The Championship Corner

Heidi Mueller: Recruiting Class of 2027

Ryan Romano — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 13:04:13 +0000

Heidi Mueller has always had a deep love for gymnastics and it’s something I’m truly passionate about. Ever since I was 4 years old, I’ve been hooked on the sport. What excites me the most is the challenge of learning new skills and how at ease I feel when I’m in training. As a college gymnast, I want to be a valuable team member and a supportive teammate. People know me for my dedication and for being the one who supports my friends and fellow gymnasts during practices and competitions.

Episode Recap:

In this episode of The Championship Corner Podcast, Ryan Romano sits down with Heidi Mueller a driven Level 10 gymnast who is preparing to take on a brand-new challenge: pursuing elite gymnastics.

Throughout the conversation, Heidi shares the importance of having goals—no matter how big, small, achievable, or crazy they may seem to other people. For her, growth is about continually striving to become 1% better every day and surrounding herself with people who are also motivated to become more.

After three years as a Level 10 and multiple trips to Nationals and Westerns, Heidi Mueller is ready for her next challenge. This season brings new skills, upgraded routines, and an opportunity to step into the unknown of elite gymnastics. Rather than worrying about exactly where she will rank or what scores she will receive, her focus is on competing against herself, showing what she can do, and embracing the experience.

But gymnastics is only one part of her story.

Currently taking a gap year, she discusses her strong academic background, including AP courses, three years on the honor roll, and graduating with a bilingual diploma in Spanish. Looking toward her future, she is considering paths ranging from mechanical engineering and automotive design to becoming a lawyer. Growing up around cars and a mechanically inclined father has also given her a love for working with her hands—and yes, she can even change her own oil and tires!

The conversation also dives into what she believes she can bring to a college gymnastics program. Her biggest “superpower”? Energy. She describes herself as a “hype girl” who loves encouraging teammates, celebrating great turns, and helping create an environment where everyone’s energy builds on one another.

As Heidi Mueller navigates recruiting as a Canadian gymnast, her priorities have also become clearer. Academics come first, but she also wants a program that feels like a second family—a place where she can trust her coaches and teammates and feel supported both on and off the competition floor.

The episode ends with a powerful conversation about staying present. While it’s important to have ambitious goals, she believes it’s equally important to recognize that the life you’re living today may be the life your younger self once dreamed about.

You can want more while still being grateful for how far you’ve already come.

Key Takeaways

Everyone needs something to strive toward. Goals don’t have to make sense to everyone else. Having something meaningful to pursue creates direction and gives you a reason to keep growing.
Your circle matters. Heidi Mueller believes strongly that you become like the people you surround yourself with, which is why she values having ambitious, goal-oriented people in her life.
Compete against yourself. As she makes the jump toward elite gymnastics, there are plenty of unknowns. Instead of trying to control scores or outcomes, her focus is on doing her best, showing what she’s capable of, and continuing to improve.
Bring energy to the people around you. One of her greatest strengths is being a “hype girl.” Heidi Mueller loves creating energy, encouraging teammates, and helping turn one great performance into another.
Leadership starts with dependability. A great leader isn’t simply the loudest person in the room. To her, leadership means being someone others can trust, depend on, and turn to when they’re having an off day.
Know what you’re actually looking for in recruiting. Heidi Mueller perspective has evolved from “wherever will take me” to understanding what matters most: strong academics, support on and off the mat, trusted relationships, and a genuine family atmosphere.
Gymnastics isn’t forever, but education can shape what comes next. Academics are a major priority because she recognizes that college isn’t only about where she gets to compete—it’s also preparing her for the rest of her life.
You can be grateful and still desire more. Chasing the next goal doesn’t require ignoring everything you’ve already accomplished. There is power in pursuing something bigger while appreciating where you are today.
Don’t get so lost in the future that you miss your life right now. Heidi Mueller’s final message is a reminder to stop constantly asking “what if?” and recognize how far you’ve already come. The past is gone, the future isn’t here yet, and the only part you can influence is what you do right now.

Additional Resources:

Follow Gymnastics Plus on Social Media:

https://www.youtube.com/@Gymnastics-Plus

https://www.instagram.com/thegymnasticsplus

Syla Toney: Class of 2029

Ryan Romano — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 22:24:19 +0000

Why gymnastics? For me, Syla Toney, it’s building a deep mental toughness—learning to overcome fear, stay disciplined, and view mistakes as opportunities for growth. I value the bonds I’ve built with teammates who understand these same struggles. We support one another, push past our limits, and grow together. Outside of gym I am a professional hobby hopper. I collect music, dabble in a million different crafts, and am proudly a jack of all trades. New DIY project or album? I’m already on it!

