Our Team
Coach Joe
Coach Joe has been coaching gymnastics since 2006. While he got his start as a recreational and preschool coach he quickly moved up to a team coach. Since he started coaching he has worked with National Team coaches, was a team lead, director, and eventually started Empowered Athletics with Coach Emily. Since owning the gym he has coached athletes to become best in the nation on two different events. He was elected Men’s Coach of the Year in 2023 for the state of Michigan. He is also the State Chairmen for Men’s Gymnastics for Michigan.
Coach Emily
Coach Emily has been coaching since 2010. She has put in many hours of hard work. She is the backbone behind getting the gym built. She used to be a gymnast back in the day when vaulting had a horse.
Her first car was a moose
She has always wanted the gym colors to be purple, pink, and lime green. But coach Joe is a meanie and says no.
She likes coffee with cream and sugar. She has a bit of a sweet tooth and once put a starburst in her coffee.
Coach Danielle
Coach Danielle has been coaching since 2015. She has always had a strong passion for coaching and loves to be able to help kids accomplish their goals both inside and outside the gym.
Danielle did gymnastics for 17 years and competed up to Level 9 and Diamond before continuing on the Grand Valley Gymnastics Club Team. She has received both State and National titles in her career. Her favorite event to compete was Floor and Balance Beam but her favorite to coach is Uneven Bars or Vault.
Coach Bella started coaching at 15 years old. She did gymnastics for 16 years and earned multiple titles including 2022 state Floor champion and 2023 regional Vault champion. Her favorite event is Floor because she " loves to dance and be a little crazy”.
Bella has also participated in her high school color guard for the past two years. Her favorite things are a red bull and some funny earrings. “My students love to say I’m so crazy and weird but I know they love it“.
Coach Bella
Hi, my name is Coach Anna! I did gymnastics for 7 years and competed all the way to Xcel Diamond. My favorite event to compete was either Bars or Floor but I love coaching all of the events.
Outside of gymnastics I love to watch football and other sports, go boating try new foods, and I really enjoy a good TV show. Seeing other gymnasts become successful, build confidence and determination, and encouraging others is why I really enjoy coaching!
Coach Anna
Hi! l am Coach Ainslee and I have been coaching at Empowered for about 3 years. I love working with kids and helping them reach their goals! My favorite part about coaching is watching how excited the kids get when they get a new skill! The excitement on their face makes it all worth it! I also want to build their confidence while also allowing them to have fun while doing it! Before coaching I did gymnastics for 10 years and 5 of those years have been with Empowered! My favorite event was tied between Vault and Floor and my least favorite was Bars. However, my favorite event to coach is Bars! I am currently studying Elementary Education at Concordia University Wisconsin while also being on the Acrobatics and Tumbling Team! When I am home for the summers I look forward to coaching and doing anything outdoors!
Coach Ainslee
Hi! My name is Coach Naomi and I have been coaching for about 2 years now! I was a competitive gymnast for almost 14 years and made it to Level 9. I was the Level 8 Regional Vault Champion. My favorite events were Floor and Vault. Although I no longer compete, gymnastics will forever be my favorite sport; however I love playing Lacrosse and will be playing at the collegiate level next. I just made my commitment to Delaware State University to play D1 Lacrosse. I love to help kids find their love for gymnastics and push themselves to be the best versions of themselves.
Coach Naomi
Hi I’m Coach Jane, I’ve been coaching at Empowered for 3 years now and I am coming up on my 9th year of competitive gymnastics. I’m passionate about helping kids achieve their goals and build confidence, discipline and physical and mental strength. My favorite part of coaching is helping a kid who’s struggling finally get the skill to click!
I have been a team captain at Empowered for 4 years and enjoy the leadership and hard work that goes along with it. This last season I competed level 8 and placed 4th at regionals, which I wouldn’t been able to do without the help and support of my coaches. I work continually to try to do the same for the kids I coach and help them achieve there goals just like I achieved mine!
Fun fact: I used to (still do) look up to coach Ainslee as she was one of the “big girls.”
Coach Jane
Hello! My name is coach Izzy, I’ve been doing gymnastics for over 10 years. My favorite part about gymnastics is being able to support my teammates and compete with them. I’ve only been coaching since June, but it’s already become one of my favorite things in the world! My favorite events to compete are vault and Bars, but I can’t say there’s a specific event I like coaching more.
When I’m not at the gym, I’ll be making art or trying to create whatever I can imagine, but you will mostly see me at Empowered Athletics teaching kids to love this wonderful sport and build confidence in themselves. Or I’ll be throwing them in the foam pit.
Coach Izzy
Coach Emily D
Hi my friends, Coach Emily here! We are so happy to have you at Empowered Athletics! A little about me… I’ve coached both recreational and NGA/USAG competitive gymnastics for half my life; about 20 years all together in Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee. I am a military widow and currently live in Caledonia with my daughter Aria and my son Aydin. My oldest daughter Madison recently made me a “Mimi” to a sweet baby boy! My favorite color is Blue and I have a dog named Bleu! My guilty pleasure is enjoying a frozen coke! I have a dual Associates degree as well as a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with a focus in social and behavioral studies. Fun fact: besides doing gymnastics and pageants growing up I was a speed skater. I trained at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and traveled as far as France competing as part of the USA Jr. Olympic World Team. I also participated in the X-games for downhill inline skating. These days my life is much less thrilling but super fulfilling! I enjoy volunteering and sit on multiple boards, cooking (and eating) yummy food, working out in the gym and spending time with my little family; usually playing or watching sports! Most of all I absolutely love working with kids while helping them realize that with diligence and determination they “can do hard things”!
