South County Profile: JD MacDonald

JD MacDonald

JD MacDonald moved to Shasta County at three years of age with his family, after his father left the military. When MacDonald was in third or fourth grade, he would spend time with his grandparents at their trailor shop in Anderson. At times, there was a need for them to find something for MacDonald and his sisters to do. Athletics Unlimited was nearby, and MacDonald had always wanted to take diving lessons. Instead of diving, MacDonald found his passion. The love for the sport of gymnastics. He worked his way up through the competitive levels. MacDonald's best events were the vault, floor and high bar. When MacDonald was in high school, he realized that he could go no further without a coach. He left the sport for two years, but could not forget his love for it. When it came time for MacDonald to do his senior project, he spent eight months helping a young gymnast learn to do a round off back hand spring.

"There were two years, when I left the sport because I was upset and promised myself, that I would never come back to it and here I am," stated MacDonald.

It was then that MacDonald knew that he belonged in the gym coaching the sport that he loves. He started coaching at Galaxy Gymnastics, then moved on to coaching at Nor-Cal Elite, which was renamed G Force, where he was training local youth at a competitive level. MacDonald is now coaching at Athletics Unlimited and has been there for three seasons. MacDonald is the coach of the girls team, with their competitive levels being seven, eight and nine. In the sport of Gymnastics, a level 10 is gymnast is preparing for regional and Olympic competition. He spends twenty hours a week at the gym coaching his team, four hours a week coaching some of the level four gymnasts, making sure that they are learning what is currently being used in the upper levels. He also works at open gym when he is not at a gymnastics meet with his team. A few weeks ago, MacDonald and his team won second place in the "Spirit of the Flame" women's gymnastics meet in San Jose. The "Spirit of the Flame," meet had over 900 competitors taking part in it.

In the future, MacDonald would like to continue to coach gymnastics as long as there are kids that need someone to coach them. He would also like to be able to get his feet wet, coaching some elite level gymnasts and seeing what it is like at the upper level of competition. Friend and gymnast Charlie Tamayo of Cuba, currently of San Jose is helping him work towards that goal. MacDonald's favorite event to coach is the balance beam.

"The beam is more of a mental thing for the girls than it is physical. That's what makes it so neat," said MacDonald.

MacDonald has been coaching the sport of gymnastics for four years. He grew up in Palo Cedro and is a 2002 graduate of Foothill High School in Palo Cedro.

After graduation, he attended Shasta College taking some classes in the areas of general education, physical education and nutrition.

Name: JD MacDonald.

Born where and when: Alexandria, Va. May 1983.

Occupation: Gymnastics coach and bartender.

Marital Status: Single.

Family: Mom, sister and grandparents. All live locally.

Pets: None, unless you count all of the kids I coach.

My worst job: Coaching at Galaxy Gymnastics.

My first job: Exercising horses.

In my spare time I: Exercise or enjoy rare time off.

My favorite book: Junior Olympics Code of Points. I'm not a big reader.

My favorite movie: Center Stage.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: A gymnastics facility and a margarita machine.

The one thing in life I've learned is: Nothing comes easy and hard work pays off.

The best thing my parents have taught me is: The same thing in life I've learned.

My most embarrassing moment: My mother sitting on a landing area during one of my competitions.

My most irrational act: That is totally not me! Couldn't tell you that I've had one.

My most valued material possession: My gymnastics equipment.

What I like best about the North State: It is beautiful, safe and affordable.

My hero is: Gymnast Vanessa Atler.

My fantasy is: Someday being a part of Olympic Gymnastics.

If I could change one thing about myself I would: Be more motivated in my spare time.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: Teaching a kid a skill, watching them work hard for it and seeing them smile once they get it.