WEBVTT
1
00:00:03.870 --> 00:00:06.250
Welcome to off the mat the podcast about the people
2
00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:10.820
behind acrobatic gymnastics athletes coaches and families share their stories
3
00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:13.380
the hard work the passion the challenges and the joy
4
00:00:13.419 --> 00:00:16.519
of growing through sport because the most important moments don't
5
00:00:16.579 --> 00:00:17.559
always happen.
6
00:00:17.300 --> 00:00:24.600
On the mat welcome everybody welcome to the off mat
7
00:00:24.679 --> 00:00:28.750
podcast we're here during the acro cup 2026 uh talking
8
00:00:28.829 --> 00:00:34.530
about acrobatic gymnastics. So welcome to the Austrian team, the
9
00:00:34.609 --> 00:00:39.130
Austrian delegation, Harrier Acrogymnastic Club. Welcome to you. We are
10
00:00:39.170 --> 00:00:45.270
here with Lorenz, Helena, Mia, Lia and coach Elena. So
11
00:00:45.299 --> 00:00:47.159
we'll start with Lorenz. Lorenz, how old are you?
12
00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:48.880
I'm 19 years old.
13
00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:52.479
You're 19, so you look clearly like a base, so
14
00:00:52.500 --> 00:00:55.280
you throw people, right? Yeah, I throw people. How long
15
00:00:55.320 --> 00:00:56.320
have you been doing the sport?
16
00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:02.240
Acrobatics in general I've been doing for four years now
17
00:01:03.219 --> 00:01:06.819
but first I was casted into a show team four
18
00:01:06.840 --> 00:01:11.400
years ago and competition acrobatics I'm practicing.
19
00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:14.810
Now for like a little bit more than one year.
20
00:01:15.390 --> 00:01:17.269
So is it your first international competition?
21
00:01:17.730 --> 00:01:18.510
It's actually my first.
22
00:01:18.810 --> 00:01:20.890
Oh so you're a bit emotional about this?
23
00:01:21.489 --> 00:01:21.790
Yeah.
24
00:01:22.010 --> 00:01:22.549
How do you feel?
25
00:01:23.870 --> 00:01:27.390
I'm pretty nervous, but I'm happy to be here.
26
00:01:28.310 --> 00:01:30.689
You like Italy. I mean, we're close to Austria, so
27
00:01:30.730 --> 00:01:33.870
probably you know already Italy. You've been here at least once.
28
00:01:34.349 --> 00:01:36.230
Yeah, I've been here quite a few times.
29
00:01:36.700 --> 00:01:39.700
Okay, fantastic. You're a base, so you throw people. How
30
00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:44.920
does it feel to be trusted by your tops? I mean,
31
00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:45.939
they must trust you.
32
00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:51.609
Yeah, it's a sport based on trust. You have to
33
00:01:51.989 --> 00:01:53.189
earn the trust, you know.
34
00:01:54.569 --> 00:01:56.920
You must catch them. Yeah, you have to catch.
35
00:01:56.920 --> 00:01:59.319
Them at all times. It doesn't matter what they.
36
00:01:59.459 --> 00:02:02.739
You must not miss any, not even one time.
37
00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:05.819
Yeah, if you mess up, the top might get hurt.
38
00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:07.319
Yes, of course.
39
00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:09.650
It's, of course, a lot of.
40
00:02:10.849 --> 00:02:13.050
But you look like a responsible one. So you look
41
00:02:13.069 --> 00:02:16.789
like you don't miss anybody. You don't miss anybody. And you,
42
00:02:17.349 --> 00:02:21.250
you're Helena, right? Helena, please get the microphone. Helena, how
43
00:02:21.310 --> 00:02:21.789
old are you?
44
00:02:22.069 --> 00:02:22.900
I'm 14.
45
00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:25.199
You're 14, so you're very young. Are you a bass
46
00:02:25.240 --> 00:02:25.560
as well?
47
00:02:25.800 --> 00:02:27.080
Yeah, I'm a bass as well.
48
00:02:27.360 --> 00:02:29.159
So you must be very strong also.
49
00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:30.620
Yeah.
50
00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:33.219
Yes, you are. Don't worry about that. It's like common
51
00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:35.710
in this sport, being strong, because if you're a bass,
52
00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:38.590
you must be strong. And how long have you been
53
00:02:38.629 --> 00:02:41.110
practicing this sport? Five years.
54
00:02:41.129 --> 00:02:41.469
Five years.
55
00:02:41.729 --> 00:02:44.449
When did you realize that you really love this sport,
56
00:02:44.509 --> 00:02:45.090
this discipline?
57
00:02:46.050 --> 00:02:46.509
I think.
58
00:02:46.530 --> 00:02:55.080
I don't know. From the beginning. From the beginning. Is
59
00:02:55.500 --> 00:02:58.099
there an exercise that was very difficult to do that
60
00:02:58.139 --> 00:03:00.599
you knew when you did it for the first time,
61
00:03:00.620 --> 00:03:04.240
you said, wow, I want to do it for all
62
00:03:04.300 --> 00:03:05.139
my life like this?
63
00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:07.000
Mostly anything.
64
00:03:07.400 --> 00:03:10.180
Everything. Backflip you can do? A backflip? Yes.
65
00:03:10.580 --> 00:03:10.879
No.
66
00:03:11.099 --> 00:03:13.949
Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet is a
67
00:03:13.969 --> 00:03:16.810
good answer. Okay. And you, you are Mia, right?
68
00:03:16.889 --> 00:03:17.849
Yes, I'm Mia.
69
00:03:17.909 --> 00:03:18.650
Mia, how old are you?
70
00:03:19.349 --> 00:03:19.840
I'm also 14.
71
00:03:19.830 --> 00:03:20.370
You're also 14.
72
00:03:20.370 --> 00:03:25.379
You're top. You fly usually. And when they throw you
73
00:03:25.500 --> 00:03:27.919
in the air, what do you think? You think you're
74
00:03:27.939 --> 00:03:30.919
going to die or you're happy because it's like flying?
75
00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:31.979
Sometimes.
76
00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:38.789
And how long have you been practicing this sport? Five years,
77
00:03:38.889 --> 00:03:39.750
six years?
78
00:03:39.949 --> 00:03:40.849
Ten years now.
79
00:03:40.889 --> 00:03:42.710
Ten years now. You're 14.
80
00:03:42.710 --> 00:03:43.199
Yes, I'm 14.
81
00:03:43.189 --> 00:03:46.330
So when you were four, you started. And when you
82
00:03:46.349 --> 00:03:49.030
were four, you didn't understand anything. You just liked that.
83
00:03:49.520 --> 00:03:50.819
Yes, I loved it.
84
00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:54.919
You loved it from the beginning. And then, are your
85
00:03:54.939 --> 00:03:58.960
parents worried when they see you flying like this?
86
00:03:59.060 --> 00:04:00.159
I think so, yes.
87
00:04:01.699 --> 00:04:03.710
But you're not. You're not afraid.
88
00:04:04.370 --> 00:04:05.930
Not always. Not always.
89
00:04:06.069 --> 00:04:09.250
Sometimes. Sometimes. And you, you are Lia, right?
90
00:04:09.610 --> 00:04:10.009
Yes.
91
00:04:10.050 --> 00:04:13.050
Yeah, you look very, very young. How old are you?
