Jamison Alford is a seasoned cheer competition announcer, and he shares his journey into announcing, his role in ensuring competitions run smoothly, and the challenges of the job. The announcer plays a big role in timing, handling technical difficulties, and providing encouragement to cheer teams during an all star competition. The episode also includes practical advice for coaches and thoughts on expanding career opportunities within the cheer industry. Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights: 01:30 Cheer Content Creators and Competition 03:21 Interview with Cheer Announcer Jamison Alford 07:35 The Role and Challenges of a Cheer Announcer 18:16 Safety Protocols and Emergency Situations 19:31 Role and Responsibilities at the Music Table 20:05 Technical Tips for Smooth Performances 21:20 Challenges with Music Devices 22:27 The Importance of Music Quality 29:19 Announcer's Rituals and Tips 30:36 Career Opportunities Beyond Competing 31:35 Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea Recipe Your perfect style awaits, with Slick Hair Company! Visit slickhaircompany.com/thecheermomblog and use code THECHEERMOMBLOG for 10% off! Please consider leaving a review for the podcast here!

Your perfect style awaits, with Slick Hair Company! Visit slickhaircompany.com/thecheermomblog and use code THECHEERMOMBLOG for 10% off! This episode features Coach Orby Orta from the California All Stars, discussing his approach to coaching, and what it means to be coachable; not just for athletes, but for parents and COACHES as well. Coach Orby shares insights on effective coaching styles, the value of establishing strong relationships with athletes, and how to adapt coaching methods to meet the evolving needs of today's athletes. He also touches on parental involvement, addressing common issues such as setting realistic expectations and the importance of parent-coach communication. The discussion underscores the significance of trust, innovation, and love for the sport in building successful and cohesive cheer teams. It's no wonder Orby has coached so many successful teams and athletes! Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights: 04:54 Guest Introduction: Coach Orbie Orta 08:06 Coach Orbie's Journey in Cheerleading 09:11 The Importance of Passion in Coaching 10:47 Training and Creativity in Cheerleading 17:28 Balancing Coaching Styles and Personal Relationships 20:15 Building Relationships with Athletes 26:55 Addressing Toxic Coaching Cultures 29:52 The Importance of Being Coachable 32:38 Parental Influence on Athlete Development 40:24 Transitioning Athletes to New Coaching Styles 46:41 The Value of Building Relationships with Parents

CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNING This episode contains subject matter that may trigger some. Please take care while listening. The battle between Monica Aldama and USA Cheer continues as Monica calls the organization out for keeping her on the suspended list, costing her business deals and her reputation. Monica also names Madi Lane in the lawsuit and gives her account of what happened after an event that occurred in September of 2021, which is described in Madi Lane's original lawsuit against former athlete Salvo Amico, Coach Monica, and other Navarro College officials. This episode carefully navigates the lawsuit, detailing the accusations, responses, and impacts on Monica's personal life and career. I've covered this saga in multiple previous episodes, which are linked below. Wanna jump around? Here are some key details: 04:11 Recap of the Lawsuit Against Coach Monica Aldama 05:15 Understanding Lawsuits and Allegations 09:41 Coach Monica's Response 11:28 Details of the Lawsuit 32:59 Monica's Emotional Struggle 33:22 USA Cheer Suspension 36:52 Accusations against Safe Sport and USA Cheer 41:18 Describing Varsity Brands as a Monopoly 48:01 Monica's Allegations and Damages 56:08 Conclusion and Reflections   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tXeUGCCgUlKgKcKpufVY-wpVEwiPE4Yj/view https://bleav.com/shows/the-cheer-mom-podcast/episodes/coach-monicas-beef-with-usa-cheer/ https://bleav.com/shows/the-cheer-mom-podcast/episodes/updates-on-varsity-law-suits-coach-monica-and-is-nca-getting-a-new-home/ https://bleav.com/shows/the-cheer-mom-podcast/episodes/navarro-cheer-bombshell/ Link to law suit brought against Monica Aldama

Your perfect style awaits, with Slick Hair Company! Visit slickhaircompany.com/thecheermomblog and use code THECHEERMOMBLOG for 10% off! "WHY do I need to sign her up for private lessons? Cheer is already expensive enough!" That was my mindset as a new cheer mom. I wasn't wrong, and if you are thinking the same thing you're not wrong either. Then I started to look into private lessons and learned a few things. I'm sharing my thoughts as a 12-year veteran cheer mom now! Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights: 14:19 The Value of Personalized Coaching 18:16 The Importance of Private Lessons 19:19 Types of Private Lessons 20:49 Building Athlete-Coach Relationships 22:22 Dealing with Different Coaching Styles 25:31 Choosing the Right Coach 27:48 Parental Involvement in Private Lessons 30:14 Cost-Effective Alternatives to Private Lessons 34:14 Strength and Conditioning Tips 36:23 Improving Stunting Skills

