Meet Morgan Kuchynka of Pinnacle Gymnastics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Kuchynka.

Hi Morgan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started gymnastics at age six. I joined because I wanted to take a class with my friend from school. I immediately fell in love with the sport and began competitive team the next year. I spent nine years competing through to level 10 – the highest Junior Olympic level before retiring from the sport after a coaching change. Three months later, I threw my own hat into the coaching ring teaching recreational classes at Blue Valley Recreation in Overland Park. Throughout my 5 1/2 years there, I discovered my passion for coaching all levels of the sport. I love watching three years old gain balance and gross motor control just as much as I love teaching double backs off the bars! While in college at the University of Kansas, I had trouble settling on a major – after all – all I ever wanted to do was own a gym – and that didn’t seem realistic for a 20 years old.

However, after some pushing from my parents, I decided to change to a business major and begin approaching banks about my idea – to bring gymnastics to the booming area of Western Shawnee. I landed an SBA loan in June of 2005 and was able to open my doors in August 2005. My program grew quickly from just 75 athletes at opening to nearly 500 after 2 1/2 years. At the three years mark, we moved into a 12,200 square foot building in Perimeter Park. We were grateful to add an inground pit and inground trampoline to that facility. Our program continued to flourish both in numbers and success, sending multiple athletes to collegiate programs and growing to over 1,000. We embarked on a journey to build our own facility from the ground up. In January 2018, we were thrilled to step into our brand new 17,700 square foot facility with everything we ever dreamed of. We have continued to reinvent ourselves for the benefit of our customers, staff, and sport. Our mission is to help children reach their physical and mental potential through sport – something I find value in each day at “work”.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We have had our fair share of ups and downs. Some challenges in the beginning – finding funding, getting the word out in a semi-digital world, navigating the how-to’s of owning your own business. Next level – handling growth, adapting the program to meet the needs of our customers and athletes, finding quality staff.

Recent challenges – COVID-19, shutting down for 2 1/2 months, learning how to adapt and rebound.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Pinnacle Gymnastics employs and energetic staff that helps children reach their physical and mental potential through sport. We have age and program specific equipment providing the best learning environment. We believe in positive coaching and teaching children to reach for their personal best. I am most proud of the character of my staff and athletes. We have a Pillars of Pinnacle program teaching twelve important characteristics for both life and sport. We focus on one each month helping instill the importance of being a good person in and out of the gym.

We offer more than gymnastics! We have a ninja warrior program, gym and learn preschool program, sports performance classes, camps, birthday parties, and more!

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love Kansas City. I love that everybody here has pride in being a Kansas-Citian. I love the support we give local business, sports teams, and each other. I love our skyline and love taking advantage of all it has to offer – from visiting Kauffman Center to a night out in the Crossroads District. In Shawnee, I love the tree-lined Shawnee Mission Parkway, the quality schools, and easy-going people.

Pricing:

• Beginner gymnastics classes are 50 minute classes are $75 per month
• Ninja classes are 50 minutes at $81/month
• Intermediate/Advanced gymnastics classes are 75 minutes and $100/month

Contact Info:

• Email: pinngym@gmail.com
• Website: https://pinngym.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PinnacleGymnastics/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/pinngym
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/pinngymkc

Image Credits
Kara Holdman, Natalie Carver