The History of the Gymnastics Gossip Message Board (GGMB)

The good, the bad and the BARTA of it all - Before social media, there was GGMB—the Gymnastics Gossip Message Board. We revisit the influential, informative, bizarre and sometimes deeply toxic message board that helped shape the early gymternet—and GymCastic itself. Plus, the developing Rich Stenger/Cal gymnastics Instagram story, Suni Lee's stolen bronze bust is recovered, we fix Claire Pease's floor construction, and draft dream seven-member Olympic teams.
FULL COMMISSION RAFFLE: This is currently the only way to commission a full GymCastic episode. Entries are $10, enter as many times as you want, and other prizes will be available. Winner(s) drawn in Rotterdam. Enter here.
HEADLINES
Russian lobbying and financial flows in World Gymnastics
Developing Rich Stenger/Cal gymnastics Instagram story
Suni Lee's stolen bronze bust has been recovered
World Team Camp roster
GGMB: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BARTA
What was the Gymnastics Gossip Message Board? We revisit the scandals, gossip, insiders, bizarre word filters, genuinely valuable gymnastics knowledge and toxicity of one of the early gymternet's most influential communities. We discuss how GGMB influenced GymCastic, why our earliest episodes resembled an "audio message board," what we intentionally left behind and what we kept—including chasing down rumors to find out what is actually true.
MINI-COMMISSIONS
Fix Her Routine: We attempt to build a smarter, realistically achievable floor routine for Claire Pease.
Dream 7-Member Olympic Teams: Jessica and Spencer select dream U.S. and international teams using the classic seven-member format.
GYMTERNET NEWS
Former Rapid City gymnastics coach sentenced to federal prison
Gymnastics Australia launches its growth blueprint ahead of Brisbane 2032
CHAPTERS 00:00 – Russian Lobbying, Rich Stenger & Breaking News 03:45 – Suni Lee's Head Was Found 07:30 – World Team Camp & Raffle 12:21 – GGMB: The Good, the Bad and the BARTA 36:01 – Updates & Live Show Replay 36:48 – Mini Commission Fixing Claire Pease's Floor Routine 58:21 – Mini Commission Dream 7-Member Olympic Teams 1:19:43 – Dumpster Fire & Gymternet News
HUEL: Limited Time Offer – Make healthy eating simple. Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code GYMCASTIC at huel.com/GYMCASTIC. New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show!
Club Gym Nerd: Ad-free episodes, Behind The Scenes every Friday, mini-commissions, immediate post-meet coverage and more at GymCastic.com/club.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Club Gym Nerd: Join Club Gym Nerd for weekly Behind the Scenes episodes, our complete members-only archive, games, the forum and live-show discounts.
Shop GymCastic: Shop merch.
GYMCASTIC TOOLS, GAMES AND RESOURCES
GymCastic tools:
LA 2028 Roster Lab — Now with auto-fill highest-scoring team, team comparisons and updated roster briefs.
Elite Score Explorer — U.S. Championships scores are in, plus new charting options and the vault bonus toggle.
International Gymnastics Calendar
GymCastic Games
GymCastic Newsletters
The Balance Beam Situation: Spencer Barnes' GIF Code of Points
Gymnastics History: Gymnastics history and Code of Points archive from Uncle Tim
Resistance Resources