Overall, team bonding is essential for cheerleaders as it strengthens team dynamics, fosters trust, enhances communication, and promotes a positive and supportive environment. These factors contribute to better performance, increased motivation, and a more enjoyable cheerleading experience for all team members. Tune in as I talk about team bonding and go through some of my favorite team bonding events! For a full list of over 30 team bonding ideas, complete with free downloads for the BINGO with...
Jun 08, 2023•24 min•Ep. 40
For most of us, it’s already a cheer new season. This time of year always brings fresh starts, new friends, new goals, and new teams. But a new score sheet, age grids, and shakeups in team alignment can cause many athletes to deal with disappointment during this time. In this episode, I'm talking about some ways you can help your athlete navigate through disappointment through the season. Even if you have the team placement you wanted, save this for when (not if) you or your child are disappoint...
Jun 01, 2023•22 min•Ep. 39
Cheer is a physically demanding sport that requires extreme dedication, hard work, and a fierce team dynamic. And for those who choose to be crossovers or double team for two All Star teams, the challenge doubles. But is it all worth it? In this episode, I’m breaking down the pros and cons of being a crossover on a cheer team, and talk about things you, your athlete, and your family should consider before making a commitment to being a crossover. Ultimately, the decision to become a crossover sh...
May 25, 2023•39 min•Ep. 38
This week I am replaying a conversation that I had with Jason Larkins on the Let's Talk Cheer podcast, so I thought it'd be fun to play that on this podcast. If you don't already listen to Let's Talk Cheer. Jason does a great job. He has some phenomenal guests on his podcast, and he really knows what he's talking about. We recorded this a while back, but this is such a timely episode for tryouts. We talk about how Jason does team placements at his gym, and what we believe "trust the process" rea...
May 19, 2023•59 min•Ep. 37
In this episode, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the All Star World Championship. I share my experience, and mini-interviews with the event producers and founders, giving us insights into how they organize the event and what goes on behind the scenes and how they overcome create a seamless experience for everyone involved. If you're a fan of end-of-season All-Star cheer events or just want to learn more about what it takes to put on a world-class cheer competition, then this episode is a mus...
May 11, 2023•42 min•Ep. 36
Major news in the cheer world as a former Navarro cheerleader comes forward with allegations. Content warning on this episode. If you or someone needs help, the SA hotline is available to you: 1-800-656-4673 I am covering the lawsuit made against Coach Monica Aldama and Navarro College, alleging coverups made in the cheer program. Sources: https://krdo.com/entertainment/cnn-entertainment/2023/04/28/navarro-cheerleader-accuses-cheer-coach-monica-aldama-of-attempting-to-keep-sexual-assault-claim-q...
May 04, 2023•34 min•Ep. 35
building-resilience-and-confidence-for-tumbling-successIn this episode of our podcast, we sit down with Eric Thompson, the Tumble Chef, to discuss the importance of building resilience and confidence in tumbling. As an experienced coach, Eric shares his insights on how to develop a strong mindset that can help athletes overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the process of learning new skills rather than just the end result, and shares practical ti...
Apr 28, 2023•45 min•Ep. 33
In this podcast episode, we speak with Hannah Stockman, a cheerleading coach who has won multiple national championships. Hannah shares her insights and advice on how to prepare for high school cheer tryouts, including what both students and parents should do to ensure success. Hannah stresses the importance of having a positive attitude and strong work ethic. Hannah also addresses the role of parents in supporting their children's cheerleading aspirations. She advises parents to help their chil...
Apr 21, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 33
In this podcast episode, I had a conversation with Brent Steele, the owner and founder of Steele Athletics, where we discussed how to be best prepared for All Star Cheer tryouts. Brent talks about key factors that both athletes and parents should consider before tryouts. If you are an aspiring All Star Cheer athlete or a parent of one, you don't want to miss this informative and practical conversation. Brent Steele is from a small Oklahoma town now residing in Colorado. Brent graduated from the ...
Apr 13, 2023•55 min•Ep. 32
Here’s the truth: I hate fundraising for cheer. There are a lot of things I would rather do than ask people for money, figure out who donated, and then deliver whatever it is that they bought. I would rather go without coffee on competition day. I would rather tell my husband how much we spent on snacks alone at the last travel event. I would rather do The Cupid Shuffle. That’s how much I don’t like fundraising and the headache that it brings. I once participated in a fundraiser where we sold pe...
