Jazmin Simpson

Jazmin Simpson, From World Champion Cheerleader to Grid League Star

When Jazmin Simpson burst onto the Grid League scene in 2024, she quickly proved she was more than just another rookie. The Orlando Aces utility player captured both Rookie of the Year honors and an All-Star selection in her debut season, drawing attention for her unique combination of strength, agility, and showmanship that earned her the nickname “#dancequeen on the grid.”

Simpson’s path to Grid League stardom began in Mount Airy, North Carolina, where she first stepped into a gymnastics gym at age 10, relatively late for the sport. Despite the delayed start, she advanced to level 8 competition, building the fundamental body control and strength that would serve her throughout her athletic career.

After gymnastics, Simpson found her way to competitive cheerleading, where she truly began to shine. She spent five years with the prestigious Cheer Extreme All-Stars program before joining UNC Charlotte’s competitive nationals team for another five years. Her talent earned her a spot on the Team USA all-girl squad in 2010, where she helped bring home a world championship.

Not content to rest on her cheerleading achievements, Simpson dove into CrossFit competition. Over five years, she steadily improved her rankings in the CrossFit Open, demonstrating the kind of steady progression and work ethic that would later catch the eye of Orlando Aces coach Taylar Stallings.

That connection came through Instagram, where Simpson’s videos, including one showing her “running on her hands and then snatching 200 pounds”, convinced Stallings she had found something special. The coach’s instincts proved correct as Simpson translated her diverse athletic background into immediate Grid League success.

Standing 5’4½” and competing at 165 pounds, Simpson brings explosive power and remarkable bodyweight control to her role as a utility player. Her gymnastics background allows her to excel in bodyweight movements, while her CrossFit experience provides the strength and conditioning needed for heavy lifting events.

Outside of competition, Simpson has built a successful career in fitness as co-owner of NewBody Fitness in Concord, North Carolina. Her coaching philosophy focuses on helping clients push past self-imposed limitations, drawing from her own experience of excelling across multiple sports disciplines.

Simpson’s Southern Baptist upbringing instilled values of positive representation that she carries into both her athletic career and business ventures. Whether she’s competing on the Grid League floor or working with clients at her gym, she approaches each challenge with a mix of determination and joy that has made her a fan favorite.

Through podcast appearances and video interviews, Simpson has shared her unique journey from small-town gymnast to world champion cheerleader to Grid League star. Her story resonates with fans and fellow athletes alike, showing how athletic skills can transfer across disciplines and how a competitive spirit knows no boundaries.

As she continues to develop in the Grid League, Simpson’s combination of athletic versatility, business acumen, and engaging personality positions her as not just a rising star in the sport, but as a role model for athletes looking to forge their own unique path to success.