Janel grew up in northern Detroit, Michigan, where she grew up in the world of competitive gymnastics and competed all the way up to level 10. She finished first on bars at the 2008 Region 5 Championships as a Level 10 gymnast. She went on to study at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, exploring different majors including psychology, kinesiology, sports medicine, physical therapy, and nursing. She also competed as a Division I springboard diver for Michigan.

In the past few years, Janel has taken a deep interest in her own yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices. Yoga has taught her the importance of flexibility and stability in addition to power and strength in gymnastics. When she coaches, she likes to emphasize the brain-body connection to improve gross motor development. Also known as Coach J, she is thrilled to be at The Cave.

When she is not coaching she is working on graphic designs, social media and the website for The Cave. She also loves all things water, being from the Land of the Lakes. Go Blue!