Apr 05, 2023•33 min•Ep. 31
When choosing an All Star Cheer program, It's important to do research. So, how do you know whether a D1 program or a D2 program is the best fit for your athlete? In this episode, I sat down with Chris Comfort, aka " Cheer Boy Mom " to discuss the nuances of D1 and D2 programs. We explore how the size of the gym, number of athletes in the program, and the level of skill and competition vary between D1 and D2. Chris shares insights on how families should choose between D1 and D2 programs, taking ...
Mar 23, 2023•52 min•Ep. 30
You sent in your cheer-related questions, and I'm answering them in today's episode! From cheer 101 to some hard-hitting questions, I'm reading actual questions from real listeners. THANK YOU for your reviews, and for sharing the podcast! It keeps it (and me!) going. Thanks to our sponsor: Prodigy Cheer Apparel
Mar 16, 2023•22 min•Ep. 28
Heidi Weber is the Director of Operations for the Open Series Championships, which is connected with the All Star World Championship. She also directs the Celebrity Cheer and Dance Championships, and she is involved as a leader in the All-star cheer industry. Heidi believes in giving people a voice and she believes in giving us, the cheer parents, the customers, affordable options. And maybe even the best part about Heidi is that she no longer plays the Cupid Shuffle at her events. Heidi and I t...
Mar 08, 2023•36 min•Ep. 27
So, your athlete is ready to join a cheerleading program. Or maybe it’s just time for a change. Either way, you’re thinking about enrolling your child in a new gym, and you’re not sure where to start. The most important thing to do is to sit down with your athlete and immediate family and decide together what’s most important to you. It’s so critical for everyone in the family to be on the same page and know what’s required in competitive cheerleading and dance. In this episode, I break down key...
Mar 03, 2023•28 min•Ep. 27
This episode is for cheer parents and athletes alike. Ashley Steinberger, The Cheer Nutritionist, breaks it down for us today. Ashley is a Registered Dietician, and a former All Star cheerleader, high school cheerleader, and she cheered at a D1 college, so she knows all the things about cheerleading. As The Cheer Nutritionist, Ashley helps cheerleaders with their nutrition for optimal performance. It's not about weight loss; it's not about dieting, and she has advice for athletes of all ages. Sh...
Feb 23, 2023•39 min•Ep. 26
It's one of the top questions that cheer moms are asking one another: "How do I help my athlete get through a mental block?" It's so hard to see our kids struggle. Jeff Benson is one of the most sought-after and knowledgeable tumbling and cheerleading coaches in the industry. He holds a master's degree in counseling psychology and an undergraduate degree in kinesiology. He took his passion for cheer and his interest in psychology, blended them together, and created Mind Body Cheer , which focuse...
Feb 17, 2023•50 min•Ep. 25
Ever wondered what it takes to be a professional cheerleader? Before you think, “Oh, professional cheerleading is not for high school or All Star cheerleaders, it's mostly for dancers,” wait! My guest on The Cheer Mom Podcast has some things to say about that. Nicolette Peloquin is a former Miss Rhode Island, a veteran Patriots Cheerleader, and the proud co-owner and founder of The Prep Talk: a personal development and branding company that helps aspiring pro cheerleaders and college cheerleader...
Feb 08, 2023•43 min•Ep. 24
The All Star Cheer world is full of conversations about bids. Just about everyone wants a "bid" to something. But what is a bid? What is a bid event? How do you get a bid? Why is it important? Is it important? We're talking through all of it today. Hit "play" in the podcast above to hear my (nonexpert) explanation. Special Thanks to our sponsor: Prodigy Cheer Apparel Get the Show Notes for this episode, complete with sources, here: https://thecheermomblog.com/everything-you-want-to-know-about-bi...
Feb 02, 2023•35 min•Ep. 22
I put my husband, Byron, in the hot seat in today's episode! He talks about his journey from barely showing up at competitions, to sitting in the arena at NCA for 10 hours to watch the big teams with us. He also shares his very special skill, which *ahem* I do NOT condone...how he sneaks into competitions without paying. Thanks to our sponsor: Prodigy Cheer Apparel
Jan 27, 2023•33 min•Ep. 21
Chances are that your athlete has a team they are OBSESSED with. They've seen all their videos, they know the names of all the flyers, and they watch them any chance they can. On this episode of the podcast I talk about famous cheer teams, my personal favorite, why I think they're important, and the lessons we can learn (and teach!) from them! Special Thanks to our sponsor: Prodigy Cheer Apparel Join us in the Facebook Group: The Cheer Mom Hive Find videos of all these teams in the show notes fo...
