Hidden Gym is proud to announce that we are now sponsors of the brand-new USA ICON Pageant Series. Our principles of community, education, and philanthropy, align well with the goals of the pageant – empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential both inside and outside the gym.

Our new partnership with USA ICON extends this support to aspiring pageant competitors not just in Texas, but across the nation too. We’ll be offering them world-class training resources, personalized fitness coaching, and ongoing mentorship from our skilled staff, as they pursue their pageant crowns and their goals and aspirations beyond the stage.

This sponsorship is a significant step for both ICON and Hidden Gym. USA ICON launched its inaugural season only this year. The pageant is the creation of pageant veteran Aryssa Joel, who used the insights of her own pageant experiences to design a system with fresh, innovative elements to augment important traditions.

The competition’s core values of Intelligence, Confidence, Optimism, and Nobility – hence the name – resonate deeply with Hidden Gym’s mission to build not only stronger bodies, but more confident, resilient minds.

Through this partnership, winners of USA ICON regional and national pageants will be awarded exclusive access to Hidden Gym’s facilities, to our app-based programming, and to discounted pageant preparation coaching, ensuring they receive comprehensive support tailored to the unique demands of pageantry.

Aryssa Joel: From Competitor to Pageant Director

More than just a pretty face, Joel graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Human Science. She brought a passion for event management and a heart for service to her competitive career – attributes she honed under McCoy’s guidance.

When she decided to bring her time on the pageant stage to an end, it was to move into leadership and development roles, ultimately founding USA ICON to address the evolving needs of modern competitors. Her goal was to create a pageant platform that champions intelligence and authenticity, and offers practical resources for personal and professional development.

As National Director, Aryssa ensures that each regional event reflects the brand’s commitment to empowerment. This is true from the Southern States to the Midwest and West Coast. It’s about camaraderie, excellence, and growth. USA ICON.

Hidden Gym: A Leader in Elite Training

Aryssa Joel, the driving force behind USA ICON Pageants, first crossed paths with Greg McCoy when she sought specialized training for her campaigns in the Miss Illinois and Miss Kansas systems. The professional relationship grew from there.

Founded by Greg McCoy and his wife, Tawna, Hidden Gym has grown into one of North Texas’s premier fitness destinations. Hidden Gym offers one-on-one sessions led by nationally certified coaches, group classes from high-intensity interval training to boxing with T-Mack Elite and beyond. You’ll find training in MMA, youth fitness, and recovery services including IV therapy and physical therapy, 4,000 sq ft of turf for sled pushes, HIIT circuits, and athletic conditioning, all in a state-of-the-art facility.

Hidden Gym’s dedication to ongoing education isn’t hidden at all. We ensure that staff remain at the cutting edge of exercise science. Members benefit not only from a supportive community atmosphere, bolstered by regular seminars, workshops, and charity events, but from truly professional class coaching and advice. And it’s all designed to foster physical and personal growth.

So, is it a good fit for partnership with the ICON pageant?

USA ICON Pageant Series: Tradition Meets Innovation

The USA ICON Pageant Series is about helping people reach their potential, in a setting of community, mutual respect, and high standards of training and development.

Each ICON contestant embodies the pillars of the pageant: Intelligence, Confidence, Optimism, and Nobility. The one who takes first place emerges not just as a pageant winner, but as a mentor and leader in her community. In fact, this is the goal for all of the contestants, wherever they place.

The series also features a Photo Contest, awarding free entry or fee credits to top submissions, further democratizing access to the pageant experience.

Finally, the USA ICON Pageant Series introduces a multi-tiered competition structure, including regional events (e.g., Southern States in Dallas-Fort Worth, Midwest & West Coast in Chicago, etc.) and National Finals, to be held in summer 2025. It also includes, of course, several age divisions and segments, to showcase a variety of traits and talents.

That sounds like a great match with the ethos of Hidden Gym.

