What if the real scoreboard of youth sports isn’t medals, but the mindset you carry for life? We sit down with coach and teacher Heather Carrigan to trace a path from six-year-old gymnast to team captain, regional champion, and 26-year Fraser High School coach. Along the way, Heather reveals the habits that sports hardwire—goal setting, time management, and resilience—and how those skills transfer into classrooms, careers, and parenting.

Heather opens up about the tradeoffs of club gymnastics, where 30 to 40 hours a week meant skipping other activities and learning to prioritize what mattered most. She shares how effective coaches change lives by seeing the whole athlete, building respect, and tailoring feedback. From the thrill of pep assemblies to the quiet grind of practice, her stories show how progress can be more fulfilling than a podium finish. You’ll hear why she believes losing often teaches more than winning, and how to turn disappointment into a roadmap for growth.

We also dive into the lighter side: quirky pre-meet rituals, team bonds that outlast school, and the creativity of choreography that still keeps her connected to the sport. Now a parent of competitive athletes in gymnastics, cheer, track, and cross country, Heather translates decades of experience into practical wisdom on balance, belonging, and community. If you’ve ever wondered how high school sports truly shape character and connection, this conversation delivers candid insights you can use.

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Produced the 2021-2023 school years

FHSTheFlash.com is the outlet for the voices of students at Fraser High School, Fraser, Michigan