The Cheer Athlete

In this episode Laura talks with Ashleigh Howland from Howland Muscular Therapy. She gives practical tips on how to improve core stability and reduce tightness without stretching, by learning how to have better biomechanics with breathing. Ashleigh Howland is a Licensed Muscular Therapist, Certified Personal Trainer, owner of Howland Muscular Therapy, and founder of the EquiForm & Get Back You...

You DO have an off season...and this is why you need to recognize and appreciate it. And your off season does mean that you have to work on strength training too. If you want to check out the 8-week Summer Cheer Program, go to LTTheCheerPT.com Check out Laura's book Strength And Conditioning For the Cheer Athlete on Amazon **Please note, I receive income from items you purchase thru this link....

Motivating your athlete to do their conditioning at home doesn’t have to feel like a constant battle. In this episode, I’m talking directly to coaches and parents who are tired of nagging and ready to inspire long-term consistency. You’ll learn why true motivation has to come from within —and how to help your athlete find it. I’ll share specific, practical strategies for building discipline, creat...

In this episode I discuss when you should stretch and give suggestions for how to making stretching work better for you. Want to connect with Laura on social media, access the free guides, learn more about the 4 week Flexibility, Power and Confidence Program or sign up for the 8 week summer training, you can find all links at LTTheCheerPT.com

A cheer mom asked a great question in the Crazy Mom's of Cheer Facebook Group this week: “Why do my daughter’s body positions look great on the ground but fall apart in the air?” In this episode, Dr. Laura Turner (The Cheer PT) dives into how hip and ankle strength, foot alignment, and mobility all impact a flyer’s ability to hit clean shapes while airborne. You’ll learn how to assess whether...

P.A.U.S.E is a mindset and awareness tool that will help cheerleaders gain mobility faster. In the process of using this tool, you'll have less injuries, and progress faster. If you want to connect with Laura, you can find her at LTTheCheerPT.com If you want to learn more about the new Flexibility, Power and Confidence 4-Week Program, fill out this form and I'll send you more info

It is easy to want to give up when the work gets challenging but often if you revisit and keep learning, you will see the progress. Many thanks to all the people who gave of their time and their life in service to helping their country. I was reminded this week how challenging the process is and what others have to go thru to do their jobs. Cheer is similar: hard work, commitment and honoring your...

Please excuse my scratchy voice as I share my thoughts about Stunt possibly becoming an officially recognized sport in the NCAA. You can read more on Cheer Media I'd love to hear your opinion. Please message me and follow on IG HERE To access our free guides and other programs go to www. LTTheCheerPT.com

You've made it through the 2024-2025 season! Yes, tryouts are around the corner, but controversial to popular belief, NOW is the time to press pause on cheer, start to build strength and work on getting your body recovered from the past year. If you would like to connect with Laura head to LTTheCheerPT.com

In this first episode of Season 3, we are wrapping up the last clip from the upcoming book Strength and Conditioning For Cheer Athletes. This episode I share the chapter on how to build a foundation for a strength and conditioning program. If you'd like to connect with Laura or download one of our free guides and webinars, go to LTTheCheerPT.com

Another clip from the upcoming book, Strength and Conditioning for the Cheer Athlete. In this episode I read a portion from the chapter about nutrition and how important it is to be aware of potential eating disorders. The book is scheduled for release on May 27, 2025 on Amazon. To connect with Laura and access the free guides, go to LTTheCheerPT.com

Falls hurt! This was a comment from a judge one time. In this episode I share a piece of this chapter in my upcoming book: Strength and Conditioning For The Cheer Athlete. This chapter is about common cheer injuries. In this episode I talk about ankle sprains and concussions, 2 of the most common cheer injuries. If you found the episode helpful, please subscribe and share with your fellow cheer te...

In this episode of The Cheer Athlete, I share an excerpt from my soon to be released book "Strength and Conditioning For The Cheer Athlete. A guide to improve performance and reduce injury in cheerleading." This is from the introduction and provides a bit about my why for being the Cheer PT. If you like it, please share with your friends and make sure you stay tuned over the next few weeks as I'll...

