Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Priester.
Hi Victoria, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up as a competitive gymnast, and the sport has been a central part of my life since childhood. After life through a couple curveballs as an adult, I moved back home and enrolled my youngest daughter in gymnastics at the facility that I competed through, and stepped into coaching almost by accident when my daughter’s coach didn’t show up for work one day. That first experience led to 10 years of coaching, and by the last 3 years I led most of the recreational classes plus coaching team as well. Since team coaching training was limited, I took the initiative to train myself by researching, learning, and building my knowledge so I could give athletes the right foundation.
When I later explored other gyms in my area, I noticed a pattern: many placed too much emphasis on if a child had natural talent, skill sets, and their scores in a meet setting; and not enough on overall athlete development, mental strength, and well-being. That realization inspired me to open Gold Medal Gymnastics on December 1, 2021. My vision was to create a supportive, structured environment where athletes could feel encouraged, be trained properly, and reach their full potential.
We started in a modest 2,500 square foot facility, and as our community grew, so did our space. We’ve since moved twice, and today we operate in a 12,000 square foot location—our third facility—which allows us to offer more programs, better equipment, and a more dynamic training environment for our athletes.
Since opening Gold Medal, I’ve continued investing in my growth by traveling across the United States to attend various camps and clinics, one of which was led by our National Team’s coaches. That experience has not only strengthened my own coaching but also allowed me to bring back advanced techniques and insights that directly benefit my athletes.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was when I decided to open Gold Medal Gymnastics without understanding the full scope of what starting this kind of business involved. Starting a gym from the ground up meant I had to build everything….our programs, reputation, and community – without the resources or support systems that larger gyms already had in place.
Another frustrating challenge was the lack of collaboration or willingness to help/guide me from the local gymnastics community. Aside from one supportive owner, most other facility owners were resistant. Emails went unanswered, and phone calls were discouraging. Instead of letting that discourage me, I leaned on my own resourcefulness and sought out training and mentorship outside of my local area.
At first, it was overwhelming to wear so many hats at once: coaching, managing operations, and establishing trust with families. But I approached it the same way I approached gymnastics as an athlete: through self motivation, persistence, discipline, and continuous learning. I sought out mentors and have worked hard to create solid business relationships with each and have applied what I learned through training to create high-quality training programs for my athletes.
The result is that Gold Medal Gymnastics has grown into a place where athletes not only develop their skills but also feel supported and motivated. That challenge taught me the value of resourcefulness, the importance of building relationships, and that with the right mindset, obstacles can turn into opportunities for growth.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the original owner and head coach at Gold Medal Gymnastics located in Liberty Hill, TX which was founded in 2021. I began by managing all aspects of the gym—overseeing operations, designing programs, and ensuring families and athletes feel supported. On the coaching side, I train our USAG levels 6-10 and all levels of XCEL, with a focus on teaching proper technique, individual skill focus based on each athlete’s strengths, developing physical strength, mental toughness, and confidence in a healthy and positive environment for athletes at all levels.
Beyond day-to-day coaching, I’m responsible for outside hours business management, equipment maintenance, team uniform management, parent communication, and long-term program planning. I’ve also invested in my own growth by training under many incredible coaches across the country. My role is a balance of leadership, teaching, and continuous improvement to help both the gym and our athletes reach their full potential.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The gymnastics academy / training market is growing in large numbers, but Texas USAG’s XCEL program is growing in record size.
Increased participation – Both recreational gymnastics and competitive. More parents are enrolling children; more people are looking for fitness/enrichment programs. There’s also been an increase in growing awareness of health, wellness, and self discipline gymnastics teaches.
Youth sports & extracurricular prioritization – Schools, communities, and families are placing higher value on structured activities, physical education, after-school programs. Gymnastics often plays a big role here. The school districts surrounding my business offer an out of school PE credit option (with various stipulations) for middle and high school students.
Community building – cultivating culture, support, retention via communication, values, inclusion — this can create loyalty.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://goldmedalgymnasticstx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gold.medal.gymnastics/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldMedalGymnasticsTx/
