talk about such taboo topics, and also to show there are ways out of them. Thank you.
Why would that woman say that to Vanessa? Her eating a burger and onion rings? Jesus. At least she didn't get the result that Christy henric did God bless her.
Why did you show a full-screen of He Kexin and Yang Yilin, members of the 2008 Olympic team, when talking about the 2000 age falsification scandal? These two athletes were of age when they competed and shouldn't be associated with the scandal
There was talk of a scandal in 2008, also. Exacerbated by the fact that the Olympics were in China that year, but nothing was ever confirmed the way it was in 2000.
My thoughts exactly. I remember when they were pushing this story in 08, but when there is no confirmation of wrongdoing we shouldn't be bringing it back up in our media.
@@nikkisweezea2388 So at best, it's a conspiracy theory? These athletes shouldn't have their faces repeatedly displayed on a video talking about a scandal they weren't apart of. They should be associated with their amazing gymnastics
Natalie dearly touched my heart. She is so cool, she must've learned skills in hours. I know it seems impossible but it's possible. The camera people always talk bad when they fail. "Thats unfortunate." one word could end somebodys life. Vanessa Alter is so competitive she is an awesome person she never gave up. Sometimes I feel drained I can watch Vanessa fail 50 times, and still say. "Wow she's great." Its hard to watch her saying "I couldn't just stay on the bar?" when I cant even do 10 high cast😒 Vanessa I want you to know never give up. You are a inspiring person and has made me get up. I always tell myself. "Every movement makes you farther in life." I hope you see this.
I felt really bad for Vanessa Atler. I want Aliya Mustafina to become 3x Olympic Champion on bars with her current body type to silence people who still think you need a petite body to be good at bars.
I felt so bad for Vanessa Atler and what she went though over the UB. I wished twitter or instagram existed then because I’m sure she’d have known the way we as fans saw her wasn’t what the media, coaches and those determine her path felt about her. I’d listen to the commentators just comment so much on her bars, that I just wanted to shout through the tv, “just get off her back” we knew she could do it and that all these gymnast were more then what was portrayed on tv. All those gymnast in the background that are never mentioned, we see you and we love you.
it's almost like she has spent the last several years with a coach whose strategy is tearing athletes down and making them feel like every little mistake is the end of the world or something
@@Altoclarinets Right. Haney is very good at spreading this narrative that gymnasts were nothing before they came to her. To the extent that the gymnasts start to believe it. She did the same with Riley and yet there are videos of her on TH-cam as a level 10 and way before MG Elite. She had textbook technique and she was incredible already.
@@ririibun if you're for real, if the coach screams at you, belittles and makes fun of you, swears at you, tells you that you're no good and will never amount to anything, or does anything else like that, that is a bad situation and you need to tell your parents, switch gyms, and report the coach
I just have to say that the editing around the images of Chinese athletes is unfair and misleading. There has been no definitive proof, despite thorough and repetitive investigation, that any of the gymnasts on the 2008 gold medal team were underage. Furthermore, if a child IS asked by an adult to compete underage, it is NOT THE CHILD'S FAULT. If the filmmakers had chosen to interview some of the retired Chinese athletes who do in fact speak English and live in the U.S., then maybe we'd be left with the impression that they are actual human beings with incredible accomplishments (like the Soviets and Romanians) instead of this one-dimensional image of robotic perfection and blind ambition.
Well said! I appreciated that they mentioned the element of racism of everyone assuming Asian gymnasts are falsifying ages but never mentioning the Western countries that did the exact same thing. But it was sneaky and unpleasant that put discussion of the underage 2000 team over pictures of the 2008 team! Way to imply unproved speculation... Besides, the age limit rules were put in place to protect the athletes. Everyone thinks about it being unfair to the competition, but in cases of age falsification, the underage gymnast is the one who's being wronged the most, as they're often being pushed too hard too young.
they are just jealous on 2008 Chinese gymnasts because they beat American, that why they put 2008 pictures on. Let people to misunderstand on gorgeous 2008 Chinese gymnasts
Speaking as a parent of a daughter who did competitive gymnastics through a college career, it is a hard balance between wanting your child to quit because you see the pressure and injuries adversly affecting your daughter; and being an encourager and best cheer leader because you know your daughter loves to fly through the air.
I'm very sad nobody ever mentions Elena Muhina - she was ussr gymnast that was the only one to repeat Korbut's signature move and the main competitor to Nadia. But she was failed so much by her trainers that she became paralyzed till the end of her days. Watch documentary about her, so sad but interesting story to know.
I recently just found out about her, so tragic. She was truly amazing, I mean she had her own move, which of course is banned due to safety. But to come out of nowhere and beat Nadia then to have an injury. Then be forced to have her cast removed before it was healed forced back into training, to then realize oh she was right it wasn't fully healed. Then back to surgery, then the day after surgery being told she will start training in a cast. Then once the cast comes off being put on a very restrictive diet, and pushed to train harder and longer while having to practice more dangerous moves. To collapsing during practice, and begging and pretty much pleading with her coach to not do the Thomas Alto, knowing and understanding the danger of it as she was being told about it. Then to making it to two weeks before the 1980 Olympics and under rotating the skill landing awkwardly on her chin. To a life long paraplegic, and still years later her not even being that mad at her coach but herself for not being stronger and saying no. So many things it could have been done out stopped, but nothing was done.
@@Maniacallydeficient she was just a child that could be easily manipulated, and her coach used it for his success. The words that she said when she got paralyzed, were "thank God, now I shouldn't go to Olympics"
I always felt so bad for her. Even back in 1997 -- it was TOO EARLY for all that hype like "oh she's gonna win a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics!" Noooo, you can't say that 3yrs before! I loved Valerie Liukin for slapping that down for Nastia all those years before 2008 -- he always said "too early to tell, we're just focused on this year's Worlds and we'll see"
This is unbelievable. I've always wanted to learn gymnastics but unfortunately the country i was born in doesnt have the facility, so instead i learnt design, language and other skills... I support you all for what you do, keep it up
I'm proud of all the people that are trying to make gymnastics better! No one should ever feel body ashamed, especially at such a young age where your body is changing!
