Over 700 young clients, a 12,000 square foot facility, 500 families, 30 employee coaches and staff and always with an encouraging word are just some of the logistics Tullahoma Gymnastics and Cheer (TGC) co-owners and husband and wife team Brandon and Katie Leming manage weekly.

And that does not count the 15+ gym owners across the US and Canada they coach and mentor through their association with Next Generation Gym Owners. Nor does it count a separate 1,500 square foot Kids Camp building that houses their after-school program and summer camps.

So, how did all this get started? Mr. Leming tells the story. “I grew up in Franklin County and discovered cheerleading in middle school. I quickly became passionate about the sport. In high school, I drove to Huntsville three or four days a week to train and compete. I also began to coach locally balancing my own training and mentoring younger athletes.”

“After graduating, I attended Wallace State Community College where I cheered and was part of a national championship team in 2006. I later transferred to UT Knoxville where I continued to cheer. Memorable experiences include running through the ‘T’ during UT football games and placing 2nd in the nation at 2008 UCA Nationals.”

Mrs. Leming also grew up in Franklin County and attended Tennessee Tech University where she was a member of the dance team for four years. Prior to joining TGC full-time, Mrs. Leming worked at Tennessee Tech as a professor in the university’s statistics department.

After finishing in Knoxville, Mr. Leming returned to the area and formed Cheer Storm Athletics in 2008.

Although Mr. and Mrs. Leming knew each other growing up, they did not connect on a gym floor. In 2012, they had their first date. Seventy days later Mr. Leming proposed. They were married a year later. They have two children, Nelly (6) and Lizzy (5).

“While we did not meet through gymnastics, cheer, or dance, it has certainly become a central part of our life and the work we share,” they said.

In August, 2015, the original company was rebranded as Tullahoma Gymnastics and Cheer with a clear mission centered on youth gymnastics, cheer and tumbling.

TGC has invested in high-quality equipment and safety systems to ensure coaches have the tools necessary to teach at a high level while prioritizing athlete safety.

TGC supports athletes from preschool beginners to competitive team members, having helped athletes go on to cheer at colleges such as: University of Tennessee, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Tech University, University of the Cumberlands, UT Martin, University of Alabama Huntsville, Union University, Wallace State Community College, Morehead State, Austin Peay, and the University of Alabama.

In addition to competing at the next level, several former athletes have gone on to become coaches themselves. Seeing athletes continue in the sport, whether on the mat in college or stepping into leadership roles as coaches, is one of the most rewarding parts of what they do.

Typically, athletes attend one gymnastics, tumbling or ninja class weekly. TGC also hosts birthday parties, school field trips, private lessons, camps and clinics for elementary, middle and high school cheer teams.

Beyond athletics, TGC operates a full after-school program serving all four Tullahoma elementary schools, providing bus transportation to their facility and care until parents arrive.

Mr. Leming offers their mission goes beyond teaching skills. “TGC is simply making people better. We want everyone we encounter to feel better, perform better, and become better for having interacted with our organization.”

Sometimes that growth comes from being encouraged by a coach who truly sees them. Sometimes it comes from building friendships with families from different backgrounds they may not otherwise encounter. They believe the gym can be a place where young people not only learn gymnastics and tumbling, but also gain tools to help them navigate life.

For competitive athletes, that includes learning how to set goals and work consistently toward them. They learn how to handle setbacks, push through hard days, and respond to adversity when it shows up unexpectedly.

Recreational athletes learn similar lessons in their own way. They work toward the next skill, the next level, and begin to understand the value of process and patience in building a strong foundation for the future.

They also believe in the power of small moments. One encouraging word, one high five, one genuine smile can change a child’s entire day. When a child leaves TGC feeling confident and supported, that positivity does not stop at the gym doors. It goes home with them and can impact their family as well. That kind of ripple effect is exactly what they hope to create at TGC.

Tullahoma Gymnastics and Cheer is located at 1003 Davidson St. The phone number is 841-3841. The website is www.TGC4life.com.

Lane Curlee can be reached at lcurlee@lighttube.net or 581-0360.