The Influence of Sunisa Lee’s Coaches on Her Artistic Gymnastics Style

Sunisa Lee’s ascent to Olympic gold in artistic gymnastics is a story of talent, resilience, and the dedicated mentorship of a coaching team that has shaped every aspect of her performance. From her early days in a local St. Paul gym to the international stage, the guidance she received from her coaches has been instrumental in developing the unique blend of technical precision, artistic expression, and adaptive problem-solving that defines her style. This article explores how specific coaching philosophies, training environments, and collaborative choreography have molded Suni into one of the most versatile and captivating gymnasts of her generation—a gymnast whose style is as much a product of deliberate design as it is of natural ability.

Early Foundations: Building Strength and Confidence

Sunisa Lee began her gymnastics career at the age of six at a small recreational program in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Her first coaches came from a community gym that prioritized safety, fundamental movement patterns, and the joy of movement. These early mentors focused on building her core strength, flexibility, and spatial awareness—the bedrock of any elite athlete. While the gym was not a major power center, the emphasis on proper body alignment and injury prevention gave Lee a solid base that later allowed her to absorb more advanced techniques without breaking down. The coaches used a progressive skill-building system, ensuring Lee mastered basic shapes like hollow holds, arch positions, and handstands before moving to forward rolls, cartwheels, and eventually, back handsprings. This patient approach meant that when she later attempted complex acrobatic sequences, her body already knew the correct positioning, reducing the learning curve and minimizing risk.

One of the most critical aspects of this early coaching was the cultivation of confidence. Coaches encouraged her to experiment with skills at her own pace, fostering a sense of ownership over her learning. They celebrated small victories—a perfect pointed toe, a clean back handspring—which built intrinsic motivation. This period also introduced her to the concept of "flow": moving from skill to skill without hesitation. The result was a gymnast who never looked tentative, even when attempting difficult new elements. The early coaching planted the seeds of the resilience that would later define her career. In interviews, Lee has recalled how those first coaches made gymnastics feel like play, not work, a mindset that helped her endure the intense demands of elite training later on.

The Transition to Elite: Jess Graba and the Midwest Method

By age nine, Lee had outgrown her recreational gym. She moved to Midwest Gymnastics in Little Canada, Minnesota, where she began training under Jess Graba. Jess Graba, along with his wife Alison, runs a relatively small program that focuses on long-term athlete development rather than factory-style repetition. This coaching duo is known for a hands-on, detail-oriented approach that emphasizes biomechanical efficiency over brute force. Jess Graba’s philosophy is to find the most natural, low-impact way to perform a skill, a principle that aligns perfectly with Lee’s need to manage joint issues (she later revealed she has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that makes joints hypermobile and prone to injury). Graba’s background in engineering and his experience as a former gymnast himself give him a unique analytical eye. He videos every training session, reviewing frame by frame to identify micro-adjustments in body position that can improve performance and reduce strain.

Graba’s coaching style is deeply analytical. He breaks down each skill into its components, looking at entry angles, hand placements, and body tension. For example, on uneven bars—Lee’s signature event—he spent hours refining her giant swings and transitions to minimize stress on her shoulders while maximizing amplitude. This methodical approach allowed Lee to develop a bar routine that is both difficult and aesthetically smooth, with no wasted motion. Graba also introduced specific conditioning exercises to strengthen the small stabilizer muscles around her shoulders and hips, which are crucial for gymnasts with hypermobile joints. His focus on quality over quantity kept Lee fresh and helped her avoid the overuse injuries that plague many elite gymnasts. During her peak training cycles, Lee typically practiced bars for only 90 minutes per session, far less than the multi-hour bar workouts common at larger gyms, yet she consistently earned some of the highest execution scores in the world.

A key aspect of the Graba method is the collaboration between coach and athlete. Jess Graba famously treats his gymnasts as partners in their training, asking for feedback on how a skill feels and adjusting accordingly. This open dialogue gave Lee the confidence to speak up about pain or discomfort, which allowed for early intervention and kept her competition-ready. For instance, when Lee first tried the Nabieva release that would become part of her signature move on bars, she felt a sharp pull in her lower back. Graba immediately scaled back the repetition and modified the entry angle, then worked with a physical therapist to design a prehab routine that strengthened her core and hips. Within three weeks, Lee was performing the skill pain-free. This responsive coaching built a deep trust between athlete and coach, allowing them to push boundaries safely.

Choreography and Artistic Expression: The Blend of Technique and Emotion

Sunisa Lee’s artistic style is often described as "lyrical" and "expressive," a stark contrast to the more powerful, athletic style of many of her contemporaries. This artistry was not innate; it was carefully cultivated through collaboration between her coaches and dedicated choreographers. For her floor routine leading into the Tokyo Olympics, Graba brought in Dominic Zito to design the choreography. Zito worked closely with Lee to find music that resonated with her—a mix of modern and classical sounds that allowed her to tell a story without forcing a character. The resulting routine featured fluid arm movements, controlled leaps, and a slow, eerie opening that showcased her emotional range. Zito and Graba spent hours discussing not just the steps, but the intention behind each movement. They wanted the routine to feel organic, as if Lee were expressing her own emotions rather than performing a preset sequence.

