Because of the Nix6: How Family Led Me to the YMCA

My Y story began, like many things in my life, with my family, what we lovingly call the Nix6. My husband and I have been married for 24 years, and we’ve been blessed with four incredible children and a grandson who lights up our lives. About 12 years ago, we moved from Houston to Dallas for my husband’s job, settling into the Richardson area and starting fresh.

It didn’t take long for me to find the YMCA. At first, it was about my kids and getting them into sports, keeping them active, and connecting with other families in a new city. But the YMCA quickly became more than that for me. It became a place where I found community, purpose, and honestly where I kept my sanity.

I grew up in a small business family. My parents ran a mom&pop hamburger joint called Lunch at Sam’s, and from the age of four, I was bussing tables and taking on responsibilities that shaped who I am. I learned to work hard, care deeply about people, and show up with a servant’s heart. That mindset followed me into every job I’ve ever had and eventually led me to the YMCA.

At the Y, I saw an opportunity to work part time, still be there for my family, and earn a little extra income, all while doing something I enjoyed. Naturally, I wanted to grow and have a bigger impact. I started having conversations and before long, I was supervising the front desk and Child Watch part time.

In 2015, for the first time in my life, I took on a full-time role as the Associate Membership Director at the Plano Family YMCA. It was a huge step, and a blessing in disguise. My youngest, Maverick, was just three and could attend preschool on-site while I worked. That season of life opened my eyes to the deeper mission of the Y. I made lifelong friendships. My kids were immersed in everything from sports and swim lessons to camps and service opportunities. The Y wasn’t just a job; it was becoming the foundation of our family’s rhythm.

By 2017, I stepped into the role of Membership and Business Service Director back at Richardson. This time around, I had a clearer perspective not just about operations, but about our why. Through campaign work, I saw firsthand the impact we could make on the community. It wasn’t just about memberships or programs, it was about stories, transformation, and lives changed.

The summer of 2018 was special for our family. My daughter Trinity started teaching swim lessons. Watching her build confidence, connect with kids, and form her own circle of Y friends made me incredibly proud. Around the same time, my husband got more involved, coaching Maverick’s sports teams and even stepping in to help others. It truly became a family affair.

Then came 2020. Like so many others, we faced uncertainty. It was a time of reflection. I grew even closer to my children during that season, and through it all, the Y empowered me to keep going. In November of that year, I became the Membership Director at Moody. Through it all, my team and I rebuilt that community, supporting one another  and our members every step of the way.

By 2022, I stepped into the Senior Membership Director role. It was a season of growth both personally and professionally. I focused on lifting up others, empowering my team, and building leaders.

And the legacy continued when my second daughter, Mylee joined the YMCA as a swim instructor and Child Watch attendant at Richardson. Watching her discover a passion for teaching has been one of the greatest joys. She’ll be pursuing an education degree soon, and I know the Y played a big part in that journey.

In 2024, I became the Associate Executive Director. It’s been a full-circle moment, leading our facility, supporting our incredible staff, and continuing to be a connector in the community that embraced me so many years ago.

I often tell my team, “You’re either a Y person or you’re not.” Most of us figure it out pretty quickly. For me and my family, the answer was clear from the start. The YMCA has truly shaped our lives in ways I never could have imagined through not only opportunity, but through service and through the people we’ve met along the way.

This isn’t just a job. It's a community. It’s family.

More than a chapter, this is the Nix6 story, living and growing through the YMCA