Episode Recap:

In this episode of The Championship Corner Podcast, Ryan Romano sits down with Syla Toney to learn more about who she is beyond gymnastics.

Syla shares the creative side of her personality, from sewing and nail art to playing guitar, and explains how many of those interests started simply by being curious and trying something new. That same curiosity carries over into the way she approaches learning, competition, and life.

Throughout the conversation, Syla Toney talks about the importance of being educated, driven, and willing to figure things out for yourself. One of the qualities that stands out most is her resourcefulness: if she wants to accomplish something, she is willing to find a way to make it happen.

Syla also opens up about her personality as both a person and a competitor. Outside the gym, she describes herself as outgoing, talkative, funny, and “giggly.” When competition begins, however, her competitive side takes over. She enjoys being locked in, focused, and fully engaged in what she is doing.

The episode also explores what Syla Toney is looking for as she continues through the college recruiting process. Academically, she is interested in schools with strong business programs because she hopes to become an entrepreneur one day. From a gymnastics standpoint, she values a team that is genuinely close and connected, much like the relationships she has developed with her current teammates.

Looking further into the future, Syla shares some big goals for college gymnastics: becoming an all-around competitor and ultimately working toward scoring a perfect 10 on every event.

The conversation closes with Syla answering one important question: if she could stand in front of 100,000 people and leave them with one message, what would it be?

Her answer was simple and powerful: Be yourself. Don’t change who you are for other people. You only get one life, so live it as yourself.

Key Takeaways

Be willing to figure things out. Syla’s creativity and resourcefulness show up in everything from sewing and nail art to the way she approaches challenges. If she wants something, she looks for a way to make it happen.
Education creates confidence. One of Syla’s core values is being highly educated and informed so she can understand the world around her and confidently answer difficult questions.
Your personality doesn’t have to disappear when you compete. Syla Toney can be outgoing, funny, and talkative while also having an intensely competitive side when it is time to perform.
Relationships matter in recruiting. When Syla Toney thinks about college gymnastics, she wants more than just a team to compete for. She wants a program where teammates are genuinely close and connected.
Think beyond gymnastics. Syla is already considering what she wants academically and professionally, including studying business and potentially becoming an entrepreneur.
Ambition is one of her defining traits. Whether it is finding creative solutions, chasing college gymnastics, competing all-around, or pursuing perfect 10s, Syla is comfortable setting big goals.
Be yourself wherever you go. Syla’s final message captures the heart of the episode: don’t become a different version of yourself just to fit into an environment. Like what you like, pursue what matters to you, and stay true to who you are.

Additional Resources:

Follow Gymnastics Plus on Social Media:

https://www.youtube.com/@Gymnastics-Plus

https://www.instagram.com/thegymnasticsplus

Braelynn Carnes: Class of 2027

Ryan Romano — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:18:56 +0000

Key Takeaways and Episode Recap:

Hey! I’m Braelynn Carnes, a Level 10 gymnast from Georgia with big dreams of competing at the college level! Ever since I was two years old, gymnastics has been my total passion, teaching me how to work hard, dream big, and always aim high. My faith and my family mean everything to me, and I love being a positive, uplifting light and bringing good vibes wherever I go!

I bring that same energy to the classroom, keeping up a 4.0 GPA in Honors and Dual Enrollment classes while staying active in school clubs. When I’m not flipping in the gym or studying, you can usually find me obsessing over football while hanging out with family, traveling to new places, or laughing nonstop with my friends!

I’m looking for a college program that feels like family! A team that lifts each other up and coaches who will push me to shine as both an athlete and a student!

Episode Recap:

In this episode of The Championship Corner Podcast, Ryan Romano sits down with Braelynn Carnes, one of the original members of Gymnastics Plus, to talk about the person behind the gymnast.

Braelynn Carnes shares the values that shape how she approaches gymnastics, relationships, and life—particularly family, gratitude, and faith. Having trained at the same gym since she was about three years old, she describes her teammates as sisters, her coaches as second moms, and the gym as a second home. That close-knit environment has also helped shape what she is looking for in a future college gymnastics program: a place that genuinely feels like family.

The conversation also dives into Braelynn’s experience competing beam in the All-Star session at Nationals, where she leaned heavily on faith and gratitude to manage her nerves. Instead of focusing only on the pressure of the moment, she reminded herself that simply having the opportunity to compete on that stage was something to be grateful for.

