About Us
Kim’s Gym at Champions Academy was started by Kim Laudenheimer Lindauer in March of 2002 based on the idea that all children, no matter what skill level, should have an opportunity to excel in gymnastics without having to give up their childhood. She prides herself on creating a fun, upbeat, safe environment which in turn helps the kids improve and succeed.
Champions Academy – Kim’s Gym is an independently owned company that leases space from the Jewish Community Association of Austin.
Mission
Coach Bios
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Mission
Champions Academy takes pride in providing the best possible athletic instruction in a fun, safe environment while cultivating mentally and physically stronger, healthier and happier individuals. The experienced staff of Champions Academy is highly trained and here to educate, motivate, and demonstrate to the students that any goal can be achieved if approached with confidence, persistence, and a positive mental attitude. A Champion takes delight in the achievements of others, celebrates small victories as well as larger ones, and always works to the best of his or her ability. A Champion is an athlete, friend, teammate, and most importantly, a winner in his or her own eyes.
Coaches Bio’s
Champions Academy – Kim’s Gym prides itself on finding the best coaches around. Each of our coaches is trained in teaching gymnastics and understands the importance of patience, an upbeat attitude, and constant enthusiasm. They not only teach the kids gymnastics or cheerleading, but they have fun with the kids…isn’t that what it is all about?
Kim Lindauer
Owner and Director
Hi Everyone! My name is Kim Laudenheimer Lindauer and I am the owner and director of Champions Academy – Kim’s Gym. I grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas in 1998, and never left this city. I am married to Jared Lindauer, and together, we have a son, Miles who was born in October of 2010. I began gymnastics when I was three years old. I started to compete in the 3rd grade and continued to do so through level 8 and my 9th grade year. In High School, I was involved in cheerleading and was a member of our dance team. At UT, I studied Corporate Communications with a minor in Business. My sophomore year, I began coaching gymnastics at Champions Academy at WAYA, and in 2002, after completion of college, I began Champions Academy – Kim’s Gym inside the JCC, and have never looked back. I love this sport, I love children, and I love my job. I believe that recreational gymnastics is key in shaping a child’s future. It provides self confidence, a healthy view of staying in shape, constant positive reinforcement, and is just plain fun. I continue to attend gymnastics conferences, am a member of the Gymnastics Association of Texas, and am safety certified by USA Gymnastics. I am also a member of the Board of Directors for Camp Dream Street (www.Dream StreetMS.org), a sleep away camp in Utica, Mississippi for children with physical disabilities.
If I haven’t met you yet, please be sure that you introduce yourself. I love to being able to match up all of our wonderful students with their parents. Thank you again for sharing your amazing children with us.
Audrey Dyer
Associate Director
I am from Atlanta, GA and graduated from the University of Texas in May 2010 with a degree in economics. I did gymnastics and cheerleading through high school, and I also coached gymnastics at my former club in Atlanta. I have been working at Champions Academy since January 2009, and in August 2010 I began serving as the associate director. I feel so fortunate to get to work and play here each day while getting to know every child!
Rachel Butler
Hi everyone! My name is Rachel Butler and I am a senior American Studies major at The University of Texas. This is my second year coaching at Champions and I love every minute of it! I grew up doing gymnastics but as I grew older focused more on competitive cheerleading. I love working with kids and am glad I get to share both that and a love for gymnastics at Champions!
Grace Evanko
Hello! My name is Grace Evanko and I moved to Austin one year ago from Dallas. This is my first semester working at Champions and I am so pumped up! I have done gymnastics since I was five years old and I competed for my high school’s Varsity Gymnastics team for three years. Besides gymnastics, I love cooking, kayaking, and hiking. I can’t wait to get to know everyone and have a great year helping to teach Champions!
Mallory Gunnels
Hi everyone! My name is Mallory and this is my third year coaching at Champions. I’m a pre-law sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts at UT. I’ve been babysitting and working with kids for as long as I can remember. I started gymnastics as a youngster but decided to just stick to tumbling and cheering when I got to middle school. I cheered for both my competitive team and my school team until 11th grade, when my joints just couldn’t take it anymore! I’m so glad to still be a part of the gymnastics & cheer world, and I love getting to know your awesome kids!
Molly Laughlin
Hello Everyone! My name is Molly Laughlin. I am from The Woodlands, Texas and I am currently a government major at The University of Texas. I have been at champions since August 2010. My mom signed me up for gymnastics when I was three years old and I immediately fell in love. I spent the next fourteen years flipping, flying, and tumbling through the gym. I competed all the way through level 10. I truly think gymnastics is the greatest sport in the world and I am passionate about sharing it with others.
