Life Is Short, Don't Wait to Dance

A remarkable woman

I gave this book to my daughter’s gymnastics coach after I saw an interview from the Steve Harvey Show with Valerie and Katlyn.

I really enjoy reading this book. It gave me a different perspective on leadership. I bought to assist me in helping my teenage daughter. Highly recommend it. I also liked Miss Val personal testimony. What an inspiration for those that are going through difficult times. Must read.

If you've read Miss Val's blog and listened to her interviews/podcasts, most of the book is already out there for free, but it's great to have everything in one spot. I know she's said more than once that people would think she's crazy after the book came out but I don't think there's anything strange about believing that life is a choice and everything is linked. A lot of people say Miss Val is an unconventional coach for various reasons but really she's just trying to work preparation for life into gymnastics training. I think high level gymnasts are so dedicated to their sport (of necessity!) that they often don't have time to develop outside gymnastics so Miss Val tries to fold life training into practice and meets. It's why the UCLA gymnastics graduates go on to big, really interesting careers right after they graduate. Miss Val gives them a lot of space and encouragement to figure out what they really want to do in life, and we all need that at different times in our lives. When she tells her former elite recruits that it's up to them to figure out what they need to do to be ready for an upcoming meet, she's just trying to help them think for themselves. A lot of people in and out of gymnastics grow up in a really authoritarian family/environment so it can be hard to figure things out on your own. And of course in the real world it's all about figuring it out by yourself, which can be a big shock to anyone used to achieving in a structured, prescribed environment. I know it was for me (and I was never a gymnast) because everything, including my college, was chosen for me, and I really struggled with finding a career (and still do to a degree) because I knew exactly how to get high grades but I had never developed any critical thinking skills. Miss Val seems like an awesome person who's had a really positive influence on a ton of people and I hope her book keeps selling well.

This book is a quick, easy read that packs a POWERFUL and PROFOUND punch! Miss Val has a unique way of drawing you into her world--and not just the world of dance or gymnastics, a world that is relevant to ALL of us. Being a teacher of junior high students, so much of this book resonated with me. I have already used some of Miss Val's tips and tricks in my classroom, and I'm excited to incorporate more as we work through the year. One of the best pieces of advice from the book that I have taught my students is that "LISTEN" and "SILENT" are made up of the same letters. In order to truly listen, we have to silence our minds and not just be thinking about what we want to say next. Of course, Miss Val says it far more eloquently than I ever could in a review! It truly doesn't matter if you're a dance enthusiast or a gymnastics fan or if you have never seen a ballet or gymnastics meet in your life, this book is still RELEVANT to you! It speaks of universal truths and encourages all of us to be better people--all while making us laugh. BUY IT. READ IT. SHARE IT. You won't be disappointed!

As a long-time gymnastics fan, I loved getting to know more about Ms. Val's earlier life before UCLA gymnastics became such a big deal. I admire the fact that she was different than other coaches, not coming in with a gymnastics background or having coaching experience. I love the fact that she believed she could make it work, even though there were some growing pains along the way when she realized that mimicking others was not the best way to go. One of my favorite parts was when she talked about how to assess personality types and how much she used that in her coaching. I have taken that information away and use it in my own life as well. A great message Ms. Val sends is to be sure to be in the moment and take in all each day has to offer. This is something I am working on personally as I tend to be a lot in past/future so that part of the book really spoke to me and it's something I am working on improving in myself. This book was a joy to read and I kept wishing it didn't have to end toward the end.

I have never read or been more uplifted and inspired by a book written by or about a coach. I have read more than 150 books by coaches or about coaches; none have been better than this. Miss Val delivers a great approach to life, coaching, parenting, managing and leadership in a direct inspiring manner that is loaded with practical ways to implement these ideas for yourself and others in a 2020 contemporary setting. This is a how to be a great person and live a great life book not from somebody who is theorizing but from somebody who has done it herself and continues to do it in the trenches. I bought the audible version (delightful with Miss Val as narrator), Kindle for myself and hardcover for my son. I will be buying more copies and sharing and recommending it to anyone who will listen. There are many wonderful stories and applications and when you finish the book you will holding yourself accountable to choose to be happy and make others happy! If you only read one book this year make it this one. It will improve your outlook and your life! Craig Impelman

Be yourself be confident and love your team mates. Sound advice from Miss Val for life. Really interesting stories about how to coach people successfully.

Love love love Miss Val is a legend

Absolutely loved it

I first came to hear about this wonderfully string and resilliant lady when I started to watch in 2016 the NCAA Gymnastics Championships.Miss Val they call her and she is one of the truly great coaches in women’s gymnastics. Though never a gymnast herself she has managed to win 7 championships for her school UCLA.She is one of those strong willed people who you gravitate to. So many of the top elite gymnasts have came to her team.In her time a lot of Canadians have also became members of her team including my four favourites.What I like this isn’t just a memoir or a how to coach book but its about her philosophy on life itself. She talks about everything and has so many amazing things to say about her athletes who are now friends.She talks about the hurt her elite gymnasts had and how strong they were when they spoke out about the assaults and abuse they suffered. This is a very powerful piece because to me it shows what is wrong and Miss Val knows how to correct this with her wonderful approach.I really enjoyed this book and just how well it shows how you can help yourself. I plan to use the reset button approach in life going forward.This book really struck a chord with me and I have to say that Miss Val is a real hero. She treats people the way she expects to be treated and has earned the respect of everyone.For any athletes and coaches out there read this book to get an idea of what a coach can do to help and how to make a difference.

I can go on and on about how much Miss Val and her impact on the team inspires me. Her book just shows it all and I can read it many times without getting bored. So motivational and you’de hope that you are a Bruin coached by Miss Val because of her love and passion towards everyone and her wise words. Such inspirational stories that sparks joy in this book. Loved every moment of it.