Toxic cultures in cheer exist. The stories I've heard from so many of you are heartbreaking, and the language and styles that some coaches and owners are using are unacceptable. I am outraged on your behalf. So, I called Jeff Benson, who is an expert on communication and developing a healthy mindset and culture specifically in cheer. Jeff explains what it means to be psychologically safe and provides insights and practical tools for parents and coaches to foster healthier environments. The discussion covers the importance of a growth mindset, effective communication strategies, and the role of parents in recognizing and addressing toxic behaviors. Jeff emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach to creating champion-minded cultures in cheer gyms. Connect with Jeff: Instagram Facebook YouTube Mentioned in this episode (some links may be affiliate links, which means I get a small portion of your purchase, which helps the podcast!): Join me at The Cheer Collection's Premiere Party in Dallas! Crucial Conversations book Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights in the episode: 15:44 Tackling Toxic Traits in Coaching 38:19 Understanding Emotions: The Stoplight Metaphor 38:49 Handling Red Light Emotions 39:39 Gathering Information and Addressing Concerns 41:51 Psychological Safety and Emotional Regulation 45:48 Toxic Culture and Fixed Mindset 49:50 Effective Communication 01:00:03 Balancing Values: Winning vs. Well-being 01:13:50 Champion Minded Culture: Tools and Resources 01:18:58 Changing the Culture of Cheer

I had an engaging conversation with fellow Cheer Mom, Heather, who asked me some insightful questions. We talk about the importance of family focus, effective communication, and maintaining boundaries to keep young athletes grounded. Listen to my personal stories and a little bit of "tea" on the time I lied to my kid right before a competition! Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights: 05:43 Challenges and Surprises of Cheer Parenting 15:17 Balancing Cheer and Family Values 24:48 What's next for me? Join me in Dallas, Texas on July 18th for a very special event! Find out more here.

I had an insightful conversation with my friend Candice from No Limit, Live from the All Star World Championship in Orlando. We talk for a few minutes about the evolution of cheer shoes, but then we dive into balancing being a cheer mom and a cheer business woman. The episode also highlights the what a big crush we both have on TGLC, upcoming events, and mentorship opportunities within the cheer industry. Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights from this episode: 08:52 The Importance of Cheer Shoes 14:54 Balancing Business and Cheer Mom Life 18:54 Building Trust in the Cheer Community 22:50 Flight Crew and Mentorship Program 25:56 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up Join me at the Premiere Party, hosted by The Cheer Collection! Buy your tickets here: https://thecheercollection.com/premiere-party For more information about No Limit, visit www.nolimitsportswear.com

I was nominated for a Globey Award! Vote for me here.  Mentioned in this episode: https://thecheermomblog.com/cheer-team-crossovers-is-it-worth-it/ In my opinion, there are at least 6 questions you need to ask in order to ensure a smooth decision-making process when it comes to cheer crossovers, and I'm going through all of them.

Special guests Maggie and Stephen from Flyer Athletics, Tyler, Texas, join in to share their experiences of running a D2 gym. They talk about the intense competition they crave, their gym's culture, and the balance between pushing athletes and nurturing their skills. With stories about community-building and the emotional rollercoaster of team placements (even for the coaches!), this episode offers an insightful look into the world of competitive cheerleading from a D2 perspective. Purchase The Cheer Dad Survival Guide Follow Coach Maggie Follow Coach Stephen Learn more about the Premiere Party this summer!!!  Wanna jump around? Here are some notable moments in this episode: 07:15 The Journey of Flyer Athletics: From Cheer to Entrepreneurship 11:53 Choosing the All Star World Championship: A D2 Gym's Perspective 16:55 Setting High Standards in a Small Gym 20:48 Competing with Pride 22:36 Fostering a Competitive Edge and Community Support 23:14 Embracing the D2 Identity: More Than Just a Number 24:31 Navigating Athlete Loyalty and Gym Culture 27:56 Setting High Standards and Encouraging Growth 34:47 The Complex Puzzle of Team Selection 38:52 Balancing Encouragement and Realism in Coaching

Cheer requires a high level of time, finances, and sacrifices not just from the athlete, but from the people in his or her life. Here are the details from this episode: With the upcoming cheer season in mind, I HIGHLY suggest having discussions about team placements, setting personal goals, and considering what sacrifices are acceptable for cheerleading with your athlete and among your family. Financial implications, the importance of matching family values with the gym's, and defining success within cheerleading are just a few of the things you need to consider. This episode of The Cheer Mom Podcast provides guidance on managing expectations, the impact of cheer commitments on school and academics, and the importance of loving the sport beyond team placements. These ten specific questions are meant to prompt discussions about managing expectations for the upcoming season. Wanna jump around? Here are some key points within the episode: 02:36 Diving Into the New Cheer Season: Expectations and Preparations 04:48 The Essential 10 Questions for Cheer Families 15:51 Defining Success and Setting Personal Goals 24:41 Evaluating Team Placement and Managing Expectations 30:18 Aligning Gym Values with Family Priorities 32:07 Navigating Sacrifices and Setting Boundaries Mentioned in this episode: Qualities to Look for in an All Star Cheer Program Join our Facebook group! Please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It helps so much!

