You Can't Flip on Empty

Gymnastics is more than four events. Behind every vault, bar, beam, and floor routine lies an unspoken, under-coached, and undervalued reality: the Fifth Event. Nutrition, recovery, sleep, mental training, and functional strength-this hidden event shapes everything an athlete does inside the gym. Yet, too often, it's ignored.

In You Can't Flip on Empty, Betsy McNally Laouar, founder of Betsy Bootcamp, nutritionist, and nationally recognized coach, pulls back the curtain on what's really happening in gyms across North America and beyond. Through powerful stories from nearly 300 clubs, backed by current sports science and her own lived experience as an athlete, mother of two special needs children, and coach, Betsy reveals why athletes stall, parents struggle, and coaches feel stuck when fueling is left out of the training plan.

This book isn't just theory. It's a framework-born from the trenches-that helps athletes build strength, coaches create culture change, and families find peace around food. You'll discover:

• Why under-fueling is the silent performance killer (RED-S and beyond).
• How small cultural shifts in gyms transform athlete confidence and endurance.
• Practical fueling strategies for busy households that actually work.
• A fresh, compassionate approach to food that prioritizes both performance and joy.