Off Balance
A Memoir
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4.5 • 380 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
In this searing and riveting New York Times bestseller, Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu reveals the dark underbelly of Olympic gymnastics, the true price of success…and the shocking secret about her past and her family that she only learned years later.
At just fourteen years old, Dominique Moceanu became the youngest member of the legendary 1996 US Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team, known for winning America’s first-ever team gold medal in women’s gymnastics. She was celebrated as a media darling, admired for her grace on the balance beam and her fierce determination. But behind the medals and fame was a story of emotional abuse, hidden injuries, and a high-pressure world that silenced young athletes.
In Off Balance, Moceanu recounts her tumultuous rise to Olympic glory—from her intense training with renowned coach Bela Karolyi, to clashes with her father, and the terrifying isolation of a child in the spotlight. With raw honesty, she reveals the toll of living under constant scrutiny in the hyper-competitive world of gymnastics, and how she was forced to hide both physical pain and emotional scars.
But Moceanu’s story doesn’t end with the Olympics. Years later, a letter from a stranger unveils a shocking family secret: she has a sister born with a disability, given up for adoption at birth—who, against all odds, grew up to become an accomplished gymnast herself. This extraordinary revelation transforms Moceanu’s understanding of identity, family, and resilience.
A gripping, inspiring memoir about perseverance, trauma, and redemption, Off Balance is for fans of Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and readers of sports memoirs that reveal the truth behind the performance.
Customer Reviews
Great story
This was a very good story, it seemed honest and sincere. I have two children in sports and one in college sports and one still in high school sports so I know the hard work it takes to be successful but what she endured and how she persevered it was and continues to be an amazing story with a cherry on top that she has another sister! The two coaches are dispicable and I hope this opens the eyes of USA gymnastics. However , they are such awful human beings they will probably feed on the fact that most Americans will despise them except for the American gymnastic community they have to submit to them, what choice do they have. Congrats on a beautiful life you have made for yourself, you more than deserve it! A great story you won't be disappointed.
Amazing
Amazing story! And amazing courage to tell her story. I hope the Bela and Marta read it...we know what you have done, and the jig is up! I am appalled at their behavior both as coaches and and as human beings. For me they no longer represent US Gymnastics, they represent despicable human beings who own many apologies to many children and grown children.
USA gymnastics should be ashamed at where they have come in the 21st century. Time to wake up and fix the broken system.
I'm so glad Dominique had the courage to use her voice to help make the future better. It's so hard to be the voice of reason when dealing with a sick minded governing body. It's so hard to be the one to say ENOUGH! Yet, she did and she did it well. For me this is bigger and better than a gold medal.
Thank you, Dominique. I hope you are able to continue to work on changing the system. We need you for all of our daughters.
Eye opening and heartwarming
What a heart warming and eye opening experience from my favorite gymnast of all time. Today more than ever does usag need to listen to its athletes. How about they start here....