Lexi Funk
University of Pittsburgh Assistant Gymnastics Coach
Pitt Gymnastics: Lexi Funk
Lexi Funk is an assistant coach for Pitt Gymnastics program at the University of Pittsburgh. She joined the staff in 2023 after helping guide Central Michigan Chippewas women’s gymnastics to back-to-back Mid-American Conference championships.
Prior to that, Funk served as a volunteer assistant coach at University of Michigan, where she was part of the coaching staff that helped lead the Wolverines to their first NCAA National Championship in 2021. As a former standout gymnast at Michigan, Funk earned All-America honors on balance beam and was a three-time All-Big Ten performer, bringing both elite competitive experience and a passion for athlete development to her coaching career.
Follow Pitt Gymnastics: https://pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/womens-gymnastics
Key Takeaways and Episode Recap:
In a recent episode of our podcast, we sat down with Lexi Funk a former competitive gymnast and current collegiate gymnastics coach for Pitt Gymnastics to explore the nuanced art of coaching, the psychology of athletic performance, and the transformative power of mindset. Drawing from Lexi’s rich experiences both in competition and on the sidelines, this conversation offers a masterclass in unlocking potential, not just for athletes, but for anyone striving for personal and professional growth.
Lexi shares humorous competition stories and emphasizes individualized coaching, regular athlete check-ins, and the importance of mindset. They discuss reframing failure as growth, the power of goal-setting, and overcoming fear of judgment.
Lexi highlights how resilience in sports builds confidence and life skills, and both speakers stress the value of vision, intentionality, and self-awareness in achieving success both on and off the mat.
Key Moments With Coach Lexi Funk with Pitt Gymnastics
Competition Number Story (00:00:01)
Lexi shares a funny story about burning her competition number and thinking it was laminated.
Unlocking Athlete Potential & Pitt Gymnastics Coaching Philosophy (00:02:28)
Discussion on coaching philosophies, helping athletes realize and unlock their potential, and individualized coaching approaches.
Regular Athlete Check-ins & Growth Mindset (00:06:03)
Explains the practice of weekly team meetings, fostering growth, connection, and individualized development.
Celebrating Success vs. Focusing on Failure (00:08:29)
Addresses athletes’ difficulty accepting compliments, tendency to focus on failures, and strategies to reinforce celebrating wins.
Impact of Language & Defining Key Concepts (00:12:40)
Explores how language shapes perception, the importance of defining words like “winning” and “success” for athletes.
Reframing Failure & Clarifying Confidence (00:16:04)
Discusses reframing failure as learning, and the need to define abstract concepts like confidence and consistency.
Manifestation, Decision-Making, and Certainty (00:18:58)
Covers the power of manifestation, importance of making decisions quickly, and building certainty in teams.
Letting Go of Outcomes & Growth Through Pursuit (00:35:37)
Talks about detaching from outcomes, the value of striving for big goals, and personal growth regardless of results.
Translating Athletic Growth to Life (00:37:43)
How overcoming challenges in gymnastics prepares athletes for life beyond sport.
Recipe for Confidence & Imposter Syndrome (00:39:47)
Defines confidence as proof of living your values, and discusses imposter syndrome in athletes.
Leadership, Values, and Growth as a Pitt Gymnastics Coach (00:42:12)
Lexi reflects on her leadership journey, core values like communication and ownership, and her growth mindset.
Personal Growth Mindset & Post-College Development (00:46:31)
Lexy shares how her growth mindset evolved post-college, and the importance of seeking new opportunities.
Sowing and Reaping: Ownership vs. Victimhood (00:50:23)
Discusses teaching athletes about personal responsibility, ownership, and the consequences of their actions.
Controlling the Controllables & Taking Back Power (00:54:11)
Emphasizes focusing on what athletes can control, not external factors like judging, to reclaim agency.
Mindset, Manifestation, and Creating Your Life (00:56:47)
Lexi’s core message: mindset shapes reality, and you can create your life through vision and belief.
Vision, Goal Setting, and Painting the Picture (00:58:34)
Final thoughts on the power of visualization, goal setting, and using a clear vision as a guiding force.
