08/18/2026
10 Years of Thornton’s – Part 1: Meet Kim
When I was 15 years old, I began coaching recreational gymnastics classes part-time after school. The oldest of 3 girls, I always enjoyed working with children. As a competitive dancer, gymnast, and high school cheerleader, discipline, perseverance, responsibility and strong work ethic were engrained in me from an early age. Setting goals, putting in the work, pushing through setbacks, and experiencing both achievements and disappointments have shaped my approach to coaching and working with children. Through high school cheer, I continued working in the gym, growing as a coach and working with different levels and age groups. In addition to coaching, I took on management roles and became an integral part of daily business operations.
Todd and I met in 2008 when he began working at the same gym. We spent two years coaching together and realized we shared the same values, approach to coaching, and vision for what a dream gym could be. After nearly 10 years in the gym, I was ready for the next chapter. I had developed the experience and confidence to build something of my own and knew I wanted to challenge myself further. I wanted the opportunity to build the program, culture, and elevated gymnastics experience I had envisioned. At 27 years old, I took a leap of faith and we opened Houston Elite Gymnastics. Together with Todd’s former gymnastics coach, we began our journey as business owners. Earlier that spring, I had made the Houston Texans Cheerleaders team as a rookie. There were long days, very little downtime, and a lot to learn as we built a business while I continued my career with the Texans. (Yes, we must have been crazy.) Saying life became a whirlwind that year would be an understatement. Little did I know, that whirlwind would still be going strong 12 years later!
After two years growing our first gym, we were ready to spread our wings and level up again. Todd and I sold our share of the partnership of our first gym and began plans for what would become Thornton’s Gymnastics Center. As luck would have it, a space was available in League City that was already set up for a gymnastics facility. After several weeks of deep cleaning and repairing what was left from the previous tenant, Thornton’s Gymnastics Center opened in August 2016. By this time, I was in my third season with the Houston Texans, and 2016 was the biggest test yet.
It is so rewarding to work with children every day, support our gym families, create a safe and welcoming environment, and pour my years of knowledge and experience into our staff. What has kept me passionate after all these years isn’t just gymnastics itself. It is the opportunity to watch a child walk into the gym unsure of themselves and, over time, become stronger, more confident, and proud of what they can accomplish. One of the primary reasons we wanted to build our own gymnastics business was to create a training environment that truly supports athletes as people. In addition to developing our athletes safely, ethically, and respectfully, we have been intentional about helping them grow in confidence, character, and kindness. The sport of gymnastics has a bit of notoriety when it comes to culture and the old-school approach to coaching. Todd and I are unwavering in our desire to change what gymnastics training looks like. I am grateful every day to have had the faith, courage, and maybe a bit of craziness to believe in what we were building. Now as a parent of young children myself, I am able to operate from many different perspectives as we continue to evolve and mold our gym into a special place for our community. Ten years later, I am more grateful than I could have ever imagined for the opportunity to do something I love every day, alongside the people I love, while watching generations of athletes grow up in our gym. - Coach Kim
