The Truth About "Hit Zero"

Mental blocks, performance anxiety, and “hit zero” culture are some of the biggest challenges facing cheer coaches and gym owners today. In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton sits down with sports performance expert Jeff Benson, author of Unblocked: The Walls Come Tumbling Down. Together they dive into how to build a healthier gym culture, coach with psychological safety, and help athletes push through fear without sacrificing confidence. Whether you’re battling team-wide mental blocks, navigating parent expectations, or just trying to strengthen your program’s culture, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies you can apply right away. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why traditional “tough coaching” doesn’t work with today’s athletes How gym culture impacts performance and athlete retention The truth about “hit zero” and how it affects athlete mindset Practical tools for coaches to reduce fear and build resilience