The coaches understood that artistic gymnastics scores are heavily influenced by the E-score (execution) and the D-score (difficulty). Graba and Zito deliberately chose elements that highlighted Lee’s natural flexibility and extension—for example, a well-placed switch side leap and a triple twist that she could land with clean posture. Rather than cramming the routine with high-risk connections, they prioritized clean landings and aesthetic lineups, which consistently earned high execution marks. This design philosophy is a direct reflection of the coaching team’s belief that artistry must be woven into technical execution, not added as an afterthought. They also incorporated elements from ballet and modern dance into her beam routine, such as a graceful arabesque and a controlled press handstand, which added a distinctive elegance. The result was a complete package that impressed judges and captivated audiences alike.

Balancing Difficulty with Consistency: The Coaches’ Goldilocks Approach

One of the most difficult coaching challenges in elite gymnastics is balancing the difficulty of skills—necessary for a high D-score—with the consistency required to avoid major deductions. Sunisa Lee’s coaches have mastered this balance through what might be called the "Goldilocks approach": not too hard, not too easy, but just right for her body and style. For example, on balance beam, she performs a front layout to two feet and a side aerial, skills that are moderate in difficulty but highly reliable when executed with perfect alignment. Her coaches resisted the temptation to add a precarious skill like a standing full or a tucked Arabian double, knowing that Lee’s ballet-like style is better served by clean, elegant connections and a steady landing. They instead focused on perfecting the rhythm of her routine—connecting the front layout, side aerial, and a switch leap with minimal pauses, creating a seamless flow that earns bonus connections without adding undue risk.

This philosophy extends to her bar routine as well. Lee’s signature move—the "Lee" (a Nabieva-style toe-on to Tkatchev with a half turn)—requires exceptional precision. Jess Graba designed it to maximize her natural hip flexibility and shoulder mobility, making the skill look effortless. However, they also built in redundancy: Lee has a backup combination of simpler skills that she can substitute if she feels off during warm-ups. This flexibility allows the coaches to adjust on competition day based on how Lee’s body feels, a luxury that comes from months of drilling multiple variations. The coaches ensure that every skill in her routine has a low enough risk of error that she can repeat it reliably under pressure. This is why Lee has seldom suffered a major crash in competition; her coaches design for consistency first, difficulty second. Even her vault—a Yurchenko 1.5—was chosen because it provides a solid score without the high injury risk of a Cheng or Amanar. The goal is always to maximize the final score by prioritizing reliability over spectacle.

The NCAA Experience: A Shift in Coaching Dynamics and a New Toolbox

After her Olympic triumph, Lee committed to compete for Auburn University, where the coaching environment was distinctly different from her club setup. At Auburn, she worked under Jeff Graba (Jess Graba’s brother) and the rest of the Tigers coaching staff. The college system demanded a faster pace, with regular meets and a heavier emphasis on team scores. Jeff Graba’s coaching style is more motivational and less micro-managed than Jess’s, focusing on building mental toughness and adapting to a shorter rest cycle. This change forced Suni to become a more versatile competitor, performing on all four events often within a single meet, a workload she had not maintained consistently as an elite. In club, Lee rarely competed all four events in a single day; at Auburn, she did so in nearly every meet. The NCAA coaches helped her build endurance through periodized training that peaked on weekends for meets, a shift from her elite schedule.

Under the NCAA guidance, Lee developed a stronger competitive grit. Coaches pushed her to perform even when fatigued or dealing with minor injuries, teaching her to manage her energy across an entire season. They also loosened the strict technique guidelines from her elite training, allowing her to add a degree of personal flair—such as a unique dismount on beam that combined a gainer full twist with a laid-out position. Jeff Graba encouraged her to experiment with new stylistic choices, like adding a dramatic pause in her floor routine before the final tumbling pass. This freedom helped Lee rediscover the joy of performing in a lower-pressure environment. The NCAA experience broadened her toolkit and forced her to trust her fundamentals under pressure. When she returned to elite gymnastics after her NCAA stint, she brought back a more relaxed, confident presence that translated into cleaner routines and higher scores.

Adapting to Health Challenges: Coaches as Problem Solvers and Long-Term Planners

Sunisa Lee’s path has been marked by significant health challenges, including a non-gymnastics-related kidney condition that caused swelling and fatigue in 2023, as well as the underlying Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Her coaches played a crucial role in adapting her training to these limitations. Jess Graba, in particular, scaled back the volume of tumbling passes on floor and reduced the number of bar routine repetitions in practice. He introduced auxiliary exercises like Pilates and light resistance training to stabilize her joints without heavy impact. Graba also worked with a nutritionist to adjust Lee’s diet to reduce inflammation, and he scheduled regular consultations with a sports medicine specialist to monitor her kidney function. This holistic, team-based approach ensured that Lee’s training load was constantly adjusted based on her health markers, not just her performance in the gym.

