The story of Glad Movement doesn’t start with a business plan – it starts in 1996, with a wild little legend named Sarah Blackmore.
From the moment she could walk, Sarah was climbing fences, scaling rooftops, and turning every corner of her world into a jungle gym. Her love for movement was loud, messy, fearless – and unstoppable.
By the age of 8, she discovered gymnastics. And by 13, she was already coaching others. That spark? It never dimmed.
Over the next 14 years, Sarah dove deep into gymnastics, cheerleading, and the world of Ninja Warrior – not just as an athlete, but as a neuro-spicy individual navigating competitive sport with ADHD. Through her journey, she saw a gap: too many kids were being coached like robots chasing gold medals, not humans chasing joy.
So, she changed the game.
She stepped away from the traditional competitive model and began crafting something more powerful – a coaching approach that celebrates progress over perfection, fun over fear, and community over comparison.
But Glad Movement is more than just a place to train – it’s a vibe.
Sarah’s love for music, creative arts, and experience in the hospitality and entertainment industry has become part of the Glad DNA. From curated playlists and silent discos to colour-themed parties, local showcases and high-energy events – everything she loves has been poured into this space. It’s a fusion of movement, magic, and moments that make people feel alive, celebrated, and completely themselves.
Glad Movement isn’t just about getting stronger – it’s about moving to the beat of your own joy.
In April 2023, Sarah’s world shifted. Her Nanna, Gladys Blackmore – the biggest cheerleader in her life – passed away.
Gladys wasn’t just a Nanna. She was a force. She framed every newspaper article featuring Sarah’s gymnastics and Ninja Warrior achievements, showed them off to every visitor, and never missed a chance to lift others up.
“She was strong, stubborn, a little bit naughty, and brilliant.”
“When we lost her, I too became very lost.”
While brainstorming business names, Sarah paused to talk about Nanna with her cousin. In that moment, everything clicked.
Glad Movement was born – a name that not only honoured her Nanna but encapsulated what this space would stand for:
Joy. Strength. Celebration. Family. Movement.
At Glad Movement, safety isn’t just a policy - it’s personal.
We’re obsessed with creating a space where every ninja, tumbler, tricker, grown-up and grom can explore their limits without fear. That means intentionally designed layouts, equipment checked more often than the group chat, and coaches trained to lead with both care and common sense.
But we’re not here to bubble-wrap kids or kill the vibe.
We believe in thoughtful risk, smart spotting, and giving every athlete the tools to move bravely, boldly, and biomechanically sound.
When people feel safe - in their bodies and their brains - they don’t just survive challenges… they absolutely launch into them.
That’s the power of safety done right.
We don’t just teach flips - we teach feel-good energy. Every session is pumped full of banger playlists (Glad Athlete Approved™) and backed by science to positively stimulate the brain and boost mood. You’ll catch our crew moving to the beat, dancing between drills, and celebrating every tiny win like it’s a gold medal moment.
Whether you're nailing a new skill or giving something tricky a red-hot crack, our coaches are right there with a high-five, a woo-hoo, or a happy dance that may or may not involve spirit fingers.
Glad-Vibes means we celebrate effort, energy, and growth - not just perfection. We bring the fun, the freedom, and the feels every single time.
Because here, joy is the strategy. And yes - it's completely contagious!
You know that saying, “If I was 10 years younger…”?
Turns out, it’s not just about age - it’s about play.
It’s about the fact that every single day, you used to play - and play is powerful.
At Glad Movement, play isn’t just for kids. It’s how we learn, how we connect, and how we build confidence. Our programs are designed around games, challenges, creative movement, and spontaneous giggles - because we know people learn best when they’re having fun, feeling supported, and free to express themselves. There’s no pressure to win - just plenty of space to explore, experiment, and grow.
Progress looks different for everyone, and we’re here to cheer it all on with high fives and hype.
Everyone who walks through our doors deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued - whether they’re a student, a sibling, a parent, or a passerby.
