Coach / Owner
​Heather Bowden-Terry
Heather is the owner and lead instructor of Flipside, bringing over 40 years of experience in dance, tumbling, and cheerleading. A former St. Louis Rams Cheerleader from 1995 to 2000—and three-year Line Captain—Heather was selected to represent the Rams at the 1998 Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Her professional dance and cheer career includes performances with the St. Louis Storm, St. Louis Ambush, St. Louis Vipers, and St. Louis Stampede. She has also performed as a backup dancer for Salt-N-Pepa and trained under renowned choreographers Wade Robson and Rey Lozano. Heather danced as a Sundancer at Southeast Missouri State University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design with a Minor in Architecture. She was also named a UCA All-Star, performing in London, and served as a UCA Staff Member. From 2017 to 2019, she coached as the Assistant Varsity Cheer Coach at Hillsboro High School in Missouri.
With decades of professional experience and a passion for teaching, Heather is dedicated to inspiring and developing young athletes through her work at Flipside.
​Program Director / Coach Ryley
Ryley brings a wealth of energy, experience, and creativity to the Flipside family. With eight years of competitive cheer experience, she knows firsthand the dedication, teamwork, and perseverance it takes to succeed. Over the years, Ryley has coached a variety of programs, including competitive cheer, recreational and preschool gymnastics, tumbling, and swim lessons for children ranging from six months to twelve years old. Currently, Ryley serves as Flipside’s Recreational Program and Event Director, where she combines her passion for organization, creativity, and community spirit. She loves planning engaging classes and memorable events that keep athletes motivated, excited, and connected. In addition to her time in the gym, Ryley has spent over five years as a Summer Camp Director, where she brings fun and learning together through imaginative games and activities. Her favorite camp to run “Chaotic, Colorful, & Crazy” perfectly captures her playful energy and enthusiasm for creating joyful experiences for kids. Outside of work, Ryley enjoys spending quality time with her fiancé, family, friends, and her five dogs. Her positivity and dedication to helping children grow both in skill and confidence make her an invaluable part of the Flipside team.
Coach Cassondra
​​Cassondra brings over 20 years of dance experience to the program. She began her training at a local competitive studio and was a member of the Festus Dance Team, where she served as Captain and had the opportunity to choreograph. In 2009, she was selected for the All-American Team and performed in New York at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Cassondra continued her leadership as Captain of her collegiate dance team, gaining further opportunities to choreograph.
In 2012, Cassondra began teaching at Dietrich Dance Studio, where she spent 10 years instructing in acro, contemporary, pointe, and tumbling. Throughout her career, she has also taught at various other studios, with her choreography earning overall placements and scholarships.
Her performance experience includes working as a backup dancer for a local St. Louis artist and performing with Attitudes, Red Flag, Karlovsky & Company Dance, Vivant Entertainment, and Six Flags. In 2015, she expanded her training into aerial arts, specializing in lyra, and continues training with her own portable lyra and rig. Cassondra also served as coach for the Hillsboro Hawkettes for three seasons.
Fun Fact: In 2008, Cassondra appeared on the Travel Channel while going through Creepyworld Haunted House! 
Coach Mary
Mary is passionate about coaching and guiding young athletes to reach their full potential. She believes that the lessons learned through athletics, teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, carry far beyond the mat and into every part of life. For Mary, there’s nothing more rewarding than watching an athlete discover their confidence, achieve their goals, and realize just how strong they truly are. Mary brings warmth, enthusiasm, and encouragement to every class she leads, creating an uplifting environment where athletes can grow both physically and mentally. Outside of the gym, she enjoys homeschooling her daughters, running with her dog, and spending time exploring the great outdoors. Her love for adventure, family, and fitness shines through in everything she does, making her an inspiring part of the Flipside family.
