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    The Cheer Mom Podcast

    The Cheer Mom Podcast is a place that helps cheer moms (and dads!) understand cheer and navigate this crazy world, so we can support our athletes. Listen to experts within the industry on topics like strength and conditioning, keeping our athletes safe, and all things High School, College and All Star Cheer. Grab your cheer mom beverage of choice, and let's be friends!
    en75 Episodes

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    Episodes (75)

    Q&A: NCA, Worlds, Summit & More

    Q&A: NCA, Worlds, Summit & More

    Let's answer some of the questions I have been getting lately! 

    Is NCA changing locations next year? 
    What's the difference between Worlds & All-Star Worlds?
    Can D2 teams compete at Worlds?
    Is it possible to not get a Summit bid?

    All of these answered and more.

     

    Episode Mentions:

    Email Kristen at hi@thecheermomblog.com with questions and comments

    Join The Cheer Mom Hive on Facebook!
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/cheermomhive/

    Follow The Cheer Mom Blog on Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/thecheermomblog

    Follow The Cher Mom Blog on TikTok
    https://www.tiktok.com/@cheermomblog?lang=en

    Shop our cheer-inspired jewelry collection!
    https://thecheercollection.com/

    ⁠⁠

    Music by Alex LaGrossa- Twisted Cutz Music Productions
    https://www.twistedcutz.com/

    The Cheer Mom Podcast
    enMarch 08, 2024

    5 Things That Can Negatively Impact Your Athlete's Score Before They Even Hit The Mat

    5 Things That Can Negatively Impact Your Athlete's Score Before They Even Hit The Mat

    Today I'm interrupting our regularly scheduled programming to talk a little bit about the score sheet, and how your team's score sheet can be negatively impacted before your athlete even hits the mat. 

     

    Episode Mentions:

    End-of-Season Gifts with The Cheer Collection
    https://thecheercollection.com/

    USASF Cheer Rules
    https://usasfmain.s3.amazonaws.com/Worlds/docs/19-20/Cheer/usasf_worlds_cheer_rules-regs.pdf 

    Summit Rules
    https://www.varsity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/VAS_Summit_Rules_22.pdf

    Summit Championship Rules
    https://www.varsity.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Summit-Championship-Rules-23.pdf 

    EPCOT Cheer Parent Incident
    https://www.disneyfanatic.com/cheerleading-team-bullied-disqualified-after-parents-seen-swimming-in-epcot-fountain-ks1/ 

    Email Kristen at hi@thecheermomblog.com with questions and comments

    Join The Cheer Mom Hive on Facebook!
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/cheermomhive/

    Follow The Cheer Mom Blog on Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/thecheermomblog

    Follow The Cher Mom Blog on TikTok
    https://www.tiktok.com/@cheermomblog?lang=en

    ⁠⁠

    Music by Alex LaGrossa- Twisted Cutz Music Productions
    https://www.twistedcutz.com/

    The Cheer Mom Podcast
    enMarch 06, 2024

    Confusing Things About All Star Cheer

    Confusing Things About All Star Cheer

    All right. There are a lot of overwhelming, confusing things about cheerleading. That's probably why most of you are here listening to the podcast, why you follow the Cheer Mom blog on social media, why you've read any one of my blog posts or emails.

    Because the majority of us walk into our first cheer competition our athlete's first cheer practice and we go, "Whoa... what is this?" 

    And in some ways that feeling never goes away. So, as I've been at your events this season, I've kind of been just like jotting down little notes about like, I don't get it. That's confusing. You guys, I've been doing this 12 years and I still walk around going, I don't understand.

    This is confusing. Why do we do this? Why is it this way? So this episode is really just gonna be a vent sesh and commiseration over things in cheer that just don't  make sense to me. That are just confusing. Maybe you can relate to some of them. I don't have a solution. It's not like a problem solution episode where it's like, I was confused about this, and then I found out it's that. 

    No, not really. It's just going to be me getting on my soapbox and talking about things that are confusing. You ready? 

     

    Everything You Want to Know About Bids

    Join the Cheer Mom Hive on Facebook

     

     

    Music by Alex LaGrossa- Twisted Cutz Music Productions

    The Cheer Mom Podcast
    enFebruary 28, 2024

    Supporting Your Athlete at Home

    Supporting Your Athlete at Home

    Today's episode is going to answer a few of the common questions that are asked in all of the Facebook groups. "How do I support my athlete at home? My athlete wants to improve their skills. What do we need to be working on with them at home to make that happen? What's the best tumbling mat? What is the best Airtraq? What kind of exercises should they be doing?" etc.

