Today we’d like to introduce you to Emilia McCormick.
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?
I was born in Bulgaria and immigrated to the United States with my family when I was eight years old. Like many immigrant families, we started over from scratch. No language, no family or support system, no money, no jobs lined up. Just me, my brother, and my parents. My parents worked incredibly hard to build a new life for us, and watching them taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and making the most of every opportunity.
My work ethic started early. At just 12 years old, I took on my first job delivering newspapers throughout my neighborhood. From that point on, I never stopped working. Every experience taught me something new and helped shape the entrepreneur and leader I’ve become.
When I was 16, my mom founded United Sports Academy, a gymnastics facility where I began working in administration while also teaching recreational classes and hosting birthday parties. Around that same time, my life took an unexpected turn when I was involved in a devastating car accident. I spent nearly a month in the ICU and came dangerously close to losing my arm. Recovering from that experience gave me a perspective I’ll carry with me forever. It reinforced a mindset that still guides me today: focus on finding solutions instead of excuses.
Once I recovered, what started as an after-school job quickly became a lifelong passion. Over the next two decades, I immersed myself in every aspect of the business, learning leadership, operations, marketing, finance, and what it truly takes to build an organization that serves its community. Today, I have the privilege of serving as President of United Sports Academy.
As United Sports Academy continued to grow, I was fortunate to help lead that growth by expanding programs, opening new facilities, and helping shape the organization’s long-term vision. Along the way, I also developed a passion for commercial real estate, seeing firsthand how thoughtfully designed spaces can create opportunities for businesses, families, and communities to thrive.
That entrepreneurial spirit eventually led me to found USA Tiny Tumblers, but the reason behind it was much deeper than simply opening another gymnastics program. I saw a real gap in resources for young children, particularly programs intentionally designed around how they grow, learn, move, and develop. I wanted to create a place where every activity had a purpose—supporting developmental milestones while helping children build confidence, coordination, strength, and a lifelong love of movement.
Above every title I’ve ever held, the role I’m most proud of is being a mom. My three-year-old son is my greatest joy and my biggest motivation. He reminds me every day why creating stronger businesses, stronger communities, and more opportunities for children matters so much.
Outside of business, community service has always been a major part of my life. More than 15 years ago, my mother and I co-founded Athletes Caring Together, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing life-changing opportunities for children while empowering athletes to give back through the sports they love.
This year, that mission became deeply personal. We tragically lost one of our students, Isla Rose Melucci, to Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). Isla was just four years old and brought so much joy to everyone around her. In the midst of that heartbreak, we made the decision to turn our grief into something that will serve children for generations. Through Athletes Caring Together, we’re leading the effort to build an all-inclusive memorial playground in Isla’s honor—a place where children of all abilities can play, explore, and belong.
Looking back, I never could have imagined where that eight-year-old girl from Bulgaria would end up. I’m grateful for every opportunity, every challenge, and every person who’s been part of the journey. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that your circumstances don’t define your future. What matters most is how you respond, the people you surround yourself with, and your willingness to keep moving forward. Those are the values that continue to guide me every day, both in business and in life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As I mentioned earlier, my journey has been anything but smooth. Immigrating to a new country, surviving a serious car accident at 16, and building businesses from the ground up have all come with their own challenges. Looking back, though, those experiences have shaped who I am and how I approach difficult situations.
One of the biggest challenges came in 2019 when my business partner and I purchased the 50,000-square-foot Mayfield Sports Complex. It was by far the biggest investment we’d ever made, and we put everything we had into making it happen. Almost exactly one year later, on our first anniversary as owners, the world shut down because of COVID-19.
Like so many small business owners, we were terrified of the unknown. We had invested every penny into this dream, and overnight we were forced to close our doors without knowing what the future would look like.
While it was heartbreaking to shut our doors, we decided to use that time in the best way we could. We spent virtually every day inside the building repainting, renovating, repairing, and reimagining the space from top to bottom. By the time we were able to reopen, the facility had been completely transformed. Looking back now, that period ended up being one of the most productive chapters in the building’s history, and many of the improvements people enjoy today were completed during those months.
There have been plenty of setbacks over the years, but each one has taught me something. I don’t believe any business or career is built without challenges. For me, it’s always been about adapting, staying focused, and continuing to move forward one step at a time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At my core, I’m an entrepreneur, community leader, and problem solver. I love building things that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, whether that’s a business, a nonprofit initiative, or a new opportunity for children and families.
Professionally, I serve as President of United Sports Academy, where I help oversee the growth and long-term vision of the organization. I’m also the founder of USA Tiny Tumblers, a preschool gymnastics program created to fill a gap I saw in early childhood development. Every aspect of that program was intentionally designed to help young children build confidence, coordination, independence, and a lifelong love of movement.
Outside of gymnastics, I’ve been fortunate to help develop businesses, expand facilities, invest in commercial real estate, and author children’s books that encourage confidence and resilience in young readers. Community service has also been a constant throughout my life. More than 15 years ago, my mother and I co-founded Athletes Caring Together, a nonprofit dedicated to providing life-changing opportunities for children through sports. Today, one of our biggest initiatives is creating an all-inclusive memorial playground in honor of one of our students, Isla Rose Melucci. I am also heavily involved in our community and sit on several other committees and local non-profit organizations.
If there’s one thing I’m most proud of, it isn’t a title, an award, or a business. It’s the impact we’ve been able to make. Whether it’s watching a shy child gain confidence, seeing a family find a sense of belonging, helping an athlete earn a scholarship, or bringing a community together around a meaningful cause, those are the moments that matter most to me.
I think what sets me apart is that I rarely see things as they are—I see what they could become. Whether it’s a business, a building, a program, or an idea, I enjoy finding opportunities where others see obstacles and bringing people together to turn those ideas into reality. I’ve never been motivated simply by building successful businesses; I’ve always been motivated by building things that leave a lasting, positive impact on the people and communities they serve.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I genuinely love what I do, and I’m incredibly proud of the work I’ve built over the years. Knowing that what I do every day has the potential to positively impact children and families brings me a great deal of fulfillment. It’s hard to separate my work from my happiness because the two are so closely connected.
Outside of work, my greatest joy is spending time with my three-year-old son. I love to travel, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to experience the world with him by my side. Watching him discover new places, cultures, and adventures through his eyes is something I’ll never take for granted.
I also love being outdoors. Snowboarding and kayaking are two of my favorite ways to unwind, and if I have the opportunity to do either in a new country, that’s even better. For me, the perfect day is one spent exploring somewhere new with the people I love.
At the end of the day, what makes me happiest is creating memories, continuing to learn, and knowing that I’m living a life with purpose—both for my family and for the communities I’m fortunate enough to serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.usatinytumblers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athletes.caring.together/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissEmmysStoryCorner
- Other: https://unitedsportsacademygym.com/