I feel this so much even though I'm in a different sport. I was so obsessed with maintaining my figure, body shaming myself... Overworking myself and not eating enough. Waterpolo and anorexia does not mix even a bit. Eat less and you'd be freezing in the pool, didn't help my training hours was not in daylight hours. I was underweight my whole career. Even though I've left the sport and the whole scene I am so body concious even to this day that sometimes I am disgusted by myself.
Take a karate class then. Trust me there won't be body shaming there. They don't look at that. In fact many martial arts classes you will walk away happy with yourself.
@@evacody1249 Thank you❤️. I'll try that when I have time. I don't think I'm ready to go back to anything with strenuous exercise. I messed up my shoulder pretty bad, one of the reasons I quit. I have to rest it now or forgo my dreams of a med career, I'm writing my entrance this year.
I don’t think a lot of people realize the impact Vanessa Atler had on the sport of gymnastics. She was one of the best in the world. She was just failed so miserably by everyone in the sport. We love you Vanessa!
I was deeply touched by Vanessa's words and experience. I know nothing about gym or bars. But, to me, sports, even at high level, should remain a pleasure for the individuals and people. A daily pleasure with the acceptance of highs and lows, the recognition of the joy that an athlete gave you one day, and even if it's only for one day in your life. I want to say thanks to the athletes who sacrify part of their lives to push the limits of sports and to bring life and joy, and those who made this vid. Thanks Vanessa:)
Amen. She was so important to the sport....a layout Cuervo! I’ve never seen any of these ladies as fat. Super fit. Never fat. I’m glad Aly Raisman went to a nutritionist and got her diet fixed. I wish someone had Vanessa do that.
I just want to hug Vanessa💔 I wish I were around when she was struggling with her self image and weight issues. It just breaks my heart hearing her story 💔💔💔
It's so sad that these girls put so much into the 2020 Olympics, only to be sidelined by the pandemic. Here's to hoping that they can stay healthy and motivated enough to go when they do happen.
I loved this episode, but that was a mistake to focus on He Kexin, Yang Yilin and Beijing team (that beat USA in 2008) while talking about 2000 team age falsification. That's very misleading for the public that doesn't know gymnastics very well.
luckily, speaking as a member of the public that doesn't know gymnastics so well, i didn't realize they were showing pics of the 2008 team while they were talking about the 2000 team. (not that it makes it OK - but just to say, i think the vast majority of viewers won't know).
@@ncampana6588 Their coach at MG Elite has been banned for being abusive ... Riley was one of the gymnasts who testified against her. Riley now trains with Jade Carey in Arizona and Olivia is in Texas at Simone's gym.
I’m so mad that Vanessa’s coach yelled at her like that, when he knew there were cameras everywhere. You just don’t put your gymnasts in that situation. You just don’t. No wonder the poor girl struggled so much.
i remember so well watching vanessa and her incredible skills! she was gentle, accessible, accountable... i didn't know that she was struggling with eating disorder. it was tough getting through this video. i hope she is fine now.
Gymnastics is truly the hardest sport because there are four events that are hard Its not catching a ball and running or swinging a bat or kicking a ball or gliding across ice This sport pushes you so hard at such a young age and such tiny bodies Gymnastics is the only sport you can truly fly and have so much fun and no fear while flying
Doesn’t all this prove how incredible our bodies are and how fragile are our mind? we have a lucky mind to have such an amazing body but it’s symbiotic and sometimes when our bodies need help we can prove how strong is our mind is and how fragile our body can be -mind and body together is powerful add spiritual health and we are unbeatable LOVE
I still can’t really believe that people insult other people for skills and things that they can’t do and judge them for their body, everyone has a different body and shouldn’t be blamed for something they can’t control.
Some of these coaches seem like they are living their own dream through their athlete's. So sad. These gymnasts were all beautiful and amazing! I hope they all know that 😊❤
bars is my favorite event to train but it's absolutely terrifying and it can go so wrong so easily. there is zero room for errors or bail outs. you have to be thinking and processing every move because the slightest slip up can mean a ten foot fall. it's all or nothing. putting your body through that stress is one thing, but the eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and everything else just blocks out the facts; you're literally a superhero. the skill that you have is more impressive than anything. when you retire as a gymnast, you're only remembered for your performances. i'm proud to be a recovered anorexic gymnast. i've been through so much in this sport but i'm only fourteen. i wish i'd known sooner that being a near-death skeleton would do nothing to improve my skills. i don't want to compete anymore. i want to be a coach for younger girls so that they don't have to go through the same trauma.
I remember when I was living in Texas in 2003 I got hooked on the show starting over, and Vanessa Atler was on there. It was mainly about her overcoming the impact that gymnastics took on her mentally (not to mention her coaches) and all the emotions that came with it. I was astonished that NONE of the other people in the starting over house seemed to even know who she was. Not one of them watched gymnastics? They were all women. (A bit stereotypical, but still... not ONE?) it could have been edited otherwise, but it still seemed a bit of a shocker because she had been a major name . I'm not sure how the show affected her ... or anyone (it seemed to be for the best, but ...well .it's still television), but am thrilled to see her on here.
We used to get weighed weekly in front of everyone and it would be posted on the wall. If I gained a pound, I got less food that week. I was rarely allowed carbs.
USAG is the worst. Their response to a child asking for help (Atler) is appalling. Yes, we can (and should) chastise Steve (her coach) as well, but when she asked for help, USAG left her high and dry. A CHILD asked a trusted, respected, and knowledgeable adult for help, and they responded with "you need to do what you need to do." Absolutely no compassion; medals over lives.
