Gyminny Kids Hall Of Fame Inductee - Isabella Crisci

Isabella Crisci began her gymnastics journey at North County Gymnastics & The Gyminny Kids at seven years old, training under Daniel Gundert through Level 7. During her time in the gym, she built a strong foundation in discipline, confidence, and technical skill, qualities that would continue to shape her athletic path.

After leaving Gyminny Kids, Isabella transitioned into dance and competitive cheerleading, achieving high-level success. Her dedication and talent ultimately led her to perform professionally as an NFL cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins, reaching one of the highest levels of the sport.

Isabella's journey reflects the lasting impact of gymnastics training and the doors it can open beyond the gym. Her story shows how lessons learned at Gyminny Kids can carry athletes into elite opportunities and meaningful careers.

Section 1: The "Roots" (Your time with us at Gyminny Kids)

Isabella, what is your favorite or funniest memory from our time training together?

There are quite literally too many moments I could talk about as far as funny memories go; our team was always laughing and having fun, but my most favorite has to be one of our Halloween meets when we had convinced Daniel to dress up as Gru from "Despicable Me," and all of us girls were minions. I just remember we couldn't stop laughing. Daniel was such a good sport, dealing with all of us, making jokes, and putting himself through whatever. We competed so well that day, probably because we were having so much fun, I'll never forget that!

What is one specific skill or "life lesson" you learned during your time in my program that you still use today?

The biggest life lesson I learned while training with Daniel is that the only person who can achieve your dreams is you. The mind holds so much power; it'll tell you that you "can't" when things feel scary or hard, and only you can push through that. From having mental blocks on tumbling passes or skills on beam to putting myself through high-pressure audition settings and performing in enormous stadiums, I always had feelings of doubt and fear. I had to silence them and trust myself to get where I am today.

If you could go back and talk to your younger self when you first started with me, what advice would you give her?

I would tell my younger self never to put a limit on my dreams. When I first started with Daniel, my goal was to go to the Olympics. My days consisted of school, homework, and then gym. When that chapter of my life closed, I felt scared and lost with what I wanted to pursue next. I quickly found my passion and love for dance, and if you told 14-year-old me I would later become an NFL cheerleader, she would never believe you. The sky's the limit; if you can dream it, you can do it.

Section 2: The "Pro" Life (Where you are now)

What does a "day in the life" look like for a professional cheerleader/dancer?

A typical day in my life begins around 8 am. I wake up, get ready, and eat some breakfast before heading to work. When my work day for my first job finishes, I quickly head home to change and grab a bite to eat before packing up my bag and heading to the stadium for my second job, my dream job. Something most people don't know is just how bad the traffic is for our practice commute. I always make sure to give myself at least an hour and a half to get to the stadium! Once I arrive, we practice for about 3 hours; this time will vary day to day, depending on how much we have to get done. Once practice is finished, I head home, make some dinner, take a shower, and get ready to do it all again the next day!

What was the most "pinch-me" moment of your professional career so far?

Hands down, the biggest "pinch-me" moment of my career was waiting to take the field with my best friends at the first-ever Miami Dolphins international game in Madrid, Spain. I will never forget the sound of 80,000 fans from all over the world once we came out of the tunnel. I remember which teammates of mine I was standing next to, what song was playing, and the butterflies in my stomach. I've never felt so honored to represent an organization. Being the first NFL cheerleaders to perform in Spain, interact with the people of Madrid, and show the world what Miami is all about was the greatest pleasure and something I will never forget.

What is the biggest difference between dancing recreationally and performing at the professional level?

The biggest difference between dancing recreationally and professionally is the platform you gain. Getting to this level means you are no longer representing just yourself and your image; you're now an image of the organization, your teammates, your coaches, and the community. Holding a position like this also means being a role model for dancers aspiring to perform at this level, which brings an additional level of responsibility.

Section 3: Words of Wisdom

What is the best piece of advice you've received about staying motivated and disciplined?

While my ultimate end goal drives my discipline and motivation, it's the little accomplishments you make along the way that keep pushing you to be better. It's an everyday struggle every athlete shares: waking up and doing the same routine day after day in hopes of achieving a goal weeks, months, or even years down the line. It's being able to recognize that you're getting 1% better every day that will give you the strength and courage to keep chasing that dream.

For the young athletes I'm coaching right now who dream of going pro, what is the #1 thing they should focus on?

The best piece of advice I could give someone dreaming of going pro is to trust and lean into your coaches and mentors. My journey has been far from traditional and easy, but I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for the people, coaches, and role models I met along the way. Be patient with the process, be okay with setbacks and failures; everybody's path to success looks different.

How do you handle the pressure of performing in front of thousands of people?

Pressure in my mind is a privilege– and while it's intimidating, I put all my trust into my training. Standing in front of 75,000 fans and critics every Sunday is terrifying, but when I feel my mind drifting into doubt or worry, I remind myself that I've put years of hard work, sweat, and tears into what I love. I always tell myself, "You've worked for this, you've practiced for hours for this moment, you got this." I put on my brightest smile, and I let the adrenaline take the wheel.