92
00:04:13.389 --> 00:04:15.039
I'm 11.
93
00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:15.370
11, 11.
94
00:04:15.370 --> 00:04:17.610
So you just started secondary school, I don't know.
95
00:04:18.579 --> 00:04:19.779
I begin.
96
00:04:21.220 --> 00:04:23.839
I don't know if it's similar to Italy, the system
97
00:04:23.899 --> 00:04:27.670
of the schools, like your elementary school. Elementary, yeah, still
98
00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:30.949
elementary school, right? And do you like studying?
99
00:04:30.970 --> 00:04:31.040
Yes.
100
00:04:32.509 --> 00:04:35.250
Yes. How many times do you train per week?
101
00:04:35.829 --> 00:04:36.949
Four times a week.
102
00:04:36.970 --> 00:04:39.410
Four times per week, so almost every day.
103
00:04:39.430 --> 00:04:40.370
Yeah.
104
00:04:40.889 --> 00:04:42.329
How many hours per training?
105
00:04:42.930 --> 00:04:45.350
Sometimes three, but sometimes four.
106
00:04:47.110 --> 00:04:51.449
Three, four hours per day of training, you realize you're strange, right?
107
00:04:51.689 --> 00:04:53.949
I mean, you're not common. Strange in a good sense.
108
00:04:53.970 --> 00:04:58.350
I mean, being an athlete is living with sacrifices. Do
109
00:04:58.389 --> 00:05:02.269
you realize you're sacrificing a bit for your athleticism?
110
00:05:02.300 --> 00:05:07.720
A little bit sometimes.
111
00:05:08.220 --> 00:05:12.079
Do you regret it? Do you think you like more...
112
00:05:12.339 --> 00:05:14.860
Would you go to, I don't know, to have fun
113
00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:18.079
instead of training or you do it... willingly and happy
114
00:05:18.699 --> 00:05:22.399
happy happy so you really like this yeah and and
115
00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:25.870
you what do you think um um mia about training
116
00:05:25.930 --> 00:05:28.949
all this time and watching your friends maybe having fun
117
00:05:29.350 --> 00:05:32.089
elsewhere and you still do training and happy with your
118
00:05:32.110 --> 00:05:36.009
training do you feel you're uh particular unique or just
119
00:05:36.029 --> 00:05:40.430
it's just because you love the sport um.
120
00:05:42.589 --> 00:05:47.389
Sometimes I'm a little bit sad because I don't get
121
00:05:47.410 --> 00:05:49.939
to hang out with my friends, but most of the
122
00:05:49.980 --> 00:05:51.620
time I'm really happy to go train.
123
00:05:52.259 --> 00:05:54.000
Usually, so you're usually very happy.
124
00:05:54.019 --> 00:05:54.279
Yes.
125
00:05:54.860 --> 00:05:55.879
And you, Elena, you're 14 now.
126
00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:56.019
Yes.
127
00:06:01.319 --> 00:06:04.649
Becoming uh becoming a woman you know it's you're in
128
00:06:04.670 --> 00:06:08.329
the middle of your journey to become an adult and
129
00:06:08.589 --> 00:06:12.230
um it's usually your friends maybe not every everybody of
130
00:06:12.269 --> 00:06:14.990
your friends is practicing acro so maybe some of your
131
00:06:15.009 --> 00:06:17.230
friends don't understand why you train so much they don't
132
00:06:17.250 --> 00:06:20.009
understand they don't understand right and do you try to
133
00:06:20.050 --> 00:06:21.829
explain them yeah.
134
00:06:21.509 --> 00:06:23.769
I try to explain them and they ask me why
135
00:06:23.829 --> 00:06:26.089
don't you go to the gym with me and i.
136
00:06:26.029 --> 00:06:28.829
Say no i practice i can't go so.
137
00:06:28.870 --> 00:06:33.730
Yeah It's like this. They don't understand your love for
138
00:06:33.750 --> 00:06:37.689
the discipline. And you, you were a bit older. I mean,
139
00:06:38.110 --> 00:06:41.250
you have some years and you see your friends going
140
00:06:41.290 --> 00:06:44.170
to the discotheque, I don't know, going to... Not to drink,
141
00:06:44.209 --> 00:06:46.769
I don't know, because you're too young, but maybe go
142
00:06:47.009 --> 00:06:49.709
out having fun and you still have to do training.
143
00:06:49.970 --> 00:06:51.550
What does it make you feel? How does it make
144
00:06:51.589 --> 00:06:51.889
you feel?
145
00:06:54.290 --> 00:06:56.170
I have to say I don't have that much free
146
00:06:56.189 --> 00:06:57.250
time because I'm working.
147
00:06:58.230 --> 00:07:01.209
You work also? So you go to school, work?
148
00:07:01.230 --> 00:07:02.709
No, I'm a paramedic.
149
00:07:03.050 --> 00:07:06.629
You're a paramedic? So you're really an adult, right?
150
00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:11.699
And I'm working like 60 hours a week in Linz
151
00:07:12.339 --> 00:07:15.579
and I have training in Vienna, so I have to
152
00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:16.439
travel a lot.
153
00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:18.899
But you're still happy?
154
00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:20.439
I'm still happy, yeah.
155
00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:23.100
You're still happy. You know, this is a sport in which...
156
00:07:24.350 --> 00:07:28.699
you grow all the fast like when you're 18 or
157
00:07:28.699 --> 00:07:32.480
19 you're like just at the end I mean of
158
00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:36.220
your career because usually you're so young when you practice
159
00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:39.300
the sports even at high levels I'm still young yes
160
00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:42.480
you are yes you are of course but someday maybe
161
00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:45.790
you have to stop being an athlete and becoming a
162
00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:48.230
coach do you have you have you think have you
163
00:07:48.250 --> 00:07:48.790
thought about.
164
00:07:48.670 --> 00:07:54.800
That yeah for sure I'm currently in training to be
165
00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:55.660
a personal trainer.
166
00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:58.540
Yes, of course. I knew that. I knew that you
167
00:07:58.560 --> 00:07:59.180
won't stop.
168
00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:03.019
No, I won't stop. Maybe when I'm finished in like
169
00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:05.660
four or five years, then I'm going to be a coach.
170
00:08:05.810 --> 00:08:06.050
Why not?
171
00:08:06.430 --> 00:08:08.310
Why not? Why not? And you, what do you think
172
00:08:08.370 --> 00:08:08.720
about it?
173
00:08:08.730 --> 00:08:13.269
I think it's very cool to be a coach after you.
174
00:08:13.189 --> 00:08:13.870
Wear an athlete.
175
00:08:14.250 --> 00:08:15.170
So I think maybe.
176
00:08:15.579 --> 00:08:18.680
Maybe, maybe. You're too young to think about this, but
177
00:08:18.720 --> 00:08:19.819
yet you... She's the same.
178
00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:20.779
I'm older than her.
179
00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:21.899
Yeah, she's older than me.
180
00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:22.939
You're older than her.
181
00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:23.319
Yeah.
182
00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:29.300
Wow, wow. Well, well, well, well, wait, wait, wait. This
183
00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:34.350
shocked me because you look very young. Well, it happens
184
00:08:34.889 --> 00:08:38.019
when people are still growing up, I think. So it's normal.
185
00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:44.480
But anyway, when is your time? Will you change to
186
00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:47.990
a base or will you remain a top forever?