@sofia s I'm not blaming her coach for everything, I'm chastising USAG as an organization. Were her parents culpable? Potentially, but this doc didn't provide a lot of evidence one way or another. What the doc DID provide was an instance in which a child asked an adult for help and support, and the adult encouraged illness and used the child for financial gain (in this case, medals). It doesn't matter if it was a parent, coach, USAG official, teacher, friend. ANY adult who would have acted in that matter should rightfully be called out for psychological abuse. In this particular instance, it happened to be this USAG official. Watch the doc, re-read my comment carefully, and get with it.
I feel so bad for Vanessa. Really for all.of them for the emotional damage they were given because of weight and just the sport in general is very hard emotionally as well as physically.
OMG just remembered the letter Olivia’s mom wrote in defense of Maggie where she called Riley and Laurie “attention seekers.” Poor Mary jo greaves had her interviews cut lol. The skating lesson does a dramatic read of it in one of his Maggie videos! Edit: nothing against Olivia of course she seems lovely
I feel so bad for Vanessa Atler. She remains my favorite gymnast to watch to this day and I had always though ever since I started watching her, that if I could turn back the clock to change one gymnast's life, it would be Vanessa getting back her confidence so she can excel on all her events, so she could go to Sydney and help win the team medal outright + medal in event finals on vault and floor. I wish there was more awareness on body image and eating disorders back then, maybe more gymnasts would've reached their maximum potential. I want to tell her that it was gonna all be ok, her fans are still proud of what she accomplished and she should be as well. I hope she has found peace in her life now
Total respect to all gymnasts, club, college, elite, or back yard wanna be's. My body is broken ♿, watching you guys puts me in your bones and it makes me feel like I can fly too. 🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️💖💖💖👍👍👍
It’s a shame that so many of these women have gone through body issues due to coaches, parents, other teammates, etc... it needs to be talked about so that girls know they’re not alone and that they don’t need to do that to be successful in fact it may make them less successful
They should have included Christy Heinrich in this story ! Judge telling her she was fat killed her. She starved herself to death and died in 92. The culture of body shaming in gymnastics , dance and figure skating is criminal .
I love documentaries about sport. I would love them to film the same thing about men's gymnastics because it is just as badass and EXTREMELY challenging as women's gymnastics.
Uneven bars is the only event that I enjoy watching more in its retro form (late 60s and the 70s). But I love watching modern bars in person, they really CAN fly
I was a gymnast at the end of Olga's career. She is an icon of gymnastics. Bars had come a long way. And unfortunately rhythmic gymnasts are frequently having eating disorders. They are expected to be skinny like artistic gymnastics back in the day.
Vanessa I finally know why after all these years why your career stopped. I watched your story. I’m part of your public and I can say you and all the others who struggled and didn’t reach their goals You did not disappointment me per say. The joy of watching all of you perform even after all these years will will never go away. The sacrifices you made will always be appreciated. It hurts to see the things that were said about young kids trying to survive in a extreme sport. You were great then as a gymnast and your life time experiences make you even greater now as a coach. Thank you for being part of this program. Good luck in the future.
LOVED how Korbut described the feeling you can get performing bars. Her eyes are shining you can really see she is still in love with gymnastics.
I really want to know how the bars feel getting smacked off the bars when they were so close… I’ve yet to hear her say that
"Now, I can eat!" Omg I love Olga korbut so much! Still so expressive!
As someone who was bulimic in high school as a dancer and was praised for weight loss, it always makes me so happy to hear people speak out about it and bring attention to the struggles that young athletes, especially young female athletes, deal with regarding body image and eating
God bless, Atler. I hope she knows how important she is to the gymnastics community. Not only do her skills still hold up today, she was one of the best at connecting with fans. Long before instagram/twitter was available for updates, I remember she would do online diaries that were always looked forward to. She deserves a lot of credit for where gymnastics/the gymternet is today. Wish her the best.
2.
@@manoharlalnagraj8079 kp
@@mitarpalyadav2954 no
I actually cried at the end of Vanessa’s interview. Bless her heart! I hate that she’s suffered so much.
Would have loved to see Suni in this episode bc she is a bars queen (her nabieva!!) but still excited to see her in the next episode.
Agreed! She is such an inspiration
Yesss
I was really surprised to no seeing her in this episode at all.
After seeing the beam episode I’m forced to the conclusion that her ‘perseverance’ narrative was better suited to that storyline, as opposed to the ED narrative they chose to weave in with the bars. Disappointing they can’t just focus on good gymnastics and the gymnasts personal stories without slicing and reframing everything into some larger melodrama.
@QPHashSS77 1
“He wasn’t ready for me...as we can see..” I was like Perioddddddd sis!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Vanessa, you will never see this, but you were a hero of mine when I was younger. I had a little scrap book with all my favorite gymnasts and you had your own little section. I am so sorry that you had to struggle like this. You are a beautiful soul inside and out. I hope you can conquer you eating disorder issues. You are loved.
One of the main reasons I quit gymnastics is because I couldn’t mentally get over doing a back walkover on the beam (though I’d miss and smash my head) and also because I couldn’t mentally get over having to do a backflip dismount off the high bar (thought I’d miss and smash my face) the mental skill that goes into gymnastics is just as important as the physical!
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there is something about going backwards. I used to do circus (I was an aerialist) and did a bit of acrobatics. I couldn't get over my fear of going backwards. And frankly it is a sensible thing to be afraid of. you could break your neck and spend the rest of your life as a quadriplegic. Not worth it.
Thank you for starting this conversation on bulimia. I feel like a lot of people, including myself, needed it.
T TN
What a treat it is to see Vanessa Atler again, to see where she is nowadays and that she has a family of her own. Like many others, I followed her story back in the day and really felt invested in her as an athlete and a person. I'm sorry she had such a difficult experience, but I think she is stronger than she knows. She comes across as a very sensitive and vulnerable person. She has come a long way on this difficult life journey and I admire her for it! Vanessa, you have so many fans out there who are STILL cheering you on! Go Vanessa!!
And yet, the insistence on gymnasts being light and underweight just left them malnourished, and VERY prone to injury. Madness.
