Kristen discusses the emotional challenges and dynamics of evaluation season in cheerleading. She emphasizes the importance of managing expectations and supporting athletes (and ourselves!) through anxiety. The conversation also explores how parents can redefine success for their children beyond just outcomes, focusing on personal growth and character development. Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! ...
Jun 04, 2025•41 min•Ep. 155
With the end-of-season emotions mixing with beginning-of-season pressure, it felt like the perfect moment to do a roundup episode about the most requested, most discussed, most “please help me, I’m lost in the YouTube comments” topic ever: Mental blocks. Whether your athlete is deep in the weeds of a mental block or you just want to be ready when that inevitable moment comes (because let’s be real—it usually does), this episode is a must-listen. Share it with your cheer mom group chat. Save it f...
May 08, 2025•32 min•Ep. 154
Has The Summit lost its prestige? Is it too easy to get a bid? Do some teams not deserve a bid because of their low scores? Let's talk about it. Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off!
May 04, 2025•29 min•Ep. 153
Kristen discusses the importance of celebrating small victories in cheerleading, and how these moments contribute to the emotional growth of young athletes. She emphasizes the need for parents to recognize and appreciate the progress their children make, regardless of competition outcomes, fostering a positive environment that nurtures confidence and maturity. Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visi...
Apr 18, 2025•32 min•Ep. 152
More and more, high schools are telling their athletes they can’t do All Star, and vice versa. So more athletes are having to choose, and it’s not always an easy, clear cut choice. That depends on so much. It depends on where you live, the strength of either program, what you want to do during high school, after high school, and it just keeps going. In this episode, Kristen breaks down questions and factors to consider to help guide cheerleaders (and their parents) through the decision-making pr...
Apr 11, 2025•32 min•Ep. 151
"Have you ever seen Bring it On?" This is one of the many questions that make us roll our eyes in the cheer world. In this episode, Kristen addresses the misconceptions and stereotypes about cheer. Cheer is so often misunderstood, and Kristen brings a reminder of the dedication, discipline, and passion that fuel this sport. Enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off at tccjewelry.com
Apr 08, 2025•19 min•Ep. 150
Join Kristen, Dan Cotton (Cheer Biz Podcast) and Jason Larkins (Let's Talk Cheer Podcast), as they record and answer questions in front of a live audience. Book a photo shoot with me in Florida! I'm working with athletes, teams, stunt groups and families to create unforgettable memories. Visit https://www.plentyofsunshinephotography.com/cheer-sessions to see if I'll be at your end-of-season cheer event this April or May. Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order Apol...
Apr 03, 2025•50 min•Ep. 149
Heather Jones and her daughter, Lily, share a heartfelt conversation about the silent struggle too many athletes face with eating disorders. Lily opens up about her own battle, the toll it took on her health, and the difficult road to recovery. With the unwavering support of her family, friends, and her Stingray Allstars cheer family, she found the strength to heal. Now, as a member of the world-famous Stingray Allstars Orange, Lily is using her journey to inspire others, reminding athletes that...
Apr 01, 2025•59 min•Ep. 148
Kristen breaks down how AI tools like ChatGPT can be a game-changer for cheer moms and coaches alike. She highlights how these tools streamline communication, help craft the perfect messages, and make planning for cheer competitions a breeze. It’s an insightful, practical conversation that’s all about making life easier—on and off the mat! Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.c...
Mar 28, 2025•31 min•Ep. 147
Cheerleading is a passion, a commitment, and for so many, a way of life. But what happens when it starts to feel like more of a burden than a joy? In this episode, Kristen breaks down five key signs that it might be time to step back—whether that means taking a break or retiring from competitive cheer altogether. If you’ve ever questioned whether to keep going or move on, this one’s for you! Here's the episode with Jeff Benson about Toxic Cultures in Cheer Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHE...
Mar 25, 2025•39 min•Ep. 146
Kristen talks with special guest Nicole 'Snooki' Lavalle, who discusses her lifelong connection with cheerleading and balancing family life as a cheer mom and a celebrity. They touch on the challenges of being a public figure in the cheer world and offer advice for fellow cheer moms. Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order
Mar 20, 2025•32 min•Ep. 145
It’s Q & A time , people! Kristen’s tackling big stuff that keeps cheer parents up at night — think late practices, the business side of cheer, travel logistics, and those oh-so-fun late-night performances. Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order Try the Slick Stick on your own hair and on your cheerleader’s hair and experience the magic at slickhaircompany.com and enter code: THE CHEER MOM BLOG at checkout for 10% off today...
Mar 18, 2025•37 min•Ep. 144
In this episode, Kristen talks with Nancy Ory, whose daughter is part of the world-famous Cheer Athletics Panthers. They dive into the challenges of transitioning between a smaller gym to Cheer Athletics, the emotional journey of being a cheer mom, and the competitive cheerleading world. Nancy shares the importance of supportive coaching, a positive environment, and the dedication needed from both athletes and families. They also discuss the impact of injuries, building relationships with coache...
Mar 16, 2025•39 min•Ep. 143
Kristen is back at Cheersport in Atlanta for the first time in 5 years, and she's sharing all the insider tips on how to survive—and thrive—at this massive cheer competition. Plus, she had an adult athlete take the floor, and she’s giving us the lowdown on what it’s like to be on the other side of the mat with a grown-up competitor. It’s a whole new experience, and Kristen is spilling the tea on what went down!
Mar 06, 2025•55 min•Ep. 142
Kristen reflects on the chaotic weekend during NCA All Star Nationals in Dallas, Texas, where an incident caused mass panic and evacuation. She shares her personal experience, the emotions felt during the crisis, and the overwhelming support from the cheer community. Kristen emphasizes the importance of connection, kindness, and healing in the aftermath of trauma, while also addressing the challenges of processing such events. Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit a...
