Former Olympic gold medalist inspires new generation of gymnasts and dancers
You may not know it, but Central Florida is home to many Olympians, both past and present. One gold medal gymnast retired from competing, but he wasn't quite ready to give up the sport entirely.
Discipline is how gymnast Scott Johnson made it to the Olympics twice. He first competed in Los Angeles in 1984 and again in Seoul in 1988. But he didn't just compete; he won.
"It was a gold medal, we won the team championship, so my medal was being a part of that team," Johnson said. "And it was just an outstanding situation for us, and it was just an unbelievable feeling for me."
Johnson dreamed about going to the Olympics since he was a little boy.
"We moved to Colorado Springs, I got introduced to gymnastics there, fell in love with it right away. And then that's when I decided that I was going to do for the rest of my life," Johnson said.
After Johnson's second Olympic games, he knew it was time to call it a career, but he just couldn't give up gymnastics entirely.
So, in his late 20s, Johnson did what many retirees do, and he moved to Florida to start teaching kids to love the sport that changed his life the same way his coaches had taught him.
"I had a lot of encouragement, all the coaches I've had ever since I was first started out, were very positive and motivating and gave me a lot of encouragement," Johnson said. "That helped boost me along a little bit; it gave me confidence in myself."
Johnson coached in local YMCAs and eventually branched out on his own, opening Scott Johnson's Tumble and Gymnastics Academy in Winter Springs, Lake Mary and Apopka.
Johnson takes a positive approach to teaching techniques, by being motivating and kind.
Kristina Nanton's daughter, Addison and her friend, Brielle, are competitive dancers and have been training directly with Johnson for years.
Johnson said his coaches teach the foundations of the sport and build self-esteem in a safe non-competitive setting.
Johnson has trained countless kids and watched many fall in love with the sport just like he did all those years ago, which is another dream come true for Johnson.
"I just love working with them. I feel proud that I can get them excited and I mean, I'm all about being positive and motivating them," Johnson said. "I love to do it, it's not a job to me at all.