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Faculty & Staff

Meet Our Team

The foundation of every Gymnastics University course is the unparalleled expertise of our faculty. Take a minute and get to know the amazing knowledge sources who will guide you on your Gymnastics Journey, from Recreational to Elite levels.

Competitive Gymnastics

Gaby Arkell

Club Owner & Coach

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Steve Arkell

Club Owner & Coach,

USAG National Team Staff

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Brandon Bushard​

Club Owner & Coach,

Coach of National Team Member

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Chris Bushard - PhD

Club Owner & Coach,

Coach of National Team Member

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Jan Eyman

Elite Level Judge,

National Education Director, NAWGJ

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Wally Eyman

Club Owner & Coach, Author, Biomechanics Illustrator to USAG

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Terin Humphrey

Olympic Medalist, USAG Hall of Fame, Coach of National Team Member,
Past US Olympic Team Selection Committee

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Claudia Kretschmer

Club Owner & Coach,

USAG Xcel National Chair

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Bart Roskoski

Club Owner & Coach,

Past USAG National Elite Program Committee

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Darren Webster

Coach & Technical Director AGF, Coach of National Team Member, FIG Academy Lecturer

Mary Wright - MNZM

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Club Owner & Olympic Team Coach, USAG Hall of Fame, Author,
Gymnastics University Founding President

Dance & Artistry

Betty Okino

Olympic Medalist, USAG Hall of Fame, Author,

USAG High Performance Director, National Team Coach

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Recreational Gymnastics

Quin Shannon

Child Development Specialist,
Coach Educator

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Wellness & Wellbeing

Alison Arnold - PhD

Renowned Sports Psychologist,

Author

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Bindee Eberle - MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS

Sports Nutritionist,

Author

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Shira Lewis - DPT

Physical Therapist,

Pioneering Movement Solutions

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Bill Sands - PhD, FACSM

Renowned Sports Scientist,

USAG Hall of Fame, Author

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Pathway to the NCAA

Jill Hicks

NCAA Gymnast & Coach,
Founder Jill Hicks Consulting

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Development & Operations

Jacob Okino Benson

Dance for Gymnastics Co-Founder, Curriculum Development Director

Stephen Marlow

Gymnastics University Co-Founder, Operations Director

Faculty Insights

Discover practical tips, expert perspectives, and thoughtful articles from the Gymnastics University faculty. Covering topics across coaching, athlete development, judging, and wellness & wellbeing, our Insight Library continues to grow with frequent contributions from our world-class instructors.

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Bio

Gaby has been coaching since 1994, starting in Mexico before moving to the U.S. in 2000. She has developed gymnasts at every level, from recreational to elite, producing TOPs National Team members, National Champions, and 20+ NCAA scholarship athletes at universities including Oklahoma, UCLA, Auburn, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Pitt. Known for her technical eye and passion for athlete growth, Gaby continues to inspire gymnasts to reach their highest potential.

Bio

Steve brings over 40 years of coaching experience and currently serves on the USA National Staff (Bars & Vault). A USA & Canadian National Team Coach, he has produced 40+ National Champions and 53+ NCAA scholarship athletes. His career spans international coaching assignments, collegiate coaching at UC Berkeley, and leadership at top clubs across the U.S. and Canada. Steve is recognized worldwide for his technical expertise and dedication to athlete development.

Bio

Brandon Bushard is a highly regarded gymnastics coach known for his expertise in the sport. He has been involved in coaching and training gymnasts at various levels, including the Nebraska Men’s Gymnastics team.

 

Bushard’s coaching philosophy emphasizes the development of all-around gymnasts who excel in multiple events, such as the Floor and Balance Beam. He also advocates for a more holistic approach to coaching, balancing skill development with the athlete’s health and mental toughness.

 

His commitment to the sport and his students’ growth is evident in his coaching style and the success he has achieved with his gymnasts.

Bio

Christopher J. Bushard, Ph.D. is a nationally respected gymnastics coach and psychologist with nearly three decades of experience developing elite athletes and supporting youth development. He has coached gymnastics in Montana for 29 years, guiding numerous male and female athletes to Level 9 and Level 10 National Championships. His athletes include three collegiate gymnasts and two gymnasts committed to full-ride scholarships for 2027. Dr. Bushard has led multiple state team championship titles across five different clubs and coached former U.S. National Team member Reese Esponda from Level 10 through senior national team selection. Under his guidance, Esponda earned National Hopes titles on vault and beam, second place all-around, seventh place junior elite all-around, first place floor, and represented the United States in World Cup competition in Baku, Azerbaijan.

