Former professional gymnast and now coach Vanessa Atler wrote a children’s book, “Let the River Flow” to address common emotional stages a child goes through as a competitive athlete. We chatted
with Vanessa about her inspiration for the book and what she hopes both children and parents take away from the story! 

At what age did you start gymnastics?  How did you get into professional gymnastics? How long did you compete at a professional level?

I started when I was 5 1/2 years old.  I was contacted by an agent suggesting that I go professional due to the publicity I was getting. I was a professional for 3 years, from 15-18 years old.

You now teach competitive gymnastics. Do you also compete?

I no longer compete – those years are over!

How did your personal gymnastics experiences influence you writing this book?

When I was young I would win almost every competition I entered. As you might have guessed, I thought pretty highly of myself. When I entered the next level I received placed second and immediately wanted to quit! Ha! I had not learned how to lose. As I began coaching I would see this happen frequently with talented children. They would win from the beginning and then finally find someone better than them and be devastated. I think parents should value losing more and take the opportunity to teach their kids that you can grow from these experiences. I wanted to have a book that helped parents teach this lesson and for children to have a character to relate to and learn from.

Were there any instances where you had to tell yourself to “Let the River Flow” during the book-writing process?

Actually finding the right artist. I really had a vision for the book. Something whimsical and something that represents my personality. This process took awhile, but I would say from my experiences in gymnastics, I am pretty good at not worrying too much!  I found Mentol, the artist online and our professional relationship blossomed. She knows exactly what I want and we have the same vision.

What was your favorite part of the book writing process?

Finishing it! Finishing the rough draft and re-reading the book and feeling good about the lesson that children would learn from it. I felt that I would have benefited from this book when I was growing up as a gymnast.

The message of this book is about accepting the process of gymnastics, regardless of the outcome. How do you explain this to younger children?

By giving them situations that happen to them in the gymnastics world. The experience that River has is what all little gymnasts have seen happen to themselves or others. You want them to learn a lesson without feeling that they are being taught a lesson. By following a character and seeing her go through tough feelings and coming out feeling good, children are given a way to address their emotions when they come up.

What advice would you give your younger self as well as aspiring gymnasts today?

I think probably that gymnastics doesn’t last forever. Gymnastics is a sport. A sport to learn things, have fun and enjoy experiences. It is not the end all be all. Enjoy life, not just gymnastics.

What is your advice to parents of young gymnasts?

I think I just want people and parents to know that the world of “everyone winning” is totally false. Don’t try to avoid your child feeling bad. It is a natural emotion that is needed for a reason. Teach your child to communicate their feelings and how to get through things. Life is not all happiness and that’s okay. Winning creates quitters, losing creates strength, toughness and perseverance!

 About Vanessa Atler

The story of River is based on Vanessa’s childhood as a young gymnast.  She was inspired to write this book from her own experiences in gymnastics.  She now coaches gymnastics in Bakersfield, California. Vanessa hopes to help children through the ups and downs in the world of sports.Vanessa Atler was a U.S. National Champion and a 1998 Goodwill Games Gold Medalist.  She was also a World team member in 1999.