life lessons: bravery

Ariana, age 5

“When my 5-year-old daughter Ariana first climbed aboard the Jungle Bus, I had no idea how much that brightly-colored, mobile gymnastics studio would come to mean to our family. What started as a fun weekly activity quickly turned into something so much more.

It became a place where Ariana discovered confidence, joy, and life lessons that stretched far beyond the mat. Ariana went from quietly observing to proudly showing off her balance beam walk and tumbling with determination.

One moment I’ll never forget was when she burst out of the Jungle Bus yelling, “Mommy, I did the monkey bars all by myself!” The joy on her face said it all. It wasn’t just a physical achievement. It was a huge boost to her self-esteem. She learned that being brave doesn’t mean not being scared—it means trying anyway.

Through gymnastics, Ariana has picked up more than just physical skills. She’s learned how to listen, take turns, cheer on her friends, and keep trying even when something is hard. She’s learning resilience, teamwork, and the pure magic of believing in herself. Sports don’t always happen in big arenas or with crowds cheering. Sometimes, they happen on a bus parked outside a preschool, where little kids like Ariana take their first steps toward becoming strong, confident, and fearless, inside and out.” 

– Ariana’s mom, Ariana