Your Real Competition Isn’t the Gym Next Door

In this candid episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton tackles a hard truth: the gym down the street isn’t your enemy. Most programs are serving 1–2.5% of local youth, which means the real opportunity isn’t poaching athletes—it’s growing awareness of all-star cheer, tumbling, and youth programs so more families enter the sport in the first place. You’ll hear why your true competition is often soccer, volleyball, and other full-time sports, not fellow cheer owners, and how collaborative marketing can lift every program in your area. What you’ll learn: Why the market is far from saturated—and how to reach first-time families How two gyms marketing simultaneously can increase total demand Practical ways to coordinate offers, timing, and messaging with nearby gyms How to reduce “poaching panic” and refocus on long-term athlete pipelines (hello, ages 7–8) A mindset shift that creates calmer seasons, better culture, and more revenue for everyone If you’re a cheer gym owner, coach, or program director, this episode is your blueprint for going from rivalry to real growth—together.