BELLVILLE — For Alyssa Sloey, gymnastics is more than a hobby or a sport. It’s a lifestyle.
“I’ve done gymnastics my whole life,” she said. “I remember vividly being 6 years old and saying, ‘Mom, all I want for Christmas is to do gymnastics.’”
After a couple of years taking courses at the YMCA, Sloey attended a birthday party at Richland Sports Academy. As she casually performed tricks with her friends, the head coach noticed her potential and asked her if she wanted to compete.
Sloey quickly ascended through junior competitive levels and even competed at the national level. At Level 7, she was 5th in the nation in the all-around and 3rd on balance beam. At Level 8, she clinched 1st place for her floor routine and 9th all-around.
Shortly after she reached Level 10, the last level before the junior Olympic program, Richland Sports Academy closed. Sloey and her mother tried to find another gym, but the nearest options were an hour away — too far to travel for five-hour practices. Sloey’s coaches encouraged her to consider homeschooling, but the 12-year-old didn’t want to leave her friends behind. Plus, no gym compared to the one she’d grown up in.
“The gym, for me, was always fun … It was always my safe place, my home,” she said.
Looking back, Sloey said she wishes she had continued. But the end of her own competitive career set the stage for a new passion — coaching. At 15, she started coaching beginner’s gymnastics at Spirit Ohio Sports Academy, where she remained until it closed a few years ago.
“I’ve coached for the last 14 years,” she said. “Part of me has been missing since (Spirit Ohio) closed. I’ve met so many families that are like my family now.”
“Alyssa was one of the best coaches I have had throughout all the teams and sports I have played,” said Brooklyn Reed, whom Sloey coached for two years. “She knew how to push me to better myself without making me frustrated or want to give up. Alyssa coached me to become a state champion.”
Sloey, now a mother of two, wants children in the area to have the chance to enjoy the sport she loves so dearly. So she’s opening her own gym in Bellville.
Her gymnastics studio, Heart of Ohio Athletics, will open in January at the former Darr Events building, located at 5780 State Route 13.
“It’s always been such a big part of me as a person that for kids to not even have the opportunity … it makes me sad,” said Sloey, sitting on the stage of a former church sanctuary. The church-turned-wellness complex also houses Darr Chiropractic, Built By Unity and Nourish Wellness Juice Bar.
Heart of Ohio will offer recreational gymnastics for children 3 years old through college age at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, as well as a “mommy and me” class for children ages 18 months to three years. Tumbling will also be available for individuals and school cheer squads.
Sloey hopes to expand in the future by adding competitive gymnastics and cheerleading.
Reed and her mother, Kim, both encourage parents to consider enrolling their children.
“Gymnastics brought (Brooklyn) out of her shell,” Kim recalled. “As time went on, we saw that she gained confidence in herself and her abilities. She developed a love for the sport which you can still see anytime she talks about it to this day.”
Brooklyn retired from gymnastics after nine years, but the skills she learned built a solid foundation for playing other sports.
“Gymnastics teaches kids that hard work and determination pays off. It builds confidence and strength,” Kim said.
More information about Heart of Ohio Athletics can be found on the business’ website and Facebook page.
