In 2013 whilst taking part in the Pro Gymnastics Challenge as part of the World team I heard a familiar voice introduce himself to me. Mike Chanales had been the cameraman, coach, physio, sports psychologist and best friend to Paul and Morgan Hamm as they attempted to make a comeback ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Mike fell in love with the sport of Artistic gymnastics in the early nineties and went on to represent the Ohio state university college gymnastics team in the NCAA championships. Following his competitive career Mike began a profession in medicine and later married Dominique Moceanu the 1996 Atalanta Olympic champion who was part of the famous magnificent seven women's US gymnastics team. Throughout his gymnastics journey Mike spent time with some of the very best gymnasts in the world and he is now coaching his son Vincent who has aspirations of reaching the highest level in the sport. This is one of the very best conversations we've had on the podcast and I want to thank Mike for being such an incredible human being. And this is his story.

In this episode of the Sam Oldham podcast I'm joined by Kensley Behel the lady behind the Neutral Deductions men's gymnastics channel. Kensley will be travelling to Germany to cover the 2025 European gymnastics championships in Leipzig that will take place in May. We take a look at the top teams heading into the event and chat about the individual athletes we expect to be challenging for the podium places. The Ukrainian team will be without Illia Kovtun who has switched federations since the Paris Olympic Games. Great Britain have a very strong team including Olympic medalists Jake Jarmin and Harry Hepworth who will be hoping to take back the title. Luke Whitehouse is hoping to make history in his attempt to win three back to back European floor titles. Three other athletes will be coming into the competition as defending champions: Marios Georgiou in the all around, Eleftherios Petrounias on Rings and Jake Jarmin on the vault. The remaining apparatus finals will be incredibly exciting and we both make our bold predictions for who will win gold. And this is our story.

In the summer of 2024 Sam Mikulak was part of the coaching team that supported the US Men's gymnastics team on their way to the Olympic podium at the Paris Olympic Games. Sam Mikulak had incredible gymnastics career winning six national titles, two world championships medals and he represented Team USA at three Olympic Games. Sam was part of the Michigan wolverines college gymnastics team that won back to back NCAA titles in 2013 and 2014 and has a gymnastics skill named after him in the code of points. He faced many challenges throughout his career but his character and determination have inspired athletes from around the world. Whilst spending time with the German gymnastics hero Fabian Hambuchen last year he spoke of how it was Sam Mikulak who had changed his outlook on the sport. This episode with Sam is probably my favourite conversation we have had on the podcast to date and we hope you're able to find real value in his stories. It was mental health awareness week in the UK when this episode was recorded and Sam himself has struggled with depression throughout his young life. A problem shared is a problem halved and Sam certainly made me feel less alone last week so I want to thank him for being an amazingly positive force in the world. And this is his story.