Stephanie first started as a competitive gymnast at the age of 8 years old. She continued competitive gymnastics until the age of 12 and then moved into cheerleading at her junior high school, then her high school. Stephanie competed in all-star cheerleading in 1992 and 1993 as an athlete. She began coaching at the age of 15, and by the time Stephanie was 19 years old, she bought her own cheerleading gym.