Meet LEXI GOODMAN
College Life
My name is Lexi Goodman, and I am currently a senior at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. I am majoring in Journalism and Fashion Media and minoring in Psychology. If you are reading this, you are probably wondering about my cheerleading era and well, let’s dive into that. But first, some background on how I found my home away from home, CA.
Learning to Fly
I started gymnastics at the age of 4 and quickly flipped away into my journey as a WOGA gymnast in Plano, TX. After years of 4-hour practices twice a day except Sundays, training for the goal of the elite level with endless competitions, victories, and injuries, I was broken down emotionally and burnt out physically. I decided it was time for a change. I enrolled in public school and tried out for my middle school cheer team. Basically, I was so bored that I went back gymnastics at Kurt Thomas in Frisco, where it was a much more uplifting and relaxed environment in comparison to my old gym. I was also doing middle school cheer with my friends just for fun but it meant I had to miss gym a few times a week for games and practice. After a season competing with KTG, I knew I couldn’t continue with both. I left gymnastics for a reason and was just looking for a new start… but what? I heard about Cheer Athletics from a friend at TCA with who I went to elementary school. I had no idea what competitive cheerleading was other than what the movie Bring It On portrayed of the “sport.” My mom insisted I just give it a shot, so I did a private tryout at CA when I was 12 years old and learned to tumble with shoes on for the first time and attempted this strange concept they called “flying.” Let’s just say, this made me miss the balance beam – a lot. It was late August on Monday night when I tried out and the worlds team called Cheetahs was practicing. The coaches I was learning to fly on put me in front of Brad and a few other of the worlds team coaches. I obviously didn’t realize the importance of this or who any of these people were and they were not impressed with my flying, to say the least. I was just nowhere near experienced and before that Monday I had zero skills or flexibility for a worlds flyer. But, I was coachable, a fast learner, I could tumble well with gymnast technique, and my size was a bonus – so flying was the only option. That same night, a flyer was injured and I got called to come back and try to fill the spot for practice. From then, it was history.
After about 4 years on both Cheetahs and Wildcats winning multiple Majors, Nationals, and Worlds Championship titles, I went from a gymnast with literally no flying skills whatsoever to being center flyer at {in my opinion} the greatest gym in the world on both of my dream teams with the best coaches I could’ve asked for.
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” -Walt Disney
To this day, I still have no idea why they decided to give me a chance but I am so beyond thankful for every opportunity I have had and I made it my personal goal to work the hardest to accomplish all that I have. My greatest accomplishment is not the titles or teams or placements, but it has been my passion I found in coaching. I am currently a coach on the reigning NCA champs of junior medium 2, Katz, where I coach with two fellow Wildcat alumni – Tucker & Jake. I also coach the NCA champs, IBK (Itty Bitty Kitties), which is a small tiny 1 with Charlie. It’s hard to put into words how much I value each of these teams and the people I coach with, but I am one lucky girl.
Wild Thing
Being on Wildcats was (eventually) a dream come true and the biggest blessing in disguise. When I first got the call, I just remember feeling like I was being dumped. My stomach was in knots, my head was spinning, and it felt like my heart stopped. I looked around the gym and so many athletes were receiving the calls, as well, and seemed overjoyed with the news of what team they made. Meanwhile, I was being broken up with in a way, you know? Why was I so upset to make the best team in the world? I thought something was wrong with me for feeling that way. However, the phrase “trust the process” repeated over and over in my head. Words of wisdom that Brad consistently said to me, and everyone else for that matter. I can confidently say, he is right about that. Cheetahs was a comfort zone, but a place I didn’t belong anymore. I had outgrown it and there was nothing left for me besides frustration and disappointment. Situations of pain tends to be a comfort for me because its oddly what I know best (or at least what I have been used to), but we’re working on that – lol. I needed the change so badly and once I truly opened my mind and gave myself a chance, I fell in love with Wildcats. I learned that just because you’re leaving something behind (CEOCP), doesn’t mean it won’t always be there with you. I gained leadership, passion, and a fuel that ignited a fire in me I didn’t know I had, to be the best possible teammate, athlete, coach, and person I could be. It truly was exactly what I needed. My coaches and my teammates were really my second family. They were there for me when I was going through some of the most challenging times of life and helped remind me of what really makes me happy. This team not only brought me so many great memories and championship jackets, banners, and rings, but it also gave me back my happiness and my confidence.
AGT
Like I said, Wildcats brought me lots of incredible opportunities, primarily being a part of America’s Got Talent. Auditioning and filming on the stage in LA was truly an unforgettable, incomparable experience. After getting a “yes” from all four judges, we were sent to the live rounds. However, the world turned upside down due to COVID-19 and that pushed filming back and nobody really knew where to go from here. The producers of the show and the owners of our gym made it work. We brought AGT to Plano, TX, in our very own gym we performed the “live shows.” After weeks of COVID-19 testing, training, fullouts with masks on (can I add that it was SO hard to breathe while doing a high stamina routine), turning our gym into a stage for production, and days of filming, we did it. Overall, I am so extremely grateful for the experience. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and I will never forget it.
My website is a personal blog where I include social media platforms, videos, and contact information page that will have my LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.