 

Dr. Bushard earned his B.S. in Psychology from Montana State University (2007), his M.A. in School Psychology (2011), and his Ph.D. in Psychology (2013) from the University of Montana. He currently serves as Owner and Girls Coach at Velocity Gymnastics Academy, with prior leadership roles at Roots Gymnastics, Mismo Gymnastics, Lone Mountain Gymnastics, and Big Sky Gymnastics. His professional interests include bullying intervention research and applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques with children.

Bio

Jan Eyman is a highly respected gymnastics educator, coach, administrator, and national-level official with over four decades of experience in the sport. Eyman earned both her Bachelor of Science in Education (1975) and Master of Science in Education (1981) from Keene State College in New Hampshire. She began her professional career as an adjunct faculty member in the Physical Education Department at Keene State College, where she also served as Gymnastics Coach from 1977 to 1985.

 

Eyman co-owned and administered the American School of Gymnastics in New Hampshire from 1977 to 1990, contributing significantly to athlete development and program growth. After relocating to Texas in 1991, she became co-owner and administrator of Signature Signs and later co-owned GymTricks Gymnastics, where she coached through 2023. A nationally rated NAWGJ official since 1984, Eyman has judged at the highest levels of the sport, including numerous USAG Regional and National competitions, NCAA Regional and Conference Championships, and multiple Collegiate National Championships. She served as an NCAA National Championship judge in 2023 and will do so again in 2026.

 

In addition to judging, Eyman has held influential leadership roles, including President of the Whitney Chamber of Commerce, Texas USAG State Administrative Chair, NAWGJ Education Director, and Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Gymnastics Commissioner. She is a frequent lecturer and presenter at NAWGJ and USA Gymnastics clinics and conventions, recognized for her leadership, organizational expertise, and commitment to gymnastics education.

Bio

Wally Eyman is a lifelong gymnastics professional, educator, designer, and entrepreneur with more than five decades of experience in the sport. Eyman earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Eastern Illinois University and began his career in the early 1970s as Program Director and Coach at Southern Vermont Gymnastics Club before serving as Women’s Gymnastics Coach at Keene State College from 1977 to 1985.

 

Over the years, he has held leadership roles across coaching, administration, and business ownership. He co-owned and administered the American School of Gymnastics in New Hampshire for over a decade and later co-founded Gym-Trix, Inc., where he served as President and lead equipment designer-engineer for more than 35 years. Since relocating to Texas in 1991, Eyman has co-owned Signature Signs, GymTricks Gymnastics, and currently owns Gymnastics Warehouse, specializing in gymnastics equipment design, fabrication, and consultation.

 

Widely respected for his technical and artistic expertise, Eyman has been a USA Gymnastics illustrator for the Compulsory Program and Code of Points since 1994 and continues this work today. He is also a frequent lecturer and presenter for NAWGJ and GAT clinics and conventions, sharing his extensive knowledge of gymnastics education, equipment design, and judging standards.

Bio

Terin Marie Humphrey is a Kansas City, Missouri native, Olympic silver medalist, World Champion, and one of the most accomplished athletes in Missouri history. As a member of the historic 2003 U.S. Women’s World Championship Team, she helped secure the first team gold medal in U.S. women’s gymnastics history. At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, she earned both a team silver medal and an individual silver medal on the uneven bars.

 

A standout collegiate athlete at the University of Alabama, Humphrey became a two-time NCAA Individual Uneven Bars Champion and an 11-time All-American. She is also recognized in the sport’s Code of Points for the balance beam skill known as the “Humphrey,” a wolf turn with 2½ rotations. Her achievements earned her two inductions into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame, including recognition as Missouri’s first gymnast to receive the honor.

 

Beyond competition, Humphrey has served the gymnastics community in numerous leadership roles, including as a member of the 2012 and 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Selection Committees. She has coached multiple Junior Olympic champions and currently coaches U.S. National Team member Aulya Daniels. Outside the gym, Humphrey served as a police officer for four and a half years and has also competed on American Ninja Warrior.

