Celebrating Madison Kocian & Kyla Ross
The Recap
Sam welcomes to the podcast two very special guests, Olympians Madison Kocian & Kyla Ross. Madison is a 2018 NCAA Team Champion, a 2016 Olympic Gold & Silver Medalist, a 3x World Champion and a 7x All-American. Kyla is a 2018 NCAA Team Champion, a 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist, a 2014 World Championship Gold Medalist, an NCAA record holder with 14 Perfect 10s in 2019, and a 19x All-American. These amazing women are seniors at UCLA, where they’ve experienced some of their most memorable gymnastics moments.
In this episode, Sam, Madison and Kyla talk about the abrupt cancellation of their gymnastics season due to the global coronavirus pandemic. They reflect on their careers as collegiate gymnasts and recall the peaks and valleys of their gymnastics career, including embarrassing and uplifting moments. Madison and Kyla speak to the importance of their club coaches as well as the special place they hold in their hearts for UCLA.
Episode Highlights
01:12 – Introducing today’s guests, Madison Kocian and Kyla Ross
01:39 – Sam takes a moment to thank her sponsor, Tumbl Trak and Right Rice
02:38 – Madison and Kyla share their first memories of each other
04:30 – Madison and Kyla walk through the events that transpired the week their season was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak
07:19 – The thoughts and emotions that Madison and Kyla experienced upon hearing this news
12:36 – Madison and Kyla share some peaks and valleys of this past season
16:01 – How Madison and Kyla have grown and changed throughout their gymnastics careers
19:03 – Madison and Kyla speak to the leadership role they took on as seniors
21:07 – Madison and Kyla’s post-graduation plans
25:32 – Sam takes a moment to thank her sponsors Tumbl Trak and Right Rice
26:33 – Madison and Kyla reflect on their most meaningful gymnastics memories
27:16 – Sam reads off some of Madison and Kyla’s career accomplishments
29:52 – Madison and Kyla reflect on their most difficult gymnastics memories
31:52 – Madison and Kyla reflect on their most embarrassing gymnastics memories
34:18 – The most influential person in Madison and Kyla’s careers
38:02 – Madison and Kyla speak to their relationships with their club coaches
41:46 – Something weird about Madison and Kyla that gymnastics fans might not know
43:51 – How Madison and Kyla want to be remembered as gymnasts
44:59 – Sam asks a lightning round of questions
47:49 – Madison and Kyla reveal one thing people can do to get 1% better each day
50:00 – Sam thanks Madison and Kyla for joining the show
Tweetable Quotes
Links Mentioned
Right Rice – Use the code ‘20SAMGYMNAST’ for a 20% discount
Tumbl Trak: Gymnastic, Cheer, Dance, Martial Arts and Special Needs Equipment
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