Michaela grew up in Norfolk, NE and received a Biology degree with a minor in coaching from UW-River Falls. She was hired at Mini Hops in 1999 and is currently the Executive Director. She enjoys gardening, biking, and hiking. Michaela coaches because she wants to make a lasting impact.

Stef has been at Mini Hops since 2009 and coaching since 1991. She speaks Russian and has two amazing kids (both were MHG gymnasts). Stefny says that teaching is her calling. Serving others and sharing what she knows to enhance others’ lives is her mission.

We were very fortunate when Julien Lang moved here from France and joined our team in 2016.  He is passionate about fitness, gymnastics, and teaching children all about exercise as well as all the life lessons that come with working hard to be their best.  Julien is extremely creative and has a knack for solving all sorts of problems in innovative ways.  He and his wife are wonderful parents to three amazing sons who are all athletic, smart and talented in so many ways.

Olivia is a dedicated and dynamic member of our coaching team at Mini-Hops. Olivia finds herself coaching in multiple programs here including Mini-Hoppers, Girls Progressive, Upper-level Progressive, and Adaptive programs, contributing her expertise and passion for gymnastics. With a rich background in gymnastics, coaching and theater teaching spanning over 9 years, Olivia brings a wealth of experience to our gym. Her commitment to nurturing young talents and creating engaging experiences shines through her dual roles as a coach and theater teacher. Olivia is an alumna of the University of Northern Iowa, holding a bachelor’s degree in Theater with a Double Emphasis in Performance and Drama for Youth. Her academic background reflects her dedication to both movement and youth development. Outside the gym, Olivia has a passion for rock climbing, she is a talented musician, playing the oboe, flute, and piccolo, and she is a dog lover at heart, Olivia’s affection for our four-legged friends adds a warm and welcoming touch to our gym.

Coach Dani is from Waterloo, Iowa and received a degree in Leisure, Youth, and Human Services at the University of Northern Iowa. She is the oldest of six siblings and grew up playing lots of sports. She works in almost every program at Mini-Hops, but she mostly loves working as the Adaptive Director, promoting inclusive gymnastics to all individuals with differing abilities. Her favorite food is grilled cheese.

Leah brings a strong background as an Artistic Gymnastics Instructor and a deep passion for working with children of all abilities. She is especially gifted in her work with Adaptive students, using creativity and empathy to help each child learn, grow, and move steadily toward their individual goals. Leah skillfully adapts her coaching to meet the unique needs of each athlete, taking into account their age, skill level, and personality. Her ability to cultivate a positive and supportive training environment is one of her greatest strengths. Leah believes that a nurturing and encouraging atmosphere is essential for success in gymnastics. She is committed not only to teaching sound technique but also to helping every child build confidence, resilience, and a strong growth mindset. 

Rayesha has done a lot since she began her coaching career here at MHG in 2018!  She created and transformed both the Performing Arts Program, Performance Team and the Camp Program into amazingly inclusive, innovative vessels for students to grow, learn and blossom into their best selves.  She is extremely creative, caring and hardworking; an amazing teacher to all!  Outside the gym, she enjoys spending time with family and Taco bell!

Mia is a caring, flexible, and positive individual who finds joy in helping others and watching children grow and learn. As a Special Education Teacher, she brings a wealth of experience and a passion for creating supportive and inclusive environments. Mia is excited to join such a positive and helpful team and looks forward to making a meaningful impact. Outside of work, she loves being active, spending time outdoors hiking with her dog, and camping.

Paula began her gymnastics journey as a dedicated high school gymnast, competing for four years before transitioning into coaching in 1993 in Vancouver, Washington. With over three decades of experience, she has been mentored by top-tier coaches, attended numerous camps led by U.S. National Team coaching staff, and spent three years coaching alongside a National Team Coach. Through these experiences, Paula has established herself as a high-caliber professional known for her technical expertise, thoughtful instruction, and creative approach to skill development.

She consistently finds innovative ways to help athletes overcome challenges and reach their full potential in a supportive and dynamic environment. Outside the gym, Paula is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, trail running, kayaking, and paddleboarding—activities that reflect her energetic spirit and deep appreciation for movement in all its forms. Her enduring passion for both athletics and coaching continues to inspire the athletes she mentors every day.

Keyla has been coaching at Mini Hops since 2007. Fun fact: Keyla was a competitive JO gymnast with MHG. When she is not coaching, Keyla enjoys spending time at the cabin, traveling, and solving puzzles. Her favorite part of coaching is sharing her knowledge and passion for the sport with her gymnasts.

Rachel has a great amount of experience in gymnastics as both an athlete and a coach. She began gymnastics in Oshkosh, Wisconsin at a very young age and was a competitive gymnast through approximately level 8/9.  She began coaching at Precision Gymnastics in 2019 and was proud to help more than eight gymnasts to achieve both state and regional championship titles!  Currently, Rachel has a degree in Strategic Communications with a minor in Sports Management at the University of Minnesota. She is excited about Mini-Hops because she feels our mission of using sport to teach life lessons aligns directly with her values and she is good at helping athletes work through personal doubts and emotional concerns to discover more about themselves. 