Sponsorship Benefits: Empowering Champions

Hidden Gym’s sponsorship of USA ICON includes an exclusive prize package for titleholders, including:

• Lifetime Membership at any Hidden Gym location
• Personal Training Consultations with coaches, hand-picked for pageant preparation
• Customized Workout Programming delivered through the Hidden Gym app
• Discounted Pageant Coaching for interview skills, stage presence, and wardrobe consulting

The benefits are not tied to a particular place, either. Winners can choose in-person sessions at the Allen facility, or they can work remotely via live video calls and app-guided workouts. This is great for those who don’t live near one of the Hidden Gym locations, and it also ensures seamless integration of training into busy travel schedules.

This comprehensive support system aims to support every facet of pageant readiness, from core strength for the fitness segment to posture and poise for evening gown presentations. Perhaps most of all, it adds to the community support and confidence contestants can have access to.

Online Coaching

Perhaps most valuable to a contestant on the pageant circuit, those unable to attend Hidden Gym in person on a regular basis can access the digital platform. This includes:

• Video Consultations: Real-time feedback on form, posture, and stage walk
• App-Based Programming: Daily workouts tailored to each competitor’s timeline
• Virtual Community: Peer support groups and monthly live Q&A webinars

Whether polishing up an on-camera interview or perfecting that graceful runway turn, pageant athletes benefit from Hidden Gym’s holistic approach, balancing physical training, nutrition guidance, and even mental performance coaching.

The goal is to neglect nothing, resulting in a holistic, balanced development of the whole person, mind, body, heart and community.

Titleholders who Worked with Hidden Gym

Miss Illinois, Aryssa Joel

Let’s start, of course, with Aryssa Joel.

Originally from Illinois, she gained prominence in the pageant circuit after being trained by (among others) Greg McCoy, the owner of Hidden Gym in Texas. Aryssa competed in the Miss Illinois and Miss Kansas pageants, showcasing her talent and dedication to fitness and wellness.

Miss Illinois, Samantha Elliot

Samantha Elliot is known for her achievements in the Miss Illinois pageant, where she demonstrated a strong commitment to community service and advocacy. Her involvement with Hidden Gym in Texas has highlighted her dedication to physical fitness and personal growth, contributing to her success in beauty pageants.

Miss Texas, Catherine Spratto

Catherine Spratto, representing Texas in pageantry, has distinguished herself through her leadership and advocacy. Her collaboration with Hidden Gym in Texas has focused on promoting health and wellness initiatives, enhancing community engagement, and inspiring others through her platform.

Mrs. Texas, Lynn Starling Dowell

Lynn Starling Dowell, as Mrs. Texas, has made significant contributions to her community through her involvement with Hidden Gym in Texas. Her advocacy for health and fitness, combined with her dedication to supporting local initiatives, has earned her admiration and respect within the pageant community.

Mrs. Texas, Brieana LaCaze

Brieana LaCaze, representing Texas as Mrs. Texas, has excelled in promoting wellness and empowerment among women. Her partnership with Hidden Gym in Texas has focused on mentoring and coaching aspiring pageant contestants, emphasizing the importance of physical and mental well-being.

Conclusion

The Hidden Gym and USA ICON partnership marks a new chapter for pageantry, a chapter in which fitness, confidence, and community work together to create well-rounded role models.

By offering tailored training – both in person and online – specialized recovery services, and mentorship from industry leaders like McCoy and Joel, this collaboration empowers women to excel under the spotlight… and also in life beyond the crown.

Aspiring contestants eager to elevate their preparation are encouraged to explore Hidden Gym’s Free Pass, or to schedule a one-to-one info session. You can even do that via the Hidden Gym app.

Whether you’re competing regionally this spring, eyeing the national stage in July, of are a fan and want to train like your pageant heroes, Hidden Gym stands ready to guide your growth and transformation. Maybe you’ll be the next champion to get a lift upward from the support of the staff and members of Hidden Gym.

For more details on memberships, app programming, and pageant coaching packages, visit hiddengym.net or contact us at info@hiddengym.net. Let Hidden Gym be your partner in achieving pageant excellence, both onstage and off.