Vanessa McCoy-Nelson & Cogen Nelson 

As the owners & head coaches of Golden Dreams Vanessa & Cogen have passion to make sure all students who enter through the doors find a place they can thrive and feel encouraged!

Vanessa fell in love with the sport of gymnastics from an early age and has DREAMed of owning a gymnastics academy since the age of 10. Now, many years later that DREAM is a reality! For over 20 years Vanessa has coached gymnastics at all levels ranging from preschool classes through Level 10s who went on to compete in the NCAA or Elite. She is so excited to bring this experience to North County San Diego!

Cogen grew up playing a variety of sports, but football was his favorite! Cogen went on to play D1 Football at Jacksonville University, and later felt called to serve our country in the Marine Corps. After serving, Cogen found his way into the world of Functional Fitness, and onto staff for Power Monkey Fitness Camp held at Flip Fest Gymnastics Camp in Tennessee. This is where Cogen & Vanessa met, got engaged & married! After meeting, Vanessa suggested Cogen start coaching gymnastics(because strong guys to help spot is always a bonus!) and he has been doing so since 2016 also falling in love with the sport!

Vanessa & Cogen have a heart for serving the community through gymnastics, because they know it goes beyond the physical-developing essential life skills students can carry with them in all areas of life. They value character, self confidence and the importance of perseverance. As coaches, the Nelsons measure success by what each child takes with them when they leave the sport.