College Nationals is here—and for many cheerleaders, it’s the moment they’ve been working toward all year.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• My personal experience competing at college nationals
• What really goes into preparing for this level
• Why every program (not just the big-name schools) deserves your attention
• What athletes actually need to succeed in college cheer

If your athlete is thinking about cheering in college, this episode will help you look beyond the spotlight and find the right fit—both on and off the mat.

We also break down the real foundation of performance:
*Strength
*Stability
* Body control

Because at the end of the day… it’s not just about skills—it’s about how well you can move.

Want help getting your athlete ready?
Check out the Injury Prevention Starter Kit + resources below.

Interested in testing my new app (free beta)?
Send me a message—I’d love your feedback!

Ask A PT HERE

Connect with Laura, The Cheer PT HERE

If this content resonates, please leave a review which will help me improve.

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Most cheerleaders are told they need more flexibility to jump higher…

But what if that’s not actually the missing piece?

In this episode, we’re breaking down why sprinting might be one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools to improve your cheer jumps. From toe touches to tumbling, sprinting trains the exact qualities cheerleaders need—power, coordination, and control.

You’ll learn:

• Why flexibility alone won’t improve jump height
• How sprinting improves explosive strength and timing
• The connection between sprinting and cheer skills like jumps, tumbling, and stunting
• Simple ways to safely add sprinting into your routine

If your athlete has been working on jumps but not seeing progress… this episode will give you a new direction.

Remember: We don’t just train muscles—we train movement.

Want help putting this into action?
Check out my programs and resources designed specifically for cheerleaders to move better, get stronger, and stay injury-free.

Have a question you want answered? Ask a PT HERE

Should your cheerleader push through… or take a break?

In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, we’re talking about something most athletes—and parents—struggle with: knowing when it’s time to reset.

From year-round schedules to constant practices and competitions, today’s athletes rarely get a true break. But what happens when their body (or mind) starts asking for one?

You’ll learn:

• Signs your athlete may need time off
• Why rest is essential for both performance and long-term health
• How taking a break can actually improve strength, skills, and motivation
• What to do during time off to stay ready without burnout

This episode is a must-listen for cheer parents and coaches who want to support their athletes without pushing them to exhaustion.

💛 Want to help your athlete stay strong, even during breaks?
Start with my Injury Prevention Starter Kit

Have a movement or PT question fill this out: Ask A PT

Connect with Laura and access free content www.LTTheCheerPT.com

If your cheerleader is feeling pain in the front of their hip during back walkovers, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I break down what’s really happening at the pelvis and hips during walkovers—and why that pain isn’t always coming from where you think.

We’ll cover:

• Why pelvic control matters more than flexibility

• The difference between the kicking leg vs. the down leg

• How tight hamstrings or hip flexors can create pain

• The role of core stability in tumbling skills

• Simple exercises to improve movement and reduce discomfort

• When it’s okay to manage at home—and when to see a PT

This episode is especially helpful for:

• Cheer parents trying to understand hip pain

• Coaches working on walkover technique

• Athletes who feel “stuck” or uncomfortable in their skills

Remember: Pain is often a signal of poor coordination or imbalance—not just tightness.

Next Steps:
Grab the Injury Prevention Starter Kit for guided warm-ups, recovery routines, and strength exercises to keep your athlete strong and pain-free.

Have a question you want answered on the podcast? Submit it here: https://link.srvcsndr.com/widget/form/kduJX73kltSEb2cP4579

If this episode helped you, share it with a cheer parent or coach!

As the high school cheer season comes to an end here in Massachusetts, this time of year can feel bittersweet for athletes, coaches, and parents.

In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I reflect on what the end of a season really means — celebrating the memories, honoring the hard work, and giving your body the recovery it deserves.

Whether your athlete is finishing their senior season, continuing into all-star cheer, or thinking about cheering in college, this is an important transition time. Rest, nutrition, and taking a moment to recharge can make a huge difference in long-term performance and injury prevention.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why recovery is so important after a long cheer season
• How rest, nutrition, and hydration support athlete health
• Encouragement for seniors finishing their final high school season
• How playing other sports can help prevent overuse injuries
• Options for athletes who want to continue cheering in college

Cheerleading creates memories and friendships that last a lifetime — and taking care of your body ensures you can keep enjoying the sport you love.

If you’d like more tips to help keep your cheer athlete healthy and strong, check out my Injury Prevention Starter Kit for Cheerleaders.

Have a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask A PT

Subscribe to the podcast and share this episode with a cheer parent, coach, or athlete who could use a little motivation at the end of the season.

Many cheerleaders are told they need to become more flexible to improve their heel stretches, jumps, and stunts.

But flexibility alone isn’t the answer.

In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I break down the missing piece most athletes overlook: control. When athletes rush through stretches or lock out their joints, they lose stability — which can lead to back pain, knee hyperextension, poor stunt stability, and even injury.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why flexibility without control can increase injury risk
• How knee hyperextension affects stunt stability
• The simple cue that helps athletes activate their quads properly
• How controlling the pelvis and ribs improves heel stretches and back stunts
• Why quiet landings are a powerful training tool for stronger jumps

If you want higher jumps, stronger stunts, and healthier athletes, it starts with training control first.

If you'd like help implementing these concepts, check out my Injury Prevention Starter Kit for Cheerleaders, where I walk athletes through proper warm-ups, strength training, and movement control.

Have a question you want answered Ask A PT Here

How do you know if your cheerleader’s injury is serious… or something you can monitor?

Should you go to the ER?
Can they walk it off?
How long will they be out?

In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I break down:

• The difference between serious vs catastrophic injuries

• When to call 911 (loss of consciousness, breathing issues, inability to move limbs)

• How to recognize possible fractures, ACL injuries, ankle sprains, and head injuries

• What “bone pain” actually feels like

• When it’s okay to monitor symptoms — and when it’s not

• Realistic recovery timelines for fractures, ACL injuries, and sprains

• Why strength and mobility matter more than just stretching for injury prevention

As both a physical therapist and former cheerleader (yes… three clavicle fractures 😅), I walk you through real-life examples so you feel more confident making decisions when it matters most.

🎯 When in doubt — get checked out.
But let’s help you know what to look for first.

👉 Grab the Injury Prevention Starter Kit for Parents here:
👉 Have a question? Use the “Ask the PT” Form or DM me on Instagram @thecheerpt.

Growth spurts can be tough on cheerleaders — especially when knee or heel pain starts to show up.

In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I break down two of the most common growth-related injuries in young athletes: Osgood Schlatter’s disease and Sever’s disease.

You’ll learn:

• What’s actually happening at the knee and heel growth plates

• Why stretching alone isn’t the answer

• The difference between soreness and red-flag symptoms

• When your athlete should modify practice

• How crawling, core stability, and hip strength reduce pain

• When it’s time to seek professional help

These injuries are common during growth spurts — but they don’t have to sideline your athlete.

If your cheerleader is limping after practice or landing differently in jumps, this episode is for you.

👉 Grab the Injury Prevention Starter Kit
👉 Check out my book Strength and Conditioning for the Cheer Athlete
👉 Use the “Ask a PT” form if you have questions

And remember: when in doubt, breathe out.