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Meet the Team

Expertise in every move. Encouragement in every class.

Our team brings together years of experience in collegiate sports, behavioral psychology, and early childhood development. We are more than instructors; we are mentors dedicated to unlocking the athlete in every child through patience, science-backed training, and a lot of fun.

Leadership

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Lemi Zhang

Founder/Owner

Inspired by watching his own kids thrive through active play, Lemi founded Zippy Squirrels to prioritize exploration before early sport specialization. His focus is on foundational skills—agility, balance, strength, and coordination—empowering young athletes with whole-body confidence, injury prevention, and a lasting love for movement.

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Joy Padilla

General Manager

Joy brings a holistic approach to Zippy Squirrels' leadership, bridging the gap between organizational strategy and daily athlete enrichment. Drawing on her extensive background in Physical Education and youth behavioral management, she ensures all programs are pedagogically sound and balance discipline with play.

Coaches

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Oly Shanel

Head Coach

​As a certified professional trainer, Oly specializes in translating complex athletic mechanics into "science-based play." He is dedicated to building the blueprint for injury-prevention and peak performance, ensuring that every young athlete develops the physical foundation to excel in any sport they choose. Whether teaching a 3-year-old their first jump or a 12-year-old specialized skills, Oly is committed to unlocking the potential in every athlete.

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Jordan Zimmerman

Lead Coach

Jordan’s coaching style is where elite performance meets mindful movement. Drawing from a decade of youth coaching and a background as a D1 soccer player, Jordan understands that fitness is the blueprint for a confident life. Certified in personal training, nutrition, and yoga, Jordan provides a well-rounded approach to youth development. Jordan’s mission is simple: to empower kids to tackle "hard things" and find joy in being active.

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Emily Kessinger

Lead Coach

With a deep background in early childhood education, Emily focuses on building bright, confident minds alongside strong bodies. She uses movement to foster self-expression, positive habits, and emotional well-being. Every session is designed to be a safe, encouraging space where kids feel truly supported and celebrated at every milestone.

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Logan Mckinley

Lead Coach

With a background in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Logan approaches youth coaching through both mind and body. Logan uses exercise to build lifelong confidence—focusing on self-expression, healthy habits, and open communication. Every session is designed to be a safe, encouraging space where kids feel supported and genuinely proud of how far they’ve come.

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Alicia Butler

Coach

Alicia combines her early childhood education background with her experience as a yoga instructor to build bright, confident minds alongside strong bodies. Through mindful yoga, movement, and play, she helps kids explore self-expression, develop positive habits, and strengthen their emotional well-being—creating a safe, encouraging space where every milestone is celebrated.

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Chloe Tang

Coach

With a background in ballet, Chloe knows exactly what it takes to build grace, strength, and coordination. She understands that mastering foundational movement patterns at a young age sets kids up for long-term athletic success. Chloe’s true talent lies in breaking down complex skills into simple, confidence-building steps—ensuring every child finds their balance and feels completely supported as they grow.

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Olivia Kane

Coach

With a strong foundation in ballet and cheer, Olivia understands that mastering early movement patterns sets kids up for long-term athletic success. She turns technical skill-building into fun, confidence-boosting milestones, dedicated to helping every child feel balanced, strong, and capable on the floor.

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Maya Padilla

Front Desk Coordinator

Maya brings expertise in developmental milestones to every Zippy Squirrels session. Drawing on years of youth camp and class experience, she offers the gentle guidance young athletes need while delivering exceptional, welcoming service to parents and families. Dedicated to supporting both her fellow coaches and our gym community, Maya ensures every child feels seen, confident, and excited to move.

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Rylee Tse

Assistant Coach

Rooted in her figure skating background, Rylee combines discipline and precision to build confident young athletes. She excels at breaking complex skills into simple, confidence-boosting steps—helping every child master their movement, find their balance, and thrive in a supportive environment.

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Basil Chan

Assistant Coach

Rooted in her figure skating background, Rylee combines discipline and precision to build confident young athletes. She excels at breaking complex skills into simple, confidence-boosting steps—helping every child master their movement, find their balance, and thrive in a supportive environment.

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Clara Kronmal 

Assistant Coach

Drawing from her background as a figure skater and coach, Clara combines athletic discipline with clear, supportive instruction. She excels at breaking complex skills into simple, confidence-boosting steps—helping young athletes master their movement, find their balance, and thrive in athletic ability.

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