 

Today, as a wife and mother of two daughters, Humphrey brings a unique and valuable perspective as an elite athlete, coach, parent, and mentor, inspiring the next generation through her experience, leadership, and passion for the sport.

Bio

Claudia Kretschmer is the owner and head coach of Gym America in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a club she founded in 1979. With over 40 years of experience in the sport, Claudia has been deeply involved in every stage of athlete development—from preschool gymnastics through the elite level. A former University of Florida gymnast, she has dedicated her career to coaching, leadership, and education within the gymnastics community.

 

Claudia is a founding member of the USA Gymnastics Xcel Program and has served as the Xcel National Chair since 2013. She played a key role in developing the Prep-Optional (now Xcel) program in Michigan and Region 5, helping shape pathways that allow athletes to grow and succeed in meaningful ways. A longtime clinician and national instructor, Claudia has helped develop major educational curricula, including the USA Gymnastics W200 course, and continues to mentor coaches and leaders internationally.

 

At her core, Claudia is an educator. She is deeply passionate about helping coaches learn, grow, and feel supported in their work, and she believes that strong education and shared knowledge are what keep the sport moving forward. The lessons she values most—commitment, integrity, and care for others—are the same ones she hopes gymnastics instills for life.

Bio

Bart Roskoski is a respected gymnastics coach and entrepreneur based in Minnesota, with more than three decades of experience developing high-level athletes. He is the co-owner and head team coach of Flips Gymnastics in White Bear Lake, a successful training facility he has operated with his wife, Lori Roskoski, since 2002. Under his leadership, Flips has produced numerous elite gymnasts, including Development Program (DP) and Elite National Team members, as well as Level 10 Junior Olympic National qualifiers and champions.

 

Roskoski’s impact extends nationally, with athletes advancing to compete at top NCAA programs across the country, including Oklahoma, University of Utah, Iowa State, Air Force Academy, Boise State, University of Nebraska, LSU, University of Maryland, University of Minnesota, University of Denver, Utah State, NC State, Illinois State, University of New Hampshire, Southern Utah University, and the University of Illinois Chicago.

 

Beyond the gym, Roskoski is dedicated to advancing gymnastics education. He co-founded HowToGymnastics.com, an online platform offering training plans, drills, and coaching resources.

 

Bio

Mary Wright is an internationally respected coach whose career has influenced elite athletes across New Zealand and the United States. She began her journey in gymnastics as a young athlete in New Zealand and started coaching at just 15 years old. By the age of 20, she had established her own club and coached athletes who represented New Zealand at the 1970 and 1974 World Championships.

 

In 1975, Mary moved to California to continue her coaching career. Within her first year, one of her gymnasts earned a place on the 1976 Canadian Olympic team, while two others competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials. In 1980, two of her gymnasts made the U.S. Olympic team, and in 1984 she coached six athletes who earned Olympic team positions. Her athletes also competed in multiple World Championships and national competitions, including producing the 1977 Elite National Champion and athletes who competed in the American Cup.

 

In 1988, Mary was named the USA Women’s Artistic Consultant. From 1989 until compulsory programs were discontinued, Wright represented USA Gymnastics at the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), learning the new compulsory routines and teaching them to U.S. coaches and judges at regional and national training camps and congresses.

 

Mary founded Olympus Gymnastics in 1992. Her program has qualified athletes to Level 10 Nationals every year since 1993, and produced more than 100 State Champions, and numerous Regional and National Champions. Over 130 of her athletes earned college/NCAA scholarships.

 

Wright has received numerous honors including: USA Gymnastics Elite Coach of the Year, Elite Choreographer of the Year five times, the New Zealand Order of Merit (2019), and induction into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame (2020).

 

In 2016, Mary joined Masters of Sport, producing educational materials for coaches worldwide, and authored The Tapestry of Gymnastics: Lessons Learned and Lessons Earned.

 

In 2025, Wright founded Gymnastics University and began recruiting renowned professionals to join the Faculty.

Bio

Betty Okino is a High Performance Lead for the U.S. Women’s Artistic Gymnastics program and has been a key member of the U.S. National Team Staff since 2018, where she supports athletes and coaches in the areas of technique, artistry, and choreography.

 

An Olympic bronze medalist and three-time World Championship medalist, Betty is also a USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame inductee whose career has spanned elite competition, international leadership, and athlete development. In her current role, she serves as one of the High Performance Leads for the U.S. Women’s National Team, helping guide preparation and performance while leading U.S. delegations of athletes and coaches at international competitions around the world.

