We recently connected with Karen Medellin and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Karen, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

When I started 360 Elite, I wasn’t just opening a gym. I was building the kind of environment I wished every young athlete could experience-one that celebrates growth, grit, and joy not just medals.

Gymnastics has always been more than a sport to me, it’s a teacher. It teaches how to fall and get back up, how to face fear and push through it, how to celebrate wins but also learn from the tough days. Those lessons go far beyond the mat or beam- they shape who you are in life.

Thats why at 360 Elite, our mission isn’t just about perfect routines or podium finishes. It’s about helping each athlete reach their full potential in a positive, uplifting environment. Yes, we’ve trained athletes who go on to achieve incredible things. But what sets us apart is how we guide every gymnast, no matter their level, to discover their strength, their confidence, and their resilience.

For me success is watching an athlete land their first skill after weeks of hard work- or seeing them cheer on a teammate like family. It’s about growth in all directions: mind, body, and character. Thats the “360” in 360 Elite. We’re not just shaping athletes. We’re shaping people who will carry the lessons of gymnastics into every corner of their lives.

This is why 360 Elite matters to me. It’s my way of giving back to a sport that gave me so much and creating a place where every athlete, no matter their dream, can rise to their fullest potential with their God-given talent.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Karen Medellin, and gymnastics has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I trained and competed for 14 years, reaching the elite level and competing as a Level 10 for four years before stepping away my senior year. During that time, I had the privilege of representing my gym at multiple national competitions.

For the past 16 years, I’ve been blessed to coach and give back to this beautiful sport. Coaching has not only been my career, but also my calling, and I truly believe God has placed me here to help guide and inspire young athletes. This year has been especially exciting—our athletes competed at every level on the biggest stages in the country. In our elite program, three of the 18 gymnasts qualified nationally are from our very own gym, making us the only program in our area at that level. On top of that, all seven of our TOPs athletes earned spots at the 2025 TOPs Nationals.

My faith has been the foundation of my journey as both a gymnast and coach. I believe that with hard work, perseverance, and trust in God’s plan, anything is possible. Every day, I’m grateful for the opportunity to pour into the lives of the next generation of gymnasts and help them discover not only their potential in the sport, but also the strength and confidence that comes from believing in something greater than themselves.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn early in my coaching career was that gymnastics is my identity. So many gymnasts, and athletes in general, feel this way—and it’s a hard lesson to face. I try to remind my athletes that gymnastics is what you do, not who you are.

I was also a gymnast in a very different era of the sport. Over the last decade, gymnastics has gone through so many positive changes, and I’m truly excited for what’s still to come.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think what helped me build my reputation was staying true to what I believed was right, no matter the situation. Over time, that authenticity resonated with people—I gained a strong following on Instagram and received countless messages from others who called my approach a “refreshing coaching style.” At the end of the day, I simply strive to be the coach I needed when I was growing up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.360elitegym.com
• Instagram: coachkaren25
• Facebook: 360 Elite Gymnastics

Image Credits

USA Gymnastics : John Cheng & Morgan Hurd