187
00:08:48.370 --> 00:08:51.929
Yes, next year I'm... Next year.
188
00:08:51.730 --> 00:08:55.769
You're becoming a base. Yes, next year I'm becoming a base.
189
00:08:56.590 --> 00:08:59.850
When this will happen, you'll feel a bit sad because
190
00:08:59.889 --> 00:09:03.230
you like flying or it's just a natural development?
191
00:09:03.250 --> 00:09:07.460
I'm happy because... My last competition is international and it's
192
00:09:07.789 --> 00:09:08.379
very cool.
193
00:09:08.759 --> 00:09:10.460
Is this your last competition as a top?
194
00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:10.720
Yes.
195
00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:14.399
Wow. So I'm going to ask you also one thing more.
196
00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:17.600
Are you here to win or to participate?
197
00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:19.460
I'm here to have fun.
198
00:09:20.440 --> 00:09:23.940
Okay. You're so political. I appreciate that. I appreciate that.
199
00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:24.740
I only want to win.
200
00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:30.279
But on the podium. But we are fixed as we
201
00:09:30.350 --> 00:09:32.570
are on the podium because we only have one opponent.
202
00:09:32.649 --> 00:09:36.090
This is really a mature thing. to say you really
203
00:09:36.110 --> 00:09:40.690
you really are old despite your because you think like
204
00:09:40.870 --> 00:09:44.019
a like a like a like an adult right and
205
00:09:44.179 --> 00:09:49.019
you are you here to win or to participate yes
206
00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:54.610
yes one sincere I like sincere answers you're like you're
207
00:09:54.629 --> 00:09:56.669
here to win you are have you already won some
208
00:09:56.710 --> 00:10:01.720
competition yes and when you get on the higher step
209
00:10:01.779 --> 00:10:04.980
of the podium, how does it feel? I never felt that.
210
00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:07.500
Really good, actually.
211
00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:12.539
Really good, actually. Please, I want to talk with the coach.
212
00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:17.210
Coach Elena, you're very young too. How old are you?
213
00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:18.419
I'm 19 years old.
214
00:10:18.419 --> 00:10:22.759
19 years old, so already a coach. Why did you
215
00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:24.539
decide to become a coach?
216
00:10:24.820 --> 00:10:28.059
I was a gymnast first. And after a few years,
217
00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:31.519
I just thought sometimes it's going to be the end
218
00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:36.240
at least. And there just wasn't any partnership for me left.
219
00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:39.059
I was about to finish school. I had to focus
220
00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:42.039
a bit on studying. So it was just like the
221
00:10:42.090 --> 00:10:43.779
time for it, I think, the right moment.
222
00:10:45.090 --> 00:10:48.549
It's a bit sad when you finish, but it's a
223
00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:50.659
new chapter when you become a coach, I guess.
224
00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:53.899
Yes, I was really sad, but I'm really happy with
225
00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:55.659
my decision now.
226
00:10:55.820 --> 00:10:59.700
And you are with them every day for three, four
227
00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:05.090
hours per day, coaching and telling them to do some exercises,
228
00:11:05.179 --> 00:11:08.210
watching them sweat, but also watching them grow. How does
229
00:11:08.269 --> 00:11:10.690
it feel like an experience? It's like a little family.
230
00:11:10.730 --> 00:11:12.090
You feel like a mother sometimes.
231
00:11:12.659 --> 00:11:14.700
A little bit like a mother, yes. No, it's really
232
00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:16.960
nice because you spend the time with the same people
233
00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:19.019
and some of them, because when I used to do gymnastics,
234
00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:20.899
some of them already were in my team. So I
235
00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:23.620
really saw, for example, Mia. I've known her for like
236
00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:28.019
about nine, ten years since she started. So it's really
237
00:11:28.070 --> 00:11:30.490
nice to see them grow and be with them and
238
00:11:30.970 --> 00:11:34.269
also watch like not only their acrobatics career grow, but
239
00:11:34.330 --> 00:11:37.490
also them in character and when they get older. I
240
00:11:37.509 --> 00:11:38.090
really like that.
241
00:11:38.110 --> 00:11:43.090
Since you have a bit more of experience... Do you
242
00:11:43.129 --> 00:11:46.820
suggest them what to eat, like some kind of diet,
243
00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:51.919
or it's just eat well and don't eat too much
244
00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:52.940
before a competition?
245
00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:55.399
I think it's really important that if you are a
246
00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:58.500
gymnast that you look what you eat, but we don't
247
00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:02.000
have a strict diet. Because if you do acrobatics, it's
248
00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:04.740
important to get your proteins, for example, to eat the
249
00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:06.830
right things so you have a lot of energy and
250
00:12:06.870 --> 00:12:09.110
don't feel weak and that kind of stuff, but we
251
00:12:09.129 --> 00:12:10.909
don't really tell them what to eat.
252
00:12:11.529 --> 00:12:12.029
Because I think.
253
00:12:12.610 --> 00:12:14.210
It's everyone's decision on their own.
254
00:12:14.730 --> 00:12:19.710
Do you think that in the future a diet protocol
255
00:12:19.990 --> 00:12:25.730
might be necessary to increase the power and the results
256
00:12:25.809 --> 00:12:30.850
of the competitions? Do you think it means that much
257
00:12:31.210 --> 00:12:32.230
in the final results?
258
00:12:32.730 --> 00:12:36.230
I don't think that the diet... especially will change the
259
00:12:36.269 --> 00:12:39.649
final result. I just think if you eat the right things,
260
00:12:39.820 --> 00:12:42.440
it helps you along the way, for example, to have
261
00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:45.120
more energy, to feel more power in the training. But
262
00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:48.559
I don't think it's the one point that will be
263
00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:50.799
the final step to success.
264
00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:54.490
Going to international competition usually is a chance to see
265
00:12:55.049 --> 00:12:58.789
what other nations, other clubs in the world do with
266
00:12:58.830 --> 00:13:02.629
the same discipline. It's like you speak the same language, right?
267
00:13:02.990 --> 00:13:08.450
but the same sports language. But it's nice to understand
268
00:13:08.470 --> 00:13:11.789
the little differences between other nations. Have you spotted some
269
00:13:11.850 --> 00:13:15.289
differences that you might want to tell us?
270
00:13:16.470 --> 00:13:20.409
I don't think there's a particular difference, but you might
271
00:13:20.450 --> 00:13:23.210
see if you look at different countries, if you are
272
00:13:23.309 --> 00:13:25.789
in the sport long enough, you will, for example, like
273
00:13:25.870 --> 00:13:28.909
the dance technique and the music they use, the leotards
274
00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:32.000
they use, you can a little bit, tell which country
275
00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:35.240
the gymnasts are from just from the style of which
276
00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:37.940
they present themselves on stage and i think it's really
277
00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:39.480
fun and really nice to notice that.
278
00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:45.309
Yeah uh girls and boy um please please let's start
279
00:13:45.330 --> 00:13:48.230
let's start with leah leah uh what's your favorite.
280
00:13:47.909 --> 00:13:51.889
Food my favorite food.
281
00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:58.919
Is she needs a Don't tell me schnitzel. It could be.
282
00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.799
It could be. Why not? It's very good.
283
00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:01.500
No.
284
00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:06.360
Pizza? As a debate.
285
00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:09.220
Chicken with rice sometimes.