What do dancers, gymnasts, and cheerleaders all have in common? They're not just performers—they’re artistic athletes . In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I sit down with Jillian Barnaby, founder of Parallel Physical Therapy and expert in movement for artistic athletes. We dive into the unique physical and mental demands these athletes face, the common injuries that come with blendi...

We made it to 100 episodes! To celebrate this incredible milestone, I’m bringing you a special highlight reel featuring the most downloaded, most shared, and most talked-about guests from The Cheer Athlete Podcast : ✅ Kelvin Lam – Cheer Coach, on embracing the differences in stunt technique Connect with Coach Kelvin HERE ✅ Lain Lee – Mental Performance Coach & Tumbling Technique Specialist s...

Stress fractures can be a cheer athlete's worst nightmare. In this episode, LT The Cheer PT breaks down what stress fractures are, how they happen, and what medical and health issues like hormone changes and RED-S can contribute to them. Learn the signs and symptoms to watch for and the most effective treatments to get you back on the mat safely. Ready to take your cheer performance to the nex...

Knee pain slowing you down? 🤕 Cheerleaders put a TON of stress on their knees with jumping, stunting, and tumbling, and overuse injuries are all too common. In this episode, we’re diving into non-traumatic knee injuries like Osgood-Schlatter Disease, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, and Jumper’s Knee. You’ll learn why these injuries happen, how to recognize them, and—most importantly— how to keep yo...

Behind the Scenes at the Massachusetts State Cheerleading Championship In this episode, I share my firsthand experience from attending the Massachusetts State Cheerleading Championship. We delve into: Pre-Competition Rituals: Observing teams huddle, chant, and mentally prepare before hitting the mat. Energy Levels: The stark contrast between high-energy routines that captivated the audience and th...

In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast , host Laura Turner, a.k.a. "The Cheer PT," delves into the multifaceted world of cheerleading injury prevention. Reflecting on recent events at the All-Star competition in Dallas, Laura emphasizes the importance of mental resilience and physical preparedness in the face of unexpected challenges.​ Key Takeaways: Holistic Injury Prevention: Dis...

Strength training isn’t just for powerlifters, it’s agame-changer for cheerleaders who want to stay injury-free and perform at their best! In this episode, LT The Cheer PT breaks down five keyways strength training helps prevent ankle sprains, knee injuries, back pain, and more. You'll learn: ✅How joint stability reduces injuries✅Why strength helps absorb impact from tumbling & stunts✅T...

Ankle injuries are one of the most common struggles incheerleading—but what if we’ve been approaching injury prevention the wrongway? 🤔 In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I break down: ✅Why cheerleaders keep rolling their ankles (and how to stop it!) ✅The missing link between hip strength and ankle stability ✅What to do instead of endless stretching ✅Simple exercises that build str...

In this episode of "The Cheer Athlete," we delve into the critical role of body and self-awareness in enhancing performance and preventing injuries among cheerleaders. We discuss the importance of distinguishing between pain and a healthy stretch, and how developing this awareness can lead to better body positioning, posture, and breath control. Tune in for practical tips on improving body control...

Coaching isn’t just about strategy and skills—it’s about relationships, resilience, and creating a culture where athletes thrive. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast , I sit down with Dr. Susan Averna, a developmental psychologist, mental health consultant, and head cheerleading coach at Trinity College, to discuss her new book Fabric: Be the Coach Every Athlete Needs . We dive into the s...

If you want your cheerleaders to be valuable assets to the team, use these tips. Leave a comment which tip you found most valuable. If you found this episode helpful, please share it. Don't miss next weeks episode with Coach Susan Averna...hit that subscribe button now :) Connect with Laura at LTTheCheerPT.com Go HERE to schedule a free call with Laura and learn more about how we can help your...

Cheer moms and coaches frequently talk about the "cheer hangover". In this episode, you'll learn tips to help avoid...and yes to help recover too. To access our free guides go HERE To connect with Laura via email Laura@MoveBetterLLC.com Want to schedule a free strategy call to help you figure out exactly what you need to reduce and recover those cheer hangovers? Schedule a call HERE