The Cheer Biz Podcast

In this heartfelt episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton opens up about a challenging day that reminded him of a powerful truth: you can't lose sight of your "why." Whether it's the joy of coaching, the love for your athletes, or the passion that pushed you to start your business in the first place, Dan walks through how reconnecting with your purpose can reenergize your mindset, even in the...

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down why even the best systems can fail inside your gym. From overly complex processes to lack of training and buy-in, Dan shares five of the most common reasons your systems aren’t delivering the results you expected. He dives into how to simplify systems, train your team properly, and—most importantly—delegate system creation to the peo...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton gets real about a hard truth—most of us, even successful gym owners, don’t know nearly as much as we think we do. Sharing his own humbling experiences, Dan explores why continuous learning is critical to staying competitive in a rapidly changing business world. From the game-changing potential of AI and lead nurture systems to...

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton dives deep into one of the most important topics in gym ownership: staff culture. Drawing from real-life experiences and long-standing staff relationships, Dan shares why creating a supportive, values-driven, and connected environment keeps employees loyal far beyond what a paycheck ever could. He outlines how to intentionally build that kind of...

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton dives into the often-overlooked truth of gym ownership: success is built on mastering the boring stuff. From obsessing over your financials to building strong systems and holding effective meetings, Dan outlines the three critical (but not flashy) habits that separate thriving gyms from struggling ones. He shares candid personal experiences—like...

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton broadcasts from his brand-new studio and facility to share critical insights on how to make the most of your gym space. Fresh off the road from summer camps and conferences, Dan reflects on the early challenges of adapting to a larger building that—surprisingly—felt more cramped than expected. From scheduling mishaps to underutilized floor space...

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton dives into the newly released details about the ProCheer League. Recording from his new studio after a phenomenal conference in Dallas, Dan shares his candid thoughts on the structure, leadership, and execution of this new venture by Varsity. From excitement about the professional step forward for the sport to serious concerns about gym aff...

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton sits down with Amy Bay and Heath Methlie from Team Butter, sponsors of the upcoming conference in Dallas. Team Butter is a virtual fundraising platform built by people who get the cheer world—from coaching to gym ownership to the constant hustle of raising funds. Amy and Heath share their personal journeys in the cheer and dance industries,...

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton gets real about the setbacks and slip-ups that come with running a business. From unexpected financial losses at DreamCamps to disappointing a client, Dan walks through three recent failures, how he handled them, and what he learned along the way. You'll hear honest insight into the emotional toll of getting it wrong, and the practical strategie...

In this short but insightful episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton shares his candid reflections after spending five intense hours choreographing for a mini level one cheer team — a rare experience for him. From the surprising challenges to the rewarding moments, Dan unpacks key takeaways about coaching young athletes, including why mastering mini level one could be your ticket to long...

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton shares the wild ride of relocating his cheer gym — and why he never wants to move again. Broadcasting from the road in Warrensburg, Missouri, Dan dives into the gritty realities of moving a facility while keeping operations running, the invaluable support from his team and families, and all the lessons learned the hard way. From timing miss...

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton dives into one of the most stressful times of the season—team placements. Dan shares how he used to be overwhelmed with questions, complaints, and confusion from parents and athletes, and what he did to reduce those issues by over 90%. Learn how strategic parent education, proactive athlete conversations, and creating an exciting post-place...

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton shares a personal and professional transformation—his complete pivot on parent involvement in cheerleading gyms. Once firmly against allowing parents to play an active role beyond the transactional, Dan now sees immense value in inviting them into the process. Through stories of moving to a new facility, unexpected...

In this milestone episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan dives deep into the five essential marketing strategies every cheer gym owner must embrace in 2025 to stand out and succeed. From shifting your focus from selling products to selling transformations, to leveraging AI as a full-fledged team member, Dan offers actionable advice packed with real-world examples. He also shares big news about the ...

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan shares three major missteps he made in his journey to grow a successful cheer gym—mistakes many owners still fall into today. From overspending on flashy uniforms and equipment, to undercharging in hopes of attracting more clients, to trying to do everything alone—Dan breaks down why these strategies didn’t work and what you should do instead. If...

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan sits down with longtime friend and industry powerhouse Jibreel Rayam to discuss his groundbreaking new venture: the Association of International All-Star (AIA). From his early days in the Pacific Northwest to leading international cheer initiatives, Jibreel shares his journey through event production, gym ownership, and global collaboration. Together,...

In this deeply personal episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan shares the emotional rollercoaster of finally winning D2 Summit with his Senior Medium 4 team after seven years of near-misses, setbacks, and close calls. Dan unpacks what made this year different—how athlete buy-in, strategic routine planning, and team culture all aligned for the win—and what lessons he’s taking away as a coach, a lead...

In this raw and honest episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan shares the emotional aftermath of his team’s disappointing performance at Worlds and the valuable lessons learned in the process. From last-minute injuries to heartbreaking routine mistakes, Dan walks through how he supported his athletes through the loss, refocused on growth, and used the experience to strengthen his team’s culture. Whe...

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan dives into the buzz surrounding the newly announced Pro Cheer league and explores what it could mean for the industry. Is this the future of competitive cheerleading, or just hype without a plan? Dan unpacks the potential benefits, the unanswered questions, the financial realities, and whether this is the game-changing moment cheerleaders have been wai...

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan breaks down how artificial intelligence has quietly become his most powerful productivity tool—and how it can do the same for you. From content creation and email automation to client communication, data analysis, and systems optimization, Dan shares real-life examples of how AI has helped him streamline nearly every aspect of running a cheer gym, savi...

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan shares his most effective (and hard-earned) strategies for motivating teens and pre-teens in cheerleading, based on 22+ years of coaching, behavioral science, and real-world experience. You’ll learn: How to use fake control to boost buy-in without sacrificing structure Why purpose-driven coaching beats generic praise How to leverage peer pressure, shor...

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan dives into one of the most painful lessons he's learned as a gym owner: you can be marketing your business and still be completely invisible. From trying to speak to everyone (and connecting with no one) to falling in love with tactics instead of strategy, Dan unpacks the most common—and costly—marketing mistakes cheer entrepreneurs make. Whether you'r...

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan unpacks a surprising truth: your local competitor closing down isn't always a win. From reduced industry visibility to cultural clashes when clients migrate over, Dan shares why fewer gyms in your area can actually spell trouble for long-term growth. He breaks down: Why fewer competitors can mean fewer eyes on cheerleading How closures might signal mar...

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan shares 10 powerful coaching lessons learned over 22 years on the mat. From why consistency matters more than charisma, to how sarcasm impacts an athlete’s internal narrator, Dan breaks down the hard truths, funny moments, and deeply emotional realizations that come with coaching youth athletes. Whether you’re a seasoned coach or new to the game, this e...

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan opens up about the real, raw, and sometimes ridiculous lessons he’s learned from 15 years of owning a cheer gym. From hard-earned wisdom like “you are the culture” and “profit over popularity” to hilarious truths like pretending to be in meetings just for a moment of silence, Dan shares five game-changing insights—and five soul-crushing realities—that...