Vanessa, when you talked about raising your daughter & got emotional, I had the same situation. Since puberty, I have been overweight. When I had my 2 girls, I vowed to give them an excellent diet & a healthy mentality about food, appetite & body image. I began by breastfeeding them. I fed them no sugar for several years, just fruit, veggies, whole grains, all the things we’ve been taught are good nutrition. When older, I told them to eat nutritious food when they are hungry & stop when they feel full. Once they became adults, it was their decision. But while we as parents have control, use that time wisely & even when they slip up, the basics will come back. Bless you & your family dear💞
Vanessa’s story is so sad. She was such an amazing gymnast and was such a powerhouse on her three events. It’s too bad they didn’t let her be a specialist instead of an all around gymnast. I loved her gymnastics, and her spirit!
she was let down by everybody in every single opportunity
I'm so glad the topic of eating disorders and body image is talked about here- it's something that is really important to a lot of people, esepcially in sports like gymnastics, but it is rarely acknowledged.
This video is stacked with absolute legends. I truly hope to see Riley McCusker at Tokyo 2021.
Poor Vanessa Atler, something just always got to her on bars. But Steve not helping her to fix the problem is the main reason she didn't go to the Olympics. He did her a great disservice.
Yeah, why do people think criticizing and condemning someone will get them to change (it works, sometimes, but not without loss of relationship) rather than empathy and kindness (yet not lacking firmness when necessary)?
Coaches yelling at and shaming their gymnasts make most of us perform WORSE instead of better. It makes us too nervous! Why can't they see that??
can i have timestamp?
I remember when Tourischeva did that bars routine and the bars collapsed just as she stuck her landing. She walked off and never looked back. She was the quintessential imperturbable Soviet athlete.
Ludmilla was a wonderful gymnast. Her dismount was actually a Hecht off the low bar with full twist. She felt the bars start to collapse as she wrapped around the lower bar, and instantly changed her dismount to "get off quickly without the twist". She scored 9.8 and won.
I remember that, too. She was always so focused and nothing ever seemed to phase her. I do remember when she won the bronze (or was it silver?) on floor and she cried because she knew it was the last time she'd compete. She was the queen!
I respectfully disagree
If you look at Lyudmila Tourischeva walking away she looks like she wants to cry. It ruined her dismount and she was upset
She was a perfectionist
I lolll when the bars collapsed because she looked like she meant to do that.
@@eileencollins8799 m
Yeah, my last coach RUINED gymnastics for me by weighing us constantly, posting our weights in the gym where everyone could see them, and not letting us compete if we didn't make HER weight goal for us. We starved ourselves, didn't drink water, sweated off weight, threw up, hated ourselves... gymnastics was always full of joy until the number on the scale became the only important thing :(
I love Laurie so much, she radiates positive energy and just seems like an overall great person
And just so well spoken. Amazing amazing amazing.
ive met her! she really is amazing
Laurie is awesome! I’ve always wanted to meet her. I’ve met several of gymnasts at my college at the University of Alabama, but I like to meet Aly Raisman😊👊🏾🌹🎸
I agree. She’s come a long way in healing.
@@marcushamner5994 to
Being a top level athlete and having adults focused on how you “look” ..... so enraging. Imagine hockey players, baseball, basketball.... any of these being expected to perform but not eat....
One of my hockey coaches told us not to eat before practice when he was mad at us, because he wanted to sprint us until we threw up. Then would yell at us when we couldn't perform exactly how he wanted. 🥴 it's ridiculous to expect any athlete, in any sport, to perform without food. Of course there's a certain way to eat for every athlete and it's wrong for anyone else to interfere. The athlete knows their body best!
I think you should read what Svetlana Khorkina has to say about gymnastics and weight. The physics of the sport will never favor someone who is overweight. It's unfortunate, but you can't fly high if you are heavy and if you do, you could seriously injure yourself. I thought it was kinda cold and heartless but also very logical.
@@brandonaldaymachuse6669 none of the gymnasts are overweight though and there's been gymnasts who weren't as skinny who were still amazing bar workers like tweedle for example. I honestly feel like it's more reliant on how well a gymnast can control their power and stamina on bars versus weight. Yes, a smaller athlete will definitely have an easier time, but that doesn't mean someone else won't do as good. Biles is small but still struggles on bars and suni is one of the best if not the best bar worker the US has atm. I can definitely see a taller gymnast struggling for sure though, especially since kyla proved that in this video. Honestly think it's unfair for them to get deducted as bad if they hit the low bar but I doubt fig would change anything smh
I’m glad they interviewed Vanessa. I always loved her as a gymnast - she was amazing and exciting to watch. I wish the adults in her life hadn’t failed her. I didn’t know everything she was going through, which makes it all more heartbreaking. I wish I could’ve given her a hug and told her how awesome she was (and still is). I hope she finds peace and happiness
Vanessa is my sister-in-law. I can confirm that she has indeed found peace and happiness, largely in my brother and their two kids ❤️
Acacia Kapusta 🥰 I’m glad to hear she is well. Thank you.
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I am so proud of Dominique for speaking out about everything. Speak your truth, Dom!
Vanessa's story shocked me... how can somebody, actually an adult, had the courage to say to a teenager that she never gonna win because she was fat? ....I can't imagine all the consequences that have happened to her mind and self asteem 💖💖💖💖🙏I think Vanessa was and still is a beautifull woman 💖🙏
NAima
After see this, i can't be more proud of Simone Biles and what she did in Tokio, she really is a role model, she said all the girls that is just fine if you're not comfortable to step back, you don't need to be super skinny, you can eat pizza and still be the GOAT. All these women are amazing, Vannesa, Laurie and all others are heroes.
I've been seeing so much Simone Biles gaslighting -- a video of perfect athletes, a few cuts of SB doing well, but one cut of SB almost falling whereas no one else fell or made mistakes
@@karaamundson3964
I don’t understand your comment! Was it an attempt to attack SB?