Looking toward the upcoming season, Braelynn Carnes discusses new routines, skills, and one word that has defined her summer: intention. Rather than expecting every turn to be perfect, she is learning to focus on getting one step better every day.

That mindset shift has been especially important as she works through confidence and perfectionism. Braelynn explains that last season she sometimes knew physically that she was capable of a skill, but mentally struggled to trust herself. Now, she is working to replace perfectionism with high standards and a healthier perspective: “I get to do gymnastics. I don’t have to.”

Braelynn also talks about the resilience gymnastics has built in her. Falling, failing, trying again, and eventually succeeding has taught her lessons she believes will extend far beyond the sport.

The episode closes with Braelynn Carnes answering one powerful question: if she could stand in front of 100,000 people and leave them with only one message, what would it be?

Her answer reflects one of the biggest themes of the conversation: trust that Jesus has a plan for you, even when you can’t yet see exactly what that plan is.

Key Takeaways

Family matters. Braelynn Carnes has spent most of her life in the same gym environment, and the relationships she has built with teammates and coaches have shaped what she values most in a future college program.
Gratitude can change how you experience pressure. Before competing beam at Nationals, Braelynn Carnes reframed her nerves by focusing on how fortunate she was simply to have the opportunity.
Be intentional with every turn. One of Braelynn’s biggest focuses this summer has been approaching each repetition with purpose instead of simply going through the motions.
High standards are different from perfectionism. Braelynn Carnes is learning that she can demand a lot from herself without expecting everything to be perfect immediately.
Failure is part of growth. As skills get harder, mistakes are inevitable. Braelynn has embraced the idea that falling or struggling doesn’t mean something is wrong—it’s often part of getting better.
Sometimes taking a step back helps you move forward. Whether that means switching events, resetting mentally, or briefly stepping away from a frustrating skill, Braelynn has learned that regrouping can rebuild confidence and certainty.
Gymnastics builds resilience beyond the gym. Learning to fall, get back up, and keep pursuing something difficult has shaped how Braelynn approaches school, future challenges, and life.
Faith gives perspective beyond the present moment. Braelynn’s closing message is rooted in trusting that there is a bigger plan even during seasons when the next step isn’t completely clear.

Additional Resources:

Follow Gymnastics Plus on Social Media:

https://www.youtube.com/@Gymnastics-Plus

https://www.instagram.com/thegymnasticsplus

Charlotte Smith: Class of 2028

Ryan Romano — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 23:09:50 +0000

Meet Charlotte Smith:

Hi! I started gymnastics in 5th grade and have loved it ever since. Last year we moved to North Carolina for my dad’s job, thats when I started going to Everest. My coaches and teammates at Everest are everything, they always push me to be my best! Last season I was given the opportunity to compete level 10, in my first year I qualified to nationals and placed top 10 on bars! When I am not at the gym I love to spend time with my family, whether it be golfing or playing Mario Kart!

Episode Recap

In the first Gymnastics Plus athlete interview on The Championship Corner Podcast, Ryan Romano sits down with Charlotte Smith to talk about the person behind the gymnast.

Charlotte Smith shares the personality, values, mindset, and goals that drive her both inside and outside the gym. She describes herself as focused and intentional during practice, but outgoing, funny, and spontaneous away from gymnastics. Throughout the conversation, one theme continually comes through: growth.

Charlotte discusses the importance of faith, family, positivity, and maintaining a growth mindset through the inevitable ups and downs of gymnastics. She explains how routines and consistency help her mentally prepare, while learning to let go of mistakes and focus on what’s next has become an important part of her development as an athlete.

Key Takeaways:

Growth over perfection. Charlotte Smith wants to improve every day, but she has learned that progress in gymnastics isn’t always linear. Some days require moving on, resetting, and focusing on the next opportunity.
Stay where your feet are. Whether it’s a difficult practice or a mistake during a meet, Charlotte Smith emphasizes staying present instead of becoming consumed by what just happened or obsessing over the end goal.
Consistency creates something to fall back on. From leaving for practice at similar times to maintaining routines around training and competition, Charlotte uses consistency to create rhythm and confidence.
Know what matters to you in recruiting. Charlotte isn’t simply looking for a college that wants her. She wants a program where the relationship works both ways—where she can help the program grow and the program can help her reach her potential.
Love what you do. Charlotte’s passion for gymnastics is unmistakable. She shares that she hasn’t missed a practice in nearly two years and wants to be surrounded by college coaches and teammates who share that genuine excitement for the sport.
Don’t let one moment become the next moment. Learning to let go of mistakes has been an important part of Charlotte’s growth. Rather than carrying the weight of something that went wrong, the goal is to put it down and move forward.
Go for it. Charlotte’s final message is simple: if there is something you genuinely love and are passionate about, give it everything you have. You may not know exactly where it will leadbut you’ll never find out if you don’t pursue it.