286
00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:10.320
Rice sometimes.
287
00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.000
Really.
288
00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:18.360
So professional. Rice and chicken. So professional. So professional. And you, Mia?
289
00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:21.610
What's your favorite food? Tell me. Tell me. Come on.
290
00:14:21.990 --> 00:14:25.450
Something real. Come on. Pizza, pasta, schnitzel.
291
00:14:25.570 --> 00:14:25.639
Ah.
292
00:14:26.289 --> 00:14:30.470
Schnitzel with the chips right on the side salad salad
293
00:14:30.750 --> 00:14:33.509
because still you are a pro athlete yes of course
294
00:14:33.570 --> 00:14:36.990
and you what's your favorite food i like pasta pasta
295
00:14:37.049 --> 00:14:40.460
finally some sincere people i like sincere people pasta.
296
00:14:40.169 --> 00:14:45.860
With what with what i'm vegetarian with vegetarian.
297
00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:48.279
Vegetarian pasta you are a vegetarian yeah i'm oh this
298
00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:51.179
is interesting how come is it possible to be a
299
00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:56.450
pro very strong and vegetarian possible yeah you showed us
300
00:14:56.529 --> 00:14:57.190
you showed.
301
00:14:57.009 --> 00:14:58.950
Us um other proteins.
302
00:14:58.990 --> 00:15:03.070
Other proteins like beans or or peas like like something
303
00:15:03.090 --> 00:15:05.370
like that yeah when did you decide to be vegetarian
304
00:15:06.750 --> 00:15:08.929
it's your decision a few years ago a few years
305
00:15:08.970 --> 00:15:10.110
ago i.
306
00:15:10.110 --> 00:15:13.009
Was like 10.
307
00:15:11.909 --> 00:15:16.490
10 very young yeah and your parents how did they
308
00:15:16.529 --> 00:15:17.809
get it um first.
309
00:15:17.549 --> 00:15:21.110
My mother was also a vegetarian of course of course
310
00:15:21.190 --> 00:15:23.509
now she's not and he not.
311
00:15:24.250 --> 00:15:28.629
Anymore yeah she changed because because of some issues and
312
00:15:28.669 --> 00:15:31.259
we don't want to talk about it but yet but
313
00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:35.399
yet being vegetarian sometimes it's a contradiction no they say
314
00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:37.659
you have to eat meat to be strong but it's
315
00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:38.909
not true.
316
00:15:38.870 --> 00:15:41.830
I guess my grandpa said often that i have to
317
00:15:41.850 --> 00:15:45.250
eat um meat yeah But you don't agree.
318
00:15:45.549 --> 00:15:49.529
And you demonstrate on the mattress that you're not weak
319
00:15:49.649 --> 00:15:51.850
because you don't eat meat. That's a good message. That's
320
00:15:51.889 --> 00:15:55.049
a good message. And you, Lorenzo, what do you want
321
00:15:55.070 --> 00:15:57.090
to eat the most? What do you like to eat
322
00:15:57.110 --> 00:16:00.009
the most? Raw meat. Raw meat.
323
00:16:01.059 --> 00:16:01.720
But I love the.
324
00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:04.340
You go to catch fishes in the river like raw
325
00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:05.539
and then eat them like this.
326
00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:07.679
I love the pollo alla cacciatore.
327
00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:10.759
Pollo alla cacciatore. Your buon gustaggio, they say in Italy.
328
00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:11.779
My nonna makes it.
329
00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:12.720
Your nonna makes it.
330
00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.179
Yes. Yes.
331
00:16:13.750 --> 00:16:15.110
Your nonna is a good person.
332
00:16:15.129 --> 00:16:19.029
Yeah, she lives very close to me. So after practice,
333
00:16:19.230 --> 00:16:20.429
I often visit her.
334
00:16:20.690 --> 00:16:23.860
Yeah, you squat her house to empty the fridge.
335
00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:28.159
No, my nonna empties the fridge herself for me.
336
00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:32.840
Okay, thank you very much. Just one last question for
337
00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:37.850
the coach and then we're done. Please, Coach Elena. Coach Elena,
338
00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:41.820
today in these days, the Acro Cup competition is... It's
339
00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:46.490
a chance to travel. It's a chance to go around Europe.
340
00:16:46.809 --> 00:16:49.450
How many countries have you traveled in this kind of
341
00:16:49.509 --> 00:16:51.289
competitions in the last years?
342
00:16:51.309 --> 00:16:56.320
Countries where I was at competitions? I think around five
343
00:16:56.409 --> 00:16:59.740
to six countries, maybe. I don't know exactly. I would
344
00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:02.179
have to count, but around six, I would say.
345
00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:05.599
Do you think that this experience may change your personality
346
00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:09.430
and make you grow in a good way? Or it's
347
00:17:09.490 --> 00:17:11.069
just a party, it's just a trip?
348
00:17:11.609 --> 00:17:13.930
No, I think it's really nice because, as you already said,
349
00:17:13.950 --> 00:17:15.730
you get to see new things, you get to see
350
00:17:15.769 --> 00:17:18.410
new gymnasts. And in addition to that, you also get
351
00:17:18.430 --> 00:17:20.869
to see a new country. So it's not only the competition,
352
00:17:20.890 --> 00:17:23.069
but also you get to see some new things. You
353
00:17:23.089 --> 00:17:25.930
get to spend time together with the club, with your
354
00:17:25.990 --> 00:17:29.029
team for more than just a day. So I really
355
00:17:29.089 --> 00:17:29.440
enjoy it.
356
00:17:29.609 --> 00:17:33.349
You really are a serious and professional coach. So congratulations.
357
00:17:33.529 --> 00:17:37.269
One last question for the girls. For little Lia, Lia,
358
00:17:37.309 --> 00:17:41.890
you realize you're stronger than most of your male companions
359
00:17:41.990 --> 00:17:46.359
or your friends, your guys' friends, you know. What does
360
00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:48.140
it make you feel? Does it make you feel proud
361
00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:51.539
or embarrassed? Proud. Proud, of course. And you, you realize
362
00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:54.619
you're stronger than many of the boys of your age.
363
00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:56.849
Sometimes.
364
00:17:56.920 --> 00:18:02.829
Sometimes. You're so political, as always. Fantastic. And then you
365
00:18:02.849 --> 00:18:05.329
do some arm wrestling and you just shut them down
366
00:18:05.349 --> 00:18:05.630
like this.
367
00:18:05.650 --> 00:18:07.569
No, I'm really bad at arm wrestling.
368
00:18:07.710 --> 00:18:11.660
I'm really bad. But when you do some handstand or
369
00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:15.240
something like that, you just surprise everybody, I guess.
370
00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:16.460
Yes. Yes.
371
00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:19.740
And you? You're also a base, so you must be.
372
00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:25.109
You demolish guys. I'm also very proud. Very proud. There's
373
00:18:25.150 --> 00:18:28.410
nothing to be embarrassed in being strong. And that's one
374
00:18:28.450 --> 00:18:32.980
thing I learned by talking with... athletes like you so
375
00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:35.539
thank you very much thank you to the Harrier Acro
376
00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:39.750
Gymnastic Club from Austria the representative of Austria here in
377
00:18:39.769 --> 00:18:42.089
the Acro Cup 2026 thank you very much for your
378
00:18:42.109 --> 00:18:44.829
time thank you bye bye bye bye
1
00:00:03.870 --> 00:00:06.250
Welcome to off the mat the podcast about the people
2
00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:10.820
behind acrobatic gymnastics athletes coaches and families share their stories
3
00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:13.380
the hard work the passion the challenges and the joy
4
00:00:13.419 --> 00:00:16.519
of growing through sport because the most important moments don't
5
00:00:16.579 --> 00:00:17.559
always happen.
