Meet Destiny King of Blaze Athletics Club

Today we’d like to introduce you to Destiny King.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My love for athletics started when I was just four years old, watching the 2000 Summer Olympics. From that moment, I knew I wanted to be a gymnast. I grew up training and competing at Johnson’s Dance and Gymnastics in Valley View, Ohio, and gymnastics quickly became the foundation of who I was—teaching me strength, confidence, and discipline. Later in life, when I transitioned to track and field, it was my gymnastics background that gave me the foundation to succeed as a runner.

But it wasn’t just about the sport—it was about the relationships, the coaches who believed in me, and the lessons that carried into every part of my life. That experience is exactly what I wanted to recreate for kids when I founded Blaze Athletics Club.

Blaze began from a dream: to create a safe, inclusive, and affordable space where children of all abilities could explore athletics, build confidence, and most importantly—have fun. As a mom myself, I know firsthand how hard it can be when your kids want to try different activities but cost, time, or pressure from programs make it difficult. I wanted Blaze to be different.

Our programs range from gymnastics and cheer to dance, track, and even preschool enrichment, but the heart of it all is FUN first. While we do have competitive teams, we don’t run our gym like an elite program where the focus is only on winning. Instead, we emphasize fundamentals, experiences, and allowing kids to discover what they truly love.

One of the most meaningful parts of Blaze is that it also honors the memory of Robyn McGuinea, a gymnast I once coached who had an incredible impact on my life. Our preschool and parent-child programs are nicknamed The Nest in her honor, representing growth, safety, and the start of every child’s journey.

What has gotten me here has been a mix of passion, community, and perseverance. I’ve faced setbacks, from personal challenges like postpartum depression to professional ones like losing athletes I’ve coached, but every step has reinforced why Blaze matters. It’s not just about sports—it’s about giving kids a place to belong, to shine, and to grow.

Looking forward, my dream is to expand Blaze Athletics Club into more sports like soccer, volleyball, and basketball while continuing to keep programs affordable and accessible. In a world dominated by screens and technology, I want Blaze to remain a place where kids can move, play, and experience the lifelong benefits of athletics.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of my biggest obstacles came at the very beginning of my journey. In 2020, I placed a down payment on a gym in the Youngstown area, ready to launch Blaze — and just two months later, the world shut down due to COVID. When gyms reopened, I returned to my role as Preschool Program Director at First Flips Gymnastics, but in September of that year, I lost Robyn, a gymnast who forever changed my life. That loss left a lasting impact and made me pause.

In 2021, I welcomed my son, and while my heart was still pulling me toward owning a gym, the timing never seemed right. It wasn’t until 2024, when I stepped back into coaching as the Director of Operations at The Little Gym of Highland Heights, that I truly felt my spark reignite. But working so hard to build up someone else’s business began to take a toll on my mental health. I started questioning if I would ever be capable of doing this for myself.

Many nights, I’d come home after long shifts and work tirelessly on business plan after business plan, dreaming of how to make Blaze a reality. Finally, in November of 2024, I took a leap of faith. I had no clear plan, but I knew the only way forward was to bet on myself and the vision I had carried for so long.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Blaze Athletics Club?
Blaze Athletics Club is more than just a gym — it’s a place where kids of all abilities can grow, learn, and discover their potential through movement. We specialize in recreational gymnastics, cheer, dance, and adaptive programs, with a special focus on preschool and early childhood development. Our mission is to create an environment that is safe, fun, and inclusive — where confidence, friendships, and lifelong skills are built alongside athletic ability.

What sets us apart is our heart Our brand is built on relationships, trust, and the belief that every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and capable — no matter their background, ability, or skill level.

I am most proud that Blaze has become a place where parents feel supported, kids feel celebrated, and families know that we are just as invested in their child’s confidence and joy as we are in their cartwheels and handstands. To me, Blaze isn’t just a gym — it’s a family.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
The biggest risk I’ve taken was quitting my salaried job to start Blaze. I didn’t have a large savings cushion or a clear blueprint of how it would all come together — but I had faith, I knew the type of coach I am, and I trusted the ambition that drives me.

When I found my original location for Blaze, I thought I had everything figured out — affordable rent, utilities included, and a cozy downtown Painesville space. What I didn’t anticipate were the challenges: being on the third floor with no elevator made it difficult for grandparents and families, and it limited my ability to fully expand into adaptive sports since not everyone could access the space.

So, I made another bold decision — I relocated just a mile down the road to a beautiful storefront across from the fairgrounds. The rent was higher, and I wasn’t sure how I would afford it, but I believed in my program, in the accessibility of the new space, and in the community we were building.

To me, risk-taking is essential. Without risk, there’s no reward. You have to be willing to bet on yourself — almost to the point of being a little delusional — and believe that things will work out. Because at the end of the day, if you don’t believe in yourself, who will?

Pricing:

• $65 Monthly

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blazeathleticsclub.com
• Instagram: @blazeathleticsclub
• Facebook: Blaze Athletics Club