ALL ABOUT THE FLIP SIDE

The Flip Side was founded in October of 2024. The Flip Side is a non-competitive studio open to those wanting to learn the basics, improve their tumbling technique, learn new Acro tricks, or work through performance anxiety. Athletes from numerous local competitive cheer teams, dance programs, and local school teams flip at The Flip Side. It’s never too late to learn the love and discipline of flipping!

Meet Coach Kiersten

Coaching over 100 private lessons each month at a local shared gym, Kiersten found the need to have her own dedicated space to work with athletes 1-on-1 and in small groups. This is how The Flip Side came to be.

Kiersten Kelley was born and raised in Pierce City, Missouri where she was a competitive gymnast and dancer. She trained and competed up to level 8 at Monett and Cassville Gymnastics. She practiced ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and pointe at Mary Beck School of Dance for 11 years. She competed on her high school dance team at UDA National Dance Team Championships. She started coaching tumbling in high school, before moving to Fayetteville in 2013 for college. She earned her Bachelor of Science from University of Arkansas, where she studied Sport & Exercise Psychology. Kiersten coached tumbling and competitive cheer for The Pride of Arkansas Cheer and Dance Academy in Fayetteville for over 8 years. Working with ages 3-30+, Kiersten coaches kids and adults throughout NWA. As an avid learner of sport & exercise psychology, Coach Kiersten loves implementing that knowledge within her coaching to help athletes understand the mental aspect of tumbling. In her time outside the studio, she loves spending time with her family, her two adopted pit-pups Sosa & Queso, working out, and cooking healthy meals.

Meet Coach Ally

Ally Fugate began cheerleading in 7th grade and has been tumbling with Coach Kiersten for the past five years. When she first came to Kiersten for private lessons, she was still figuring out her back handspring, but now, thanks to Kiersten’s coaching, she can confidently execute numerous tumbling skills! As both a tumbler and flyer at Providence Academy, Ally earned All-American and All-State honors and served as a team captain her senior year. This fall, she is excited to continue her cheer journey at Ouachita Baptist University.

Now stepping into her first season as a coach over the summer, Ally is excited to help young athletes build strong fundamentals and grow in confidence, from forward rolls to walkovers and beyond. She’s especially thankful for the chance to coach alongside the same mentor who helped shape her own cheer career, and looks forward to learning from Coach Kiersten in a new role. Her biggest goal is to help kids fall in love with their sports and continue to leave The Flip Side feeling proud of what they’ve learned through tumbling!

Local Recognition

After only six months in operation, The Flip Side was voted by the public as one of the best places to learn tumbling skills in Northwest Arkansas. As a first-time candidate, we were shocked and humbled to finish as the 2024 Silver Winner in the annual polling for “The Best of Northwest Arkansas”.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone that voted for us.
We are grateful to have the amazing support of our athletes and parents!

Community Connections

  • Visiting coach at the Camp Tumble Smart in Tulsa, August 2024

  • Guest tryout judge for a local team, April 2025

  • Lesson donations to local school fundraisers

Giving back in small ways can make a huge difference for others!

Parent & Athlete Testimonials

  • "Kiersten is incredible! She has such a talent for communicating with young athletes in a way that clicks for them so well! Our daughter has the most productive tumbling lessons with her over any other tumbling coach we’ve been to! Thanks, Kiersten! Olivia adores you!"

    Nathalia C.

  • "Coach Kiersten is experienced and awesome! Positive environment where you can really grow in skills! Highly recommend!"

    McKenzi W.

  • "Coach Kiersten is amazing and it is obvious in her teaching that this is her passion. She pours her heart into the girls she works with. My daughter has been coached by her for over a year now and the growth is amazing!!!! She went from only doing a cartwheel to now doing backhand spings, aerials, back tucks, and more. Kiersten is so hands on and able to show the correct technique in tumbling where most coaches are not able to tumble with their students. I feel this is invaluable and I cannot recommend her enough!"

  • "Kiersten is truly the best! She is incredibly kind and encouraging with her students. She’s able to clearly explain each technique and step so that her students understand exactly what to do and how to improve. She has creative exercises and drills to help her students understand all the different details involved with tumbling. Can’t say enough great things about her! ❤️"

    Mikki D.

  • "Coach Kiersten was fantastic! My daughter left feeling confident and excited for the next lesson!"

    Katelyn B.

  • "We love flip side and are so glad we Found them! Kiersten is amazing at teaching the correct technique to build on. She is encouraging and patient and my daughter loves to go to tumbling. We feel important and cared for as opposed to feeling like just a number in a larger gym."

    Cara C.

  • "Coach Kiersten has been coaching my daughter for a little over a year now. During this time, I've seen tremendous and rapid growth not only in my daughter's tumbling skills but also in her confidence. Kiersten fosters a beautifully positive environment that empowers her athletes to achieve their goals, overcome their fears, and strengthen themselves beyond measure. I cannot recommend her enough. She is the best!"

  • "Coach Kiersten is an incredible coach, both in knowledge and rapport with athletes. She invests in proper teaching of skills and builds confidence in each person she works with. I am so thankful for her investment in my girls."

    Savannah C.

  • "We love coach Kiersten so much! My daughter has progressed so much with her -- not only in her tumbling skills, but with her confidence as well. She shows such kindness and patience with her athletes, always trusting the process and using such kind and encouraging words every step of the way! She is so good at what she does, I hope she will continue to coach my daughter for years to come! Northwest Arkansas is so lucky to have her."

  • "Kiersten is the best of the best!! She knows exactly what to focus on to improve skills or teach new skills. She is so patient with my girls and she has so much passion for what she does. I am constantly amazed at how much my girls learn in just one lesson!!"

    Kendra G.

  • "My daughter has been coached by Kiersten for 3 years. I cannot sing her praises enough! Try her out and I promise you won’t regret it. She knows what she is doing and how to reach her athletes’ needs."

    Alissa B.

  • "Coach Kiersten is an amazing coach! She’s patient, encouraging, and explains everything clearly so I know exactly what to work on. Her creative drills help me understand all the details of tumbling. Over the past 3+ years, I’ve learned so much, improved, and gained many new skills. I’m so glad I found Coach Kiersten and get to work with her!"

    Ally F.

  • "I can’t say enough good things about Kiersten! She is so skilled, patient, and passionate about helping each child be successful in accomplishing their tumbling skills. She is positive and welcoming, making it a fun and encouraging environment while making thoughtful corrections during each lesson. My daughter loves seeing her and has progressed so much since starting lessons with Kiersten. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking to advance their tumbling skills!"

    Julie B.

  • "We absolutely love Kiersten and The Flip Side Tumbling Studio! Kiersten is not only incredibly talented and knowledgeable, but she’s also so much fun and incredibly kind. She strikes the perfect balance of challenging my daughter while creating a supportive and positive environment. My daughter’s tumbling skills and confidence have improved tremendously since working with Kiersten. The difference in her abilities and self-assurance is remarkable, and we are so grateful for the time and energy Kiersten pours into her students. I cannot recommend The Flip Side enough—Kiersten has truly been a game-changer for our family!"

    Amber B.