Additional Resources:

Follow Gymnastics Plus on Social Media:

https://www.youtube.com/@Gymnastics-Plus

https://www.instagram.com/thegymnasticsplus

Gibran Campos: The Secret Superpower Every Gymnastics Coach Needs

Ryan Romano — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:07:29 +0000

Gibran Campos – University of Washington Gymnastics

Gibran Campus is a coach and performance leader with the University of Washington Gymnastics program, known for his attention to detail, athlete development, and commitment to powerful connections and relationships with the athletes.. With a deep passion for the sport, Gibran has played a key role in helping athletes elevate both their technical performance and competitive mindset.

His approach goes beyond just routines focusing on consistency, discipline, and creating an environment where athletes can show up with confidence when it matters most. Gibran Campos is respected for the relationships he builds with his athletes and his ability to develop individuals who not only perform at a high level but also grow as leaders.

Follow Coach Gibran Campos on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/gymcoachg/

Key Takeaways and Episode Recap:

In this episode, host Ryan Romano interviews Gibran Campos, a gymnastics coach from Washington, about his unconventional path into coaching. Starting with community service hours in high school, Gibran evolved from volunteering with toddlers to coaching college-level athletes. The conversation explores his coaching philosophy, emphasizing individualized communication, trust-building, and mental resilience. Gibran Campos highlights consistency as his greatest coaching strength, creating stability for athletes under pressure. The episode concludes with a broader life lesson: pursue what genuinely makes you happy, as life is too short to follow others’ expectations.

Click Here for Episode Time Stamps with Gibran Campos

Marie Case Denick: Building Competitor Mentality

Ryan Romano — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 12:57:51 +0000

Marie Case Denick – University of North Carolina Gymnastics

Marie Case Denick is the Associate Head Coach of the University of North Carolina gymnastics program, a role she was elevated to in 2024 after spending more than eight years as a vital part of the Tar Heels’ coaching staff. A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, Denick began her coaching career as a volunteer assistant at her alma mater, Kent State, in 2015, before making her way to Chapel Hill. As a competitor, she was a three-time MAC Gymnast of the Year (2012–2014), MAC Freshman of the Year in 2011, and the conference’s all-around champion as a junior and senior, also qualifying for the NCAA Championships in the all-around in 2014.

Since joining UNC, Marie Case Denick has built a reputation as one of the program’s most impactful figures. She served as interim head coach during the 2020–21 season and has guided multiple All-America honorees throughout her tenure. In UNC’s first ACC season in 2024, she served as the primary bars coach and led Lali Dekanoidze and Isabelle Schaefer to a 1-2 finish on the uneven bars at the ACC Championships.

Follow Coach Marie Case Denick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gym.coach.marie/

Key Takeaways and Episode Recap:

In this episode, host Ryan speaks with Marie Case Denick, UNC gymnastics coach and former collegiate athlete. Marie shares a hilarious story about her baby daughter winning a crawl race that went viral. The conversation covers Marie’s intense competitive nature, her coaching philosophy centered on building confidence and embracing winning, and her recruiting approach prioritizing character alongside athletic skill. Marie also discusses developing pre-competition mindset routines, balancing logic with emotional coaching, and how motherhood has deepened her empathy. She encourages athletes to dream big and pursue their passions relentlessly.

Click Here for Time Stamps of Episode With Marie Case Denick

Cory Tomlinson: Hype Man #1

Ryan Romano — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:38:20 +0000

Cory Tomlinson – Hype Man and Advocate for Women’s Sports

Cory Tomlinson is a sports marketing creative, in-arena emcee, and fan engagement specialist best known in the NCAA gymnastics world as a “Hype Man.” He works with college athletics programs to enhance the fan experience, build energy inside arenas, and help teams create exciting competition environments. Tomlinson has a background in marketing, entertainment, and event production, and has worked with multiple NCAA programs and live sporting events to create engaging atmospheres for athletes and fans.

He is also involved in media and content, co-hosting the On The Floor podcast and working in sports marketing and talent management.

Follow Cory on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/corymtomlinson/

Key Takeaways and Episode Recap:

In this podcast episode, host Ryan Romano interviews a gymnastics marketing innovator, Cory Tomlinson, who shares their unconventional journey from a shy child terrified of attention to a pioneering “hype man” for college gymnastics. The guest discusses growing up with a gymnastics coaching father, transitioning from competitive swimming, and becoming UCLA’s team manager despite knowing little about the sport.

