The Cheer Athlete

In this episode, Laura Turner, the Cheer PT dives into why a dynamic warm up is better than static stretching and when cheerleaders can be expected to warm up on their own. Connect with Laura at LTTheCheerPT.com Ask A PT HERE Grab a signed copy of Strength and Conditioning for the Cheer Athlete HERE

Concussions are real—and they do happen in cheerleading. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast , we talk about why concussions occur, how to recognize the signs (even when they’re subtle), and why proper recovery matters—especially for young athletes. We also discuss readiness, strength, and the responsibility coaches and parents share in protecting cheerleaders for the long haul. This epis...

This short holiday episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast is a reminder to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the moment. As Christmas Eve arrives and the year comes to a close, we talk about why perfection isn’t the goal—in cheer or in life. Whether you’re a cheer parent, coach, or athlete, this episode is an invitation to rest, reflect, and remember what truly matters: connection, health, and enjoying...

When your cheerleader gets hurt, how do you know what to do next? Should you call the doctor? See your physical therapist? Just keep cheering? In this episode of The Cheer Athlete , Dr. Laura (The Cheer PT) breaks down five clear situations where you should stop scrolling social media and seek professional care—and when it’s actually safe to keep moving. You’ll learn how to recognize red flags lik...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE In this heartfelt episode, Laura (“LT the Cheer PT”) opens up about the real-life lessons cheer can teach us— and the lessons we often don’t learn until much later. Through personal stories about her own cheer journey, her mom, and the challenges of being in the “sandwich generation,” she shares meaningful insights for moms, parents, and coaches who want to support their athlete...

When your cheerleader is suddenly switching roles — from base to flyer or flyer to base — it can feel overwhelming for both athlete and parent. In this episode, I break down what actually matters during a position change: strength, stability, mobility, confidence, and understanding what the other role feels like. You’ll learn: • Why bases often transition smoothly into flying • How flyers can buil...

When is it actually safe for kids to start lifting? In this episode, Laura (LT The Cheer PT) breaks down what the research really says — and what she sees every day in cheer, youth sports, and strength training. You’ll learn why kids can start strength training much earlier than most parents think, what ages are appropriate for different types of training, and how to make sure they’re moving well...

This week, we’re breaking down what “knock knees” and “pigeon toes” really mean for cheerleaders — why they happen, how to screen for them, and what actually helps. You’ll learn how hip stability, ankle mobility, and developmental positions contribute to safe landings, plus I’ll walk you through 5 exercises you can start using today. Looking for more help? 📘 Strength & Conditioning for the Ch...

Are you working hard in practice but not seeing the results you want? In this episode, LT The Cheer PT shares why having an outside coach can completely change how you train, perform, and stay motivated as a cheerleader. Whether you’re a flyer working on your stability and body control, or a base trying to build power and prevent back pain — this episode will help you understand how personalized s...

Back pain holding your bases back? Learn how to spot — and fix — the movement patterns that make stunting harder than it needs to be. Dr. Laura Turner, The Cheer PT, shares how to build a stronger squat, improve core control, and prevent pain by understanding what’s missing in your athlete’s movement. ✅ Perfect for: Bases, coaches, and parents who want to keep their cheerleaders healthy and stron...

This week on The Cheer Athlete , Laura breaks down two important cheer topics every parent and coach should understand: 💪 1. Bracing for injury prevention — is it actually helping or hurting? Learn why relying on braces can sometimes weaken muscles and delay true recovery, plus what you can do instead to build lasting strength and confidence. 🧠 2. Teaching body control and awareness Discover sim...

5 Cheer Travel Tips: Stay Calm, Strong & Hydrated on the Road Competition season is here — which means it’s time to hit the road (or the skies)! In this week’s episode, Dr. Laura Turner, The Cheer PT , shares her top five tips to make cheer travel smoother, healthier, and way more fun. Drawing from her own recent trip to Italy, Laura talks about the importance of taking time off, preparing you...

Being cut from a team can feel like the end of the world — but sometimes, it’s the start of something even better. Dr. Laura Turner ( The Cheer PT ) shares her personal story of resilience, how to help your athlete handle disappointment, and why grit and growth matter more than perfection. 🎯 Learn how rejection can become redirection — both in cheer and in life. 📘 Grab Laura’s book Strength and...

Welcome to The Cheer Athlete Podcast ! I’m Laura Turner, The Cheer PT — Doctor of Physical Therapy and strength coach, helping cheerleaders, coaches, and parents keep athletes healthy, safe, and strong for life. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month , and today I’m sharing why it’s so important to start open conversations about breast health early — especially with our kids. This is a personal...

Welcome to The Cheer Athlete Podcast ! I’m Laura Turner, The Cheer PT. I help cheerleaders, parents, and coaches navigate injuries, prevent setbacks, and keep athletes healthy and strong so they can cheer for life. This week’s episode is about perception — and how changing the way we look at challenges can help athletes (and all of us) move forward. I was inspired by Jeremy Renner’s book My Next B...

Conditioning is essential for cheerleaders — but should it ever be used as punishment when a flyer falls? In this episode, I break down why “exercise as consequence” can actually increase injury risk and create fear instead of confidence. We’ll talk about what really causes falls, share voices from the cheer world, and dive into 5 research-backed tips to keep stunt groups safer and more consistent...

Try these 2 tips that I learned from Tony Robbins To connect with Laura LTTheCheerPT.com

Think cheerleading is the most dangerous sport? The data tells a different story. This surprised me too. Cheerleading injuries aren’t as common as you think — but when they happen, they can be serious. In this episode, we break down the latest research on injury rates, concussion trends, and stunt risks, plus practical strategies every coach and parent can use to keep athletes safe. Resources: USA...

There's been a lot of social media and news buzz lately about the male cheerleaders in the NFL. Share this episode with someone who doesn't understand how male cheerleaders have shaped the world of cheer...from my perspective. If you want to connect with Laura head to LTTheCheerPT.com

If you would like to learn more about movement screening, you can sign up here and I will send you a series of emails. To connect with Laura and access all the free guides, LTTheCheerPT.com

They say anything worth having is worth the sacrifice. Do you agree? Connect with Laura and find the Strength and Conditioning For Cheer Athletes book at LTTheCheerPT.com

In this episode I share my thoughts about the pending Presidential Fitness Test and what I think would be more helpful if we actually want to have fit and healthy kids (and adults too :) Check out https://www.functionalmovement.com/ to learn more To learn more about Rebel Aid follow them on Instagram or go to their Website Connect with Laura HERE and access free guides or find her on social media...

In this episode I answered some questions that I saw on the Crazy Cheer Mom's page on Facebook. You can find the Tiger Tail on Amazon . (Please note, this is an affiliate link and I will receive compensation if you buy from here) If you want to learn more about how to manage ankle pain check out the Ankle/Balance Masterclass HERE Watch the webinar series HERE To connect with me head to LTTheCh...

Recovery doesn't always mean stop everything. Sometimes your brain needs time away from the constant go to do something different, slow down and regroup. In this episode, I share a bit of how my on the go, and not spending much time recovering, led to a mishap that could have cost me a fortune. And a bit on why just cuz the doctor tells you to do something doesn't mean you should follow th...

What if you could change how you feel and move by just shifting your body and your mindset a little bit? In this episode I share some insight from a recent course I took called The Female Athlete. Send me a message and tag me when you try one of these tips LTTheCheerPT.com