Jeff Webb, who typically keeps a low profile in the cheer world, especially within All Star cheer, has made one of his most public statements to date. The Cheer Collection is now TCCJewelry.com ! Use code CHEERMOMPOD at checkout 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! Read Jeff Webb's letter in its entirety here My September 5th podcast interview with Jeff Webb Part One of my podcast serie...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 125
In this episode, we tackle the important topic of staying safe at cheer competitions. With growing concerns about AirTags and the potential dangers in downtown competition areas, Kristen is joined by Dan Cotton, a gym owner, cheer coach, and law enforcement professional. Dan shares practical and essential safety tips that every cheer parent and athlete should know to stay vigilant and secure during these events. Connect with Dan on The Cheer Biz Podcast Here are some highlights: The truth about ...
Dec 03, 2024•49 min•Ep. 124
In this conversation, Kirsten Jones and Kristen Wheeler discuss the importance of empowering children in their athletic journeys, particularly in the context of youth sports and cheerleading. They emphasize the need for kids to take ownership of their experiences, the challenges of athletic burnout, and the significance of fostering a lifelong love for fitness. The discussion also touches on redefining success in sports beyond just winning and preparing young athletes for life after their sports...
Nov 27, 2024•45 min•Ep. 123
Kristen has often discussed college cheer and the expectations surrounding the experience, but when her daughter made a D1 college team, even she was surprised by some of the challenges college cheerleaders face. Kristen shares her honest perspective on college cheer and is joined by a very special guest to help tell the story—her daughter, Abby.
Nov 22, 2024•44 min•Ep. 122
“Why would you spend that much money on cheer clothes they’ll never wear? What are you getting out of it? Why don’t these cheer moms realize that it’s a scam?” These are questions being asked in the cheer mom community, specifically to moms who have chosen to enroll their daughters in the Rebel Ambassador program. Kristen sat down with a couple of “Rebel Moms,” and they got very honest, never shying away from the tough questions. Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visi...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 121
Coach Cameron helps to answer a question sent in from a listener about whether it's time to pull her daughter from competitive cheerleading. Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off! Send in your questions to hi@thecheermomblog.com and they might get answered in an episode of the podcast!
Nov 17, 2024•23 min•Ep. 120
Enter Code: THECHEERMOMBLOG for 15% off your purchase at senitaathletics.com Your perfect style awaits with Slick Hair Company. Visit slickhaircompany.com/thecheermomblog and use code: THECHEERMOMBLOG for 10% off.
Nov 12, 2024•38 min•Ep. 119
Highlights from this episode: Values to Look for in a Cheer Gym Dealing with Cheer Parents Spotting Red Flags in Cheer Gyms The Role of Governing Bodies in Cheerleading Connect with Danielle and NextGen: https://nextgenowners.com/blog/ Buy Danielle's book Visit LaunchHydrate.com to discover how you can earn money while unleashing your potential and reaching peak performance at every crucial moment. Enter Code: THECHEERMOMBLOG for 15% off your purchase at senitaathletics.com...
Nov 08, 2024•39 min•Ep. 118
Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights: Financial management is crucial for gym owners to avoid burnout. One of the most significant sources of revenue for gyms (it will surprise you!) Staffing is key; coaches must be both skilled and reliable. Feedback from parents is essential for continuous improvement. A gym should show growth in communication and training each season. Safety and emotional investment in athletes are paramount. Coaches should focus on building personal connections with a...
Nov 05, 2024•36 min•Ep. 117
When it comes to being ready for the day of a cheer competition, you know what to do for your athlete, but how can a cheer mom be prepared? From what to pack in your bag, what to wear, and more, Kristen’s covering all the essentials for a smooth competition day experience. For all of Kristen’s competition day tips, visit https://thecheermomblog.com/competitionessentials/ Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights: Competition Day Preparation for Parents Food and Snack Hacks Packing Tips What to...
Oct 29, 2024•45 min•Ep. 116
Visit LaunchHydrate.com to discover how you can earn money while unleashing your potential and reaching peak performance at every crucial moment. Connect with Gina: https://www.cheercoachacademy.com/
Oct 22, 2024•55 min•Ep. 115
Cheer competition day hair can be a big pain in my ways than one! Let's talk about which styles look the best, and which are the most functional for cheer athletes. Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off!
