Page 62 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2025

OF STRENGTH, SKILL, AND HEART
Lanier’s Gymnastics
story by Lynn Lofton photos by Katherine Sowers
Cindy Lanier Wallace, owner.
For four decades, Lanier’s Gymnastics has been more than just a gymnastics facility.
It has been a home for athletes, providing a foundation that lasts longer than any routine or trophy – a foundation built on shared love of one of the most challenging sports in the world.
Lanier’s Gymnastics opened in June 1985 by Cindy Lanier Wallace. “I was a gymnast as a young girl and dreamed of owning my own gym where I could teach, inspire, and motivate gymnasts to find the best versions of themselves in and out of the gym,”
she says. “Teaching gymnastics is not just about the skills or the routines. It’s also about building confidence and watching them overcome challenges. Seeing their growth and excitement in the good times and teaching about the opportunities in the hard times is what makes it so rewarding.”
The heart of Lanier’s Gymnastics has always been its dedicated staff, who were all gymnasts themselves, most who trained at Lanier’s. “Their commitment to nurturing young athletes, from beginners learning a cartwheel to high level competitors learning a double back flip, is the driving force behind the longevity of the program,” Lanier says. “While strength and skill are the pillars of gymnastics, coaches who also love the sport and want the best for the kids is a must.”
For Lanier, former athletes bringing their own children back to train at their childhood gym speaks volumes about the
love and support they experienced in their youth.
Kristin Byars, a former Lanier’s
gymnast, has her daughter on the current competitive team. “Every time I walk in
the gym, I am flooded with memories from my 10-year-old self that reminds me of
the pure joy and long-lasting relationships the sport has given me,” Byars says. “Most importantly, the faith and trust I have in the people shaping my daughter each day is unexplainable.”
“We have seen many generations come through our doors,” says Senior Coach and longest staff member Amanda Zeigler. “I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their lives and to watch them grow into young adults who know their worth goes beyond the mat.”
Starting as a small training facility, Lanier’s has grown into one of the most successful programs in the state with a current competitive team of 98 gymnasts, and around 300 recreational gymnasts. Lanier’s Gymnastics has produced countless state, regional, national,
and collegiate champions. As the gym celebrates its 40th anniversary, Lanier reflects on the impact her coaching has had on the youth of the Coast. “I know these impacts will last a lifetime,” she says.
Lanier’s Gymnastics
16101 Landon Rd., Gulfport 228.832.9442 www.laniersgymnastics.com
62 | April 2025
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