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.

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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?

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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