Stories and Insights from Olympic Champion Gymnastics and Swim School Owners
Inspiration from past Olympians, Coaches & Industry Leaders
Elevate Your Passion for Sports
From Olympic Gold to groundbreaking innovations, discover the transformative journeys of leading athletes and coaches. Dive into the stories of renowned Olympic champions and visionary coaches who have shaped the world of sports. Learn from their experiences and be inspired to elevate your own journey, while motivating the next generation of students and athletes!
Legends of Sport Click below to watch the roundtable discussion with visionaries and leaders in the gymnastics and swim industries:
Tom Forster
Owner, Aerials Gymnastics
Coach, 1996 Olympic Trials Qualifying Athletes
Current Staff Member, USA Gymnastics
Tom Forster, alongside his wife Lori, founded Aerials Gymnastics in 1983. By 2010, Aerials had expanded to five locations in Colorado Springs. Tom retired from coaching in 2015 after leading athletes to compete in three World Championships and the 1996 Olympic Trials. He joined the USA Gymnastics Women's National Staff in 2008 and became the Women's National Team Director in 2018, a position he held until 2021.
More About Tom
Tom’s inventions, such as The Forster Bar, are used around the world and he is a frequent lecturer for USA Gymnastics in Regional and National Congresses. Tom continues to serve on the staff of USA Gymnastics.
About Aerials Gymnastics
Aerials Gymnastics began in 1983 from the inspiration of Tom and Lori Forster in a small warehouse with 30 students. Over 30 years later they have developed one of the most respected gymnastics programs in America and have built one of the most advanced gymnastics training facilities in the world.
Amanda Borden
Owner, Gold Medal Gymnastics
1996 Atlanta Olympics Gold Medalist
Captain, U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team "The Magnificent Seven"
Amanda, a celebrated gymnast, was the captain of the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team, The Magnificent Seven, which clinched the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. This historic victory marked the first time a U.S. Women's Gymnastics team won gold at the Olympics. Following their triumph, Amanda graced numerous national tours and television appearances and was even featured on the Wheaties Cereal Box. Her remarkable contributions to the sport have earned her induction into both the US Olympic Hall of Fame and the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
More About Amanda
For over two decades, Amanda has lent her expertise as a gymnastics and cheerleading commentator for CBS Sports, NBC, ESPN, and the Pac-12 Network. Her exceptional work was recently recognized with an Emmy Award for her coverage and color commentary of NCAA gymnastics for the PAC-12 network. Beyond broadcasting, Amanda is a sought-after motivational speaker on leadership, inspiring audiences at corporations, churches, and youth groups.
In 2004, Amanda ventured into entrepreneurship by opening Gold Medal Gymnastics, which now boasts two locations and serves thousands of families in the Phoenix area. She is married, has three children, and currently resides in Chandler, AZ.
About Gold Medal Gymnastics
At Gold Medal Gymnastics, they believe that strong is beautiful and want to help every athlete achieve their goals - whether it’s performing in the Olympics or doing cartwheels on the playground. Their mission is to provide a safe, positive place where young athletes are encouraged to pursue goals, be self motivated, and develop social skills while building lifelong memories, relationships, and self confidence.
Jim Montgomery
Owner, Jim Montgomery Swim School Dallas
1976 Montreal Olympics Two-Time Gold Medalist and Bronze Medalist
A true champion, Jim made history in the 1976 Montreal Olympics by becoming the first man ever to break 50 seconds in the 100-meter freestyle, an achievement equivalent to Roger Bannister’s four-minute mile in track. Alongside this groundbreaking feat, he won two more golds and a bronze in the 1976 Olympics.
More About Jim
Jim's dominance extended beyond the Olympics to the World Championships. He won a record five golds in the first World Championships in Belgrade in 1973 and continued his stellar performance with four golds, a silver, and a bronze in Cali in 1975 and Berlin in 1978. Following his retirement from college and USA swimming, Jim continued to make waves in Masters swimming, winning 14 Masters World Championships from 1986 to 2002. Since 1981, he has been instrumental in developing the Masters swim concept and is currently co-owner of the Dallas Aquatic Masters Swim Club, one of the top adult fitness exercise programs in the country. His book, Mastering Swimming - Faster Swimming for the Masters Athlete, is considered the ultimate guide for masters athletes.
From 1988 to 1990, Jim was responsible for the design and startup of the Baylor Aquatic Center at the Baylor Tom Landry Fitness Center in Dallas, Texas. This facility was the first ever built with a primary focus on adult fitness swimming and aquatic medical programming and research.
He served as the director of the Baylor Aquatic Center from 1990 through 1999. With his extensive experience, Jim is regarded as an expert in the operation and programming of aquatic facilities for school districts, municipalities, universities, hospitals, and commercial uses. From 1998 through 2015, he served as the aquatics director and head varsity swim coach at Greenhill School in Dallas, Texas.