@@karaamundson3964 w
@@karaamundson3964 CT 2 to CT see
98522 fx
ugh. dear vanessa atler: if you're reading this, girl, I reeeeeally want to give you a hug. you were truly born in the wrong era of gymnastics, and the fans think SO highly of you. you were the most exciting and talented athlete of the quad leading up to 2000, and your influence on the sport is REAL and lasting. a superpower. we love you!
❤
Omg she read it!!!^^^^
@@vanessaatler2660 you're awsome Vanessa!💖💖💖💖🌹
I think she's still one of a lot of people's favorite gymnasts to this day. It's her personality which came through in her routines, and realness, and power.
dudhdu bees
I was always a fan of Vanessa Atler. Bigger fan now. Big hugs for Vanessa.
Ugh, “boxy” and “busty” were insults Laurie’s former coach used. It’s really sad to see how that changed her perspective of her body to this day.
Laurie is attractive to me! Out of respect, I love curvy girls. We’re all beautiful in the eyes of God😊😍😍👊🏾🌹
@@marcushamner5994 : Agreed. That said, Olympic standards disagrees.
Oh lord I’m about to bust
I never thought anything bad about her body. I liked seeing her with a different “shape” than other girls!
@@LemonDropYum it's so sad that people still think that way about gymnasts. I never fail to see someone comment saying gymnasts now look like "men" and "aren't feminine or graceful" and it's disgusting. They're ATHLETES so clearly their bodies are gonna be strong so they can perform the skills they need. Standards are so toxic
Laurie Hernandez has literally the prettiest eyes I've ever seen!
Koolaid Man she is so beautiful
She's like a beautiful magical baby deer lol
Vanessa Atler you were my favorite gymnast ever. And you can overcome anything. Anyone would be so so lucky to have u as their coach. Love you!!!!
My heart goes out to these gymnasts. They’ve been through so much crap and it’s so sad. I hope they can find the healing they need.
Your health is a miracle and your body is absolutely beautiful just the way it is.
I like the honest approach of this video! These very negative aspects need to be addressed, because a sport should not ruin peoples' psyche, it shouldn't make kids feel worthless, alone or scared. It should be the opposite and people watching the sport also need to know the downsides. Thank you for being truthful here!
This episode made me really sad. Especially when it came to Vanessa Atler. Finally seeing Steven Rybacki being a douche in action makes me so angry.
Seeing Madison open up about this makes me so proud. So so proud.
SR -- shithammer.
@@karaamundson3964
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@@karaamundson3964 no n noo hi no ml no no no no... No
The way they treated Vanessa Atler was heartbreaking. She was my favorite
after watching this, all i can say is i love you vanessa atler and im so sorry, you deserved better. you were amazing and i looked up to you when i was little. 🤍
"When I was 15, one of the boys in my class invited me to go to the movies with him. He is coming with his hand and taking [mine]. My heart starts beating. Then, all of a sudden, he throws my hand away and he screams!! Because my hand is full of calluses because we use bars a lot. That's what happens to gymnasts' hands. So, he wasn't ready for me, as we can see." 😂
we heard the video
Svetlana Boguinskaya always had this classy, graceful diva(in the best way) air about her. Love that she's still sassy!
@@Gymnast-J ppl have never heard of: if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all
5:05 Those gymnasts in the old days hitting the bars with their pelves is freaking me out! OMG ... At first I thought that was an accident. So glad the uneven bars are further apart now ...
When I was a gymnast, at 9 years old, my coaches were telling me I had to lose weight. I was constantly being told that my weight was a problem. I literally had 6-pack abs and was being told I was not thin enough. When I would get injured, my coaches would not believe me and I went 6 months before being referred to an "incredible" doctor who diagnosed me with fractures in the growth plates of my heel and ankle. This doctor turned out to be Larry Nassar. I shutter to think what would have happened to myself and my body had I not quit the sport several years later.
Oh god, I'm glad you got out before disgusting Nassar got his hands on you! It is SICKENING how many girls he abused, and how many adults let him get away with it :(
KristinaE. Several of my teammates are survivors. It’s horrible what happened.
@@jamiemaple5139 😢😢
Don’t be shy, drop the name of the gym
@@kellyshahan2550 vbbvg by
As a former child gymnast, I absolutely loved this. I am ballet dancer now, trying to pursue it as my career, so body image is still really important to me. This kind of messages are super useful, to talk about such taboo topics, and also to show there are ways out of them. Thank you.
I adore Olga. She’s amazing and adorable. Still is. And Nadia. My goodness!!! My favorites!
Why would that woman say that to Vanessa? Her eating a burger and onion rings? Jesus. At least she didn't get the result that Christy henric did God bless her.
God*
It was her MOTHER who said that. People shame one another, especially their own children, for any number of selfish reasons.
Her mother is a horrible person.
@@dropkickmurphy4114 xxxvgyt
Why did you show a full-screen of He Kexin and Yang Yilin, members of the 2008 Olympic team, when talking about the 2000 age falsification scandal? These two athletes were of age when they competed and shouldn't be associated with the scandal
There was talk of a scandal in 2008, also. Exacerbated by the fact that the Olympics were in China that year, but nothing was ever confirmed the way it was in 2000.
My thoughts exactly. I remember when they were pushing this story in 08, but when there is no confirmation of wrongdoing we shouldn't be bringing it back up in our media.
@@nikkisweezea2388 So at best, it's a conspiracy theory? These athletes shouldn't have their faces repeatedly displayed on a video talking about a scandal they weren't apart of. They should be associated with their amazing gymnastics
exactly! this part was wrong and unessecary
Stand up America th-cam.com/video/piWF1uT8ang/w-d-xo.html
Natalie dearly touched my heart. She is so cool, she must've learned skills in hours. I know it seems impossible but it's possible. The camera people always talk bad when they fail. "Thats unfortunate." one word could end somebodys life. Vanessa Alter is so competitive she is an awesome person she never gave up. Sometimes I feel drained I can watch Vanessa fail 50 times, and still say. "Wow she's great." Its hard to watch her saying "I couldn't just stay on the bar?" when I cant even do 10 high cast😒 Vanessa I want you to know never give up. You are a inspiring person and has made me get up. I always tell myself. "Every movement makes you farther in life." I hope you see this.
