Polly Porter, owner and head gymnastics coach, at Logan County gymnastics in Russellville, Kentucky has been coaching gymnastics for 30 years. Porter handles many daily and behind the scenes operations at the gym. Porter also currently coaches preschool level, level one, and special olympic gymnasts.

Porter started Logan County Gymnastics alongside her husband in 1993. Logan County Gymnastics offers dance, cheer, gymnastics and tumbling for individuals living in the surrounding counties of Logan County, Muhlenberg County, Butler County, Todd County and Simpson County. Porter spends many hours before and after classes creating schedules, checking equipment, and making new skill plans for a personalized experience for each class.

Porter and turned her dream into a reality, as she and her husband completed the Dave Ramsey debt free program. After they were debt free from earlier life experiences, Porter became a full time gymnastics coach. Porter said, "We choose to live a more minimum wage lifestyle because that means I get to live out my dream and make a difference in these children's lives."

Preschool athletes Abby Carroll, Addalynn Basham and Aralyn Mercer watch as Porter teaches them the skill of a diving forward roll while at practice on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018.

After a long day and night at the gym, Porter practices her daily five back walkovers to help build her skillset to be able to do a back hand-spring again when she turns 50 next year. "I'm definitely tired after all of the business aspects of the job alongside coaching every day. But knowing we help children develop self-confidence, physical prowess, and a competitive edge for all types of future activities makes it all worth it at the end of the day," said Porter.

While attempting a skill on the bar, Abby Carroll kicks Porter on the head as she tries to use her stomach muscles and momentum to return to an upright position.

Kyra Johnson does a chin up as part of her conditioning on the bars area of practice. Porter described Johnson as one of the fastest learners in her preschool class. She referenced the importance of giving each child the equal attention during the class to give children a feeling of inclusion, friendship, and belonging as they are learning structure and developing social skills.

After a warm-up on the trampoline Porter asks her gymnasts to practice their back bends. During this time Porter attempts to check and correct their technique. Many of these "simple" skill sets are needed as they move up levels as a gymnast.

Porter claps for preschool gymnast student, Abby Caroll, as she lands a cartwheel. Porter believes sports such as gymnastics are important for many reasons. "We teach children to keep trying. Don't give up! Keep at it! Break a skill into smaller successes so that they keep at it. It's the best feeling to see the realization on a child's face that they have mastered something they worked hard to achieve!" said Porter.