6
00:00:17.300 --> 00:00:24.600
On the mat welcome everybody welcome to the off mat
7
00:00:24.679 --> 00:00:28.750
podcast we're here during the acro cup 2026 uh talking
8
00:00:28.829 --> 00:00:34.530
about acrobatic gymnastics. So welcome to the Austrian team, the
9
00:00:34.609 --> 00:00:39.130
Austrian delegation, Harrier Acrogymnastic Club. Welcome to you. We are
10
00:00:39.170 --> 00:00:45.270
here with Lorenz, Helena, Mia, Lia and coach Elena. So
11
00:00:45.299 --> 00:00:47.159
we'll start with Lorenz. Lorenz, how old are you?
12
00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:48.880
I'm 19 years old.
13
00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:52.479
You're 19, so you look clearly like a base, so
14
00:00:52.500 --> 00:00:55.280
you throw people, right? Yeah, I throw people. How long
15
00:00:55.320 --> 00:00:56.320
have you been doing the sport?
16
00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:02.240
Acrobatics in general I've been doing for four years now
17
00:01:03.219 --> 00:01:06.819
but first I was casted into a show team four
18
00:01:06.840 --> 00:01:11.400
years ago and competition acrobatics I'm practicing.
19
00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:14.810
Now for like a little bit more than one year.
20
00:01:15.390 --> 00:01:17.269
So is it your first international competition?
21
00:01:17.730 --> 00:01:18.510
It's actually my first.
22
00:01:18.810 --> 00:01:20.890
Oh so you're a bit emotional about this?
23
00:01:21.489 --> 00:01:21.790
Yeah.
24
00:01:22.010 --> 00:01:22.549
How do you feel?
25
00:01:23.870 --> 00:01:27.390
I'm pretty nervous, but I'm happy to be here.
26
00:01:28.310 --> 00:01:30.689
You like Italy. I mean, we're close to Austria, so
27
00:01:30.730 --> 00:01:33.870
probably you know already Italy. You've been here at least once.
28
00:01:34.349 --> 00:01:36.230
Yeah, I've been here quite a few times.
29
00:01:36.700 --> 00:01:39.700
Okay, fantastic. You're a base, so you throw people. How
30
00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:44.920
does it feel to be trusted by your tops? I mean,
31
00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:45.939
they must trust you.
32
00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:51.609
Yeah, it's a sport based on trust. You have to
33
00:01:51.989 --> 00:01:53.189
earn the trust, you know.
34
00:01:54.569 --> 00:01:56.920
You must catch them. Yeah, you have to catch.
35
00:01:56.920 --> 00:01:59.319
Them at all times. It doesn't matter what they.
36
00:01:59.459 --> 00:02:02.739
You must not miss any, not even one time.
37
00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:05.819
Yeah, if you mess up, the top might get hurt.
38
00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:07.319
Yes, of course.
39
00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:09.650
It's, of course, a lot of.
40
00:02:10.849 --> 00:02:13.050
But you look like a responsible one. So you look
41
00:02:13.069 --> 00:02:16.789
like you don't miss anybody. You don't miss anybody. And you,
42
00:02:17.349 --> 00:02:21.250
you're Helena, right? Helena, please get the microphone. Helena, how
43
00:02:21.310 --> 00:02:21.789
old are you?
44
00:02:22.069 --> 00:02:22.900
I'm 14.
45
00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:25.199
You're 14, so you're very young. Are you a bass
46
00:02:25.240 --> 00:02:25.560
as well?
47
00:02:25.800 --> 00:02:27.080
Yeah, I'm a bass as well.
48
00:02:27.360 --> 00:02:29.159
So you must be very strong also.
49
00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:30.620
Yeah.
50
00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:33.219
Yes, you are. Don't worry about that. It's like common
51
00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:35.710
in this sport, being strong, because if you're a bass,
52
00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:38.590
you must be strong. And how long have you been
53
00:02:38.629 --> 00:02:41.110
practicing this sport? Five years.
54
00:02:41.129 --> 00:02:41.469
Five years.
55
00:02:41.729 --> 00:02:44.449
When did you realize that you really love this sport,
56
00:02:44.509 --> 00:02:45.090
this discipline?
57
00:02:46.050 --> 00:02:46.509
I think.
58
00:02:46.530 --> 00:02:55.080
I don't know. From the beginning. From the beginning. Is
59
00:02:55.500 --> 00:02:58.099
there an exercise that was very difficult to do that
60
00:02:58.139 --> 00:03:00.599
you knew when you did it for the first time,
61
00:03:00.620 --> 00:03:04.240
you said, wow, I want to do it for all
62
00:03:04.300 --> 00:03:05.139
my life like this?
63
00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:07.000
Mostly anything.
64
00:03:07.400 --> 00:03:10.180
Everything. Backflip you can do? A backflip? Yes.
65
00:03:10.580 --> 00:03:10.879
No.
66
00:03:11.099 --> 00:03:13.949
Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet is a
67
00:03:13.969 --> 00:03:16.810
good answer. Okay. And you, you are Mia, right?
68
00:03:16.889 --> 00:03:17.849
Yes, I'm Mia.
69
00:03:17.909 --> 00:03:18.650
Mia, how old are you?
70
00:03:19.349 --> 00:03:19.840
I'm also 14.
71
00:03:19.830 --> 00:03:20.370
You're also 14.
72
00:03:20.370 --> 00:03:25.379
You're top. You fly usually. And when they throw you
73
00:03:25.500 --> 00:03:27.919
in the air, what do you think? You think you're
74
00:03:27.939 --> 00:03:30.919
going to die or you're happy because it's like flying?
75
00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:31.979
Sometimes.
76
00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:38.789
And how long have you been practicing this sport? Five years,
77
00:03:38.889 --> 00:03:39.750
six years?
78
00:03:39.949 --> 00:03:40.849
Ten years now.
79
00:03:40.889 --> 00:03:42.710
Ten years now. You're 14.
80
00:03:42.710 --> 00:03:43.199
Yes, I'm 14.
81
00:03:43.189 --> 00:03:46.330
So when you were four, you started. And when you
82
00:03:46.349 --> 00:03:49.030
were four, you didn't understand anything. You just liked that.
83
00:03:49.520 --> 00:03:50.819
Yes, I loved it.
84
00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:54.919
You loved it from the beginning. And then, are your
85
00:03:54.939 --> 00:03:58.960
parents worried when they see you flying like this?
86
00:03:59.060 --> 00:04:00.159
I think so, yes.
87
00:04:01.699 --> 00:04:03.710
But you're not. You're not afraid.
88
00:04:04.370 --> 00:04:05.930
Not always. Not always.
89
00:04:06.069 --> 00:04:09.250
Sometimes. Sometimes. And you, you are Lia, right?
90
00:04:09.610 --> 00:04:10.009
Yes.
91
00:04:10.050 --> 00:04:13.050
Yeah, you look very, very young. How old are you?
