The Cheer Dad Podcast

Every athlete eventually performs their last routine. Whether it's because of graduation, aging out, injury, college, or simply moving on to the next chapter, every cheer family eventually faces the question... What comes next? This week, we're joined by Rachelle Provost , host of the After the Routine podcast, to talk about life after competitive cheer and the many ways athletes and parents can s...

What does it take to become the voice behind some of cheerleading's biggest stories? This week on The Cheer Dad Podcast , Alex sits down with Shane James , founder of Cheer Daily , Cheer Media , and The Cheer Awards , for an inside look at the media side of the cheer industry. Shane shares his incredible journey from being the only male cheerleader in his small Mississippi town to building one of...

Ever wonder how Cheer Theory keeps track of thousands of teams, competitions, scores, bids, and rankings every season? This week it's the Alex & Alex Show as Cheer Dad Podcast host Alex Russell welcomes Cheer Theory founder Alex Gaggioli. From his start as a gymnast to becoming the most recognizable data guy in cheer, Alex shares how Cheer Theory was built and what he's learned from watching m...

What happens when you combine a former cheerleader and coach, a cheer dad who discovered the sport later in life, and three daughters navigating the all-star cheer world? This week, Alex and Jerry sit down with Andrew and Cristina to talk about cheer from every angle. Cristina shares her journey from athlete and coach to cheer mom, while Andrew discusses what it was like stepping into a sport he k...

Jerry had a scheduling conflict this week, so Alex is flying solo with one of the most influential choreographers in the cheer industry. Triston Allen, owner of Worldwide Choreography, joins The Cheer Dad Podcast to talk everything from championship routines and score sheets to program culture, athlete development, and the future of cheer. We discuss what separates successful programs from struggl...

One year ago, we launched The Cheer Dad Podcast with one goal, to give cheer dads, moms, athletes, coaches, and fans a place to laugh, vent, tell stories, and celebrate the crazy world of All Star Cheer. Fast forward one year later… and what a ride it’s been. In this special anniversary episode, we look back at our end of season comps with special guests Maddee Grant as she tells us about her firs...

This podcast episode features a comprehensive dialogue with Kollin Cockrell, a distinguished figure in the cheerleading community, celebrated for his achievements as a twelve-time world champion and his innovative contributions to the sport. We delve into the evolution of cheerleading, particularly the burgeoning pro cheer league, which is redefining competitive cheer through structured gameplay a...

In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast , Alex welcomes back coach Grant Lockaby for a real-time conversation about the most intense stretch of the cheer season. With NCA All-Star National Championship just behind us and The Cheerleading Worlds , The Summit , and D2 Summit all happening back-to-back, the pressure on athletes, coaches, and parents is at an all-time high. Grant breaks down what ath...

In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast , we sit down with Lisa Hall—former journalist, 25-year cheer mom, and the creator behind Certifiably CheerMAD. If you’ve spent any time in the cheer world, you’ve probably seen her content. And recently… it’s been everywhere—racking up over 2 million authentic views in just 28 days. But this conversation goes way deeper than social media. Lisa brings a uni...

What happens when a cheerleader tries to test her dad… and he actually passes? In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast , we sit down with the dad behind the viral TikTok moment where he confidently answered “VIP” with “Viscous In Pink” —and instantly became one of the most relatable cheer dads on the internet. But beyond the laughs, this episode dives into what it really means to be a cheer dad....

This episode emphasizes the introduction of Elite Cheer Stats, a groundbreaking platform designed to offer comprehensive analytics and scoring comparisons for cheerleading teams across competitions. Our discussion centers around the significant stresses associated with cheer seasons, both for athletes and their parents, and how this innovative tool can alleviate some of those pressures by providin...

What really goes on inside Cheer Moms Anonymous? In this episode, we’re joined by Gina Bartel, the voice behind the wildly popular Cheer Moms Anonymous community, where moms share the real, raw, and sometimes hilarious questions they might not ask anywhere else. But this time… we flipped the script. Gina brings some of those anonymous questions to the show, and I give a dad’s perspective—unfiltere...

