The Cheer Athlete

In this episode, I explain why movement screens shouldn't be about finding perfect form—they should help us understand how the body solves movement. We'll discuss: • Why compensation isn't always a bad thing • The five questions I ask during every movement screen • How movement quality changes exercise selection • Why mobility, motor control, and strength all work together • Why observ...

Is your foot really the problem...or is it just where the movement shows up? In this episode, I pull together the key ideas from my recent five-part YouTube series on single-leg stance and explain the why behind the exercises. We'll talk about why balance is about more than simply standing on one foot, how movement screens help identify the real limiting factor, and why improving mobility, sta...

Why do you still feel tight after stretching? It's one of the most common questions I hear from athletes, clients, and adults trying to move better. In this episode, we explore why stretching alone isn't always the answer. Tightness isn't always caused by short muscles. Sometimes it's your body's response to limited mobility, poor stability, movement compensation, or a lack of...

What is the missing link between movement, strength, and performance? In this episode, I discuss why building strength isn't always the first step toward better performance. Movement quality, awareness, breathing, control, mobility, and stability all play important roles in how efficiently we move and perform. Whether you're a cheerleader, coach, trainer, therapist, or active adult, unders...

In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast , I’m breaking down the ABCs of movement: Awareness, Breath, and Control . These three principles are the foundation of how I help cheerleaders, adults, and physical therapy clients move better, reduce pain, and build strength safely. Whether you are working on tumbling, lifting, balance, or simply trying to exercise without irritating your body, moveme...

What can cheerleaders teach adults about balance? More than you might think. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I'm beginning a new chapter—one that still includes cheerleading, but also explores how the movement lessons we learn as athletes can help us throughout life. We'll talk about: Why balance matters for both cheerleaders and adults The connection between the foot, pelvis, and co...

Why does a cheer athlete’s roundoff back handspring sometimes feel powerful one day… and completely fall apart the next? In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast , I’m breaking down one of the most common tumbling issues I see in cheer athletes: losing power and posture between connected skills. We’ll talk about why some athletes struggle to keep their chest up after the roundoff, how strength...

Sometimes the best thing you can do for your body… is slow down. In this week’s episode of The Cheer Athlete , LT The Cheer PT talks about the difference between rest and recovery — and why both are essential for stronger performance, better health, and fewer injuries. From cheer practices and competitions to work schedules, family responsibilities, and everyday stress, many athletes and parents l...

Back pain can sideline a cheerleader… but it can also wear down the parents driving to practices, flying to competitions, and carrying all the gear. In this week’s episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast , I’m expanding the conversation beyond just the athlete—because healthy cheerleaders need healthy parents, too. In this episode, we discuss: ✅ Common causes of back pain in cheerleaders ✅ When bac...

Every cheer parent, coach, and athlete eventually faces this question: “Should they push through… or should they sit out?” In this week’s episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast , I’m breaking down one of the most important—and emotional—topics in youth athletics: ✅ When it’s okay to keep moving ✅ When pain is a warning sign✅ How long common injuries really take to heal✅ Why rushing back too soon...

Is 16 too late to start tumbling? This question came straight from a cheer parent's group—and it’s one I heard some unexpected answers, that differ from my pov. In this episode, we break down what actually matters when it comes to starting tumbling later in a cheerleader’s career. Because the truth is… it’s not about age. It’s about preparation. You’ll learn: Why starting at 16 can actually be an...

Summer might feel like a break from cheer… but it’s actually your biggest opportunity to improve. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast , we’re breaking down exactly what cheerleaders should be doing during the “off-season” to come back stronger, more powerful, and more prepared for the next season. You’ll learn: What a complete workout should look like (and what most athletes miss) Why war...

If your athlete is struggling with body positions like heel stretches, arabesques, or even just staying stable in the air—this episode is for you. But here’s the twist… This isn’t about stretching more. In this episode, we break down: Why body positions start on the ground , not in the air The importance of rib cage + pelvis alignment How “standing up straight” is often done wrong Why control—not...

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 abou...

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 fle...

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...

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....

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, co...

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, p...

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, A...

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...

In this episode of the Cheer Athlete Podcast, we’re talking about a tough—but important—topic: catastrophic injuries in cheerleading . While these injuries are relatively rare, cheerleading accounts for a significant percentage of catastrophic injuries in female high school sports. In this episode, I break down what “catastrophic injury” really means, the most common types seen in cheer (including...

Most cheerleading injuries don’t happen from one big fall—they build up slowly over time. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast , we break down what overuse injuries are, why cheerleaders are especially at risk, and how parents and coaches can spot the warning signs before a small issue becomes a season-ending injury. You’ll learn common overuse injuries in cheerleading, why repetition and...

Recovery isn’t the same as rest—and it deserves its own place in cheer training. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast , we break down what recovery actually is, what it isn’t, and why skipping recovery increases the risk of overuse injuries. You’ll learn how gentle movement, breathing, hydration, and nervous system regulation help cheerleaders feel better, train better, and stay on the mat...

Warm-ups aren’t about stretching—and they’re not just a formality before practice. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast , we continue the conversation on warm-ups and break down what they’re actually meant to do for cheerleaders. You’ll learn why many warm-ups miss the mark, how proper preparation supports performance and injury prevention, and what parents and athletes can do to feel more...