Oct 15, 2024•26 min•Ep. 114
Wanna jump around? The Rise of Apolla Socks in Cheerleading The Unique Benefits of Apolla Socks The Shark Tank Experience The Science Behind Apolla Socks Building a Brand for Dancers and Athletes The Importance of Recovery Engaging with the Cheer Community The Future of Apolla Socks in Cheer Use Code CHEERMOM2024 to get 10% off your next order from Apolla! Senita Athletic Wear: Strong, comfortable and AFFORDABLE active wear! Get 15% off with code THECHEERMOMBLOG at senitaathletics.com/thecheermo...
Oct 07, 2024•52 min•Ep. 113
The long-awaited hair and makeup blog post is finally here! Get 10% off your order from ApollaPerformanceWear.com with code CHEERMOM2024 Visit TheCheerCollection.com to shop inspirational jewelry styles, made just for the cheer community!
Oct 04, 2024•54 min•Ep. 112
In this conversation, Kristen interviews TGLC athlete, Alaina and her mom Liz, about their experiences with TGLC and the culture of being involved on the team. The conversation also addresses misconceptions about TGLC athletes, the importance of family support, and the balance between school and competing at this level.
Sep 30, 2024•41 min•Ep. 111
Every Cheer Mom Freaks Out : Let’s face it, every cheer mom has her moments of freaking out, and it’s completely normal. Kristen reminds us that these moments are just part of the parenting journey by sharing her own moments of panic and stress throughout her time as a cheer mom. Tune in for a candid, funny, and relatable episode that every parent—cheer mom or not—can relate to!
Sep 27, 2024•35 min•Ep. 110
Kevin Jones played a key role in shaping the industry, from his involvement with NCA to helping create NCA All-Star Nationals. We also discuss the significance of preseason events like the All-Star Premiers and the Game Day Rally. These events offer teams a unique opportunity to showcase their routines and receive feedback before heading into competition season. Throughout the conversation, we emphasize the importance of collaboration and unity among industry leaders to foster growth and success...
Sep 23, 2024•39 min•Ep. 109
This episode of the Cheer Mom podcast focuses on essential hair and makeup supplies and tips for competition day, including how to get a sleek high pony without the stress, the one thing everyone needs to achieve a flawless makeup look, and Kristen’s favorite makeup remover. Cheer athlete and coach, KaNeya, reveals her hacks for quick styling, making any cheerleader competition-ready in just 5-10 minutes on day two of competition! Click here to view detailed hair and makeup tutorials, and a full...
Sep 19, 2024•40 min•Ep. 108
The pre-competition phase is the part of the season when so many cheer athletes feel like quitting. The newness of choreography and new teammates has worn off, and now they’re just in the grueling work. In this episode, Kristen talks about how to keep athletes motivated and maintain a positive mindset. Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights: 08:51 Tips to Get Through the Monotony 09:13 Team Bonding and Motivation Strategies 13:15 Setting Short-Term Goals and Rewards 18:09 Reflecting on thei...
Sep 16, 2024•24 min•Ep. 107
In this episode of the Cheer Mom Podcast, we dive into a fascinating conversation with Jenny, an experienced cheer judge and devoted cheer mom. Jenny provides valuable insights into the complexities of cheer competitions, score sheets, and the art of judging. We explore intriguing questions such as how a cheer team can win despite experiencing a mishap, the significance of elite skills and technique, and why a universal score sheet may not be feasible. Kristen delves into these topics and more, ...
Sep 12, 2024•53 min•Ep. 106
There was a series of episodes that I feel didn't get enough love and attention last season, so I am bringing back some of the best moments from all of them. Dad Fury, Firestorm Dads, and Carl Eppolito all have their own take on cheer, but one thing they all have in common is they want to be involved in cheerleading and supporting their girls. Share this episode with your favorite cheer dads and maybe they'll get some fun inspiration from these dynamic groups of cheer dads from all over the coun...