Emily Mitis
Hey! My name is Emily Mitis and I’m 21 and a Broadcast Journalist Major at the University of Texas at Austin. I competed in both gymnastics and cheerleading on a national level for a gym in Kilgore, Texas, where I grew up. I really enjoy traveling and have visited 14 countries in the last 3 years. I hope to eventually become an international documentary producer, so when I’m not at Kim’s Gym I also work for Texas Student Media as Texas Student TV’s Staff Director and host of a radio show on KVRX Austin. I also has an adorable goldendoodle puppy named Ellie Waffles who I love very very much!
Sandy Oughton
Hi Everyone! I’m Sandy Oughton and I’m from Spanish Fork, Utah. I graduated from Utah State University in Secondary Education for Health and PE. In high school, I was a member of the school’s competitive dance team and then was on the cheer squad in college for 2 years. Also, during my college years, I managed and coached my own tumbling program for 5 years where I taught beginning, intermediate and advanced levels of tumbling for kids ages 3 to 13. I recently moved in Austin last fall with my husband who is working on his masters degrees at UT. I love working with kids and watching them grow at Champions.
Kayla Schmidgall
Hey everyone! My name is Kayla Schmidgall and this is my fourth year coaching at Champions Academy. I am 21 years old and a senior Human Development and Family Sciences major at the University of Texas. I am originally from Dallas where I did gymnastics for 4 years as well as competitive and school cheerleading for the next 6 years. I love working with your kids and am excited to get to know them this year!
Michael Whie
Hey guys! My name is Michael White and I am from Arlington, Texas. I attended Texas Tech University for 2 years as a Biology Pre-Nursing student and am taking a couple semesters off. I have been in the sport of gymnastics since I was about 7 years old and have been in love with it ever since. I competed competitively until I got to high school where I joined the varsity team. After high school I joined the Texas Tech gymnastics team for 2 years and plan to continue to compete when I return! While I can’t currently compete, I still get so much joy out of teaching and instructing this awesome sport!
FAQ:
What does my child wear?
Your registration fee covers a leotard for the girls and a t-shirt and shorts for the boys. We strongly encourage you to have your child wear their uniform to class. If they do not wish to, they can wear a t-shirt with gym shorts. We do not wear shoes and hair needs to be pulled back in a ponytail.
What time do we need to arrive?
You are welcome to arrive at any point, but your children will not be allowed on the equipment until his/her coach calls their class to the floor.
What does the registration fee cover?
The $65 class registration fee covers the uniform, a t-shirt, insurance, hand-outs, and an end of the year award.
The $130 team fee covers the uniform, a t-shirt, insurance, hand-outs, professional photos, an end of the year scrapbook, a trophy, and all performance costs.
What if my child grows out of his/her uniform?
We try very hard to fit the kids at the beginning of the year so that there is space to grow. If your child grows out of the uniform that we fit him/her in, you will need to purchase a new one. You can do this in the gym.
How do I schedule a make-up class?
If your child misses a class and would like to do a make-up, you can either speak with Kim or Audrey in the gym during your child’s class, or you can email Info@KimsGym.com to schedule. We will let you know what days/times are available and try our hardest to find something that fits with your schedule. We ask that you only do one make up per month.
How can I help my child at home?
We strongly encourage our students to practice at home, so please remind them. They can practice handstands and cartwheels in the grass where it is soft. When your child starts learning more difficult skills, feel free to ask one of the coaches to show you how to help your child. We can give you pointers on how to spot and what to look for.
Do the coaches babysit?
Yes! Just ask them or be on the lookout for our babysitting list. We email them out each semester.
Can my child’s friend/relative come for just one class?
Unfortunately, if you have a friend in town, they cannot come to just one class. This interrupts our flow, and is very disruptive to the group. If however, you have a friend who may want to join our program, feel free to give them our information and they can come and try a class.
Do you pro-rate?
YES! If you become interested in one of our classes after the semester begins, we will just pro-rate the cost and you will only owe for the classes that you are going to take.
Can I stay and watch my child’s class?
Absolutely! We love it when parents are there. We do ask that you encourage your child to stay with his/her coach and just wave to you if they need a little love. We will take them to the bathroom and to get water during the class, so that you can just sit and watch.
When is Parent Watch Day?
We typically hold Parent Watch Day on the second to last week of class. However, be on the lookout for emails and hand-outs from us for the exact dates.
What if I am not a member of the JCC?
No big deal. You can still join our class and pay the non-member rate. You will need to get a temporary pass from us to show to the security guard at the gate and to the staff person at the Welcome Desk. You will need a new one of these each semester, and they only work on days that your child is registered for class.