@Vanessa Alter
I felt really bad for Vanessa Atler. I want Aliya Mustafina to become 3x Olympic Champion on bars with her current body type to silence people who still think you need a petite body to be good at bars.
And she's a mom! Aliya really is superhuman
@@jesscaseyvideos There is no superhuman person .
Mustafina stopped competing, didn’t she??
@@oksanaholovatyuk844 No, she's still training, hopefully she would go to the olympics again
@@iveeestrada2483 She retired recently and is now a coach for the junior athletes.
I felt so bad for Vanessa Atler and what she went though over the UB. I wished twitter or instagram existed then because I’m sure she’d have known the way we as fans saw her wasn’t what the media, coaches and those determine her path felt about her. I’d listen to the commentators just comment so much on her bars, that I just wanted to shout through the tv, “just get off her back” we knew she could do it and that all these gymnast were more then what was portrayed on tv. All those gymnast in the background that are never mentioned, we see you and we love you.
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"He wasn't ready for me." Absolutely!
Just loved her growing up. Confidence!!!
Olivia: I sucked at bars when I was younger
Also Olivia: Does a perfect level 4 routine
it's almost like she has spent the last several years with a coach whose strategy is tearing athletes down and making them feel like every little mistake is the end of the world or something
@@Altoclarinets Right. Haney is very good at spreading this narrative that gymnasts were nothing before they came to her. To the extent that the gymnasts start to believe it. She did the same with Riley and yet there are videos of her on TH-cam as a level 10 and way before MG Elite. She had textbook technique and she was incredible already.
@@Altoclarinets that's exactly how my coach is... my friends and family tell me that i'm extremely talented but i can't seem to agree with that :'DD
@@ririibun if you're for real, if the coach screams at you, belittles and makes fun of you, swears at you, tells you that you're no good and will never amount to anything, or does anything else like that, that is a bad situation and you need to tell your parents, switch gyms, and report the coach
@@Altoclarinets v. !
I just have to say that the editing around the images of Chinese athletes is unfair and misleading. There has been no definitive proof, despite thorough and repetitive investigation, that any of the gymnasts on the 2008 gold medal team were underage. Furthermore, if a child IS asked by an adult to compete underage, it is NOT THE CHILD'S FAULT. If the filmmakers had chosen to interview some of the retired Chinese athletes who do in fact speak English and live in the U.S., then maybe we'd be left with the impression that they are actual human beings with incredible accomplishments (like the Soviets and Romanians) instead of this one-dimensional image of robotic perfection and blind ambition.
Seth Tack very well said
The dehumanization is so strong
Being Chinese, I got really said when i found that out
Well said! I appreciated that they mentioned the element of racism of everyone assuming Asian gymnasts are falsifying ages but never mentioning the Western countries that did the exact same thing. But it was sneaky and unpleasant that put discussion of the underage 2000 team over pictures of the 2008 team! Way to imply unproved speculation... Besides, the age limit rules were put in place to protect the athletes. Everyone thinks about it being unfair to the competition, but in cases of age falsification, the underage gymnast is the one who's being wronged the most, as they're often being pushed too hard too young.
they are just jealous on 2008 Chinese gymnasts because they beat American, that why they put 2008 pictures on. Let people to misunderstand on gorgeous 2008 Chinese gymnasts
Speaking as a parent of a daughter who did competitive gymnastics through a college career, it is a hard balance between wanting your child to quit because you see the pressure and injuries adversly affecting your daughter; and being an encourager and best cheer leader because you know your daughter loves to fly through the air.
Wajelmondal95is
I'm very sad nobody ever mentions Elena Muhina - she was ussr gymnast that was the only one to repeat Korbut's signature move and the main competitor to Nadia. But she was failed so much by her trainers that she became paralyzed till the end of her days. Watch documentary about her, so sad but interesting story to know.
I recently just found out about her, so tragic. She was truly amazing, I mean she had her own move, which of course is banned due to safety. But to come out of nowhere and beat Nadia then to have an injury. Then be forced to have her cast removed before it was healed forced back into training, to then realize oh she was right it wasn't fully healed. Then back to surgery, then the day after surgery being told she will start training in a cast. Then once the cast comes off being put on a very restrictive diet, and pushed to train harder and longer while having to practice more dangerous moves. To collapsing during practice, and begging and pretty much pleading with her coach to not do the Thomas Alto, knowing and understanding the danger of it as she was being told about it. Then to making it to two weeks before the 1980 Olympics and under rotating the skill landing awkwardly on her chin. To a life long paraplegic, and still years later her not even being that mad at her coach but herself for not being stronger and saying no. So many things it could have been done out stopped, but nothing was done.
@@Maniacallydeficient she was just a child that could be easily manipulated, and her coach used it for his success.
The words that she said when she got paralyzed, were "thank God, now I shouldn't go to Olympics"
*Mukhina*
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My daughter was gold medalist at State on the bars and got the state gold for all-around... watching her on the bars was a thing of beauty
Vanessa Atler deserved better. I’m crying
I always felt so bad for her. Even back in 1997 -- it was TOO EARLY for all that hype like "oh she's gonna win a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics!" Noooo, you can't say that 3yrs before! I loved Valerie Liukin for slapping that down for Nastia all those years before 2008 -- he always said "too early to tell, we're just focused on this year's Worlds and we'll see"
@@koolaidman6251
Imao, Nastia?
@@koolaidman6251
I’m not sure if you’re talking about Nastia, or making fun of Nadia
@@Milkythefawn zo7oy in⅚yet a yet yet 7
Hey lol I was your 1k like ☺️
Uneven bars are actually my favorite skill (as a viewer I’m not a gymnast) but they look so graceful and the way they move is incredible!
Loved this episode! But I wished they spoke to Suni Lee, Aliya Mustafina, and Svetlana Khorkina as well. They are all such stellar bar workers!
