As a gymnastics coach I had to unlearn the way I had been coached and adopt a new style of teaching. This was incredible difficult but valuable work, and it changed the way I reflected on my own experiences as a young gymnast. Realizing the power of positivity was incredibly liberating, I loved helping children learn to love gymnastics as much as I did.

The standards and expectations for gymnastics coaches were always extremely high, and the safety of the athletes in our care was always the priority. Through the National Coaching Certification Program, I was regularly engaging in professional development workshops to improve my coaching pedagogy. For example, Canucks Autism Network did a series of workshops with us. Gymnastics, as a sport, is working to change the culture of the sport and takes programs such as Respect in Sport very seriously.