Written by: Margaux Fantasia, a guest blogger and real North County Gymnastics & the Gyminny Kids Parent
Category: Competitive Gymnastics
Isabella started gymnastics unsure of herself and unable to do a cartwheel. With patient coaching and the right team, she found her confidence, grew as a gymnast, and discovered a community cheering her on.
A skeptical start
In late 2023, my daughter Isabella was invited to join the pre-team at another gym. To be honest, I was skeptical. She wasn't flexible, and she couldn't do a basic cartwheel. Not knowing anything about competitive gymnastics, I actually had to ask a mom friend whether pre-team was a real thing.
But Isabella loved the classes, so we leaned in.
Finding the right fit
Fast forward to spring 2024. I was looking for a new gym, one that could give Isabella consistent coaching. Isabella is my observer. She's intelligent and self-determined, likes her routines, and can be very reserved. I knew she'd need coaches who understood that about her.
Two of my closest mom friends highly recommended Gyminny Kids. "Ryan is THE coach you want!" they both told me. So I scheduled an evaluation with him.
He didn't recommend the Jets (pre-team) program for Isabella right away. Instead, he said she'd benefit from the recreational classes first. I was impressed by the facility, and I appreciated Ryan's honesty. He told me what Isabella needed. We switched gyms.
Joining Jets
By summer 2024, Isabella was invited to Jets. She was in the gym three times a week with Coach Ryan and Coach Kimmy, and they kept every class fun. My daughter loved every minute of it.
What struck me most was how they coached her. They didn't push her to be louder or bolder than she is. They gave her the structure she thrives on, celebrated the small wins with that bell ring, and let her confidence build at her own pace. The girl who couldn't do a cartwheel a year earlier was now stringing skills together and asking to go to practice early.
The year of explosive growth
In spring 2025, Isabella moved up to her first competitive season at Level 2, and she was ready. This was the year of explosive growth for her, not only in her gymnastics skills, but in her overall confidence in and out of the gym.
Coach Skylar has been an amazing coach for Isabella. She knows exactly when to push and when to be patient. She is so passionate about this sport and seeing the kids succeed, and it shows. She holds Isabella to a high standard while making it clear she believes in her, and that combination is exactly what my reserved kid needed. Isabella started speaking up, taking corrections in stride, and walking into meets with her head up.
And then there were the competitions. Nothing prepared me for how much I'd love meet day. Coach Skylar would wait for her girls to arrive, and watching them walk in together was a sight: leotards, hair slicked back with matching bows, a crowded gym with music playing, and teams warming up for every event. I'd sit in the bleachers with my stomach in knots, nervous enough for both of us, watching Isabella salute the judges and take her place. For a kid who hangs back in new situations, stepping onto that floor alone was a big deal. And every time she did it, I got to watch my quiet observer step a little further out of her comfort zone. There is a particular kind of joy in seeing your child do something hard that she chose for herself, and I felt it at every single meet.
I saw the change outside the gym, too. She was more willing to try new things, more resilient when something didn't go her way, and prouder of herself than I'd ever seen her. Gymnastics gave her a place to discover what she was capable of, and Skylar made sure she found it.
Where we are now.
Isabella is now in her second competitive season, and she is thriving. The skills are harder, the gym is growing, the team is growing, and Isabella is growing. She walks into that gym as if she belongs there, because she does.
This year, Coach Skylar and Coach Arielle coach her, and I can see Isabella growing as an athlete. Both coaches have taken the time to get to know her, and it shows. They know when a quiet nod means she's got it and when it means she needs one more rep. They push her on the harder skills without ever making her feel rushed, and they've built the kind of trust that lets a reserved kid take risks. She's not just keeping up with the bigger team. She's finding her place on it.
As gymnastics has gotten harder, Isabella has never once asked to skip it. Not on the long practice days, not after a tough meet, not when a skill isn't coming together. If anything, it's the opposite. She asks to go all the time -- "Can I go to gym today? Can I do open gym?" She's hooked. I don't think kids fall in love with something that hard unless the people teaching it make them feel safe, seen, and excited to come back. That is a testament to the coaches at Gyminny Kids/North County Gymnastics.
The other thing I didn't see coming was the parents. Somewhere between the early weekend meets and the weekly practice, we found a community. These are moms and dads who know every girl on the team by name, who cheer just as loud for someone else's kid as their own. Isabella doesn't just have coaches in her corner. She has a whole section of the bleachers.
Looking back, the biggest lesson for me was learning to trust the process. There were plenty of moments when I wanted to see results faster or wondered whether we were on the right path. But the coaches had a plan, and they could see things in Isabella that I couldn't yet. Every step, from recreational classes to Jets to the competitive team, came at the right time and for the right reason. My job was to show up, be patient, and let her grow at her own pace. She did the rest.
To Coach Ryan, Coach Kimmy, Coach Skylar, and Coach Arielle: thank you for seeing my quiet observer and knowing exactly what she needed. And to the parent reading this who's wondering whether their kid is ready: find the right gym and the right coaches, and let your kid surprise you.
FAQs
What is a gymnastics pre-team program?
A pre-team program gives young gymnasts a chance to build foundational skills, strength, and confidence as they prepare for possible competitive gymnastics. A coach can help determine whether a child is ready or would benefit from recreational classes first.
Does a child need to be flexible or already know gymnastics skills to join?
Not necessarily. Isabella began without a basic cartwheel or much flexibility. Her coaches helped her build skills over time and guided her into the next program when she was ready.
How can parents tell if their child is ready for competitive gymnastics?
Readiness can depend on a child's skills, interest, focus, and comfort with a more structured commitment. An evaluation with an experienced coach can help identify a good next step for that child.
How can gymnastics help a child build confidence?
Gymnastics gives children opportunities to practice, work through challenges, and recognize their progress. In Isabella's experience, patient coaching and celebrating small wins helped her become more confident in and out of the gym.
What makes a supportive gymnastics coach?
A supportive coach gets to know each child, offers clear guidance, and balances encouragement with appropriate challenges. Isabella's story describes coaches who respected her reserved personality while helping her take on new skills at her own pace.
What can parents expect at a gymnastics competition?
A meet typically brings teams together to warm up and perform routines on different events. For Isabella's family, competition days became a chance to see her take on a new challenge and feel supported by coaches and teammates.
Should a child start with recreational gymnastics before joining a team?
That depends on the child. In Isabella's case, her coach recommended recreational classes before pre-team. Building skills and comfort in that setting helped prepare her for the next step.
Additional Quick Links
Learn More About the NCG Gymnastics Pathway:
Recreational vs. Competitive Gymnastics: Which Path Is Right for My Child?
Explore the North County Gymnastics Competitive Team Program
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