    If you are not part of the Cheer Mom Hive Facebook group, we are over 8,000 members going strong. And there are some really helpful people in there asking and answering questions and offering support.

    And one of them is Coach Sunni Wheeler. Yeah, fellow Wheeler, no relation. Coach Sunni has been a gymnastics coach and a cheer coach for many years. And she is also a content creator on Tik Tok and has some really funny videos about coaching and what it's like from a coaching perspective. 

    She caught my eye in a Facebook group talking about what your athletes should and should not be doing at home from a coaching perspective. We dive deep into that today and her answers really intrigued and surprised me.

     

    Follow Coach Sunni on TikTok!

    Join the Cheer Mom Hive on Facebook

     

     

    Music by Alex LaGrossa- Twisted Cutz Music Productions

    The Cheer Mom Podcast
    enFebruary 21, 2024

    Surprising Opportunities College Cheer Can Bring

    Surprising Opportunities College Cheer Can Bring

    Today's episode we're here to talk about college cheer from the perspective of an actual college athlete. But not in a way that you might think. Cheerleading in college is something that I think a lot of times as parents look to as a status symbol. 

    And it is especially now, seeing your cheerleader make a college team can mean all kinds of opportunities. Like an incredible game day experience that not many people get to have. It is a built-in community. It's almost like a sorority of its own, like unofficially.

    Being on the cheer team may provide additional resources. Like access to. Athletic meal plans or venues that they might not otherwise have experienced. Those are all good things. Campus life, the letter jackets, all of the automatic things that we think about when it comes to college cheerleading.

    But one thing that you may not be thinking about, I certainly hadn't, is the other opportunities that being on a cheer team in college bring that are applicable to what the students may be studying. So I got to sit down with a University of Colorado Boulder cheerleader. 

    Joie is a senior at CU Boulder. She has been in cheerleading for so much of her life and went on to be a college cheerleader. My daughter introduced Joie to me and mentioned she was the social media captain for the cheer team.

    I never really thought about that being an official position or official role within the cheer team. And I honestly never thought about a student running the social media account. How cool is it that a student not only gets to run the social media account, but there's a role for like social media and marketing captain. It turns out she was a marketing and advertising major. 

    I won't spoil the rest of the interview, but Joey and I talk about the opportunities afforded to her and potential opportunities that could be afforded to your athlete by being a part of the cheer team at their college or university and what that can translate into beyond a great game day or spirit or campus life experience. Joie is such a sweetheart. She took time out of her two and three a day practices during national season to talk to me and Joie, I just appreciate you so much. You're going to do amazing things. 

    Colorado Buffs Cheer

    ⁠⁠Follow The Cheer Mom Blog on Instagram

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    Music by Alex LaGrossa- Twisted Cutz Music Productions

    The Cheer Mom Podcast
    enFebruary 14, 2024

    All Things NCA

    All Things NCA

    When we say NCA, for a lot of you that could mean different things. But usually when people say NCA they are talking about NCA super nationals in Dallas, Texas. Usually the end of February or the first weekend of March. It is one of the biggest cheer competitions in the world, even surpassing the Summit. It surpasses Worlds in terms of attendance, and in some cases even hype.

    I've been getting a lot of questions about different parts of NCA so I thought I would take a minute (or two or three or 20) and talk about the different aspects of NCA weekend. What to expect what's worth it. What's not worth it in my experience. What it's all about. So here we go. 

     

    A Parent's Guide to National Cheer Competitions

     

     

    Music by Alex LaGrossa- Twisted Cutz Music Productions

    The Cheer Mom Podcast
    enFebruary 07, 2024

    Level One Teams and Advocating For Your Athlete

    Level One Teams and Advocating For Your Athlete

    TGLC will always have a special place in my heart, but there is another team that has caught my attention this season and we have to talk about them.

    No, it is not another world's team. It is the medium youth level one Kitty Katz from Cheer Athletics Plano.

    I am a fan. I am obsessed. It's the whole institution that is Kitty Katz, including one of their coaches, Coach Cam.

