Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Marin
Hi Vanessa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in the small town of Shelton, Connecticut, where the highlight was being a Viking Cheerleader—pretty much everyone I knew was one. As a little girl, it was all I wanted to do. Unfortunately, being a cheerleader just wasn’t within my family’s budget, so I focused on learning cheers and dances in the backyard and practicing tumbling and stunting with my cheerleader friends. As I got older, and we moved from Connecticut to Florida of course as any teenager interests changed and I tried new things but, in my heart, I was always a dancer and cheerleader. When I entered high school, I finally tried out for cheerleader and became a Lake Howell Silverhawk Cheerleader. I was so excited and full of so much pride however, my sophomore and junior year I didn’t get to cheer due to my grades which was devastating however, that is when I began my junior coaching journey, I didn’t know much but it was something to keep me busy and quickly became something I enjoyed doing.
Fast forward to Senior year, I moved schools and was so broken hearted to have done so, but knew I had to do something to keep myself busy and low and behold I had not missed cheerleading tryouts. So, I tried out and not only made the Varsity cheerleading team at Poinciana High School, but also the competition team. My excitement was through the roof and my mom was so proud that I had gotten involved despite being so new to the school. We were a small squad but mighty and it was such a great experience. After graduation I moved to New York for college where I immersed myself in the college life experience graduating Cum Laude with my Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice but what now? I had no idea. Everything in me wanted to stay in New York but being a newly graduated student and not having a job or plan in place just wasn’t going to work.
So, I moved back to Florida feeling so stuck and lost and kind of like a failure, unsure of what I was going to do or what I wanted to do with my life. After several conversations with my parents trying to figure out what I wanted to do and what my hobbies were, cheerleading popped back into my head and I remember saying “well I always loved cheerleading and dancing, maybe I can find a team to coach.” Not much time after I attended a church event with my family and BOOM, there was a youth football and cheerleading organization season kick off meeting happening right before my eyes and I was like, ‘okay look at God’. I remember asking if they were looking for coaches and instantly became added to their staff as an assistant coach. I was 23 years old and had so much to learn! I was not only learning how to coach which entailed teaching cheers and routines as well as how to stunt and tumble, but I was also learning how to manage children’s feelings, and emotions, how to encourage and be a mentor. I coached with AAU for 7 seasons, it was such a roller coaster of a ride but I cherish every single season, every trophy earned, every child I coached and the relationships gained but I started to feel like I wanted to start my own organization – one where I get to be in charge, make the calls, say what is and isn’t okay- and overall I noticed that during my time with AAU kids continued to come back not just for cheer but to be coached by me and I knew then I wanted to be the difference in this industry.
I began research like nobody’s business, how to start a program, what’s needed, what to do, what do I need. I had no idea on how to start other than to just go for it – in the meantime I just couldn’t not coach, so I went back to my roots to where I started junior coaching and spent a season coaching my Alma Mater’s pop warner program to keep myself occupied while I figured out the rest of how I was going to start my own program.
I actually began offering tumbling classes in the park and began getting some exposure and raising funds for my soon to be program, as all I needed was myself and mat it was a win-win – I saved money on overhead costs and got to continue to use my talents to teach others.
Finally after spending so much time trying to come up with the name of the program, the colors, our mission, I began putting out ads on social media, built up our Instagram and website and finally filed the LLC. Man, was that an emotional moment. I cried the second I pressed the submit button on Sunbiz. I said to myself “Wow, I’m really doing this.” After that, I started a registration form which to my surprise quickly filled up. I partnered with a local dance studio for our evaluations and crossed my fingers that those registered were actually going to show up. Still doubtful this whole thing was going to go absolutely anywhere. I got our uniform made, planned an entire competition season, reserved a practice space at a local elementary school and got ready for the first ever evaluations.
At last it was evaluation day, and at 2pm the doors opened and there were a total of 20 kids who showed. Now to some people that may be nothing, but for someone who was afraid nobody was going to show up this was an oh-my-god moment. I remember sweating the entire time like “this is really happening!” and that’s how this entire journey began!
Looking at us currently, we have come so far in such a short time with a great group of kids. We have secured our first location and are having such a great competition season full of new experiences, wins, losses and a whole bunch of lessons and love.
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?
Smooth? I wish I could say it was smooth because that would’ve just been easier. However, this road has been nothing but! What I will say is this road has been one of the most continuous lessons learned, most tiring, exciting, rewarding journey I have ever been on.
As far as struggles go, I would have to say one of my biggest struggles was going through imposter syndrome! I went through it so bad to the point every time I turned the key to my facility, I was instantly sick – It felt like there’s no way you did this and that this is your life type moment.
Additional struggles were the normal things, trying to figure out budget, certifications, scheduling and competition registration processes and should we do this versus that.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I currently work full time as a Security Specialist as well as a full time Graduate student. However, my ultimate goal is to grow my program to be able to do it full time.
What am I most proud of? Such a good question, I would honestly have to say is starting my own program. Making the decision to do something and going for it full force despite my intense fear of failing.
I believe what sets me apart from others is that I truly am the difference. I care so deeply for people in general and really want them to succeed in every aspect. Additionally. I take the time to learn my athletes, their personalities, their strengths and weaknesses and build solid trust and become a safe space for them.
Any big plans?
Right now, my plan for the future is to continue to grow my program. I have big dreams and goals that I want to accomplish with this program, and I know staying consistent will get us to where we want to be!
I’m really looking forward to planning my next season! I’m so excited for what we have learned this season and for the goals we have in place – so I honestly can’t wait!
No big changes just yet, we’re building slowly, but we are strapped in tight for the ride ahead of us!
I want to say a quick Thank You to those who pushed me, believed in me, and strapped in their seatbelts alongside me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.savagextremeathletics.com
- Instagram: @savagextremeathletics
- Facebook: Savage Xtreme Athletics