Coach Kiley
Kiley brings over 14 years of cheerleading experience and a lifelong passion for the sport to the Flipside coaching team. Her journey began at just four years old in Flipside’s competitive cheer program, where she quickly discovered her love for performing, teamwork, and pushing herself to new heights. Over the years, Kiley developed a strong foundation in both skill and leadership qualities that would carry her into an accomplished collegiate career. After graduating, Kiley continued her cheer journey at Missouri Baptist University, where she was a dedicated member of the cheer team for four years and competed on the university’s stunt team for three. Her time there was marked by outstanding achievements, including earning a National Championship title in 2023 and being named Second Team All-American three separate times, an honor that reflects her hard work, athleticism, and commitment to excellence. Now entering her third year as a coach at Flipside, Kiley is passionate about giving back to the program that helped shape her as an athlete. She takes pride in helping her athletes grow in confidence, skill, and love for the sport, creating an environment that’s both challenging and inspiring. Kiley strives to instill the same determination, teamwork, and joy that have fueled her own cheer journey from the very beginning.
​Coach Bayleigh
Bayleigh has been immersed in the world of cheerleading for over 15 years, dedicating countless hours to both competitive All-Star Cheer and School Cheer. Her passion and drive have earned her several accomplishments throughout her cheer career, including being named a UCA All American Cheerleader her junior year, which led to the unforgettable experience of performing in Hawaii. In her senior year at Hillsboro High School, Bayleigh was honored as Athlete of the Month, recognized for her leadership, spirit, and commitment to her team.
Beyond the mat, Bayleigh is just as passionate about education and helping others. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Elementary Education, with her Master’s focusing on Trauma-Informed Practices. She currently serves as a Behavioral Educator in the DeSoto School District, where she works with students to build emotional resilience, confidence, and success in and out of the classroom.
Bayleigh’s love for cheer extends far beyond coaching, she has even taken her expertise to the judge’s table as part of an MCCA Cheer Competition panel. Her goal as a coach is to inspire her athletes to believe in themselves, work hard, and grow not just as cheerleaders, but as confident and compassionate individuals.
Coach Madelyn
Madelyn has been a part of the competitive program at Flipside for six years, where she has grown as both an athlete and a mentor for younger gymnasts. In addition to her time at Flipside, she has also been a member of the Seckman Varsity Cheer Team for the past year, gaining valuable experience in teamwork, leadership, and performance.
One of Madelyn’s favorite parts about coaching is helping athletes build confidence and reach their goals, whether it’s mastering a new skill or shining on the competition floor. She loves seeing the energy, dedication, and friendships that come from being part of a team.
Outside of cheer, Madelyn enjoys spending time with friends and family, and a fun fact about her is that her favorite color is pink!
Cheer Director -  Nichole
Nichole has been a dedicated member of the Flipside family for nine years, with six of those spent on the competitive side. Her commitment and passion for the program have made her an invaluable part of the Flipside community. Now in her second year as Cheer Director, Nichole continues to lead with enthusiasm, positivity, and a genuine love for the sport. She takes great pride in helping athletes develop their skills, confidence, and teamwork both on and off the mat. For Nichole and her family, Flipside is far more than just a gym, it’s truly home. The friendships formed, memories created, and sense of community built over the years have become an essential part of their lives. Nichole is incredibly grateful to be part of such a special place and to continue sharing her passion for cheer with the Flipside family.
​Coach Terry
Terry has been part of the Flipside family for 15 years and has had the privilege of coaching athletes of all ages and skill levels. The classes Terry is most involved with include tumbling, gymnastics, ninja, and cheerleading. Each of these programs allows Terry to share a passion for movement, strength, and skill-building while helping athletes grow in confidence both inside and outside the gym.
Over the years, Terry has loved watching athletes set goals, work hard, and achieve things they never thought possible. One of Terry’s favorite parts of coaching is seeing the excitement on a student’s face when they master a new skill for the first time.
Outside of the gym, Terry enjoys tumbling for fun and gaming, which provides a different kind of challenge. Flipside has always been a second home, and Terry is grateful for the opportunity to continue encouraging athletes and being part of such an amazing community.