In this episode of the Cheer Mom podcast, Kristen interviews Abby from Rebel Athletic. They discuss the recent Rebel Couture trip to Beijing and the incredible experiences they had there. They also talk about the upcoming Rebel Casting Call and what it takes to be Casting Call-ready. They highlight the importance of authenticity, confidence, and building relationships within the Rebel community. They also discuss the Rebel ambassador program and the positive impact it has on participants, including increased confidence and the opportunity to be part of the Rebel against Bullying movement. The episode ends with a surprise gift for Kristen from Abby.

Key takeaways: The tryout season in cheerleading can be a stressful and vulnerable time for athletes and their families.Trying out at two different cheer gyms can have various motivations, including finding a better fit, experiencing different cultures, or seeking feedback from multiple sources.It is important to consider the values, goals, and long-term lessons being taught when making decisions about cheer gym tryouts. Join The Cheer Mom Hive Facebook Group Leave a review for the podcast (it REALLY helps!)

While I hope your athlete never gets injured, it's important to be as best prepared as we can to support our kids through injury. In this episode, I talk with two other cheer moms whose athletes suffered injuries that changed their season. We talk about our mama hearts, how we support our athletes, and even the good that can come out of a tough situation. Sponsor: Visit getpomi.com/podcast to learn more

Mathew Lunsford has been in the sports marketing scene for over a decade; negotiating brand deals for athletes, one even at $1 million dollars. He has recently become part of the cheer scene and has noticed huge gaps in how - or even if - cheer athletes get paid.  In this episode, Mat and I talk about how he intends to change that.  Learn more about CHEER FARE: a marketplace that connects cheerleaders with brands that pay. Connect with Mat Connect with me

Carl is a single dad who dove right into the cheer world. When his daughter developed a passion for cheer, Carl learned hair, makeup, and got involved right away. He talks about the learning curve, his observations of our sport, and when he knew it was time to switch gyms. Follow Carl on Instagram

You've probably seen them at a competition or all over social media: Dad Fury has taken the cheer world by storm  Chad and Andrew represent this amazing group in today's episode. They talked with me a bit about how they started, and what their mission is. Give these guys a high five if you see them at a nearby competition. Maybe they'll inspire dads from your gym to follow suit and be a hype squad for your athletes.

Original Air Date: Nov. 1, 2022 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 Facebook group and asked you all what you would ask a college coach. You had great questions, and coach Bruce answers all of them in this episode. Questions like, what does it take to be a college cheerleader? Are clinics required? Do athletes need to have a cheer social media account, and if you're a girl, can you make the team if you're not a flyer or tumbler? This episode is highly informative, and I know you'll enjoy it!   ---------------------------------------------------- End-of-Season Gifts with The Cheer Collection https://thecheercollection.com/ 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

Today we are talking with a very special cheer dad. His name is Steven and we talk about how he and his fellow cheer dads started a movement in their gym, and how that is now spreading to other programs. You may have seen groups out there where the dads are the hype squad - they die their beards (the glitter ones are the best), they wear bright colors, matching jackets, they roll in with their rolling stereo and hype their athletes up. It's something that is just so special. Listen to the episode and learn a little more about how it all got started and where it came from. Thanks, Steven!   Episode Mentions: End-of-Season Gifts with The Cheer Collection https://thecheercollection.com/ 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

Cheer has taken Samantha Ryan all over the world, and has catapulted her into becoming a beloved role model in the industry. She has participated on teams at every level, and is currently in her second year as a Navarro Cheerleader.  Samantha talks with me about her young days in cheer, cheer hairstyles, and even the 'competition morning attitude.' She gets vulnerable too, and opens up about topics that she wishes more people in cheer would talk about. This is such a special episode for both parents and athletes! Follow Samantha Ryan on Instagram   Please leave a review for The Cheer Mom Podcast on Apple Podcasts!

It's high school cheer tryout season, and Hannah Stockman, former coach of a National Champion Varsity team, talks with me all about how cheer athletes - AND their parents - can be best prepared for tryouts!