“Success in athletics is as much mental as physical—train the mind and the body will follow. Recreational gymnastics is the perfect opportunity for kids to experience the joy of gymnastics in a fun and positive environment. They won’t even realize they are learning life skills and manners, too.”

Coach Z is a one-man phenomenon in the world of gymnastics. A 5-time Bulgarian National Champion and 1984 Olympic Bronze Medalist, he has devoted his life to gymnastics. After an illustrious competitive career, he served two seasons as Head Coach of the Bulgarian National Women’s Gymnastics Team.

Since moving to the United States a decade ago, he has been instrumental in the development of numerous successful gymnastics programs in Vancouver, Washington and neighboring Portland, Oregon, and now is a proud co-owner of VEGA.

Zdravko and his wife Maria have two daughters, who are competitive dancers and gymnasts. As an extrepreneur and amateur vintner, Coach Z enjoys growing his own grapes as well as producing traditional Bulgarian sausages.