 

Known for her unique ability to blend athletic precision with expressive performance, Betty has dedicated her post-competitive career to elevating artistry within gymnastics. She works closely with athletes across all levels—from developing elites to national team members—helping them build confidence, presence, and performance quality on the world stage.

 

Drawing from this experience, Betty created “Dance for Gymnastics”, a comprehensive artistry program and app providing short, engaging, challenge-based lessons. The platform allows gymnasts and coaches to integrate artistry training into daily practice in a way that is both practical and inspiring.

 

Through her leadership, teaching, and creative vision, Betty continues to shape the future of women’s gymnastics—bridging the gap between sport and performance, and helping athletes unlock a more complete expression of their abilities.

Bio

Quin Shannon is a seasoned gymnastics professional with over four decades of full-time experience in the sport, beginning his coaching career in 1984. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from Arizona State University (1981), bringing a strong scientific foundation to his approach to training, athlete development, and safety.

 

His extensive background spans every level of gymnastics, including preschool, recreational, Xcel, Junior Olympic, Elite, and NCAA Division I programs.

 

Quin has owned and operated both preschool and physical education gymnastics programs, directed large-scale recreational programs, and coached athletes at the highest competitive levels. A nationally recognized educator, Quin serves as an instructor for both USA Gymnastics and the National Gymnastics Association. He is widely regarded as a master clinician and is world-renowned for his highly effective and engaging training methods. Today, he focuses much of his time on “coaching the coaches,” sharing his expertise to help instructors teach great gymnastics in a way that is both safe and fun.

 

Despite his global impact, Quin’s greatest passion remains teaching classes and being part of a child’s first experience in gymnastics. He believes this role carries both honor and responsibility. His philosophy is simple: gymnastics should be “serious fun.” By prioritizing enjoyment, Quin helps athletes build a lifelong association where challenge leads to growth, confidence, and a love of learning—rather than fear of failure.

Bio

Doc Ali pioneered mental training in the sport of gymnastics and has worked with virtually every level athlete in most sports.

 

She received her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and her PhD in Clinical Psychology. She obtained certification in Neuroscience and Leadership from MIT. For 12 immersive weeks Doc Ali studied the mind with the masters in Nepal, spent four weeks in a Thai forest monastery, three weeks in the Amazon jungle in Peru, two weeks in silence integrating it all, and still made it back to teach it.

 

For 28 years, Doc Ali has helped athletes and youth all over the world learn the mental tools needed to overcome obstacles and reach their goals. As of today, Doc Ali has worked with 18 Olympians (12 Olympic Medalists), seven World Champions, 23 National Champions, 19 NCAA teams (including back-to-back National Champions), and thousands of athletes chasing their dreams.


In addition to sports, She has coached celebrities and works with corporations and executives – the likes of American Express, Boeing, and GlaxoSmithKline. Helping them build focus, confidence, and overcoming mental obstacles, she is relentless about helping people reach their full potential, and their professional peak performance.

 

Doc Ali is a consistently invited contributor to regional and national congresses, symposiums, and publications around the world.

Bio

Bindee Eberle is a registered dietitian sports nutritionist and private personal trainer with nearly 30 years of experience helping athletes achieve peak performance and long-term health. Since 1998, she has worked as a private personal trainer specializing in whole-body wellness and longevity. In 1999, she established her private practice as a sports dietitian.

 

Bindee holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Science with a minor in health education and dietetics, and a Master of Science in Nutrition Science with an emphasis in sports nutrition. She completed her Dietetic Internship at Utah State University and earned her Sports Nutrition Certification through the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

 

Throughout her career, Bindee has worked with every level of athlete—from recreational to professional—in a wide array of power and distance sports. By far, she has worked most extensively with gymnasts, their parents, and coaches, including guiding her own elite and NCAA gymnast daughter. Her focus is optimizing performance, facilitating recovery, and implementing strategic injury nutrition.

 

Bindee has been a regular presenter at USA Gymnastics National and Regional Congresses since 2012 and serves as the official Sports Dietitian for Region 1 Training Camps and College Showcases. Her mission is to teach food as fuel and empower gymnasts, families, and gyms to support a healthy ascent to the highest levels of competition.