    Do not overlook level one teams. Do not overlook youth level teams. That NCA jacket, that summit ring looks just as good on a level one finger as it does on a level five finger is all I'm going to say. I am vying for my spot to be an honorary kitty-kat. Whatever it takes. I feel like I have what it takes to be an honorary member of this team.

    Cam & I talk about the importance of the level one and two teams, and the importance of youth level athletes. I think that sometimes we get wrapped up in the big show and the allure of these advanced level teams that we forget about the foundation of these beginner level teams.

    We also talk about the parent coach relationship and the parent athlete relationship. When it comes to those younger athletes, I think a lot of times I get carried away with philosophies and advice about your athletes advocating for themselves and taking a quieter or more backseat role and letting her athletes do the pushing and your athletes do the talking. That isn't always possible when you have a six or seven year old athlete.

    So Cameron and I talk a little bit about strategy around how you can be advocating for your athlete when you're teaching them how to advocate for themselves or when they can't necessarily advocate for themselves at all. Super fun conversation. A lot of great information. Thank you, Coach Cameron. And I'm ready for my spot.

    I'm ready.

    Episode Mentions

    Kitty Katz Cheer Athletics Plano

    Coach Cam

    Top Gun Large Co-Ed (TGLC)

    Let's Talk Cheer - Jason Larkin's Podcast

    The Cheer Biz Podcast - Dan Cotton

     

    Music by Alex LaGrossa- Twisted Cutz Music Productions

     

     

    The Cheer Mom Podcast
    enJanuary 31, 2024

    Cheer Competition Pet Peeves

    Cheer Competition Pet Peeves

    In this episode I talk about all the things in cheer competitions I think need to change. And I also may have thrown in a handful of pet peeves in there too. But nonetheless! Things like food shortages, wait times, bathroom makeup parties, and clapping to the (wrong) beat of the music. We all want our experience at these competitions to be great and memorable, so here are a few things I think could help.

    Let us know your cheer competition pet peeves in the Cheer Mom Hive Facebook Group!

     

    Episode Mentions:

    The Cheer Collection Ambassador Application

    Behind the Scenes of Cheer Music, with Alex LaGrossa

    Pop Up Changing Tent

    Let's Talk Cheer - Jason Larkin's Podcast

    The Cheer Biz Podcast - Dan Cotton

    The Cheer Mom Podcast
    enJanuary 24, 2024

    Famous Worlds Teams: How does it all work? With TGLC Team Mom, Kristen Brooks

    Famous Worlds Teams: How does it all work? With TGLC Team Mom, Kristen Brooks

    I had the honor of talking with not just a fellow, Kristen, not just a fellow cheer mom, but a cheer mom named Kristen, who is also one of the team moms for my favorite team, TGLC, a back-to-back World Champion.  

    TGLC dominates every competition that they're in. Everyone wants to know what TGLC theme is going to be, what their uniform is going to look like. Every athlete wants to take pictures with a TGLC athlete when they see them at competitions. They are famous. And if you've listened to the podcasts, I am a big fan. 

    Kristen takes care of TGLC athletes in such a special way, so she gives us a little peek at what it is like behind the scenes for TGLC athletes and her take on how and why they are such a successful team. She talks about some of the things that go into making that successful team, and she answers the question of how do they actually feel about being asked to take selfies. And how the moms feel about their kids being asked to take selfies. I loved this conversation. 

    If you see her at a cheer competition, give her a fist bump, a high five, a hug. Tell her thank you. She is the real deal when it comes to cheer moms. Take a listen.

     

    Episode mentions:

    Follow Kristen Brooks on Instagram!

    The Cheer Collection

    The Cheer Collection Ambassador Application

     

    3 Times Cheer Made Me Cry

    3 Times Cheer Made Me Cry

    Happy 2024, and welcome BACK to the Cheer Mom Podcast!

    Today I am talking about the three times that cheerleading made me cry. And not just like a dabby dab, like, oh just happy or emotional cry. I mean, like, gooley cry. Picture red nose, tears flowing, sobbing to the point of dehydration kind of cry. The kind of cry where mucus and all of the things coming out of every orifice of your face, kind of crying. 

    Episode Mentions:

    A Parent's Guide to National Cheer Competitions

    Let's Talk Cheer - Jason Larkin's Podcast

    The Cheer Biz Podcast - Dan Cotton

    The Cheer Mom Podcast
    enJanuary 10, 2024

    Our Most Shared Episode: Overcoming Mental Blocks with Debbie Love

    Our Most Shared Episode: Overcoming Mental Blocks with Debbie Love

    You guys...we have reached more than 100,000 downloads of The Cheer Mom Podcast! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, for sharing the episodes, and continuing to listen. 

