Our Coaches
World Class Gymnastics Coaches in Your Own Backyard
Coach Stephanie
Founder & Coach
Stephanie is the very proud mother of her son Spencer (23) and her daughter, Shaylee(21). When not at the gym (which isn't often), Stephanie is golfing, and learning to play pickleball!
Stephanie is a graduate of Ball State University where she was a four-year varsity letterman and scholarship recipient for Gymnastics. She received a B.S. in Exercise Science and minored in Counseling Psychology. During her high school and collegiate gymnastics career, she set and broke school records and was a two-time IHSAA State Champion.
• Gym Owner
• Coaches all levels 2-10
• USAG Professional Member
• Former USAG Gymnastics Judge
• National Coach Certified (W400)
• USASF Level 1-5 Certified Coach
• Gymnastics Choreographer
• USAG Safety Certified, CPR, and First Aid Certified
• Stephanie currently has her USAG Level 9 rating.
• In November 2009, Stephanie was inducted into the Elkhart County Sports Hall of Fame.
Coach Scott
Director of Operations
Scott is the Director of Operations for both Sweet Peas and The Flip Zone. He had been involved with the business for the past 5 years and has implemented many creative ideas for curriculum and equipment setup at Sweet Peas.
Ashley Vanderzee
Bronze Coach
Ashley grew up in Bradenton, Fl starting gymnastics at age 5 and competed through Level 9. She began coaching in May 2020 and has continued to coach preschool through Level 4. She is very passionate about gymnastics and it has been a part of her life for the past 14 years.
Lisa Ennis
Team Coach
Originally from Texas, Lisa started gymnastics at the age of 6, competed USAG through Level 9 and training Level 10. She also competed for her high school gymnastics team while on a competitive team. Injuries ended her competitive journey but allowed her to give back to the sport she loves through coaching. Throughout high school and her undergraduate education, she was a Coach for Levels 4-7, choreographer for optional beam and floor routines, as well as a compulsory certified judge. In May 2023, she moved to Florida to begin graduate school at Gannon University, where she is currently working on her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She has coached pre-team through Gold Xcel programs in Florida and is a certified USAG and AAU judge for compulsory levels and Xcel Bronze, Silver, and Gold. When not in the gym, Lisa is likely looking for unique shells on the beach, studying at school, or painting!
Becky Price
Team Coach
Becky is originally from Northern Virginia where she got her start in gymnastics at age 5. She competed in USAG through the age of 18, reaching level 10. While in college, Becky followed her love of gymnastics to start a recreational gymnastics program for the county she lived in. When she moved to Florida, she began coaching preschool through level 8. She currently has 10 years of coaching experience and has passed her love of the sport down to her daughter.
When Becky is not coaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and two Saint Bernards.
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David Ruiz
Team Coach
Flip Zone is please to introduce Coach David!! Hailing from Orlando, Florida, David began his career with the sport of gymnastics at the age of 8 years old. During his Junior Olympic Developmental career, he achieved success at the state, regional, and national levels. Competing on a scholarship for the Michigan State University, David became a standout, winning NCAA titles and becoming a 5-time All American. After his competitive gymnastics career, David began working with major recording labels and toured the world as a dancer and choreographer for numerous recording artists. He continues his work in the dance field doing floor choreography for gymnastics teams and colleges around the country. With 29+ years of coaching experience, David has coached men’s and women’s programs from beginner through to the elite level, with great success. His passion for the sport is unparalleled!
Almari Hennes
Recreational & Team Assistant Coach
Almari is very excited to join the team at Flip Zone Gymnastics of SWFL. Coach Almari did gymnastics from ages 3-14. She competed in Compulsory, Xcel, and Optionals finishing through level 6. She missed the sport so much she came back to coach it! Coaching and seeing the bright look on her students' faces is the highlight of her week!
Hailey Tucker
Pre-Team & Recreational Coach
Hallie grew up in Boca Raton, FL starting gymnastics at the age of 3 and competing through level 8. In 2007 she began her coaching career teaching Preschool, Recreation and all levels of the competitive team in her gym . In 2017 she moved to the west coast of Florida to be closer to her family and now she is raising her own little gymnast.
Karen Hurd
Recreational & Team Assistant Coach
Born in Trenton, NJ. Started dancing at Ms. Isabel's at 2 years old. Discovered cheerleading and gymnastics and chose gymnastics. I started competing at 7 years old. Traveled competing USGF for 7 years as a Level 4/8 gymnast and then 2 years for the YMCA in Hamilton Township NJ. I won consecutive All-Around titles in 1985/86. I competed at Nationals in 1985/86 in Sarasota, FL, at Robarts. I have been involved with many educational and safety events over my 30 years of teaching. I competed in The Empire State Games in 2005. I've experienced many gyms in NJ, NY, and Florida. I appreciate Stephanie and Scott for this opportunity to do what I am passionate about. I am blessed to have great students, and I want thank the parents for giving their children an experience they will cherish.
Alex Giambruno
Recreational Coach
Starting as an apprentice at 13, Alex has instructed gymnastics, parkour, dance, and fitness classes for 11 years! She also has been part of performing teams that specialized in street tumbling, parades, and more. Within the health and wellness space, she works with all ages, from toddlers to seniors. Alongside a degree from Western Carolina University in marketing she moved to Florida, gaining experience as a fitness coordinator, managing multiple fitness centers, instructing classes, personal training, and events planning. Alex's most rewarding and memorable time was when she had the honor of instructing students who have mental and physical disabilities. Instructing the basic understanding of cognitive, mental, and physical functions of all things health and wellness!
Kristy Dean
Recreational Coach
Kristy taught gymnastics both in high school and college, and competed as a high school gymnast in northwest Indiana. Kristy coaches our youngest gymnasts starting at 6 months all the way up to our 3-year-olds on weekday mornings. Kristy really enjoys this age group as they are so eager to learn and are growing so much in such a short time span - it's fun to watch! When Kristy is not coaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters (who also both do gymnastics!).
Alanna Fishell
Recreational Coach
Alanna has been doing gymnastics for almost 13 years, competing in the sport and now coaching it! As a former gymnast, she knows gymnastics is a very competitive and hard-working sport, but coaching this sport has shown her much more than that!
"I love coaching these young athletes because it warms my heart knowing I’m helping them learn a sport we both love!"
She has worked with all ages from 12 months up to 13 years old! She has always been blessed to work with amazing, hard-working athletes who strive for what they want and she is excited to bring this experience to the team.
Jennifer Kepnes
Dance Zone Director
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Jennifer came to Florida 3 years ago. Her Hometown is Boston, Massachusetts where she had her career as a soloist with Boston Ballet for 7 years. Aside from performing, Jennifer loves teaching children the art of dance and has been working with children of all ages for 20+ years within the dance world. Jennifer has acquired many teaching certifications throughout her teaching career. Some of which came from Dance Masters of America Teacher training school in Buffalo, NY and American Ballet Theater Training programs. Jennifer has been married for 17 years and has 2 daughters who were/are also gymnasts. In her spare time, Jennifer loves to bake sourdough bread, be in nature (probably dancing) and most of all spending time with her family.