Bio

Shira Lewis, PT, DPT, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and gymnastics specialist with a lifelong foundation in high-level sport. A former competitive gymnast and dancer, she went on to compete as a Division I diver at Northeastern University, where she earned her degrees in Rehabilitation Science and Physical Therapy. She is currently pursuing her GSMC-P (Gymnastics Sports Medicine Certified Practitioner).

 

Dr. Lewis has worked across clinical, performance, and educational settings, including as a Physical Therapist at Perkins School for the Blind (2013–2016), Developmental Coach (2004–2017), Director of Artistic Services at Precision Choreography (2020–2024), and Physio Consultant to the Swiss National Gymnastics Team (2021–2023). Since 2013, she has served as an international clinician, choreographer, and gymnastics educator, consulting with clubs on gymnastics science, technique, strength training, and coach development.

 

She has been presenting at conferences since 2017 and for USA Gymnastics since 2022. While she has lectured extensively on safe back flexibility and the longevity of hypermobile athletes, her greatest passion is teaching coaches how to teach gymnastics the right way—building proper foundations grounded in science. Integrating anatomy, physics, and child development, she helps coaches meet athletes where they are to optimize function, minimize pain, and maximize potential through mobility, stability, and strength.

Bio

Dr. William A. Sands is a retired sports scientist who most recently served with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. With more than 50 years of experience in Olympic and elite sport, he has held numerous leadership roles in sport science, research, coaching, and high-performance training.

 

Dr. Sands earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, where he was an NAIA All-American gymnast, MVP, co-captain, and NAIA Gymnast of the Year. He was also a member of the university’s first team to win a national championship.

 

Dr. Sands also had a distinguished career as a gymnastics coach. He served as a World Championship coach in 1979 and coached several Olympians, more than a dozen U.S. National Team members, and multiple World Championship Team members.

 

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Sands held several prominent academic and administrative positions. He served as Director of Education for the National Strength and Conditioning Association in Colorado Springs, Director of the Monfort Family Human Performance Research Laboratory at Colorado Mesa University, and Department Chair of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine at California Lutheran University, where he also directed the Human Performance Laboratory.

 

He was previously an associate professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Utah and Co-Director of the Motor Behavior Research Laboratory, with adjunct appointments in Bioengineering and Physical Therapy.

 

At the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, Dr. Sands served as Recovery Center Leader, Head of Sport Biomechanics and Engineering, and Senior Physiologist.

 

Additional roles include Director of Research and Development for USA Gymnastics, member of the Scientific Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation, and Chair of the United States Elite Coaches Association for Women’s Gymnastics.

 

Dr. Sands has authored or co-authored 13 books and more than 300 publications on sport performance. His honors include 35 professional awards, the USA Gymnastics Lifetime Achievement Award, and induction into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

 

He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and holds certifications as an Athlete Recovery Specialist, EMT, and Wilderness EMT, with additional training in emergency communications and search and rescue.

 

His professional interests focus on athlete recovery, high-performance training, strength and power development, and wilderness emergency medicine.

Bio

Jill Hicks is the Founder and Gymnastics Advisor of Jill Hicks Consulting, bringing more than two decades of experience as an elite athlete, NCAA coach, recruiter, choreographer, and mentor. Raised in California, Jill competed at the elite level before accepting a scholarship to Oregon State University.

 

A freshman-year injury ended her competitive collegiate career, but it opened the door to coaching when Oregon State’s head coach invited her to remain with the team as a student coach. That opportunity launched a 20-year career in collegiate gymnastics, serving on the coaching staffs at both Oregon State University and California State Fullerton University.

 

Jill’s favorite aspect of coaching was recruiting. She enjoyed helping athletes find the right collegiate fit and guiding them through the personal and athletic growth that occurs during their college years. 

 

Following her collegiate coaching career, Jill was selected by USA Gymnastics to travel on the Kellogg’s Tour of Champions with the Fierce Five Olympic team. The experience inspired her to launch Jill Hicks Consulting, where she continues to serve the gymnastics community.

 

Today, Jill’s passion for athlete development continues as she combines her unique perspective as a former elite gymnast, NCAA student-athlete, longtime collegiate coach, recruiter, and consultant to help athletes and families confidently navigate the path to college gymnastics. Her passion for mentorship and commitment to athlete development continue to make a lasting impact on the gymnastics community.  

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