Today we’d like to introduce you to Ychlindria Spears Dolce.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Ychlindria Spears Dolce, and I am the owner and principal trainer at Jump Academy. Jump Academy is based out of Schertz, TX, and is a premier training service for Long and Triple jumpers that cultivates their horizontal jump skills, with highly technical coaching and training. We offer group training sessions, in an unparalleled family environment. Our athletes come from the city of San Antonio, surrounding areas, and all over the state–even as far as Laredo, TX.
Jump Academy was birthed from my own journey as a standout high school Track & Field athlete, from small-town Luling, TX. As a high school athlete, I earned top accolades–such as–winning Gatorade National Girls Track and Field Player of the Year and becoming the most decorated high school Track and Field athlete (male or female) in Texas high school prep history–garnering 14 gold medals, two silver medals, a national Triple Jump record, UIL State Long Jump record, and team state championship. Additionally, I competed in the Long Jump at the 2000 Olympic Trials at the age of 16 and competed internationally as a member of the U.S. Junior National team, where I struck gold twice. I continued my career on a full scholarship at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in the Long & Triple jumps. While achieving some success as a jumper on the collegiate platform, I was plagued with injuries, which eventually caused my athletic career to come to an end.
The knowledge and experience I have gained as an elite athlete, as well as my combined middle school, high school, and collegiate coaching experience–over the last 15 years, led to the inception of Jump Academy. I recognized a substantial need for better equipping horizontal jumpers with the skill set needed for them to reach their potential. Jump Academy is a small business that offers direct training services to horizontal jumpers, within the sport of Track & Field.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The COVID year was definitely a challenging year for Jump Academy, as it was for most small business. Due to the restrictions that were in place, our ability to conduct training sessions was halted. It was tough not making our usual connections with our JA family, but the top of mind for us was the health and well-being of our clients.
Not having our own facility is also a challenge, but mostly serves as a motivator to one day obtain a space that fulfills our needs. We train at a local community track but are hoping to expand into an indoor space, which will allow us to train year-round without natural interruptions, such as weather, and would add to our ability to offer expanded hours.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Jump Academy?
Jump Academy (JA) is a small business that specializes in Long and Triple Jump training–two Track & Field horizontal jumping events. JA has been providing services to athletes, for just shy of five years to athletes across the state of Texas. We have clients who make a three-hour commute, one-way, to come train with us! To know people are designating that much time out of their busy schedules, to be a part of our academy, feels incredible!
Our biggest boast, is that we provide a family environment for our clients. Aside from the quality of service we offer, our clients know they are not just a number for our company, but we strive to build lasting, meaningful relationships with them. In essence, each of our Jump Academy members becomes an extension of our own family. The relationships we continue to build, make each day not feel like work at all; instead, the work we do feels more like a partnership. Our clients work hard on their end, and it motivates us to continue to strive to make their experience with us, the best it can be. Jump Academy is unique in our craft because there are not many organizations like us that specialize in horizontal jumps, across the entire state!
In addition to our small group sessions, we also offer virtual coaching, as well as, services to school district programs–where we travel to campuses for a satellite clinic. In our satellite clinics, we work with a group of at least ten athletes, offer critiques, video analysis, and support to the athletes and their coaches.
We have built an easily-recognizable brand, but it has required a great deal of hard work to get to where we are. The company started extremely small and has grown through client referrals, and the amazing results of the young athletes we have gotten to work with. The majority of our clients have been some combination of District, Area, Regional, and STATE champions, and honestly, we could not be prouder of what we have been able to accomplish together.
Jump Academy will continue to use our platform to help young jumpers accomplish their goals.
What do you think about luck?
While every business experiences victories and hardships, I do not attribute any of those experiences to good or bad luck. Everything that Jump Academy represents, is a direct result of God’s grace. It has taken a great deal of faith and trust in God’s plan along this journey. Admittedly, there have been times that faith was tested, but proudly, it was unwavering. I will continue to put God first, in all of the decisions surrounding Jump Academy.
Pricing:
- Monthly Membership is $125/month.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thejumpacademy.net/
- Instagram: @thejumpacademytx
- Facebook: @thejumpacademytx
