Dr. Alison Arnold, Ph.D.

Dr. Alison's Regional Congress Sessions

Region 7 - Saturday
11:15am - 12:15pm
Holiday Ballroom 3
Stop the Spirals: Teaching Athletes to Turn Adversity into Opportunity [Special Virtual Session!]
Region 7 Saturday Athlete Wellness
Presenter(s): Dr. Alison Arnold, Ph.D.
Session Summary

A single mistake on the beam or a missed landing can send gymnasts into a spiral of negativity that’s hard to stop. One bad turn can snowball into frustration, fear, and self-doubt, derailing an entire event or practice. This session dives into why athletes struggle to recover mentally after setbacks and how these spirals can damage confidence and progress if left unchecked. Learn proven strategies to stop the spiral in its tracks, reframe failures as growth opportunities, and help gymnasts regain focus and resilience quickly. Coaches will leave with practical tools to guide their athletes through tough moments, ensuring they can bounce back stronger and stay on track during both practice and competition.

Note: This is a Virtual Session! We’re thrilled to offer this exclusive opportunity to hear from nationally acclaimed speaker Dr. Ali Arnold, presenting LIVE via Zoom! Thanks to virtual technology, we’re able to bring some of the most respected voices in gymnastics education directly to you! Don’t miss this chance to learn, engage, and be inspired!