{"id":3350,"date":"2018-06-04T22:18:52","date_gmt":"2018-06-04T22:18:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gymnasticsville.com\/?p=3350"},"modified":"2018-12-12T15:07:35","modified_gmt":"2018-12-12T15:07:35","slug":"stephanie-simmons-where-are-they-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gymnasticsville.com\/stephanie-simmons-where-are-they-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephanie Simmons: Where Are They Now?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What happens to standout elite athletes like\u00a0Stephanie Simmons (LoPiccolo) when they retire from competitive sports and move on to their post-athletic careers? Every gymnast that makes it to the highest level will tell you it is not always easy to find the same level of passion in other areas of life. It takes open mindedness, research, soul searching, and a little bit of luck. The beauty of it all is when you find that next great passion, it feels outstanding to get to work on a new career adventure. For Stephanie Simmons, that passion is pregnancy and childbirth<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"StephanieStandout Gymnast<\/h4>\n

Simmons, who competed in the 2004 Australian Olympic trials and was the second alternate to their Olympic gymnastics team, is familiar with adventures. Upon graduating from high school in Melbourne, Stephanie Simmons brought her gymnastics skills to the University of Oklahoma<\/a> where she won the Big 12 Championship bars title in 2006 and a Big 12 Championship team title in 2008.<\/p>\n

\u201cCompeting at the Australian Olympic trials was one of my favorite moments. Hit all of my routines and that was my last competition that I competed for Australia before coming over to the states. I was so proud of myself ending my career for Australia the way I did.\u201d says Simmons. \u201cAlso the whole experience over here in the states in NCAA sports on a huge stage with all the fans, there is just nothing like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Life After Gymnastics<\/h4>\n

Stephanie Simmons finished her gymnastics career on top and with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, but had a change in career goals. \u201cI realized this wasn’t where my heart was. I was in Florida at the time and I researched midwifery schools and I came across a doula certification…I ended up taking the certification and I fell in love. That is what kick started me getting into the birthing world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Oklahoma
2008 Oklahoma Women’s Gymnastics Big 12 Team Champions<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Determined to follow her passion in childbirth, Stephanie continued her education. Currently, she is a Pregnancy Health coach certified as a Doula , Mercier Therapist, and a Lactation Educator. In addition, Simmons is a Pre and Postnatal Corrective Exercise Specialist. Since 2012, Stephanie has been making a positive impact in the community, especially in Norman, Oklahoma where the company she co-founded, Guided Childbirth<\/a> is located.<\/p>\n

“It is hard to put into words just how great Stephanie was throughout our entire pregnancy process. We had an initial meeting with her and she helped explain what role she would provide as our doula,\u201d says Elizabeth, a Guided Childbirth client. \u201cIt was clear from this meeting that we wanted to have a doula and that Stephanie was the doula for us. Stephanie has a unique combination of professional expertise and an ability to make her clients feel comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Our dads-to-be getting lots of hands-on experience during class today!! \ud83d\ude0a\ud83d\udc4d\ud83c\udffc #childbirtheducation #dadstobe #partnersupport #relaxationtechniques #counterpressure #breathing #birth #activebirth #doula #homebirth #hospitalbirth #birthcenter #happymom #happybaby<\/a><\/p>\n

A post shared by Guided Childbirth LLC<\/a> (@mindbodybabyfitness) on