This is unbelievable. I've always wanted to learn gymnastics but unfortunately the country i was born in doesnt have the facility, so instead i learnt design, language and other skills... I support you all for what you do, keep it up
I just wanted to reach through the screen and hug Vanessa.
props for acknowledging the racism
I'm proud of all the people that are trying to make gymnastics better! No one should ever feel body ashamed, especially at such a young age where your body is changing!
I feel this so much even though I'm in a different sport. I was so obsessed with maintaining my figure, body shaming myself... Overworking myself and not eating enough. Waterpolo and anorexia does not mix even a bit. Eat less and you'd be freezing in the pool, didn't help my training hours was not in daylight hours. I was underweight my whole career. Even though I've left the sport and the whole scene I am so body concious even to this day that sometimes I am disgusted by myself.
Take a karate class then. Trust me there won't be body shaming there. They don't look at that. In fact many martial arts classes you will walk away happy with yourself.
@@evacody1249 Thank you❤️. I'll try that when I have time. I don't think I'm ready to go back to anything with strenuous exercise. I messed up my shoulder pretty bad, one of the reasons I quit. I have to rest it now or forgo my dreams of a med career, I'm writing my entrance this year.
@@siri1805 Good luck! Take care of yourself, you only get one body. ❤️
I don’t think a lot of people realize the impact Vanessa Atler had on the sport of gymnastics. She was one of the best in the world. She was just failed so miserably by everyone in the sport. We love you Vanessa!
I was deeply touched by Vanessa's words and experience. I know nothing about gym or bars. But, to me, sports, even at high level, should remain a pleasure for the individuals and people. A daily pleasure with the acceptance of highs and lows, the recognition of the joy that an athlete gave you one day, and even if it's only for one day in your life. I want to say thanks to the athletes who sacrify part of their lives to push the limits of sports and to bring life and joy, and those who made this vid. Thanks Vanessa:)
Amen. She was so important to the sport....a layout Cuervo! I’ve never seen any of these ladies as fat. Super fit. Never fat. I’m glad Aly Raisman went to a nutritionist and got her diet fixed. I wish someone had Vanessa do that.
@@jeancampaner5639 ESA's stawzsce
@@jeancampaner5639 ¹¹
I remember ....followed her career that uneven bar routine broke my heart then cause I heard the " I thought so." 💔 on tv
I just want to hug Vanessa💔 I wish I were around when she was struggling with her self image and weight issues. It just breaks my heart hearing her story 💔💔💔
Morgan: "Age in gymnastics sucks because our peak window is so small...." Chellsie Memmel: "Oh really?"
Katie J back in her day, she wasn’t wrong.
What about Oksana Chusovitina
@@annacbrown1986 Isn't she well into her forties? like, she's probably older then my parents and she's out there doing all these crazy flips.
Anna Brown yes! She is 45 and still doing all these amazing flips 😁
Oksana Chusovitina: "Hold my beer."
It's so sad that these girls put so much into the 2020 Olympics, only to be sidelined by the pandemic. Here's to hoping that they can stay healthy and motivated enough to go when they do happen.
I couldn't agree more. Been waiting for Tokyo 2020 to happen 🙏
Wait, was it postponed to 2021, or...? idk?
I was thinking the exact same. This is a sport that is SO time sensitive...
@@kimiablesjavechy f
That’s just more time for them to train & perfect & add new things that they might have wanted to do but didn’t have time
I loved this episode, but that was a mistake to focus on He Kexin, Yang Yilin and Beijing team (that beat USA in 2008) while talking about 2000 team age falsification. That's very misleading for the public that doesn't know gymnastics very well.
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luckily, speaking as a member of the public that doesn't know gymnastics so well, i didn't realize they were showing pics of the 2008 team while they were talking about the 2000 team. (not that it makes it OK - but just to say, i think the vast majority of viewers won't know).
bringing olga korbut for this documentary is so awesome and so great to pay homage to the og gymnast her and nadia are legends in this sport
it is so strange to see riley and olivia training together at mg elite. it's crazy how much has happened in just a year
I wonder if it's going to be addressed at all... so strange to see knowing how everything has played out!
@@jesscaseyvideos what happened??
@@ncampana6588 Their coach at MG Elite has been banned for being abusive ... Riley was one of the gymnasts who testified against her. Riley now trains with Jade Carey in Arizona and Olivia is in Texas at Simone's gym.
I’m so mad that Vanessa’s coach yelled at her like that, when he knew there were cameras everywhere. You just don’t put your gymnasts in that situation. You just don’t. No wonder the poor girl struggled so much.
i remember so well watching vanessa and her incredible skills! she was gentle, accessible, accountable... i didn't know that she was struggling with eating disorder. it was tough getting through this video. i hope she is fine now.
Gymnastics is truly the hardest sport because there are four events that are hard
Its not catching a ball and running or swinging a bat or kicking a ball or gliding across ice
This sport pushes you so hard at such a young age and such tiny bodies
Gymnastics is the only sport you can truly fly and have so much fun and no fear while flying
If you are reading this Vanessa Atler, I adore you, you were by far my favorite gymnast. All the best.
Omo
How many of us want to be able to go back and give Vanessa Atler a big hug? I so wish I could change things for her back then.
Agree 😥
joyfuljaj Me too!!
I wasn’t able to change but I was able to hug her. She was my old coach and she is happy with her two kids and husband🤍
Yes 😭😭😭
@@flua1508 dm
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Doesn’t all this prove how incredible our bodies are and how fragile are our mind? we have a lucky mind to have such an amazing body but it’s symbiotic and sometimes when our bodies need help we can prove how strong is our mind is and how fragile our body can be -mind and body together is powerful add spiritual health and we are unbeatable LOVE
Vanessa Atler is the real life “be who you needed when you were younger”
100%. Be the change.
Vanessa Atler was failed so drastically by so many. Heartbreaking, but also inspirational to see her survive and be a badass today.
I still can’t really believe that people insult other people for skills and things that they can’t do and judge them for their body, everyone has a different body and shouldn’t be blamed for something they can’t control.