Kindness is our foundation. We lead with empathy - in our language, our coaching, and our community culture. We know that every person has their own story, their own struggles, and their own way of learning. Our coaches are trained to meet people where they’re at, whether that means adjusting an activity, offering a quiet moment, or simply listening.
But it goes beyond that - we actively teach what it means to be a good human.
From toddlers to teens, we coach not only movement, but how to be polite, considerate, and encouraging - to your friends, your peers, your competitors, and even people you’ve just met. Because we’re not just shaping athletes - we’re shaping kind, respectful legends.
Glad Movement is proudly run by a neuro-spicey legend (shoutout to Sarah 🙌), and filled with team members who know what it’s like to walk a different path.
Here, we celebrate those differences - loudly and lovingly.
We’re neurodiverse-friendly, radically inclusive, and deeply committed to creating a space where every age, background, and ability feels safe, supported, and celebrated.
Our programs are designed to be flexible, adaptive, and welcoming - with clear routines, visual aids, sensory-aware coaching, and a community vibe that meets you exactly where you are.
Whether you’re a high-energy ninja, a quiet observer, a sensory-seeker, or a wobbly beginner - you belong here.
And we hope our space inspires you to believe that whatever your story is, you can absolutely do what you set your mind to.We’ll be cheering you on the whole way.
We don’t just hire coaches – we grow legends.
Our crew is made up of passionate, playful, purpose-driven humans who bring their full selves to every class. Whether they’re spotting a handstand, dancing during warm-up, or celebrating your kid’s first successful monkey bar swing like it’s an Olympic gold, they’re here to make every session feel like the best part of your week.
Each member of our team is personally trained and mentored by our founder, Sarah Blackmore, ensuring they carry the same high standards of safety, inclusion, and FUN that Glad Movement is built on. From Ninja Warriors and gymnastics pros, to cheerleaders, teachers, artists, and movement lovers – our team brings a wild mix of experience and energy into the gym every day.
What makes them special?
✨ They’re not just coaching movement – they’re building confidence, kindness, and community.
🧠 They know that every body learns differently, and they adapt with empathy, humour, and creativity.
🎉 They celebrate every win – big or small – with high-fives, happy dances, and the occasional foam pit cannonball.
💚 And most of all, they make Glad feel like home.
Whether you’re walking in for the first time or coming back for your 100th class, this crew will make you feel like you belong – and remind you that movement should always feel this good.
Our state-of-the-art facility is constantly evolving, thanks to regular updates from none other than Ashlin “Flashlin” Herbert – real-life Ninja Warrior superstar and certified obstacle mastermind.
Ashlin isn’t just known here in Australia – he’s taken on American Ninja Warrior, Ninja Warrior France, and even the original Sasuke Japan (aka the birthplace of Ninja Warrior) two times! His international experience gives us a world-class edge, bringing the latest trends, tricks, and technical designs from the global ninja scene straight into our space.
Every new obstacle he builds is fresh, fun, and just the right amount of freaky (in the best way) – keeping our athletes challenged, inspired, and always guessing what’s coming next.
But the magic doesn’t stop there.
Our programs are created by Sarah Blackmore – Ninja Warrior semi-finalist, gymnastics champion, and certified movement mastermind. With over 15 years of coaching experience and a background in both elite sport and inclusive education, Sarah brings a unique blend of biomechanics, safety, and creative chaos to everything we do.
From tumble tricks and Ninja Warrior training, to GymNICEstics, Mini Movement, and sensory-friendly classes, our programs are designed to meet movers of all ages right where they’re at – and then help them grow. Whether your goal is to swing across the room, stick a cartwheel, or just have fun and feel good, we’ve got a class (or five) for that.
Each program is thoughtfully structured with:
Skill progression & challenge levels
Play-based learning
Strength, agility, and confidence-building for all ages
And a whole lot of movement magic packed in
So whether you’re a wobbly toddler, a fearless flipper, or a parent ready to join the fun – you’re in the right place.