92
00:04:13.389 --> 00:04:15.039
I'm 11.
93
00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:15.370
11, 11.
94
00:04:15.370 --> 00:04:17.610
So you just started secondary school, I don't know.
95
00:04:18.579 --> 00:04:19.779
I begin.
96
00:04:21.220 --> 00:04:23.839
I don't know if it's similar to Italy, the system
97
00:04:23.899 --> 00:04:27.670
of the schools, like your elementary school. Elementary, yeah, still
98
00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:30.949
elementary school, right? And do you like studying?
99
00:04:30.970 --> 00:04:31.040
Yes.
100
00:04:32.509 --> 00:04:35.250
Yes. How many times do you train per week?
101
00:04:35.829 --> 00:04:36.949
Four times a week.
102
00:04:36.970 --> 00:04:39.410
Four times per week, so almost every day.
103
00:04:39.430 --> 00:04:40.370
Yeah.
104
00:04:40.889 --> 00:04:42.329
How many hours per training?
105
00:04:42.930 --> 00:04:45.350
Sometimes three, but sometimes four.
106
00:04:47.110 --> 00:04:51.449
Three, four hours per day of training, you realize you're strange, right?
107
00:04:51.689 --> 00:04:53.949
I mean, you're not common. Strange in a good sense.
108
00:04:53.970 --> 00:04:58.350
I mean, being an athlete is living with sacrifices. Do
109
00:04:58.389 --> 00:05:02.269
you realize you're sacrificing a bit for your athleticism?
110
00:05:02.300 --> 00:05:07.720
A little bit sometimes.
111
00:05:08.220 --> 00:05:12.079
Do you regret it? Do you think you like more...
112
00:05:12.339 --> 00:05:14.860
Would you go to, I don't know, to have fun
113
00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:18.079
instead of training or you do it... willingly and happy
114
00:05:18.699 --> 00:05:22.399
happy happy so you really like this yeah and and
115
00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:25.870
you what do you think um um mia about training
116
00:05:25.930 --> 00:05:28.949
all this time and watching your friends maybe having fun
117
00:05:29.350 --> 00:05:32.089
elsewhere and you still do training and happy with your
118
00:05:32.110 --> 00:05:36.009
training do you feel you're uh particular unique or just
119
00:05:36.029 --> 00:05:40.430
it's just because you love the sport um.
120
00:05:42.589 --> 00:05:47.389
Sometimes I'm a little bit sad because I don't get
121
00:05:47.410 --> 00:05:49.939
to hang out with my friends, but most of the
122
00:05:49.980 --> 00:05:51.620
time I'm really happy to go train.
123
00:05:52.259 --> 00:05:54.000
Usually, so you're usually very happy.
124
00:05:54.019 --> 00:05:54.279
Yes.
125
00:05:54.860 --> 00:05:55.879
And you, Elena, you're 14 now.
126
00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:56.019
Yes.
127
00:06:01.319 --> 00:06:04.649
Becoming uh becoming a woman you know it's you're in
128
00:06:04.670 --> 00:06:08.329
the middle of your journey to become an adult and
129
00:06:08.589 --> 00:06:12.230
um it's usually your friends maybe not every everybody of
130
00:06:12.269 --> 00:06:14.990
your friends is practicing acro so maybe some of your
131
00:06:15.009 --> 00:06:17.230
friends don't understand why you train so much they don't
132
00:06:17.250 --> 00:06:20.009
understand they don't understand right and do you try to
133
00:06:20.050 --> 00:06:21.829
explain them yeah.
134
00:06:21.509 --> 00:06:23.769
I try to explain them and they ask me why
135
00:06:23.829 --> 00:06:26.089
don't you go to the gym with me and i.
136
00:06:26.029 --> 00:06:28.829
Say no i practice i can't go so.
137
00:06:28.870 --> 00:06:33.730
Yeah It's like this. They don't understand your love for
138
00:06:33.750 --> 00:06:37.689
the discipline. And you, you were a bit older. I mean,
139
00:06:38.110 --> 00:06:41.250
you have some years and you see your friends going
140
00:06:41.290 --> 00:06:44.170
to the discotheque, I don't know, going to... Not to drink,
141
00:06:44.209 --> 00:06:46.769
I don't know, because you're too young, but maybe go
142
00:06:47.009 --> 00:06:49.709
out having fun and you still have to do training.
143
00:06:49.970 --> 00:06:51.550
What does it make you feel? How does it make
144
00:06:51.589 --> 00:06:51.889
you feel?
145
00:06:54.290 --> 00:06:56.170
I have to say I don't have that much free
146
00:06:56.189 --> 00:06:57.250
time because I'm working.
147
00:06:58.230 --> 00:07:01.209
You work also? So you go to school, work?
148
00:07:01.230 --> 00:07:02.709
No, I'm a paramedic.
149
00:07:03.050 --> 00:07:06.629
You're a paramedic? So you're really an adult, right?
150
00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:11.699
And I'm working like 60 hours a week in Linz
151
00:07:12.339 --> 00:07:15.579
and I have training in Vienna, so I have to
152
00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:16.439
travel a lot.
153
00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:18.899
But you're still happy?
154
00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:20.439
I'm still happy, yeah.
155
00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:23.100
You're still happy. You know, this is a sport in which...
156
00:07:24.350 --> 00:07:28.699
you grow all the fast like when you're 18 or
157
00:07:28.699 --> 00:07:32.480
19 you're like just at the end I mean of
158
00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:36.220
your career because usually you're so young when you practice
159
00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:39.300
the sports even at high levels I'm still young yes
160
00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:42.480
you are yes you are of course but someday maybe
161
00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:45.790
you have to stop being an athlete and becoming a
162
00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:48.230
coach do you have you have you think have you
163
00:07:48.250 --> 00:07:48.790
thought about.
164
00:07:48.670 --> 00:07:54.800
That yeah for sure I'm currently in training to be
165
00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:55.660
a personal trainer.
166
00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:58.540
Yes, of course. I knew that. I knew that you
167
00:07:58.560 --> 00:07:59.180
won't stop.
168
00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:03.019
No, I won't stop. Maybe when I'm finished in like
169
00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:05.660
four or five years, then I'm going to be a coach.
170
00:08:05.810 --> 00:08:06.050
Why not?
171
00:08:06.430 --> 00:08:08.310
Why not? Why not? And you, what do you think
172
00:08:08.370 --> 00:08:08.720
about it?
173
00:08:08.730 --> 00:08:13.269
I think it's very cool to be a coach after you.
174
00:08:13.189 --> 00:08:13.870
Wear an athlete.
175
00:08:14.250 --> 00:08:15.170
So I think maybe.
176
00:08:15.579 --> 00:08:18.680
Maybe, maybe. You're too young to think about this, but
177
00:08:18.720 --> 00:08:19.819
yet you... She's the same.
178
00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:20.779
I'm older than her.
179
00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:21.899
Yeah, she's older than me.
180
00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:22.939
You're older than her.
181
00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:23.319
Yeah.
182
00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:29.300
Wow, wow. Well, well, well, well, wait, wait, wait. This
183
00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:34.350
shocked me because you look very young. Well, it happens
184
00:08:34.889 --> 00:08:38.019
when people are still growing up, I think. So it's normal.
185
00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:44.480
But anyway, when is your time? Will you change to
186
00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:47.990
a base or will you remain a top forever?