This episode of the Cheer Dad Podcast delves into the profound significance of parental involvement in the cheerleading journey, exemplified through the experiences of our guest, Charlie Shore. We explore how his unwavering support for his daughter, characterized by regular attendance at practices and competitions, serves not only as a source of encouragement for her aspirations but also as a vita...

On this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast , the dads sit down with stand-up comedian, teacher, and viral content creator Jay Yoder . Jay has built a massive following online by turning the chaos of parenting, teaching, and cheer life into hilarious and relatable comedy. But behind the jokes is a proud cheer dad who knows exactly what it’s like to spend long weekends at competitions, learn an entire...

Ever looked at a cheer scoresheet and thought… “What am I even looking at?” In Part 2 with Gabby Mauro, the Dads go even deeper into the world of cheer scoring—and this is the episode every cheer parent (and honestly, a lot of coaches 👀) needs to hear. We break down the real questions that don’t always get clear answers: Why do some teams max out scores with obvious mistakes while others don’t? H...

The primary focus of this podcast episode revolves around the contemplation of relocating to Utah for the sake of cheerleading aspirations. As we delve into our narratives, we discuss the profound emotional impact that competitive cheerleading has on families, particularly the pressures and stresses faced by cheer parents. I share my personal dilemma regarding my daughter's potential final year at...

Tonight’s episode is a fun one. We’re joined by Zeke Rifkin , a proud cheer dad who was volunteered to be on the show by his wife Justine — and honestly, that’s how some of the best cheer dad stories start. Zeke shares what it’s really like jumping into the cheer world, from learning the ropes to embracing the chaos of competitions, practices, and everything in between. We talk about the moments t...

What’s it really like being a cheer dad when you didn’t grow up in the sport? In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast The Cheer Dad Podcast, we sit down with Russ Brown — not a coach, gym owner, or influencer… just a dad living the cheer life like so many of you. Russ shares what it was like stepping into the cheer world for the first time, the surprises that came with competitions and travel, an...

Ever walked out of a cheer competition thinking… “Wait… how did we lose by 0.15 ?” Or “Why did that team jump us?” You’re not alone — and this episode is going to change the way you watch cheer forever. This week on The Cheer Dad Podcast , the dads are joined by Gabby Mauro , certified judge for United Scoring, YCADA, and OCS , and creator of Score Sheets with Gabby Mauro . Gabby breaks down cheer...

In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast , the dads are joined by Gina Bartel — cheer mom, content creator, and recurring guest co-host on the Let’s Talk Cheer Podcast . Gina is also the creator of the popular Facebook group Cheer Moms Anonymous , where cheer parents from all over come together for support, laughs, and real talk about what competition season actually feels like. We dive into the c...

In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast , the dads sit down with Chad Hall , one of the founding forces behind Dad Fury — the high-energy cheer dad movement that’s impossible to miss at competitions across the country. What started as a few dads showing up loud and proud turned into something much bigger: a community focused on support, confidence, and showing athletes that their dads are all in....

In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast , the Dads sit down with cheer coach and former athlete Grant Lockaby to talk about what it really takes to develop confident, resilient athletes in today’s cheer world. Grant shares his journey from athlete to coach, the lessons cheer taught him along the way, and how his coaching philosophy has evolved as he works with athletes under increasing pressure—b...

This week on The Cheer Dad Podcast , the dads sit down with Joey Upchurch — a single cheer dad from Wilmington, NC, girl dad to two young athletes (ages 5 & 7), and the creator of Hit Zero Dad Club . Joey shares his journey into the cheer world, what it’s like raising two young daughters in the sport, and the tough decision to take a season off to reset, rebuild, and establish a stronger found...

This week on The Cheer Dad Podcast , we welcome a guest who has lived every side of the cheer world — David Maupin . From athlete… to coach… to full-blown cheer dad, David brings a rare, 360-degree perspective on what this sport really means to families, athletes, and communities. David shares how his cheer journey started, what coaching taught him about leadership and kids, and how those lessons...

This week, The Cheer Dad Podcast hit the road for Showcase — and what a way to kick off the season! 🎉 Alex and Jerry are back together, talking about the electric atmosphere, the incredible athletes, and what showcase season means for parents and teams alike. From early mornings to high-flying routines, the guys share their thoughts, experiences, and a few classic cheer dad moments along the way....