top of page
Staff Bios
Jamie Eader
Position: Owner, Program Director, & Head Team Coach
Hometown: West Frankfort, IL
Jamie has been the head coach and manager of The Zone since it opened in 2019. She became owner in January 2023. She was a level 10 gymnast until age 16 and gymnastics has never left her life! She started coaching at age 15 and here we are, 23 years later and still loving it today. Jamie is a single mom and spends her time outside the gym going to all her sons’ activities. She is also highly creative and loves painting, playing guitar, and traveling!
Sydney Durham
Position: Front Desk & Weekend Manager
Hometown: Woodlawn, IL
Sydney has been with The Zone for 1 year. When she is not working, she enjoys hanging out with friends, deer hunting, and relaxing at home. Sydney's favorite thing about working at The Zone is being even a small part of a child's athletic career and having the ability to teach them much more than just gymnastics. She also enjoys helping to make the kids' birthdays memorable, as well as being alongside the best co-workers. If she could invent a holiday, it would include staying home with her dogs all day! If she could meet a famous person, she would like to meet Adele or George Strait.
Maddy Durham
Position: Head Rec Coach, Assistant Team Coach, Social Media Manager, Fun Staff
Hometown: Woodlawn, IL
Maddy has been with The Zone for 2 years. Her favorite thing to do when not working is going on trips with her boyfriend and hanging out with friends. If she could invent a holiday, it would involve traveling and she would have loved to meet Mr. Rogers while he was alive. Maddy's favorite thing about coaching here at The Zone is the ability to take on such an influential role in young athletes’ lives by encouraging and perfecting the skills that they are so dedicated to achieving.
Aubrie Stover
Position: Assistant Team Coach & Rec Coach
Hometown: McLeansboro, IL
Aubrie has been with The Zone since June 2022 and is the youngest child in her family. When Aubrie is not working, she likes to sleep, watch shows, and be with her friends. If she could invent a holiday, it would involve watching/listening to true crime documentaries/podcasts. Aubrie's favorite thing about working at The Zone is learning different techniques for skills and the environment is nice. If she could meet a famous person, it would be Sabrina Carpenter.
_edited.jpg)
Emily Smith
Position: Head Pre-School Coach & Front Desk
Hometown: Woodlawn, IL
Emily has been with The Zone since August of 2023. She has been an all-star cheerleader since age eight. Emily has also won many prestigious awards throughout her cheer career competing against the best of the best! She also a FFA officer at Woodlawn High School. Emily enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially her niece and nephews.
Cole Woodward
Position: Coach
Hometown: TBA
Jada Gabbart
Position: Jr. Coach & Fun Staff
Hometown: Mount Vernon, IL
Jada has been with The Zone since the summer of 2022 and loves how sweet the kids are if they have not seen her for a while. She is the youngest of two siblings and likes to hang out with friends when she is not working. If she could invent a holiday, it would involve going on a vacation to a new place. If she could meet a famous person, it would be Timothee Chalamet or Tom Felton.
Ethan Helpingstine
Position: Jr. Coach & Fun Staff
Hometown: New Albany, IN
Ethan has been with The Zone since December of 2022 and is part of a big family! He has four brothers and two sisters; he is the second oldest of the group. Ethan's favorite things to do when he is not working are gymnastics, Lego's, exploring outdoors, and reading. If he could invent a holiday, it would involve gymnastics and Lego's. Ethan's favorite things about coaching Boys Gymnastics and Ninja Gym are sharing gymnastics with others and interacting with the kids. If he could meet anyone famous, it would be Tom Holland.
Emily Wheeler
Position: Front Desk
Hometown: TBA
Shay Gradford
Position: Fun Staff
Hometown: TBA
Phoebe Woodrow
Position: Fun Staff
Hometown: Mcleansboro, IL
Phoebe has been with The Zone since October 2022 and enjoys all the people here. She is the youngest sibling in her family, likes to cheer and be at home when not working. If she could invent a holiday, it would include going to the beach. The famous person she would like to meet is Harry Styles.
Heidi Heneks
Heidi has been with The Zone since January 2023, but has worked with our owner, Jamie, for many years. She is the oldest in her family and has been a dancer/dance teacher her entire life. When Heidi is not working, she likes to spend time with her family and be outside. If she could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve travel and Mexican food.
Emma Maxey
Position: Fun Staff
Hometown: TBA
Ade Neabuhr
Position: Fun Staff
Hometown: TBA
bottom of page