187
00:08:48.370 --> 00:08:51.929
Yes, next year I'm... Next year.
188
00:08:51.730 --> 00:08:55.769
You're becoming a base. Yes, next year I'm becoming a base.
189
00:08:56.590 --> 00:08:59.850
When this will happen, you'll feel a bit sad because
190
00:08:59.889 --> 00:09:03.230
you like flying or it's just a natural development?
191
00:09:03.250 --> 00:09:07.460
I'm happy because... My last competition is international and it's
192
00:09:07.789 --> 00:09:08.379
very cool.
193
00:09:08.759 --> 00:09:10.460
Is this your last competition as a top?
194
00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:10.720
Yes.
195
00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:14.399
Wow. So I'm going to ask you also one thing more.
196
00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:17.600
Are you here to win or to participate?
197
00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:19.460
I'm here to have fun.
198
00:09:20.440 --> 00:09:23.940
Okay. You're so political. I appreciate that. I appreciate that.
199
00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:24.740
I only want to win.
200
00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:30.279
But on the podium. But we are fixed as we
201
00:09:30.350 --> 00:09:32.570
are on the podium because we only have one opponent.
202
00:09:32.649 --> 00:09:36.090
This is really a mature thing. to say you really
203
00:09:36.110 --> 00:09:40.690
you really are old despite your because you think like
204
00:09:40.870 --> 00:09:44.019
a like a like a like an adult right and
205
00:09:44.179 --> 00:09:49.019
you are you here to win or to participate yes
206
00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:54.610
yes one sincere I like sincere answers you're like you're
207
00:09:54.629 --> 00:09:56.669
here to win you are have you already won some
208
00:09:56.710 --> 00:10:01.720
competition yes and when you get on the higher step
209
00:10:01.779 --> 00:10:04.980
of the podium, how does it feel? I never felt that.
210
00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:07.500
Really good, actually.
211
00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:12.539
Really good, actually. Please, I want to talk with the coach.
212
00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:17.210
Coach Elena, you're very young too. How old are you?
213
00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:18.419
I'm 19 years old.
214
00:10:18.419 --> 00:10:22.759
19 years old, so already a coach. Why did you
215
00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:24.539
decide to become a coach?
216
00:10:24.820 --> 00:10:28.059
I was a gymnast first. And after a few years,
217
00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:31.519
I just thought sometimes it's going to be the end
218
00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:36.240
at least. And there just wasn't any partnership for me left.
219
00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:39.059
I was about to finish school. I had to focus
220
00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:42.039
a bit on studying. So it was just like the
221
00:10:42.090 --> 00:10:43.779
time for it, I think, the right moment.
222
00:10:45.090 --> 00:10:48.549
It's a bit sad when you finish, but it's a
223
00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:50.659
new chapter when you become a coach, I guess.
224
00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:53.899
Yes, I was really sad, but I'm really happy with
225
00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:55.659
my decision now.
226
00:10:55.820 --> 00:10:59.700
And you are with them every day for three, four
227
00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:05.090
hours per day, coaching and telling them to do some exercises,
228
00:11:05.179 --> 00:11:08.210
watching them sweat, but also watching them grow. How does
229
00:11:08.269 --> 00:11:10.690
it feel like an experience? It's like a little family.
230
00:11:10.730 --> 00:11:12.090
You feel like a mother sometimes.
231
00:11:12.659 --> 00:11:14.700
A little bit like a mother, yes. No, it's really
232
00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:16.960
nice because you spend the time with the same people
233
00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:19.019
and some of them, because when I used to do gymnastics,
234
00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:20.899
some of them already were in my team. So I
235
00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:23.620
really saw, for example, Mia. I've known her for like
236
00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:28.019
about nine, ten years since she started. So it's really
237
00:11:28.070 --> 00:11:30.490
nice to see them grow and be with them and
238
00:11:30.970 --> 00:11:34.269
also watch like not only their acrobatics career grow, but
239
00:11:34.330 --> 00:11:37.490
also them in character and when they get older. I
240
00:11:37.509 --> 00:11:38.090
really like that.
241
00:11:38.110 --> 00:11:43.090
Since you have a bit more of experience... Do you
242
00:11:43.129 --> 00:11:46.820
suggest them what to eat, like some kind of diet,
243
00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:51.919
or it's just eat well and don't eat too much
244
00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:52.940
before a competition?
245
00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:55.399
I think it's really important that if you are a
246
00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:58.500
gymnast that you look what you eat, but we don't
247
00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:02.000
have a strict diet. Because if you do acrobatics, it's
248
00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:04.740
important to get your proteins, for example, to eat the
249
00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:06.830
right things so you have a lot of energy and
250
00:12:06.870 --> 00:12:09.110
don't feel weak and that kind of stuff, but we
251
00:12:09.129 --> 00:12:10.909
don't really tell them what to eat.
252
00:12:11.529 --> 00:12:12.029
Because I think.
253
00:12:12.610 --> 00:12:14.210
It's everyone's decision on their own.
254
00:12:14.730 --> 00:12:19.710
Do you think that in the future a diet protocol
255
00:12:19.990 --> 00:12:25.730
might be necessary to increase the power and the results
256
00:12:25.809 --> 00:12:30.850
of the competitions? Do you think it means that much
257
00:12:31.210 --> 00:12:32.230
in the final results?
258
00:12:32.730 --> 00:12:36.230
I don't think that the diet... especially will change the
259
00:12:36.269 --> 00:12:39.649
final result. I just think if you eat the right things,
260
00:12:39.820 --> 00:12:42.440
it helps you along the way, for example, to have
261
00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:45.120
more energy, to feel more power in the training. But
262
00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:48.559
I don't think it's the one point that will be
263
00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:50.799
the final step to success.
264
00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:54.490
Going to international competition usually is a chance to see
265
00:12:55.049 --> 00:12:58.789
what other nations, other clubs in the world do with
266
00:12:58.830 --> 00:13:02.629
the same discipline. It's like you speak the same language, right?
267
00:13:02.990 --> 00:13:08.450
but the same sports language. But it's nice to understand
268
00:13:08.470 --> 00:13:11.789
the little differences between other nations. Have you spotted some
269
00:13:11.850 --> 00:13:15.289
differences that you might want to tell us?
270
00:13:16.470 --> 00:13:20.409
I don't think there's a particular difference, but you might
271
00:13:20.450 --> 00:13:23.210
see if you look at different countries, if you are
272
00:13:23.309 --> 00:13:25.789
in the sport long enough, you will, for example, like
273
00:13:25.870 --> 00:13:28.909
the dance technique and the music they use, the leotards
274
00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:32.000
they use, you can a little bit, tell which country
275
00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:35.240
the gymnasts are from just from the style of which
276
00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:37.940
they present themselves on stage and i think it's really
277
00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:39.480
fun and really nice to notice that.
278
00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:45.309
Yeah uh girls and boy um please please let's start
279
00:13:45.330 --> 00:13:48.230
let's start with leah leah uh what's your favorite.
280
00:13:47.909 --> 00:13:51.889
Food my favorite food.
281
00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:58.919
Is she needs a Don't tell me schnitzel. It could be.
282
00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.799
It could be. Why not? It's very good.
283
00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:01.500
No.
284
00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:06.360
Pizza? As a debate.
285
00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:09.220
Chicken with rice sometimes.
