Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Mitchell.
Hi Matthew, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
What started as a promise eventually became Professor’s Tumbling Academy years later.
For years, I dedicated myself to becoming a stronger, more knowledgeable coach. Along the way, I saw athletes being taught skills without the proper technical understanding, safe progressions, or purposeful drills needed to build those skills correctly. That concerned me, not because every coach lacks good intentions, but because inadequate instruction can increase an athlete’s risk of injury and undermine their long-term confidence.
I made a commitment to learn everything I could about tumbling instruction. I spent years training, studying skill development, and refining my coaching approach. I became focused on the small details that make a major difference: proper body positions, safe progressions, timing, strength development, common mistakes, and drills that support each stage of learning.
I wanted to understand not only how a skill should be performed, but also why athletes struggle with it. What drills help improve a particular movement? What weaknesses or habits may cause an athlete to develop an unsafe technique? Could a drill improve one part of a skill while accidentally reinforcing an issue in another? These questions became central to the way I coached.
Over time, that commitment became more than a job, it became a passion. I became dedicated to creating a training environment where athletes could learn with confidence, coaches could continue growing in their knowledge, and families could trust that safety and thoughtful instruction came first.
Professor’s Tumbling Academy was created from that passion. It is a place built to give back to the community by helping athletes develop their skills safely, helping coaches expand their understanding, and welcoming anyone who wants to learn. At its core, PTA is about providing knowledgeable instruction, meaningful progress, and a supportive space where every athlete has the opportunity to grow.
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?
What started as a promise eventually became Professor’s Tumbling Academy.
When I was 14 years old, before my mom passed away, I made her a promise. I promised that I would always push myself to achieve my dreams and, most importantly, that I would be a good person. That promise has stayed with me through every stage of my life. It has guided the choices I make, the way I treat people, and the kind of impact I hope to have on others.
Starting Professor’s Tumbling Academy was not something I did without fear. There were moments when I felt unsure of myself and overwhelmed by everything it takes to build a business from the ground up. I questioned whether I was ready and whether I could make the vision become reality. But I kept coming back to one question: *If not me, then who? And if not now, then when?*
I knew I had to do something. I had spent years growing as a coach, learning how to teach athletes with more care, better skill progressions, and a stronger understanding of safety. I knew there was an opportunity to create a place where athletes could receive the kind of coaching and support they deserve. Moving forward with PTA was my way of honoring the promise I made to my mom.
The path has not been easy. Building Professor’s Tumbling Academy has required me to step outside of coaching and learn the many responsibilities that come with opening and operating a business. I have had to navigate business planning, legal and insurance requirements, budgeting, equipment decisions, facility planning, marketing, and creating a brand that families can trust.
One of the biggest obstacles has been turning a vision into a real, safe space for athletes. Every decision, from selecting equipment to planning the facility and building programs, has required research, patience, and careful thought. I have had to balance the dream of what PTA can become with the realities of costs, timelines, unexpected challenges, and the uncertainty that comes with starting something new.
There have been long days, difficult decisions, and moments when progress felt slower than I hoped. But those obstacles have also made me more intentional. They have reminded me that building something meaningful takes time and that the details matter when you are creating a place for children and families.
Professor’s Tumbling Academy is not just a business to me. It is a commitment to provide athletes with knowledgeable instruction, safe skill progressions, and a supportive environment where they can build confidence. It is also a way to give back to the community, help coaches and athletes continue learning, and create something I believe my mom would be proud of. Through every challenge, I knew I was not alone. I had my biggest supporter beside me every step of the way, believing in the dream even when the path felt uncertain.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am one of the co-owners of Professor’s Tumbling Academy, a tumbling program focused on helping athletes build skills, confidence, and a strong foundation for long-term success. We specialize in tumbling instruction, skill development, safe progressions, and coaching athletes at different experience levels, from those learning basic movement skills to athletes working toward more advanced tumbling.
What we are known for is being detail-oriented and intentional in the way we coach. We believe athletes should not be rushed through skills. Every athlete develops differently, so I focus on meeting them where they are, identifying what they need to improve, and using drills and progressions that help them grow safely and confidently.
We are especially passionate about understanding the “why” behind each skill. That includes proper body positions, strength, timing, drills, common mistakes, and the ways one movement can affect another. I have spent years learning and refining my coaching methods because I want athletes to receive instruction that is knowledgeable, encouraging, and centered on safety.
What sets Professor’s Tumbling Academy apart is that we are not focused only on whether an athlete can land a skill. We focus on how they learn it. We prioritize safe progressions, strong fundamentals, individual attention, and a positive environment where athletes feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and trying again.
We are most proud of creating a program built around trust. Parents trust us with their children, and athletes trust us when they are working through skills that may feel intimidating. Being able to help an athlete overcome fear, recognize their own progress, and gain confidence in themselves is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
Professor’s Tumbling Academy is more than a business to me. It is a way to give back to the community by creating a place where athletes can learn, coaches can continue developing their knowledge, and families can feel confident that their children are being supported every step of the way.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One surprising thing people may not know is how deeply personal Professor’s Tumbling Academy is to me. It may look like a business centered on tumbling, coaching, and athlete development, but its foundation began with a promise I made to my mom before she passed away when I was 14.
That promise was only the beginning of something greater. It has influenced how I coach, how I treat others, and the kind of person I continue working to become. It reminds me to lead with patience, kindness, and purpose, even during difficult moments.
My life has been shaped by many experiences that I believe led me to where I am today. The successes gave me confidence and showed me what is possible, but the failures taught me some of the most important lessons. They taught me to be resilient, to keep learning, and to keep moving forward when things do not go as planned.
Every challenge, setback, opportunity, and accomplishment has played a role in shaping Professor’s Tumbling Academy. I do not see PTA as only a business or a place to teach skills. I see it as the result of years of growth, hard work, and lessons learned along the way. It is a way for me to turn my experiences into something positive for others, a place where athletes can feel supported, discover their potential, and learn that setbacks are part of becoming stronger.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.professorstumblingacademy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