Jim grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and attended Madison East High School, where he won six state championships in swimming. He continued his swimming career at Indiana University under the legendary coach James "Doc" Counsilman and graduated with honors from the IU School of Business. In his senior year, he was awarded the Belfour Award as the top student-athlete in the Big Ten Conference.
Jim’s vision for the future is to offer unparalleled quality of instruction and to provide a swim school where students of all ages can learn basic swimming and safety skills, fostering a lifetime of aquatic fitness and enjoyment.
About Jim Montgomery Swim School Dallas
The Jim Montgomery Swim School aims to teach swim lessons to all ages and abilities, from the youngest to the most senior. They have the ability, unique in the North Dallas area, to provide developmental swimming lessons, a set of pathways connecting the basic abilities of the pre-adolescent swimmer with the competitive vistas of high school, college, and Masters swimming.
Xiaohong Wang
Co-Founder, Calphin Swim Academy
1992 Barcelona Olympics Silver Medalist
Xiaohong Wang, celebrated by the media as one of China's "Five Golden Flower" swimmers, began her swimming journey at the age of eight. By sixteen, she had earned a spot on the Chinese National Swimming Team. In 1985, she broke the national record, and in 1988, she reached the finals of the Olympic Games. Wang’s remarkable career continued with four gold medals and an Asian record at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games. She also claimed victories in the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly at the 1992 World Cup short course swimming finals and secured a silver medal in the 200-meter butterfly at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
More About Coach Wang
After her competitive career, Coach Wang became the head coach of the Carson City Swimming Club and achieved ASCA Level 4 coaching status with the American Coaches Association. In 2003, she and her husband, Joseph He, co-founded the Calphin Swim Academy, establishing a large-scale indoor swimming facility. Since the Dublin facility’s completion, the academy has expanded to over 4,000 students and 100 employees, earning recognition as the best swimming school in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was also awarded the title of "Best of the Bay" by KRON4, a major American media outlet.
About Calphin Swim Academy
With the Mastery-Based Philosophy distilled from 30 years of training, Calphin Swim Academy has developed its own system and excels in two areas: Learn-To-Swim programs and Stroke-Refinement-Programs, delivered with professionalism, at the best value, in a safe and pleasant indoor environment. Whether Calphin students want to be competitive racers or just want to enjoy swimming, the goal of Caphin is to help them establish foundational skills in a peer environment.
Chris McNabb iClassPro Founder & CEO
Chris McNabb is the founder and CEO of iClassPro, Inc., a leading provider of class management software and technology for gymnastics, swim, cheerleading, and dance centers for over two decades. Chris’s background and expertise has played a crucial role in the creation and implementation of business solutions tailored to meet the needs of children’s activity centers.
Before his journey in technology and business, Chris was an elite athlete, training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He represented the USA Tumbling and Trampoline Olympic Exhibition Team in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. During his career, Chris won multiple USA Tumbling and Trampoline National Titles, including the gold medal at the USA Tumbling Jr. Elite National Champion in 1992 in Dallas, Texas. In addition, Chris brought honor to the USA by winning a silver medal at the Nissen Cup in Switzerland as a member of the World Championship Team in New Zealand.
After a successful competitive career, he served as the USA Gymnastics Tumbling & Trampoline State Director in 2000, bringing his extensive knowledge and passion to administration roles. From his distinguished sports career to his successful entrepreneurial venture, Chris McNabb is a figure who embodies dedication, excellence, and the spirit of innovation.
Champions' Insights Click below to watch a special discussion with Olympic legends and industry leaders:
Susie McKeon
Owner, McKeon Swim School
Mother of 2024 Paris Olympic Gold Medalist, Emma McKeon
Susie McKeon is the esteemed owner of McKeon Swim School, a premier swim education facility located in Wollongong, New South Wales. Founded in 1986, McKeon Swim School has grown into a cornerstone of the community, operating out of two main facilities. The school offers an extensive array of programs, including approximately 5,000 learn-to-swim lessons each week, school sports, aqua aerobics, casual swimming, teacher courses, birthday parties, and a competitive coaching program.
More About Susie
Susie McKeon’s swimming pedigree is notable and deeply rooted in her family's history. She represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in 1982. Her husband, Ron McKeon, is a distinguished dual Olympian who competed in Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984. Their son, David McKeon, is also a dual Olympian, having competed in London 2012 and Rio 2016. Their daughter, Emma McKeon, stands out with a remarkable swimming career, being a triple Olympian who participated in Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024. Emma has amassed a total of 11 Olympic medals, including 5 Gold.
