Carly Markesich began her coaching career in 1979 while working corporate jobs and earning a B.A. in International Studies at the University of St. Thomas.  In 1999, she fulfilled a lifelong dream and opened Discover Gymnastics. 

Discover has grown at a rate of 15-18% per year, and now serves a client base of over 2000 students each week in gymnastics, children’s fitness classes, and a competitive team program for both boys and girls.  Ancillary programs include, super hero training, summer and holiday day camps, weekend child care, and birthday parties, which results in walk through traffic of approximately 4000 people per week.  Discover Gymnastics also has a pro-shop providing attire for all activities. 

Discover Gymnastics hosts two large gymnastics competitions each year - The Texas Classic and The Svetlana Boguinskaia Invitational.  After 26 years, Carly sold Discover Gymnastics to a long-time employee.  At the time of the sale, Discover generates over $4.5m in annual revenue, and employs on average 70 staff members. 

Carly attributes Discover’s success to her employees.  Discover hires dynamic instructors and invests time and energy in their professional development.  This group of individuals has created a community resource “inside the loop” for the convenience of urban families and the 22,000sf state-of-the-art facility on North Shepherd provides just that.

Over the twenty six years operating Discover Gymnastics, Carly has witnessed the underserved fitness needs of children in the community. 

In 2010, Carly earned certification as an executive of non-profits and as a professional fundraiser, from Rice University.  This additional education has expanded the Discover brand to include the Discover Fitness Foundation (DFF).  For the past 15 years this nonprofit charitable organization has awarded athletic scholarships to children fighting obesity, children with special needs, and children with financial need wishing to participate in recreational and competitive level gymnastics.  Carly fundraises approximately $200,000 each year and provides over 200 gymnastics scholarships in 5 different gymnastics clubs each year.  The DFF mission is accomplished by generating and providing the funding, and acting as a liaison organization, linking scholarship candidates with gymnastics facilities near their home.

Carly’s hobbies include travel, her dogs, reading and gardening.