NEW TIMES How long have you been a gymnastics coach?
LINSTEADT Since 2007.
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NEW TIMES What ages do you coach?
LINSTEADT From age 4 to 18.
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NEW TIMES How many days does your team practice a week?
LINSTEADT Four.
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NEW TIMES What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
LINSTEADT Being able to communicate with and teach all of my students no matter their age.
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NEW TIMES What’s your most memorable coaching experience?
LINSTEADT It would be when my oldest athlete won first place on pommel horse at Level Nine Regionals. This stands out so much because it was his last meet ever as a competitor, and for him to end his gymnastics career on such a high note was fantastic.
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NEW TIMES How do you think coaching has changed you as a person?
LINSTEADT Working with children has taught me to be more patient and helped me be a happier person; it’s impossible not to be happy when you watch a 4-year-old try to learn somersaults.
This article appears in Jul 21-28, 2011.