Meet Stephanie McReynolds | Owner, Coach, Former Division 1 Gymnast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie McReynolds and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important driver in the success of our gym is that we value health and authenticity. A lot of times in the gymnastics industry you run into gyms who are mainly concerned with numbers, accolades, clients, sales…. we’ve found that burnout becomes inevitable if that is your main focus. Though numbers are important, we look at our relationships, reputation and the positive effect we have in the families we serve as “success”. We don’t do fake at Vertical Athletics. If we don’t feel we can help or serve you best, we tell you! We value partnership with our families and do not see them as part of a check list. This is portrayed in the way we mentor, pray for and provide our athletes and staff with the best of the best. Health is a main priority for our ownership team as well! We are not built around a single person, therefore we remain healthy by resting and valuing our off time. This allows us to continue serving our athletes and families in the best way!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been a gymnast since 6 years old and competed through high school and college. Gymnastics has been such a huge part of my life since I was a young girl. It taught me everything I know about working hard, showing up, being persistent and working through life’s inevitable “no’s.” I suffered injuries, mental blocks and an eating disorder… but I also fought hard, leaned on my support system, and gained healing. The Lord was with me every step of the way, even when I didn’t feel like I was going to make it. Though I was able to compete for a Division 1 University, unfortunately my career ended with an injury and devastation. I took this internal pain and continuously looked to Jesus to find my identity. I didn’t want to be done with the sport, so though I was no longer competing, I chose to coach. Luckily, one of the most esteemed gyms in the Nation hired me as a full time coach. I got to learn how to coach professionally from the most technically advanced coach/owner. Along with gaining knowledge on the coaching side of the sport, I also developed professionally as a mentor and colleague. After mentoring athletes and their families through the abuse they faced in the aftermath of the Larry Nassar scandal, I stepped away from the sport to gain further healing of my own. I took this time to learn business and develop skills outside of the 4 walls of a gym. I gained so much from my time working in world-wide event management, advertising, and sales. Deep down, my heart was missing something. I chose to step back into the gymnastics world but this time, I wasn’t going to do it by my own strength. I didn’t want it to feel the way it did when I was a teenager. So we built unwavering Drivers and Values that go against the grain to what is typical in a high-level gym. We took our time praying and planning. The opportunity that our ownership team have to coach the next generation of kids is something we don’t take lightly. Little girls need to know their worth outside of their ability to perform. Parents need to be equipped to help their children through the joys and trials of the sport. Coaches need to feel safe coaching. We as owners will always put our faith, our rest, and our family before our business. We are on a mission to change the gymnastics culture from strive and sacrifice, to freedom and joy!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The BEST coffee…. – Butter Brew Latte from Ampersand
– Iced Vanilla Latte from George Coffee
– S’mores Latte from Kindred Coffee

Things to do…
– Sundance Square for the vibes!
– Fort Worth Stockyards to get your Texas fill
– Northpark Mall
– Downtown Grapevine (especially at Christmas!)

Eats…
– Chuy’s (extra jalepeno ranch!)
– Eataly Dallas
– Uchi Dallas
– Rodeo Goat

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We are incredibly thankful for our investors who saw something special in us (Trey McReynolds, Jacqie Hamblin, and I.) The three of us have all come from different backgrounds within the sport of gymnastics and it has been incredible how the seeds we’ve sewn into children and the impact we’ve made has brought favor on us as a team. We’ve seen the Lord work in mysterious ways and our journey to get to this place has been nothing short of eventful. From competing in college, to coaching 7 days a week, to mentoring girls through the atrocities of the Larry Nassar scandal, countless injuries and the college recruiting process we’ve each stayed true to who we are and what we stand for. Our selfless investors are a true God-send. It hasn’t been easy to get to this place, but we will forever be thankful to the investors who came to us and said “I see you, you have something special, we want to help make this happen for you”. We also would not be here without those who have partnered with us in prayer. I encourage anyone reading this to ask people who you trust to pray over your business… it is a true game-changer!

Website: https://verticalathletes.com/

Instagram: @vertical.athletics

Facebook: Vertical Athletics

Image Credits
Rachel Noel Studios
Tara Wermuth