As we celebrate 50 years of helping kids build confidence, strength, and lifelong skills at The Little Gym, we are making sure to honor the people who have helped shape our legacy of “Serious Fun” along the way. A story like Sarah Cantera’s, truly encapsulates the vision of The Little Gym.
Sarah’s journey with The Little Gym began when she was a child walking into class as a Bird. Years later, Sarah returned as a teenage instructor, and today, she proudly owns The Little Gym in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her story is a true full-circle moment and reflects the lasting impact The Little Gym has on those who become part of its community.
A Childhood Filled with Confidence and Fun
When asked if Sarah remembered what she loved as a student of The Little Gym, Sarah recalls that she spent much of her childhood at The Little Gym, from her earliest classes through the moment she officially “aged out.” While she doesn’t remember every detail, what stands out most is how much fun she had.
“I always just remember I just had a lot of fun as a kid. As I got older, it was really about just being able to come in and have a lot of fun and learn new skills,” Sarah recalls. Unlike other activities she participated in like ballet, which came with a very different environment, The Little Gym offered a space where growth didn’t feel as intense as other spaces.
That sense of belonging she felt at The Little Gym stayed with her. She celebrated birthdays at The Little Gym and built confidence simply by showing up week after week. When she turned 12 and could no longer attend classes, she knew she wasn’t ready to leave.
“I just wanted to come back,” she says. “I wanted to be a teacher because I loved being here so much.”
From Shy Teen to Confident Leader
Remembering her time there as a fun place to play and thought that it would be great way to continue that was to work at The Little Gym. At 14, Sarah became a teacher at The Little Gym, a time when she describes herself as shy and unsure of who she was.
Through ongoing feedback, mentorship, and encouragement from her leaders, Sarah began to grow that confidence that she was teaching her kids how to grow.
“They were almost teaching me just like they taught the kids and through my first couple of years here I completely blossomed into really a whole new person and was able to start being a leader in my classes and with parents” she explains.
Another defining moment for Sarah came when she attended her first Little Gym conference at age 16. What she thought was simply a fun place to work suddenly revealed a deeper purpose.
“I went into it not really knowing much other than being that The Little Gym is a fun place to play with kids. I learned so much more about what the company is, what we stand for and why we do what we do every day.” Sarah says. “We’re helping kids become who they are and setting them up for life. That realization changed everything for me.”
Learning What It Means to Be an Owner
As the years went by, Sarah worked at multiple Little Gym locations across different cities, learning from a wide range of owners and leaders. Having the opportunity to learn from so many people, she was able to define the kind of owner she wanted to be, how she would support her team, build relationships, and create a positive culture.
By the time she stepped into ownership, she had already spent years managing gyms and leading teams. While owning her own location brought up new responsibilities, the heart of the work felt familiar.
“It’s not all that different from being a gym director,” she says. “It’s just my own place now and I have even more heart in it.”
Every decision she makes and every child she teaches carries deeper meaning, knowing she’s creating the same kind of environment that once shaped her own life.
Why The Little Gym Was the Right Choice
For Sarah, choosing The Little Gym wasn’t just about opening a business, it was about continuing a mission, she believes in deeply.
Her long history with the brand as well as her passion for working with kids gave her confidence in the curriculum, the child-development foundation, and the support provided through the franchise system. The ability to rely on proven programs, marketing, and decades of expertise made entrepreneurship feel exciting rather than overwhelming.
“The thought of starting your own business is scary and I’m not sure that I would want to do it if I had to you know make the curriculum myself or do all the marketing myself,” she admits. “Having the backing of The Little Gym makes such a difference.”
Looking back, Sarah feels her path was almost naturally set — shaped by years of growth, mentorship, and meaningful experiences within The Little Gym community.
“I truly believe The Little Gym is the right choice,” she says, “for kids, for families, and for anyone who wants to make a difference through what they do every day.
