Podcast Summary: "The Voices Larry Nassar Tried To Silence"
Podcast: I Wish You Were Here
Host: Michelle Cuervo
Release Date: July 2, 2025

1. Introduction and Personal Connection

Michelle Cuervo begins the episode by sharing her personal connection to the topic, revealing her background as a former gymnast. This connection adds depth to her exploration of Larry Nassar's heinous actions within the gymnastics community.

"This case also resonates with me because I was an athlete at one point in my life... I was in gymnastics for a good amount of years when I was a little girl."
[05:45]

2. Overview of Larry Nassar's Role in Gymnastics

Larry Nassar, a trusted physician within Michigan State University (MSU) and USA Gymnastics, abused his position to perpetrate sexual assault against numerous young female athletes. Initially perceived as a caring and dedicated doctor, Nassar's duplicity was central to his ability to exploit his victims.

"Larry Nassar was a physician at Michigan State University who worked with the women's national team... He was seen as the person whose job was not only to show up and make sure that your daughter was okay, but overall he was seen as generally a good guy."
[12:30]

3. The Gymnastics Training Environment and Coaches

The gymnastics training environment is depicted as highly controlled and demanding. Coaches like Bella and Marta Karolyi set intense standards, fostering an atmosphere where athletes were pushed to their physical and mental limits.

"Gymnastics is also an extremely high-stress sport... extensive training adapted to producing Olympic champions like Simone Biles and Carly Johnson."
[09:15]

4. Manipulation and Abuse by Larry Nassar

Nassar exploited the trust placed in him by athletes and their families. He used his role to perform non-consensual internal procedures under the guise of medical treatment, often without parental oversight, which allowed him to abuse his victims repeatedly.

"Larry Nassar would tell the gymnast that he saw that in order to help them with their injuries, he had to do what he described to be an internal procedure."
[22:50]

5. Institutional Failures and Enablers

Several institutions and individuals failed to act against Nassar despite multiple complaints. Key figures within MSU, USA Gymnastics, and affiliated gyms either dismissed allegations or inadequately addressed them, enabling Nassar's ongoing abuse.

"Michigan State University received 17 complaints alone from 1997 to 2015... but nothing changed."
[35:10]

6. The Role of Key Figures

• John Getter: Head coach at Twist Stars USA Gymnastics Club, known for his intimidating coaching style. His relationship with Nassar created an environment where abuse could flourish unchecked.

  "John Getter was pretty much the designated doctor for that facility, meaning that a lot of the things that he did took place underneath that roof."
  [30:25]

• Kathy Klages: MSU's head gymnastics coach who dismissed concerns about Nassar's behavior when reported by gymnast Larissa Boyce.

  "Kathy Klages... completely dismissed her concerns, telling Larissa that Larry is a good guy and would never do such things."
  [40:55]

• Steve Penny: Former CEO of USA Gymnastics who delayed reporting abuse to law enforcement and was later indicted for evidence tampering, though charges were dismissed in 2022.

  "Steve Penny... indicted in Texas for allegedly ordering staff to remove and hide documents related to Larry Nassar... charges were dismissed in April 2022."
  [50:20]

7. The Turning Point: Rachel Denhollander's Allegation

Rachel Denhollander's brave decision to publicly accuse Nassar through an article in the Indianapolis Star was the catalyst that brought widespread attention to the abuse, encouraging over 500 women to come forward.

"Rachel Denhollander... filed a police report with Michigan State University police, officially launching a criminal investigation."
[45:10]

8. Legal Proceedings and Victim Impact Statements

Nassar's legal battle culminated in a series of impactful victim statements during his sentencing hearing. Over 150 women shared their harrowing experiences, highlighting the depth of Nassar's abuse and the systemic failures that allowed it to continue.

"Rachel Denhollander spoke saying, 'How much is a little girl worth? I stand here as a survivor today to say that I am worth fighting for.'"
[1:10:30]

"Michaela Maroney said, 'I was by Larry Nassar in London before my team and I won the gold medal. It wasn't until after that competition was over that I realized the treatment that he gave me was abuse.'"
[1:16:45]

9. Aftermath and Consequences

Following the trial, significant repercussions ensued:

• Nassar's Sentencing: Received three consecutive 20-year sentences, totaling 40 to 175 years.

  "Judge Rosemarie sentenced Larry Nassar to 40 to 175 years in prison... 'I just signed your death warrant.'"
  [1:20:15]

• Institutional Accountability: The president of MSU and the entire board of USA Gymnastics resigned, acknowledging the failures that allowed Nassar's abuse to persist.

• Legal Actions Against Enablers: Kathy Klages was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 18 months of probation, while John Getter tragically took his own life following felony charges.

• Financial Settlements: MSU reached a $500 million settlement for the abused athletes.

10. Conclusion and Reflections

Michelle reflects on the magnitude of the case, emphasizing the betrayal by trusted institutions and individuals. She expresses her profound discomfort and anger over the systemic protection of Nassar, underscoring the necessity for accountability and change to prevent such abuses in the future.

"Larry Nassar wasn't only hiding in plain sight, he was protected there... over 500 victims and he was protected by so many powerful people."
[1:25:40]

Michelle concludes by inviting listeners to share their thoughts on the case, fostering a space for continued dialogue and reflection on this tragic chapter in sports history.

Notable Quotes Compilation:

• "I don't know if I can finish out this video because I think that I'll start crying because it's just so heavy."
  [04:00]

• "The scariest people to me are the people that can do horrific things but then still look you in the eye like a normal person and tell you that they care about you."
  [10:15]

• "They played good cop, bad cop. They unfortunately, the two of them worked well together in their own sick way."
  [29:50]

• "What if that was your daughter? Would you be angry then?"
  [48:30]

• "I just got goosebumps... little girls don't stay little forever. They grow into strong women that return to destroy your world."
  [1:17:20]

Final Thoughts:

This episode of I Wish You Were Here serves as a poignant and thorough examination of the Larry Nassar case, shedding light on the intricate web of abuse, manipulation, and institutional failure. Michelle Cuervo's personal insights and the inclusion of authentic victim statements provide a compelling narrative that not only informs but also honors the resilience of the survivors.