Mental Gymnastics: Ilka Juk discusses harmful coaching, OCD, and mental health

Mental Gymnastics: Ilka Juk discusses harmful coaching, OCD, and mental health

April 27, 2026 · 1h 6m · Season 7 · Episode 284

About this episode

Ilka Juk discusses her experiences with harmful coaching, OCD, and mental health in gymnastics.

In this episode of Mental Gymnastics , Dr. JD Barton sits down with Ilka Juk, who represented Canada and Hungary as an elite gymnast and went on to compete collegiately at LIU and Iowa. Ilka looks back on the abusive coaching she experienced in Canada, her struggles with OCD, how she knew it was time to walk away from elite gymnastics, and how her career has shaped the coach she is today. Thank you to our monthly Patreon supporters: Lee B, Cookiemaster, Happy Girl, Erica S, Semflam, Amy C, Maria L, Becca S, Cathleen R, Faith, Kerry M, Derek H, Sharon B, Randee B, MSU, Kimberly G, Lela M, Mara L, Jenna A, Alex M,, Kelsey, Lidia, Maria P, Alicia O, Cristina K, Bethany J, Diane J, Kentiemac, Marni S, Betny T, Emily C, Cathy D, Lisa T, Libby C, Thiago, Taryn M, Dana B, Jamie S, Chuck C, Je_GL, Kaitlin, Susan P, Mallory D, LFC_Hokie, Ella, Debbie, Kay, Diane J, Julie B,, Austin K, Jane, Sarah, Amy, Stephen S, Johanna T, Alison S, Kristina T, Abigail W, Ola S, Jennifer K, Kate M, Claudia, Erin L, Sarah A, Thomas B, Kihika N, Beth C, Amy, Renee PM, Ryan V, Brandon H, Tyler, Hayley B, Ben S, Kate, Danielle, ALittleUnderRotated, Dana C, Grace, Pat G , Lexi G, Laura N, Kathy, Katie A, Ruby…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. JD Barton

Guest: Ilka Juk

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: LIU, Iowa

Places: Canada, Hungary

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