Sep 09, 2024•22 min•Ep. 105
Special guest, Jeff Webb, the founder of UCA and Varsity Spirit, shares his journey from being a high school and college cheerleader to managing NCA and ultimately building his own cheerleading empire. He offers behind-the-scenes stories of founding UCA, overcoming challenges, and witnessing the sport’s evolution over the years. The conversation touches on the international growth of cheerleading, the push for Olympic recognition, and the critical focus on safety. Jeff also reflects on the joy h...
Sep 06, 2024•48 min•Ep. 104
Kristen answers questions about must-haves for cheer athletes, whether or not USASF standards are optional, and the decision-making process of moving from prep to elite cheer. Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights: 05:27 Must-Have Cheer Gear 12:14 Competition Realities and Strategies 20:53 Governing Bodies in Cheerleading 21:32 Understanding USASF and Its Role 24:16 Limitations of USASF Authority 30:56 Deciding Between Prep and Elite Cheer Your perfect style awaits, with Slick Hair Company...
Aug 31, 2024•46 min•Ep. 103
The episode dives into the specifics of different types of tumbling mats and the progression of tumbling training. Cory - a former tumbling coach and current AirTrack rep - explains the differences between dead mats, spring floors, rod floors, and Airtracks. Cory gives recommendations for home tumbling equipment and drills - with a few caveats and coaching disclaimers, of course! Visit getpomi.com/podcast to learn more and see how you can be better protected from the “what-ifs” that happen in ch...
Aug 26, 2024•39 min•Ep. 102
Kristen explains the significance of championship gifts and tokens in the cheerleading world, highlighting the differences between various competitions. From banners and trophies at local events to coveted Letterman jackets at major events like NCA, the episode dives into what athletes receive when they win a regional event or a large, Super National competition. A special focus is given to the custom-designed championship rings crafted by renowned designer Santwon, whose intricate and thoughtfu...
Aug 22, 2024•28 min•Ep. 101
It’s the 100th episode of The Cheer Mom Podcast, and part two of the conversation with Justin Carrier! Today, Kristen and Justin get into the nitty-gritty of some of the hard-hitting questions you all have had in recent months: Scoring, fair judging, and how Summit has become such a big deal. Your perfect style awaits, with Slick Hair Company! Visit slickhaircompany.com/thecheermomblog and use code THECHEERMOMBLOG for 10% off! Use code: POD15 at TheCheerCollection.com for 15% off your order. Amb...
Aug 19, 2024•49 min•Ep. 100
Justin Carrier is a foundational figure in the cheerleading industry, and has been on the list of "dream guests" for the podcast since before the first episode even aired. From being one of the first athletes ever to compete in the bandshell in Daytona, to his current role overseeing NCA and Varsity Spirit, Justin has made big contributions to the sport of cheer. This episode is part one of a two-part interview, and Justin shares insights about the differences between UCA and NCA College Nationa...
Aug 15, 2024•50 min•Ep. 99
This is Part 3 in the series that dives into how Varsity Brands became a multi-billion dollar business. Make sure you go back and listen to Parts 1 and 2! In this episode, we're diving into some common questions and concerns about Varsity Spirit. Finalist pin shortages, missing champion jackets and medals at competitions, the inclusion of Disney tickets in event registration fees, and the stay-to-play policy: they're concerns of cheer parents everywhere, and I'm tackling the answers. Try to appr...
Aug 12, 2024•41 min•Ep. 98
Today, we look at the intricate history and business strategies of Varsity Brands. To the best of my ability, and after months of research, conversations with people in the cheer industry, and a deep dive down some really strange rabbit holes, I’m giving an overview of Varsity's evolution from its inception in Jeff Webb’s humble apartment to the billion-dollar business that it is today. We’re going to learn how All Star cheer came into play in all of this, and impactful ways cheer parents can ad...
Aug 09, 2024•58 min•Ep. 97
This episode is Part 1 is a series about the rise of Varsity as a dominant force in the cheer industry. In order to understand how Varsity became Varsity, we have to start at the very beginning: a very good place to start, according to Dame Julie Andrews and her friends, Rogers and Hammerstein. Cheer started in the 1800s, but it looked very different from what it does today, including the little detail that women weren’t even included on cheer teams. But two key figures took cheer to the next le...
Aug 05, 2024•42 min•Ep. 96