286
00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:10.320
Rice sometimes.
287
00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.000
Really.
288
00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:18.360
So professional. Rice and chicken. So professional. So professional. And you, Mia?
289
00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:21.610
What's your favorite food? Tell me. Tell me. Come on.
290
00:14:21.990 --> 00:14:25.450
Something real. Come on. Pizza, pasta, schnitzel.
291
00:14:25.570 --> 00:14:25.639
Ah.
292
00:14:26.289 --> 00:14:30.470
Schnitzel with the chips right on the side salad salad
293
00:14:30.750 --> 00:14:33.509
because still you are a pro athlete yes of course
294
00:14:33.570 --> 00:14:36.990
and you what's your favorite food i like pasta pasta
295
00:14:37.049 --> 00:14:40.460
finally some sincere people i like sincere people pasta.
296
00:14:40.169 --> 00:14:45.860
With what with what i'm vegetarian with vegetarian.
297
00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:48.279
Vegetarian pasta you are a vegetarian yeah i'm oh this
298
00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:51.179
is interesting how come is it possible to be a
299
00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:56.450
pro very strong and vegetarian possible yeah you showed us
300
00:14:56.529 --> 00:14:57.190
you showed.
301
00:14:57.009 --> 00:14:58.950
Us um other proteins.
302
00:14:58.990 --> 00:15:03.070
Other proteins like beans or or peas like like something
303
00:15:03.090 --> 00:15:05.370
like that yeah when did you decide to be vegetarian
304
00:15:06.750 --> 00:15:08.929
it's your decision a few years ago a few years
305
00:15:08.970 --> 00:15:10.110
ago i.
306
00:15:10.110 --> 00:15:13.009
Was like 10.
307
00:15:11.909 --> 00:15:16.490
10 very young yeah and your parents how did they
308
00:15:16.529 --> 00:15:17.809
get it um first.
309
00:15:17.549 --> 00:15:21.110
My mother was also a vegetarian of course of course
310
00:15:21.190 --> 00:15:23.509
now she's not and he not.
311
00:15:24.250 --> 00:15:28.629
Anymore yeah she changed because because of some issues and
312
00:15:28.669 --> 00:15:31.259
we don't want to talk about it but yet but
313
00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:35.399
yet being vegetarian sometimes it's a contradiction no they say
314
00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:37.659
you have to eat meat to be strong but it's
315
00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:38.909
not true.
316
00:15:38.870 --> 00:15:41.830
I guess my grandpa said often that i have to
317
00:15:41.850 --> 00:15:45.250
eat um meat yeah But you don't agree.
318
00:15:45.549 --> 00:15:49.529
And you demonstrate on the mattress that you're not weak
319
00:15:49.649 --> 00:15:51.850
because you don't eat meat. That's a good message. That's
320
00:15:51.889 --> 00:15:55.049
a good message. And you, Lorenzo, what do you want
321
00:15:55.070 --> 00:15:57.090
to eat the most? What do you like to eat
322
00:15:57.110 --> 00:16:00.009
the most? Raw meat. Raw meat.
323
00:16:01.059 --> 00:16:01.720
But I love the.
324
00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:04.340
You go to catch fishes in the river like raw
325
00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:05.539
and then eat them like this.
326
00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:07.679
I love the pollo alla cacciatore.
327
00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:10.759
Pollo alla cacciatore. Your buon gustaggio, they say in Italy.
328
00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:11.779
My nonna makes it.
329
00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:12.720
Your nonna makes it.
330
00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.179
Yes. Yes.
331
00:16:13.750 --> 00:16:15.110
Your nonna is a good person.
332
00:16:15.129 --> 00:16:19.029
Yeah, she lives very close to me. So after practice,
333
00:16:19.230 --> 00:16:20.429
I often visit her.
334
00:16:20.690 --> 00:16:23.860
Yeah, you squat her house to empty the fridge.
335
00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:28.159
No, my nonna empties the fridge herself for me.
336
00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:32.840
Okay, thank you very much. Just one last question for
337
00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:37.850
the coach and then we're done. Please, Coach Elena. Coach Elena,
338
00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:41.820
today in these days, the Acro Cup competition is... It's
339
00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:46.490
a chance to travel. It's a chance to go around Europe.
340
00:16:46.809 --> 00:16:49.450
How many countries have you traveled in this kind of
341
00:16:49.509 --> 00:16:51.289
competitions in the last years?
342
00:16:51.309 --> 00:16:56.320
Countries where I was at competitions? I think around five
343
00:16:56.409 --> 00:16:59.740
to six countries, maybe. I don't know exactly. I would
344
00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:02.179
have to count, but around six, I would say.
345
00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:05.599
Do you think that this experience may change your personality
346
00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:09.430
and make you grow in a good way? Or it's
347
00:17:09.490 --> 00:17:11.069
just a party, it's just a trip?
348
00:17:11.609 --> 00:17:13.930
No, I think it's really nice because, as you already said,
349
00:17:13.950 --> 00:17:15.730
you get to see new things, you get to see
350
00:17:15.769 --> 00:17:18.410
new gymnasts. And in addition to that, you also get
351
00:17:18.430 --> 00:17:20.869
to see a new country. So it's not only the competition,
352
00:17:20.890 --> 00:17:23.069
but also you get to see some new things. You
353
00:17:23.089 --> 00:17:25.930
get to spend time together with the club, with your
354
00:17:25.990 --> 00:17:29.029
team for more than just a day. So I really
355
00:17:29.089 --> 00:17:29.440
enjoy it.
356
00:17:29.609 --> 00:17:33.349
You really are a serious and professional coach. So congratulations.
357
00:17:33.529 --> 00:17:37.269
One last question for the girls. For little Lia, Lia,
358
00:17:37.309 --> 00:17:41.890
you realize you're stronger than most of your male companions
359
00:17:41.990 --> 00:17:46.359
or your friends, your guys' friends, you know. What does
360
00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:48.140
it make you feel? Does it make you feel proud
361
00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:51.539
or embarrassed? Proud. Proud, of course. And you, you realize
362
00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:54.619
you're stronger than many of the boys of your age.
363
00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:56.849
Sometimes.
364
00:17:56.920 --> 00:18:02.829
Sometimes. You're so political, as always. Fantastic. And then you
365
00:18:02.849 --> 00:18:05.329
do some arm wrestling and you just shut them down
366
00:18:05.349 --> 00:18:05.630
like this.
367
00:18:05.650 --> 00:18:07.569
No, I'm really bad at arm wrestling.
368
00:18:07.710 --> 00:18:11.660
I'm really bad. But when you do some handstand or
369
00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:15.240
something like that, you just surprise everybody, I guess.
370
00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:16.460
Yes. Yes.
371
00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:19.740
And you? You're also a base, so you must be.
372
00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:25.109
You demolish guys. I'm also very proud. Very proud. There's
373
00:18:25.150 --> 00:18:28.410
nothing to be embarrassed in being strong. And that's one
374
00:18:28.450 --> 00:18:32.980
thing I learned by talking with... athletes like you so
375
00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:35.539
thank you very much thank you to the Harrier Acro
376
00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:39.750
Gymnastic Club from Austria the representative of Austria here in
377
00:18:39.769 --> 00:18:42.089
the Acro Cup 2026 thank you very much for your
378
00:18:42.109 --> 00:18:44.829
time thank you bye bye bye bye