Jan 19, 2023•25 min•Ep. 20
Danielle Donovan is the owner of CHEERFIT, the world-renowned workout method and certification that combines cheer-inspired exercises for a fun, high-energy workout! Danielle's inspiration for CHEERFIT came during her time as a D1 cheerleader for Syracuse University. Today, CHEERFIT has evolved into a global movement connecting cheer, dance and fitness enthusiasts around the world through its ambassador program, proven workout method and virtual certification. CHEERFIT has been featured in every...
Jan 13, 2023•35 min•Ep. 19
In this episode of The Cheer Mom Podcast, we're learning more about what to look for when comparing teams in your athlete's division with the help of today's guest, Gina Harris. Gina Harris is a cheer coach and a cheer mom, and the story of what led her to become a cheerleader and eventually a cheer coach, is one of the most impactful stories I've heard in cheerleading. Gina is a six-time State Championship Coach and Choreographer, and the founder of Cheer Coach Academy, an online cheerleading r...
Dec 22, 2022•53 min•Ep. 18
What can you expect when you travel for cheer? What do you pack? Where do you go? What's it like from competition to competition? I'm going through it all, plus some details about specific events, like UCA High School Nationals, NCA, Cheersport, Jamfest, and more. Get the free packing checklist, here! Special thanks to our sponsor: Prodigy Cheer Apparel...
Dec 16, 2022•47 min•Ep. 17
What does it take to be a great Team Rep? How can you support your Team Rep? I've got some tips in this episode for you! Thanks to our sponsor: Prodigy Cheer Apparel Link to Team Mom Tookit: https://thecheermomblog.com/category/teammom/
Dec 08, 2022•31 min•Ep. 15
Have you ever wondered about the cheer score sheet? I have! I've been doing this a really long time every year it's an enigma to me. Craig Hallmark is my guest today, and he's going to break it down for us. Craig has been involved in the All Star industry for 25 years. He's been an owner, a choreographer, he's been a safety judge, and now he is currently The Open Championship Customer Experience Manager. His responsibilities include educating and training judges on The Open Championship Series. ...
Nov 30, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 15
What happens at a cheer competition? We all know that the athletes perform, but what comes before that? What comes after? What does the process throughout the day look like? WHY does the schedule come out so late, and what in the world are we cheer moms supposed to wear? I'm going through it all in this episode, from the week leading up to the cheer hangover at the end. Plus, I'm joined by a very special guest! THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: Prodigy Cheer Apparel GET THE HOLIDAY "CHEER" GIFT GUIDE! SHOW...
Nov 23, 2022•50 min•Ep. 14
David Owens was an OU cheerleader, a coach, and an All Star gym owner. He started running cheer events as a side hustle, and now running cheer competitions and events is his full-time responsibility. He owns and operates the Rockstar Championship, and he's part owner of Gold Rush and The Open Series competitions, which is part of the All Star World Championship. It's clear to me that David not only loves cheerleading, but he has a deep commitment to our sport: to making it safer and better for a...
Nov 15, 2022•40 min•Ep. 13
Today is alllll about All Star cheerleading. Whether you're thinking about getting your athlete started in All Star, just getting into it, or you're a seasoned veteran, there's something new to learn! I'm talking about the history of All Star Cheer, divisions, age grids, and what to expect when it comes to the financial and time commitments. JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP: facebook.com/groups/cheermomhive Thanks to today's Sponsor: Prodigy Cheer Apparel...
Nov 08, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 12
You asked, and we listened. By popular demand, it's an episode all about college cheer! And I got to talk to one of the best in the industry: The head coach of Texas Tech cheer, Bruce Bills. Coach Bruce has been involved with this program for TWENTY. YEARS. He led the Tech coed team to their first large coed D1 Championship. He's been named coach of the year by the College STUNT Association. He knows what he's talkin' about, and he was so gracious to spend some time with me. I took to our Facebo...
Nov 01, 2022•48 min•Ep. 11
I'll admit I totally fangirled over today's guest. I've admired Kristen Rosario's creativity, leadership, and entrepreneurship from afar for years. She is the co-founder of Top Gun Allstars, and one of the coaches of the Cheerleading Worlds Grand Champion team, TGLC. For those that are like, "What's a TGLC?" TGLC stands for Top Gun Large Coed, and they are one of the best, most fun teams to watch. They're one of the winningest teams in all of Allstar cheerleading, and they pack venues everywher...
Oct 25, 2022•34 min•Ep. 10