Some of these coaches seem like they are living their own dream through their athlete's. So sad. These gymnasts were all beautiful and amazing! I hope they all know that 😊❤
Iioww2
bars is my favorite event to train but it's absolutely terrifying and it can go so wrong so easily. there is zero room for errors or bail outs. you have to be thinking and processing every move because the slightest slip up can mean a ten foot fall. it's all or nothing. putting your body through that stress is one thing, but the eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and everything else just blocks out the facts; you're literally a superhero. the skill that you have is more impressive than anything. when you retire as a gymnast, you're only remembered for your performances. i'm proud to be a recovered anorexic gymnast. i've been through so much in this sport but i'm only fourteen. i wish i'd known sooner that being a near-death skeleton would do nothing to improve my skills. i don't want to compete anymore. i want to be a coach for younger girls so that they don't have to go through the same trauma.
The best swing ever is Viktoria Komova...she just used the bars and became part of the apparatus. Never labored...she just floated...poetry in motion.
I remember when I was living in Texas in 2003 I got hooked on the show starting over, and Vanessa Atler was on there. It was mainly about her overcoming the impact that gymnastics took on her mentally (not to mention her coaches) and all the emotions that came with it. I was astonished that NONE of the other people in the starting over house seemed to even know who she was. Not one of them watched gymnastics? They were all women. (A bit stereotypical, but still... not ONE?) it could have been edited otherwise, but it still seemed a bit of a shocker because she had been a major name . I'm not sure how the show affected her ... or anyone (it seemed to be for the best, but ...well .it's still television), but am thrilled to see her on here.
Oh Vanessa, my heart breaks for her.
I’m really enjoying this series. Great to see that so many gymnasts were featured in it.
We used to get weighed weekly in front of everyone and it would be posted on the wall. If I gained a pound, I got less food that week. I was rarely allowed carbs.
This is the best show I have ever seen. Vanessa Atler is amazing.. ❤
USAG is the worst. Their response to a child asking for help (Atler) is appalling. Yes, we can (and should) chastise Steve (her coach) as well, but when she asked for help, USAG left her high and dry. A CHILD asked a trusted, respected, and knowledgeable adult for help, and they responded with "you need to do what you need to do." Absolutely no compassion; medals over lives.
I agree!
THIS^
Sounds familiar....
@@teryncoffman i thought something did sound familiar lol
@sofia s I'm not blaming her coach for everything, I'm chastising USAG as an organization.
Were her parents culpable? Potentially, but this doc didn't provide a lot of evidence one way or another.
What the doc DID provide was an instance in which a child asked an adult for help and support, and the adult encouraged illness and used the child for financial gain (in this case, medals). It doesn't matter if it was a parent, coach, USAG official, teacher, friend. ANY adult who would have acted in that matter should rightfully be called out for psychological abuse. In this particular instance, it happened to be this USAG official. Watch the doc, re-read my comment carefully, and get with it.
I feel so bad for Vanessa. Really for all.of them for the emotional damage they were given because of weight and just the sport in general is very hard emotionally as well as physically.
Bars has always been my favorite event to watch. What these girls do on the bars nowadays is just amazing
OMG just remembered the letter Olivia’s mom wrote in defense of Maggie where she called Riley and Laurie “attention seekers.” Poor Mary jo greaves had her interviews cut lol. The skating lesson does a dramatic read of it in one of his Maggie videos! Edit: nothing against Olivia of course she seems lovely
maya rose huh? What is that about? Olivia who?
"he wasn't ready for me..as we can see.."
I feel so bad for Vanessa Atler. She remains my favorite gymnast to watch to this day and I had always though ever since I started watching her, that if I could turn back the clock to change one gymnast's life, it would be Vanessa getting back her confidence so she can excel on all her events, so she could go to Sydney and help win the team medal outright + medal in event finals on vault and floor. I wish there was more awareness on body image and eating disorders back then, maybe more gymnasts would've reached their maximum potential. I want to tell her that it was gonna all be ok, her fans are still proud of what she accomplished and she should be as well. I hope she has found peace in her life now
Can't wait for the next episode! I love this series so far, I can't wait to see what's next!
I love Vanessa Atler. She will always be one of my favorites.
Vanessa we love you!!!
Total respect to all gymnasts, club, college, elite, or back yard wanna be's. My body is broken ♿, watching you guys puts me in your bones and it makes me feel like I can fly too. 🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️💖💖💖👍👍👍
Best of luck and warm greetings to Vanessa Atler, you will get there, being brave enough to talk already means a lot.
All these gymnists are so amazing!! It just makes me so sad they missed out on the 2020 olympics! What a heartbreak.
It’s a shame that so many of these women have gone through body issues due to coaches, parents, other teammates, etc... it needs to be talked about so that girls know they’re not alone and that they don’t need to do that to be successful in fact it may make them less successful
They should have included Christy Heinrich in this story ! Judge telling her she was fat killed her. She starved herself to death and died in 92. The culture of body shaming in gymnastics , dance and figure skating is criminal .
I love documentaries about sport. I would love them to film the same thing about men's gymnastics because it is just as badass and EXTREMELY challenging as women's gymnastics.
Uneven bars is the only event that I enjoy watching more in its retro form (late 60s and the 70s). But I love watching modern bars in person, they really CAN fly
I was a gymnast at the end of Olga's career. She is an icon of gymnastics. Bars had come a long way. And unfortunately rhythmic gymnasts are frequently having eating disorders. They are expected to be skinny like artistic gymnastics back in the day.
Vanessa I finally know why after all these years why your career stopped. I watched your story. I’m part of your public and I can say you and all the others who struggled and didn’t reach their goals You did not disappointment me per say. The joy of watching all of you perform even after all these years will will never go away. The sacrifices you made will always be appreciated. It hurts to see the things that were said about young kids trying to survive in a extreme sport. You were great then as a gymnast and your life time experiences make you even greater now as a coach. Thank you for being part of this program. Good luck in the future.