Konstantin “Kostya” Kolesnikov began gymnastics at the age of 7, earned the title of All-Around Champion at the Russian Cup, was a member of the USSR/Russian National Team, and has a Bachelor of Science with an emphasis on Physical Education as a Gymnastics Coach. He has coached all levels of gymnastics, including several Olympians. He was the University of Minnesota Men’s Gymnastics Teams Assistant coach and in 2021 he was recognized as a USA Senior Coach of the Year by USA Gymnastics.

Kris is our Academic Preschool Director, but is trained to work in many other departments. Kris has been at Mini Hops since 2018, but has been coaching since 2010. Kris enjoys getting to teach the next generation as well as introducing them to the world of gymnastics early on.

Cyndi has been with Mini-Hops since 2011 and she has had an amazing impact on the lives of so many children, athletes and fellow co-workers. She is one of our awesome Academic Preschool teachers and has coached everything from parent-child classes up to competitive team athletes. She is a caring person who is always willing to lend a helping hand and we are beyond grateful that she chooses to share her passion of teaching gymnastics and life lessons to anyone who crosses her path.

James grew up in Grand Forks, ND and has a B.A. in biology from Metro State University. He is currently the Facility Manager and coach, he started coaching in 1996, but came to MHG in 2002. He has a daughter and two sons, all who are gymnasts at Mini Hops.

Coach Nong was born in Nanning, China and trained his entire life as a gymnast, ultimately becoming a member of the Chinese National Team; earning the highest ranking as an international and national competitor.  He earned the prestigious title of Junior Asian floor, pommel horse, and rings champion and his team earned the second place title of that competition as well!  He coached for six years before immigrating to the US, where Coach Nong worked at Chow’s Gymnastics in Iowa for over a decade before joining the MHG Boys Team Staff in 2015.  He is wonderful coach of ages 4 and up, from beginners to the highest level of competitive gymnastics.  He recently helped a long-time Mini-Hops gymnast, Mark Fu, to be recruited to compete for William and Mary!

An interesting fact is that Coach Nong is a soccer fanatic; he has loved that sport since he was a child.   When he is not at work, he enjoys time with his beautiful wife, LiYing, daughter, Lisa and son, Derek.

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Tyler holds degrees in Marketing and Management from Kennesaw State University. Ambitious and hard-working yet light-hearted, Tyler is a dedicated team player with extensive experience coaching upper-level boys’ teams and Gym ACT athletes. As a Category 4 F.I.G. Judge, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. Tyler is eager to learn from other coaches while sharing his insights with athletes. He previously ran the Georgia United Gym ACT program, helping athletes prioritize college alongside their gymnastics pursuits. A fun fact about Tyler is that he considers himself a “foodie.” 

Joey is an incredible person who cares deeply for others and is passionate about dance of all sorts and gymnastics for all.  He was a gymnast at the University of Minnesota and then went on to hold a career in dentistry for 30 years, and he has recently decided to follow his passions of ministry and teaching dance and gymnastics.  Joey is an extremely open, honest and caring person and has a pure love of helping others by “mining the gold” of each person.  Coach Joey is an excellent addition to our teaching team!

A former gymnast herself, Katelyn discovered her passion for coaching as soon as her competitive career came to a close. Over the past five years, she has coached a wide range of athletes, from preschool and adaptive gymnasts to upper‑level recreational groups, pre‑team, and Xcel Bronze and Silver teams. Her experience is matched by her strong work ethic—Katelyn is known for being determined, organized, and deeply committed to both her gymnasts and her own growth as a coach. Katelyn is highly motivated and eager to continue learning, developing, and contributing to the sport she loves. We’re thrilled to have her energy, passion, and expertise on the MHG team.

Abbie received her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership HR before finding herself in the Marketing world. During work, you’ll find her behind the desk, talking with parents, and designing behind the scenes. Outside of Mini Hops, Abbie loves to read, write, and participate in her guilty pleasure of watching way too much reality TV.

Megan began her Mini Hops journey as our Marketing Intern. After graduating from North Central University with a bachelor’s degree in Digital Media and a minor in Marketing, she joined our Marketing and Customer Service team full time. Megan’s creativity shines with every project she touches. Outside of Mini Hops she loves spending time with her puppy, Arlo and visiting local coffee shops.

Josh brings more than five years of experience in customer service, retail, and team leadership. Throughout his career, he has been recognized with multiple company awards for outstanding achievement, employee engagement, and leadership. He enjoys mentoring others, building strong teams, and finding ways to help both people and organizations succeed.

A graduate of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Josh earned his degree in Biology with minors in Management and Spanish. His academic success, combined with his leadership experience as a multi-sport team captain, reflects his commitment to hard work, collaboration, and continuous growth.

Outside of work, Josh has a heart for serving his community. He has volunteered as a coach with the West Metro Miracle League, helping athletes of all abilities experience the joy of sports, and with Junior Achievement North, where he taught middle school students valuable financial literacy and life skills. These experiences strengthened his ability to connect with individuals of all backgrounds and tailor his approach to help each person succeed.

Josh is excited to be part of the Mini-Hops family and looks forward to building meaningful relationships with our athletes and their families while helping create a welcoming, fun, and positive experience for everyone who walks through our doors.