Mar 04, 2025•37 min•Ep. 141
This episode features a special interview with Haleigh Booth and her daughter Harper, who are famous on TikTok and Instagram. They talk about Harper's journey in all-star cheerleading, their social media experiences, and how they manage TikTok fame. Harper, a seven-year-old, shares her love for cheerleading, her favorite activities, and advice for other young cheerleaders. Haleigh provides insights and challenges faced as a newer cheer mom, and both offer advice to the cheer community.
Feb 22, 2025•39 min•Ep. 140
Join a cheer mom roundtable discussion, as Kristen asks common questions that begin and end with, “Is This Normal?” From dollars spent, to coaching decisions, and mental blocks, find out how other teams do it and hear advice from experienced cheer moms. Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off!
Feb 13, 2025•56 min•Ep. 139
TCC Jewelry is for moms and athletes! Enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order at tccjewelry.com Kristen and Coach Lain Lee talk about the never-ending commitment of cheer, and how gym culture can make or break your kid’s experience. They also get into the very real need to have a life outside of cheer, because if your athlete's only hobby is tumbling and stunting, it might be time to reassess. Plus, they tackle how to handle criticism without losing your mind.
Feb 11, 2025•56 min•Ep. 138
Cheer action shots: sometimes you get the perfect jump, or that key moment when the flyer hits their body position, or even the coaches who look like they’re about to pop a vein because they’re screaming so much encouragement to their athletes… and then, more often than not, you get the accidental, mid-tumble, eyes-half-closed, mouth-wide-open action shots of our kids. You know the ones. Because for every perfectly timed, awe-inspiring shot, there’s at least one that makes your kid look like the...
Feb 07, 2025•46 min•Ep. 137
Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off! Kristen and TikTok Celebrity Cheer Creator, Judge Mimi, tackle the confusion of the score sheets and different cheer scoring systems around the world, focusing in on the intricacies of the dance in a cheer routine. Find Judge MiMi on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@judge.mimi Find Judge MiMi on IG: https...
Feb 03, 2025•55 min•Ep. 136
In this episode, Kristen interviews Chelsea and her daughter Houstyn, the creators of Future Flyer Face Off, a groundbreaking cheerleading competition where young athletes perform elite college-level stunts with experienced partners. They discuss the inspiration behind the event, its rapid growth, and their plans for the future. The conversation also covers safety considerations, the importance of trust between athletes and coaches, and new opportunities in the cheer community. Visit tccjewelry....
Jan 31, 2025•38 min•Ep. 135
Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off! Visit tccjewelry.com and enter coupon code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off of your order. Navigating bullying in cheerleading is a whole different beast—it’s not just about mean girls; it’s about the emotional minefield of female friendships. In this episode, Kristen gets real about her own experiences and why handling drama with compassion (instead of matching the energy) is the r...
Jan 29, 2025•43 min•Ep. 134
Let’s talk about one of cheer moms’ biggest triggers - Stay to Play. Reps from Varsity talk with Kristen about what it is, who benefits, and why we run to the booking link like madmen when it goes live.
Jan 24, 2025•50 min•Ep. 133
This episode is basically a love letter to all the cheer moms who want to save their sanity when traveling. From packing like a pro to breezing through hotel check-ins and actually surviving the trip home, we’ve got the tips to make travel feel less like a nightmare and more like a win. Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off! Links Mentioned: ...
Jan 22, 2025•40 min•Ep. 132
On this episode, Kristen Wheeler dives headfirst into the wild world of all-star cheer, comparing it to a cult—but, you know, in a loving way. From the unbreakable traditions to the wallet-draining demands and ride-or-die loyalty, Kristen serves up a hilarious yet honest take on what it really means to live that cheer life. She keeps it real about the sacrifices—both emotional and financial—that come with cheer, while dishing out some sage advice on setting boundaries and keeping your sanity int...
Jan 16, 2025•30 min•Ep. 131
Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off! Going to a Super Nationals event soon? Here's a resource for parents: https://thecheermomblog.com/a-parents-guide-to-national-cheer-competitions/ The conversation covers: Why Junior 6 teams compete at The Summit instead of Worlds. The decision to remove Youth divisions from The Summit and the creation of...
Jan 13, 2025•48 min•Ep. 130
This episode serves up personal anecdotes, insider "gossip", and a dash of nostalgia as Kristen talks about the cheer unicorn that is Colorado cheer. It’s the perfect mix of drama, humor, and heart that’ll have you saying, “Wait, I need to hear more about that!”
Jan 10, 2025•46 min•Ep. 129
Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off! Kristen sits down with Coach Lain Lee, a personal and mental performance coach who helps athletes master both their skills and mindset. From perfecting back handsprings to tackling the mental side of the sport, Lain shares powerful insights and a unique approach. Together, they explore the concept of mental blocks: What are they really ? Why do athletes face them? And how m...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 128
You may think, “me too,” or, “that’s GENIUS” when you hear some Cheer Mom confessions from around the internet. We listen and we don’t judge!!! Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off! You may think, “me too,” or, “that’s GENIUS” when you hear some Cheer Mom confessions from around the internet. We listen and we don’t judge!!!
Jan 04, 2025•21 min•Ep. 127
In this episode, Kristen chats with Officer Dan Cotton about the art of keeping your kids safe at cheer events. We break down how to spot risks, manage online interactions, and stay one step ahead. Dan shares practical tips for parents (spoiler: yes, you do need to keep an eye on their DMs) and reminds us why open conversations and a little team effort can go a long way. Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off!...
Dec 20, 2024•25 min•Ep. 126
