Born in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Finneytown High School, Borden trained under coach Mary Lee Tracy at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy. She took up gymnastics in 1984, and spent six years on the US women's national team (1990, 1992–97), competing in the 1993 World Championships, and making the event finals on uneven bars in the 1994 World Championships before leading the United States to gold in the 1996 Olympics. She also originated an original element, a twisting straddle pike jump on the balance beam, which is named after her in the Code of Points.
After her victory as part of the team nicknamed the "magnificent seven", Borden appeared in numerous national tours and television appearances. She graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a degree in early childhood education, though she was unable to compete under NCAA rules, having gained professional athlete status from promotional work.
In May 2006, Borden married Brad Cochran, and the couple currently owns the Gold Medal Gym in Tempe, Arizona. 2000 Olympic team member Jamie Dantzscher is one of the coaches at Borden's gym. At age 30, she gave birth to her first child - a daughter, Kennedy Faith, who arrived at 5:45 pm on July 29, 2007.
Borden opened her Gold Medal Gym in Tempe, Arizona in May 2004, where she coaches as well. She also serves as a commentator on CBS Sports, Fox Sports, Turner Broadcasting, and ESPN, for gymnastics and cheerleading events. She also goes to IGC (International Gymnastics Camp) every summer to talk about her gymnastics experiences.