They detail Cory’s work transforming Arkansas gymnastics attendance from 2,700 to over 11,000 fans per meet through grassroots marketing, fan education, and community engagement. Inspired by a memorable conversation with Kobe Bryant, the guest’s philosophy centers on desire, will, curiosity, and building genuine human connections.

Click Here For Time Stamps of Episode With Cory Tomlinson

Jade Carey: Caution Winning Secrets Revealed

Ryan Romano — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:24:23 +0000

Olympic Gold Medalist – Jade Carey

Jade Carey is an Olympic gold medalist and one of the most accomplished gymnasts in the world. She won the gold medal on Floor Exercise at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and has earned multiple World Championship medals representing the United States. Jade has been one of Team USA’s most reliable performers and competitors. Honestly probably the most competitive person I have ever been around!

In addition to her elite career, Jade competed in NCAA gymnastics at Oregon State University, where she became one of the top all-around gymnasts in the country and a fan favorite. Her unique journey balancing elite international competition with NCAA gymnastics has made her a role model for gymnasts pursuing any of their dreams.

Jade’s accomplishments are awesome, but her work ethic, humility, and discipline to training, competition, and goal setting is what makes her an amazing competitor and winner. Her story is a powerful example of what can happen when clear goals, daily discipline, and strong identity in who are align.

If you want to follow more of Jade Carey’s journey: https://www.instagram.com/jadecarey/

Key Takeaways and Episode Recap:

In this podcast episode, Olympic gymnast Jade Carey joins Ryan Romano for an in-depth conversation about her journey in gymnastics, from childhood experiences to elite competition. Jade shares stories about her early days in the gym, the evolution of her mindset, and the discipline required to reach her goals. The discussion explores topics like hard work, resilience, curiosity, goal-setting, and the transition from athlete to coach. Jade emphasizes the importance of clear vision, self-belief, and enjoying the journey, offering valuable insights for athletes and anyone pursuing excellence.

Click Here For Time Stamps of Jade Carey Episode

Julianne Huff: Elite Championship Training

Ryan Romano — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 13:29:04 +0000

Auburn Gymnastics: Julianne Huff

Julianne Huff is a current gymnast at Auburn University where she has become a powerful leader and performer for the team during the 2026 season. Ryan Romano had the pleasure to sit down and talk with her about how she has been able not to only sustain success but grow her success during her time at Auburn.

One of the key parts of our conversation is when she got to college and her commitment to committing to training her mind. She talks about how her focus on training the mental performance has been critical to her success.

If you want to follow more of Julianne Huff’s journey: https://www.instagram.com/juliannehuff5/

Key Takeaways and Episode Recap:

In this episode, the host sits down with gymnast Julianne Huff for an open conversation about her journey from club gymnastics in Alabama to competing at the college level for Auburn. Julianne shares humorous childhood stories, reflects on the challenges of recognizing her own potential, and discusses the mental and physical demands of gymnastics. The discussion explores leadership, team culture, and the importance of standing out in a competitive environment. Julianne also talks about her personal growth, future aspirations in physical therapy, and the value of self-advocacy both in and out of sports.

Click Here For Time Stamps of the Episode with Julianne Huff:

Gymnastics Mindset Academy

Ryan Romano — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 12:55:31 +0000

Gymnastics Mindset Academy – Why We Do It…

We have brought these tools based in cognitive behavioral principles to the world of gymnastics because we believe that these tools could change gymnastics from the inside out.

Instead of giving up on those gymnasts dealing with mental blocks and self doubt, we can teach them how to deal with their thoughts and emotions just like we teach them any other skill.

Instead of using the fear of conditioning, of being held back or of disappointing a coach or parent to motivate gymnasts when they are struggling, we can use proven psychology and cognitive-based behavioral tools.

Follow Gymnastics Mindset Academy: https://www.instagram.com/gym.mindset.academy/

Key Takeaways and Episode Recap:

In this episode of the Gymnastics Mindset Academy podcast, the hosts and founders, Ali and Stacy, share their personal journeys in gymnastics and coaching, revealing how their experiences led to creating a mindset coaching academy for gymnasts. They discuss the importance of self-worth, managing fear, and separating identity from performance. Through anecdotes and practical strategies, they emphasize building resilience, embracing all emotions, and focusing on personal growth over external achievements. The conversation offers valuable insights for athletes, coaches, and parents on fostering a healthier, more supportive gymnastics environment.

Click Here For Timestamps of Gymnastics Mindset Academy Podcast