    This month we're throwing it back to our most popular episodes so far. Today's episode was one of the debut episodes of the show, and it happens to be the most shared episode!

    Debbie Love is known as the "Tumble Queen," and she talks with me about supporting our athletes through mental blocks and mastering their skills. You don't want to miss the wisdom she shares!

     

    Shop TheCheerCollection.com for holiday gifts! 

    Coach Monica's Beef with USA Cheer

    Coach Monica's Beef with USA Cheer

    The story continues, as Coach Monica Aldama calls out USA Cheer. The lawsuit against her has been dropped for months, but she had some things to say about the process with one of the governing bodies of cheer. I'm covering it and inserting my opinions with what I believe are some over-arching problems in the industry.

    Link to Emily Baker's Podcast mentioned in the episode:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXKtBOtQrjk

     

    Shop The Cheer Collection.com - holiday sales coming soon!

     

     

    Are you and your cheerleader driving each other crazy on competition morning? Here are some strategies that might help

    Are you and your cheerleader driving each other crazy on competition morning? Here are some strategies that might help

    Competition morning is a day that most cheer moms dread. Do you and your cheerleader fight like cats and dogs on competition day? The yelling, the hair pulling, the crying...and that's just in the parking lot while you're looking for a spot! 

    If you and your cheerleader find yourselves stressed and constantly arguing on competition morning, I'm going through some strategies that might help.

     

    Join my free live workshop, starting October 28th!

    Click here to register (did I mention it's free?)

    Athlete Dynamics at Practice, with Jason Larkins

    Athlete Dynamics at Practice, with Jason Larkins

    I'm giving Jason Larkins some scenarios you might find between athletes at practice. What happens when athletes are bossing each other around? What about when an athlete isn't trying hard enough or pulling their weight? How does a coach deal with that, and how should parents approach it? 

    Jason is an All Star Cheer director and the host of the Let's Talk Cheer Podcast. If you haven't checked out Let's Talk Cheer, you definitely should!

    Listen to Let's Talk Cheer

     

    Register for my FREE workshop for Team Moms!

    https://thecheermomblog.com/free-online-workshop/

     

    5 Ways to Make Money from Home

    5 Ways to Make Money from Home

    I'm about to say something really obvious: Cheer is expensive.
     
    We've been paying for cheer for so long, I don't even want to think about what we might have been able to pay for if we'd saved that money over the years....college? a month-long Sabbatical in Maui? a private jet?

    It makes sense that almost every cheer mom I know is looking for ways to offset the cost of cheer. Money is not easy to come by, and with all the practices and trips to the gym for those private lessons that will supposedly get your Susie to that back tuck faster.

    Team fundraising can be a good way to discount your fees, but it can be time-consuming, and not every program offers it. So, I thought I would offer some creative ways to help you offset the cost of cheer that will fit into your own lifestyle and in your own time. You can even do most of these things during cheer practice!

     

    To learn more and get the links to all the companies I mention in this episode, you can visit the show notes, here.

    Keeping Our Kids Safe On Social Media, with Dan Cotton

    Keeping Our Kids Safe On Social Media, with Dan Cotton

    Social media can be a big part of a cheerleader's lifestyle. Showing off skills, uniform reveals, and posting photos of cheer besties can all be part of the experience.

    Social media can be a positive thing that connects our small world of cheerleading and helps to create community and connection, but as we all know, there is a dark side to it, and as we have seen in recent years in the cheer world, it can be a place for unfettered bullying and even abuse by those in power.

    Dan Cotton is not only a powerful force in the cheer industry, he is also a trained police officer, specializing in online safety. In this episode he talks with me about everything from cheer influencers, to appropriate interactions between athletes and coaches online.

    If you listen to only ONE episode of The Cheer Mom Podcast, make it this one. It's packed with such valuable information to keep our kids safe online and on social media.

     

    To connect with Dan:

    Learn about Dream Camps

    Listen to The Cheer Biz Podcast

    Connect with Dan on Social Media

     

     

    Join Our Cheer Mom Facebook Group

     

    Shop The Cheer Collection and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for a special discount!

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