Amanda Borden is a retired American gymnast, Olympian, coach, gym owner, and gym mom to three kids. After being coached by Mary Lee Tracy, Amanda was the captain of the gold medal winning team, the Magnificent Seven, in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, a team medalist at the World Championships, and a multiple-medalist at the 1995 Pan American games. She graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a degree in childhood education. Currently, Amanda and her husband, Brad Cochran, own Gold Medal Gym in Arizona. In this episode, Amanda redefines what it means to be a “gym mom” and advises on how to not be an overbearing parent. She explains how to find the balance between being a coach and a parent, and also offers some tips for parents of athletes, such as why you should let your children find out what they love, and why you should let your kid lead the conversation. Parents should be teaching their kids to “own it” - to take ownership of their actions so they can learn. Amanda speaks about her own experience growing up and training as a gymnast, the importance of having self-esteem as a gymnast, and why sometimes it’s necessary to fake it until you make it - but also believe in yourself. Full show notes: http://ihavecoolfriends.show/11