This adaptive coaching kept Lee competitive at a time when many athletes would have taken a break. For example, during her recovery from the kidney issues, her team redesigned her bar routine to include a simpler transition sequence, reducing the risk of falls while maintaining a high start value. They also cut the number of turns on floor to lower the cognitive load when she was fatigued. Graba implemented a "green light/yellow light/red light" system: on days when Lee felt good, they pushed harder; on moderate days, they maintained volume but reduced intensity; on bad days, they focused on skill drills or took complete rest. This flexible plan prevented burnout and allowed Lee to train consistently even while managing a chronic condition. The coaching staff’s willingness to prioritize long-term health over short-term wins extended her career and allowed her to return to elite form in time for the 2024 Olympic cycle. In fact, after her kidney issues subsided, Lee posted some of the best scores of her career, proving that the cautious approach paid dividends.

Mental Coaching: Building a Champion’s Mindset

Behind Lee’s technical and artistic success lies a robust mental framework cultivated by her coaches. Both Jess Graba and the Auburn staff incorporated mental skills training into her regimen. They worked with sports psychologists to develop pre-competition routines that helped Lee stay calm and focused. For example, before each routine, Lee uses a specific breathing pattern—four seconds in, four seconds out—to lower her heart rate. She also visualizes the entire routine, focusing on the feeling of each skill rather than the outcome. Her coaches reinforced this by creating pressure simulations in practice: they would bring in noise machines, have teammates watch her routines, and run mock competitions with the same timeline as real meets. This desensitization training meant that when Lee stepped onto the Olympic floor, the environment felt familiar rather than overwhelming.

The coaches also played a key role in helping Lee manage the unexpected. After her unexpected all-around gold in Tokyo, Lee struggled with the pressure of heightened expectations. Jess Graba sat her down and reframed the narrative: instead of "defending champion," they focused on "still learning and evolving." They set process-oriented goals—like achieving a certain execution score on each event—rather than medal targets. This shift reduced anxiety and allowed Lee to compete freely. The mental coaching extended to her interactions with the media and fans; her coaches helped her develop scripts for interviews so she could speak confidently without feeling put on the spot. By treating mental resilience as a trainable skill, Lee’s coaching team ensured that her mind was as strong as her body.

Creating a Unique Performance Identity: The Holistic Stamp of the Coaching Team

A final dimension of coaching influence is the way Lee’s team has shaped her public performance identity. From her leotard choices to the pacing of her routines, every element is curated to project confidence and grace. Her coaches work with sports psychologists and media trainers to help her manage the spotlight without losing focus. The choreography is always designed to look effortless, with transitions that feel natural rather than rushed. Even her facial expressions during routines are coached—she is encouraged to smile during floor exercises and maintain a calm, focused gaze on beam to signal control to the judges. Lee’s leotards, chosen in consultation with designers and her coaches, often feature neutral tones and elegant cuts that complement her long lines, avoiding the busy patterns that can distract from her movements. The music for her floor routines is selected to match her personality: introspective yet powerful, with a clear emotional arc.

This holistic attention to presentation has made Lee a fan favorite and a role model. Young gymnasts see her as proof that artistry can coexist with difficulty. The coaches have deliberately avoided rigid, militaristic styles in favor of fluid, personality-driven performances. The result is a gymnast who looks like she is dancing, not just competing. This identity is reinforced in the way Lee interacts with the audience—she often holds her ending pose a beat longer than necessary, giving cameras time to capture her expression. These small touches, coached into her behavior, become part of her signature style. The coaching team has effectively branded Lee as the "artistic gymnast" in a sport that increasingly rewards brute difficulty, and this branding has paid off both in medal counts and in legacy.

Conclusion

The influence of Sunisa Lee’s coaches extends far beyond the gym floor. From early fundamentals to elite-level technique, from artistic choreography to health adaptations, every coaching decision has contributed to the graceful, resilient, and technically outstanding gymnast the world admires. Jess Graba’s analytical, low-impact approach, combined with the motivational environment at Auburn under Jeff Graba, and the creative input from choreographers like Dominic Zito, created a unique training ecosystem. The mental conditioning, the careful balancing of difficulty and consistency, and the holistic curation of her performance identity all stem from a coaching philosophy that respects the athlete’s individuality, prioritizes longevity, and never sacrifices artistry for difficulty. As Lee continues to evolve—whether she pursues another Olympic cycle or transitions into coaching herself—her coaches remain at her side, adjusting the blueprint to ensure that her gymnastics style remains one of the most beautiful and effective in the sport. Their fingerprints are on every routine, every medal, and every moment of grace under pressure.