EXCLUSIVE: Kathy Johnson, addressing violence in gymnastics, remembers Simone Biles and her own struggle: ‘Our sport causes trauma’

Did you know about the biggest sexual abuse scandal in sports history? Well, the USA Gymnastics sexual abuse scandal was a shocking revelation of exploitation in gymnastics. More than 500 athletes have been victims of sexual violence by gym owners, coaches and employees across the country. At the center of this scandal was Larry Nassar, the USAG national team doctor, who used his position of trust to prey on young athletes like Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas and Jordyn Wieber, and more, under the guise of treatment.

Larry’s evil deeds came to light when Simone Biles and others bravely exposed the abuse. Biles declared with particular certainty: “Enough.“ On April 23, 2024, the Department of Justice issued a noteworthy announcement outlining its intention to provide $139 million in restitution to victims of Larry Nassar’s misconduct.

Despite Nassar being sentenced to life in prison, the nagging question still remains: What about the mental health of people who have been victims of this harassment? To this question, former elite gymnast turned sportscaster Kathy Johnson recently gave an exclusive interview to EssentiallySports, shedding light on this key topic.

In Exclusive interview with EssentiallySportsthe interviewer asked Kathy a poignant question: “Mental health has become a major topic in sports today. Unfortunately, you were the victim of verbal abuse from your coach, which led to you being diagnosed with bulimia. Does it still affect you?“ Before we reveal what she replied, let’s first take a look at what Kathy went through that led her to bulimia.

During the early stages of her career, coach Kathy Johnson was verbally abusive, pressuring her to lose weight and train even when she was seriously injured. While trying to juggle her university studies and stay competitive in a sport that increasingly favored younger, lighter athletes, she developed bulimia, a disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by purging or other behaviors to compensate for overeating. Back to what Kathy said about mental health and violence.

Kathy replied, “Mental health is one of the most important topics for discussion in sports and gymnastics, as is human development. Gymnasts begin practicing the sport as young children, sometimes even as toddlers, and those who quickly reach advanced or elite levels simultaneously progress through stages of human development – infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence and adulthood. It is critical that they are surrounded by adults who understand these dynamics and feel the full weight of responsibility for ensuring the physical, mental and emotional health of first the child and then the elite athlete.“

She further emphasized that without awareness there is a risk of exploiting the power dynamics between coaches and athletes, leading to overtraining, control and abuse. This blurs the line between rigorous training and harmful behavior, ultimately harming athletes’ mental health and well-being.

She added, “Instead of experiencing what responsible adult behavior looks, sounds and feels like, it creates a huge gray area where predators can hide and act in plain sight, just as Dr. Larry Nassar did.“ This highlights the critical need for clear boundaries and accountability in sporting environments to ensure the safety and well-being of athletes. But did Kathy beat the disease?

How did Kathy Johnson overcome her eating disorder?

Kathy Johnson further explained her experience that despite overcoming an eating disorder, the coaching and training methods used in gymnastics over an extended period of time can cause lasting trauma. She emphasized that in certain circumstances, such trauma can manifest itself as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

She continued, “That’s why I and so many gymnasts, past and present, have raised our voices to continue to raise awareness and inspire cultural change.This highlights the need for athletes to advocate for improved sports practices to prevent future generations from experiencing similar experiences. But how did he overcome his eating disorder?

On EssentiallySports, Kathy Johnson shared her journey in achieving her goal “perfect” bodies in the first days of life, resorting to extreme measures such as severe starvation and rigorous training to keep the weight below 50 pounds. This pursuit led to delayed menstruation until the age of 25.

Recalling her struggles with weight gain later in life, Johnson revealed: “Then, as I got older and gained weight, I suddenly couldn’t do some of the things I used to do. I panicked. I thought, “I’m too heavy.” If I were lighter, I would be a better gymnast.“ This highlights the challenges athletes face in meeting unrealistic standards and highlights the vital importance of self-acceptance and promoting a supportive environment that promotes well-being.