Adding to the family's impressive swimming legacy, Susie's brother, Rob Woodhouse, is a dual Olympian with a bronze medal from Los Angeles 1984 and a competitor in Seoul 1988. He is currently the CEO of Swimming Australia. Susie and Ron’s youngest child, Kaitlin, has pursued a different but equally important path as a Paramedic with NSW Ambulance.
The McKeon family’s achievements in swimming highlight their dedication and contribution to the sport, both nationally and internationally.
About McKeon Swim School
Their focus is to teach swimming as a life gift for safety, health and excellence. Their reputation comes from experience, integrity and core values. Their values are framed by their customers and personnel. Their customers form an integral part of their business relationship through valued support and feedback. Their staff are highly passionate about what they do and know what it takes to give the gift of swimming to everyone.
Georgia Bonora
Owner, Bonora Sport
Gymnast, 2008 Beijing Olympics & 2012 London Olympics
Georgia Bonora is a former Australian artistic gymnast renowned for her exceptional work ethic, grit, and dedication to the sport. Born on May 19, 1990, in Melbourne, Victoria, Bonora's journey in gymnastics began at a young age, leading her to remarkable achievements and a lasting legacy. Bonora's competitive career includes participation in two Olympic Games.
More About Georgia
As the top Australian gymnast at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she made the all-around finals and placed 13th in the world. She also competed in the 2012 London Olympics, solidifying her reputation as a formidable athlete on the international stage. Additionally, Bonora earned gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games, further demonstrating her excellence and perseverance.
In addition to her gymnastics career, Georgia Bonora pursued academic excellence. She holds a Bachelor in Psychological Science from Deakin University and a Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced from Monash University. Bonora has utilized her educational background to become a better coach, understanding the developmental needs of children and supporting high-performance athletes.
In 2023, Bonora started her own gym, initially as a set-up pack-up gym in a community hall. Her commitment and vision have led to the growth of her gym, which now has over 200 members and operates in its own dedicated space, managed alongside her co-director and partner. Bonora's gym emphasizes fostering a supportive and positive environment for all athletes. Beyond gymnastics, Georgia Bonora has also been a prominent figure on the hit TV show Australian Ninja Warrior for six years. Her participation in the show has expanded her influence, allowing her to reach and inspire children across the country in a positive way.
Georgia Bonora's legacy in gymnastics and beyond is marked by her relentless determination, resilience, and passion for helping others achieve their potential. She remains a pivotal figure in the gymnastics community, inspiring the next generation to pursue their dreams with unwavering dedication.
About Bonora Sport
The mission at Bonora Sport is to conduct fun and exciting classes that help children discover, develop and deepen their passions in a safe and uplifting environment. They are passionate about building strong individuals through the use of sport. Their classes aim to develop great gymnastics, as well as important life values such as Confidence, Respect, and Resilience.
Dean Kent
COO, Northern Arena
Swimmer, Sydney 2000 Olympics, Athens 2004 Olympics, and Beijing 2008 Olympics
Dean is a celebrated New Zealand swimmer with an inspiring journey marked by determination and passion for the sport. Born and raised in Levin, a small town an hour north of Wellington, Dean spent his formative years immersed in swimming and surf lifesaving, thanks to the influence of his parents, who were both successful competitors. Alongside his brothers, they were active members of the Levin Swimming Club, where they trained under the expert guidance of Lesley Parkin.
Dean’s dream of becoming an Olympic swimmer was ignited by watching Ian Ferguson and Paul MacDonald win gold at the 1984 Olympics.
More About Dean
Despite a slow start in competitive swimming, where he didn't qualify for any national junior competitions, his perseverance paid off when he won his first national medal at the Division 2 competitions at age 15. This milestone marked the beginning of a successful swimming career that saw him win a national title in the 200m Breaststroke at age 18.
In 1997, Dean moved to Auckland’s North Shore to join the North Shore Swimming Club, training under the esteemed coach Jan Cameron. This move proved pivotal, leading to rapid improvement and breaking numerous New Zealand records in both short course and long course pools. Dean qualified for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, where he had to break the national record to secure their spot.
Over the course of his career, Dean competed in three Olympic Games (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, and Beijing 2008), several world championships, and two Commonwealth Games (2002 and 2006), winning a silver medal and achieving multiple top-five finishes. Additionally, he represented New Zealand in two world championships for Surf Life Saving.
After retiring from competitive swimming, Dean was invited by former teammate Matthew Saunders to share his expertise and passion for swimming at Northern Arena. They continue to inspire and mentor young swimmers, contributing to the growth of the sport in New Zealand. Dean resides with his wife Miranda and their three children: Connor (12), Taylor (9), and Cohen (5), passing on the legacy of their swimming journey to the next generation.
About Northern Arena
Learning to swim for Northern Arena is just as important as learning to read and write, which is why we are so passionate about delivering swimming lessons that teach the strength, ability, confidence and technique to be safer in the water, whilst having heaps of fun along the way.
