Honoring a Heart for Inclusion
Prairie Grit is proud to recognize Talli Danelson as the 2025 Roger Mazurek Heart Award recipient. The award honors individuals whose passion, leadership, and care have transformed lives in the adaptive community. For Talli, that impact has been felt most through her vision and dedication to building Adaptive Gymnastics at Gymagic.
Talli’s journey with Gymagic began in 2013 when she joined as the recreation program coordinator. Four years later, she stepped into the role of Executive Director, leading the gym through seasons of growth while staying connected to what mattered most: creating opportunities for kids and families. “I feel really lucky to have grown with the gym and to be part of the amazing community we’ve built here,” she says.
Adaptive gymnastics had been on her heart for years, but it wasn’t until Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports was founded that the pieces came together. “Partnering with PGAS gave us the support we needed,” Talli explains. “I knew I wanted to take the lead in bringing Adaptive Gymnastics to life.” What started as an idea quickly became one of Prairie Grit’s most successful programs. Children as young as three began building confidence, strength, and coordination on the mats. Many carried that courage beyond gymnastics, stepping into other adaptive sports, high school activities, and new challenges with pride. “Once athletes realize what they can do here, that courage carries over into other areas of their lives,” Talli says.
The program’s success is easy to see in the small and big moments alike: athletes lighting up after learning a new skill, families cheering at Night of Stars, or the thrill of seeing kids compete in their very first meet. “Moments like those make all the hard work worth it,” she reflects.
Prairie Grit Executive Director Krystal Butgereit says Talli’s leadership has been the driving force behind the program’s growth. “Talli brought energy and a deep belief that every child deserves a chance to succeed,” she says. “She built a culture where athletes feel safe to try new things, parents feel supported, and volunteers feel inspired. Gymnastics has turned into more than a sport—it is a community thanks to Talli.”
What keeps Talli motivated is simple. “The joy I see in the athletes and the pride they feel in themselves,” she says. “It’s not just coaching—it’s witnessing lives being changed through movement.” Looking ahead, she hopes Adaptive Gymnastics will continue to be “a place where kids feel confident, celebrated, and excited to move,” while also opening doors for children to believe in themselves and feel proud of who they are.
Her vision, dedication, and heart have created a program that has changed lives and strengthened a community. For that—and for the hundreds of athletes and families who have found confidence, joy, and belonging on the mats—Talli Danelson is a most deserving recipient of the 2025 Roger Mazurek Heart Award.