I am originally from Louisville, Kentucky. I went to Mcgavock High School and the Youth Performing Arts School. I enjoyed dance, music and drama. I cheered four years in and was Captain my senior year. I loved to tumble and still do! Back then, I taught myself. I would watch others and attempted skills that I tell my gymnast today not to try on their own. My family could not afford to put me in gymnastics. I would go with my friend watch her take class and wish I could be out there. In 1980, I went to the University of Louisville and took gymnastics classes. Bars was my favorite event. Between classes I loved watching the University's Gymnastics Team practice. I received a grant and was able to work at the school in the gymnastics department to pay back my tuition. I worked out on my own whenever I had the time. Bars was my favorite. The following year the University dropped the gymnastics program, it broke a lot of hearts! After that, gymnastics wasn't a part of my life for many years. I got married, had children and my family became my life! I moved to Nashville in 1983 and worked as a legal secretary. In 1990, I got a second job working part time at the YMCA teaching gymnastics. I loved being around the sport again and taught there for three years. In 1993 I quit my job as a legal secretary. I wanted to to enjoy my work so, in April of 1993 I opened "Universal Gymnastics, Inc."
I have three daughters Nikki and Jamie are my two oldest daughters who have now made me a grandmother of four beautiful grandchildren(Mali, Elijah, River, and Malek). My youngest daughter Sammi is on the Gymnastics Team and is currently a level 9 gymnast. She wants to be a Georgia Gymdog or an Alabama Bounder. She is also on Universal's Dance Team.