CONYERS, Ga. — Sequoia Moody believes that a championship mindset starts from a desire to win from within. This belief inspired the name of her company: Champion Mindset Gymnastics. She launched the brand three years ago in Conyers after receiving encouragement from community members.
The brand’s name is her lifelong motto.
“It’s more than being a champion. It’s the mindset that comes with being a champion,” Moody explained.
Moody has always enjoyed training young Black gymnasts. Champion Mindset Gymnastics allows her to create a safe space for an all-Black girls team. Moody believes the team reflects a shift in the sport, as the face of gymnastics has changed.
Together, these young athletes have a winning streak that’s inspiring more girls to sign up for the sport. The team’s most recent accomplishment is that 34 girls were invited to the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Greensboro, North Carolina. The AAU works to prepare rising stars for the Olympics.
Beyond skills in the gym, Moody teaches life lessons through the customized routines: that composure is more than just posture and that challenges can be flipped into a victory.
“You are enough. Everything you need to be great is already inside of you,” Moody said.
The team initially started as just nine girls. Now, Champion Mindset Gymnastics has more than 60 members.
When funding became a challenge, Moody doubled down on her goal. She handpicked each individual piece of equipment, finding it at discounted rates online and in different states throughout the southeast. She rented a U-Haul to pick up equipment from nearby states.
But she didn't always see this kind of support. Moody recalls what it felt like being a young gymnast herself.
“I constantly felt overlooked, like nobody really cared," she said. "Now having a team of 67 brown girls, and they are dominating, it means a lot now."
She dedicates her time to making sure Black girls can reach new heights as a team.
“Everyone looks like you,” Moody said as she listed the benefits of representation. “Everyone sounds like you, and embrace themselves and love it.”
Destiny is one of Moody’s students. She’s been personally coached by Moody for several years. The young athlete said that Champion Mindset Gymnastics sets an expectation that she always wants to exceed.
“I like that she pushes me to the limit. It makes me feel accomplished. It makes me feel like I’m doing something with my life,” Destiny said.
She learns life lessons like how to stay balanced like the beam and that, through trial and error, if you work hard enough, you can nail it.
Moody said that’s what it’s all about, making an impact and changing lives.
“I see them building lifelong friends I never had. I see that they’re going to be friends for the rest of their lives. I hope I’m always a part of their lives,” she said.
Champion Mindset Gymnastics is a non-profit organization. The organization is seeking donations, not only monetary but also volunteers. If you'd like to help, use the contact information found here.