Coach Eddyson
Cheer and athletics have always been a huge part of Eddyson’s life. She began her journey in All-Star cheer, where she trained and competed for about five years before transitioning into school cheer, which she continued for six years. During that time, she was a member of her school’s competition team, performed on varsity sideline, and proudly served as team captain her senior year. Those experiences taught her the value of teamwork, dedication, and leadership. Eddyson’s love for cheer and movement continues to inspire her today. She enjoys helping athletes grow in both skill and confidence while fostering a positive and encouraging environment. Outside of the gym, she is pursuing a degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant at St. Louis Community College, combining her athletic background with her future career in healthcare to help others stay active, healthy, and strong. When she’s not cheering on athletes or studying, Eddyson enjoys spending time with friends and family, staying active, and being outdoors. She is excited to share her passion and experiences with the Flipside athletes and families.
Coach Amanda
Amanda has been passionate about gymnastics for as long as she can remember. She began in Tiny Gymnastics as a young child and worked her way up through the levels of competitive gymnastics, gaining over 13 years of experience as both an athlete and teammate. The sport taught her dedication, discipline, and confidence—values she now loves passing on to the next generation of gymnasts.
Coaching has been a dream come true for Amanda, allowing her to relive her childhood passion from the other side of the mat. She finds nothing more rewarding than helping athletes achieve their goals, celebrate new skills, and find joy in the sport just like she did. One of Amanda’s greatest joys is also being a gymnastics mom! Both of her daughters are part of the Flipside family, giving her the best of both worlds—coaching in the gym while cheering them on as they follow their own gymnastics journeys.
​Coach Tyler
Coach Annalenna
Annalenna has been dancing since the age of two and has spent over 15 years as a dedicated competitive dancer. Her love for movement and rhythm also led her to cheer for four years and later become a certified Zumba instructor, a role she has proudly held for the past eight years. Currently, Annalenna brings her vibrant energy and passion for fitness to the YMCA, where she teaches Aqua Dance and a variety of group fitness classes. For the past two years, she has been inspiring others to stay active, have fun, and find confidence through movement. She is also a certified SilverSneakers fitness instructor, helping individuals of all ages and abilities stay healthy and strong. Annalenna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from Lindenwood University but has always kept dance and fitness at the center of her heart. Some of her favorite activities include Latin dance, tap, and fun-filled karaoke nights with friends. When she’s not in the studio or leading a class, you can find her spending time with her four beloved dogs, who keep her life full of love and energy!
​Coach Abela
Abela has been involved in cheerleading for three years competitively at Flipside and also cheers on her high school team, where she continues building her skills and teamwork. Before starting cheer, she spent three years in gymnastics and six years in dance, which gave her a strong foundation in strength, flexibility, performance, and collaboration. Those experiences shaped who she is as an athlete and continue to influence her coaching today. Outside of the gym, Abela is a high school student enrolled in early childhood and elementary education classes at JeffCo, where she’s working toward a degree in education. Her passion for helping kids learn, grow, and build confidence connects perfectly with her background in cheer, gymnastics, and dance. One of Abela’s favorite parts about being at Flipside is encouraging younger athletes as they try new skills and celebrate their progress. She hopes to inspire them to stay active, confident, and dedicated to reaching their goals, both in the gym and in life.
Coach Michele
Michele brings a wealth of experience and passion to Flipside, with over six years of working in education and countless years cheering on her daughters in Competitive Cheer. Her enthusiasm for youth development and love for the sport make her a wonderful addition to the Flipside family. Michele lives in Festus with her husband, their four amazing kids, and one lovable fur baby. By day, she teaches Special Education at Festus Intermediate School, where she’s dedicated to helping students reach their full potential. This year marks her first season teaching Tiny Gymnastics at Flipside, and she’s thrilled to share her energy and encouragement with the youngest athletes in the program.
When she’s not teaching or coaching, Michele enjoys traveling to watch her son play soccer, cheering on her daughter at Flipside events, and spending time soaking up the sun at the beach — her favorite place to relax and recharge.