Today we’d like to introduce you to Shamra Ray.
Hi Shamra, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, I discovered my passion for movement early on as a young gymnast, competing locally until age 13. In high school I transitioned into cheerleading, and together these two sports became the foundation of a lifelong love for athleticism, discipline, and youth development.
I began coaching at 19, joining San Mateo Gymnastics in Belmont, California, while simultaneously pursuing a degree in early childhood education and business management. Over the next 10 years, I coached at several Bay Area clubs and built a parallel career in business and early childhood education as a preschool teacher and assistant director. My professional experience grew within some of the region’s most respected corporate childcare environments, including Children’s Creative Learning Center programs at Electronic Arts (EA Games) and Pixar.
Alongside my work in education, I spent many years as an elementary school tutor and family assistant, all while continuing to coach gymnastics part‑time. As my coaching career evolved, I transitioned into competitive team coaching within the developmental program, working with athletes ages 5 to 12. This path eventually led me to Bayshore Elite Gymnastics, where I served as Program Director and later General Manager, spending more than a decade leading the facility and coaching competitive teams.
When the COVID‑19 pandemic challenged traditional training environments, I launched the Bayshore Elite Mobile Gymnastics program, an innovative solution that brought safe, outdoor, and in‑home gymnastics instruction directly to families. The program quickly flourished and continues to thrive today.
In 2022, my family and I relocated to the Austin, Texas area. Since then, I’ve served as Program Director for Little Sunshine’s Playhouse and Preschool in Lakeway, while expanding the mobile gymnastics model to Central Texas. In January 2025, I introduced TumbleTX Mobile Gymnastics to the Austin metropolitan area, with plans underway to open a new facility under the same brand. Our mission is simple and joyful: to bring high‑quality gymnastics experiences, both mobile and facility‑based, to Texas families, helping children stay active, confident, and inspired through the sport we love.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Many of the challenges I faced were pretty typical for someone in their early twenties trying to build a career, pursue an education, and follow their professional passions. The most difficult part of that period, though, was the cost of living in the area where I grew up. Balancing high expenses while putting myself through school and working to stay financially afloat was incredibly demanding. There were years when I juggled four jobs just to make it all work.
Looking back, those experiences were tough, but they also shaped me. They forced me to develop resilience, discipline, and a strong business mindset that continues to influence the way I work today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve spent my entire career at the intersection of gymnastics education and early childhood development, and today my work centers on creating high‑quality, accessible gymnastics experiences for children of all ages. I specialize in mobile gymnastics programming and early developmental coaching, and I’m known for building programs that blend athletic skill‑building with social‑emotional growth, confidence, and joy.
My background spans nearly 3 decades of coaching, from recreational classes to competitive developmental teams, as well as years of experience in corporate childcare environments, preschool leadership, and family support roles. That combination has shaped the way I coach: I understand children not just as athletes, but as whole people with unique learning styles, needs, and strengths.
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is founding a mobile gymnastics program during the COVID‑19 pandemic. At a time when families were struggling to keep their children active, connected, and safe, I created a model that brought high‑quality gymnastics instruction directly to homes and outdoor spaces. What started as a crisis solution grew into a thriving program that continues to serve families today, and has now expanded into the Austin metropolitan area under the TumbleTX brand.
What truly sets me apart is my ability to merge competitive‑level coaching expertise with a deep understanding of early childhood education. I don’t just teach skills; I build environments where children feel seen, supported, and capable. Whether I’m coaching a preschooler through their first forward roll or guiding a young athlete toward competitive readiness, my focus is always on developing confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of movement.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue growing TumbleTX, both through our mobile program and our upcoming facility, so we can bring even more children the chance to move, explore, and thrive through gymnastics.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My greatest role models and the foundation of my support system, have always been my family and my business mentor, Erica Meitz. Erica founded Bayshore Elite Gymnastics and opened the door to countless opportunities for me to learn, lead, and grow. She even encouraged me to expand the Bayshore Elite brand by launching my own mobile program, which became a defining step in my professional journey.
With the steady support of Erica, my family, including my sister Sable, who also coaches and helps run the Bayshore Elite facility and many of my former gymnastics colleagues, I’ve been able to grow not only as an entrepreneur but also as a contributor to our local community. Their guidance and belief in me have shaped both my business and the person I’ve become.
Pricing:
- Little Tumbler 3-5 yrs $25 per class
- Rising Tumbler 6-10 yrs $30 per class
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bemobilegym.com / www.ttxmobile.com / www.tumbletx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tumble_tx?igsh=MjhnemlyZjR4aTNo&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577159157190
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shamra-ray-11b26b76/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Bayshore+Elite+Mobile+Gymnastics&find_loc=Redwood+City%2C+CA
