The Fullout Cheer Podcast

Culture doesn’t disappear overnight. It erodes quietly. One skipped conversation. One tolerated behavior. One season where standards slowly soften and no one calls it out. In this episode of the Fullout Cheer Podcast, Danielle breaks down how culture is actually built over time, how it’s lost more quickly, and why so many gym owners confuse culture with morale. We talk about why good vibes don’t e...

Most gym owners say they want more leads, more trust, and more visibility. Then they completely ignore the easiest marketing tool they already have. In this episode, I talk about the free marketing most gym owners avoid: their personal social media. Not influencers. Not ads. Not perfectly curated content. Just showing up as a real owner, in real life, doing real work. I break down why posting feel...

When I first opened my cheer gym, I wore a few things like badges of honor that I’d never brag about now. In this episode, I break down four things I used to proudly flex as a new gym owner that I now realize were more about ego than smart leadership. Things like refusing to spend money on marketing, collecting certifications like trophies, and treating “firing” angry parents to fix a culture I ne...

In this episode, Danielle responses to a recent post made by a business coach regarding parents drawn to “affordable programs.” She breaks the myths about parent expectations and takes ownership of the choices we make in our businesses and the impact they have on the types of clients attracted to our brands. Join us as we challenge the narrative around this verbiage and its impact on your business...

In part 2 of this series, Danielle tells listeners how cheer is a unicorn in the world of sports and athletes are not easily interchangeable! It's not as easy as subbing in the next best player! Tune in to learn why parent education is so important and why your athletes need to be at practices!

In this episode, Danielle replies to a listener email about how cheer is like other sports in that athletes have positions that are not easily interchangeable. In part 1 of this series, we talk about the universal truths of all sports and in what ways you can expect cheer to be similar to other sports.

In this episode, we dive into the reality of attendance in all star cheer and why it’s one of the hardest—and most important—parts of coaching. We’ll talk about how missing athletes affect stunt progressions, timing, tumbling development, and team morale, plus why families often don’t see the full impact of an absence. If you’re working to improve consistency, build stronger routines, and create a...

In this episode, we dive into the power of gratitude and how it can transform the way we support and inspire gym parents. We’ll talk about the role appreciation plays in building stronger parent relationships, simple and intentional ways to say “thank you,” and real stories from parents and coaches that show what happens when families feel truly seen and valued. If you’re looking to improve commun...

In this episode, we dig into one of the tougher realities many athletes face—navigating gym life when parents are divorced. We explore practical strategies to help athletes stay focused, communicate clearly, and manage the emotions that come with divided family dynamics. You’ll hear guidance on balancing support from both parents, tips for handling event-day communication, and powerful stories fro...

In this two-part series of the Fullout Cheer Podcast, Danielle and Justin tackle one of the most avoided topics in the cheer industry: debt. From the early loans that helped them build their businesses to the financial decisions they’d never repeat, they get honest about what they’ve learned through the highs, lows, and interest payments. Part Two goes deeper into risk and reality—breaking down wh...

In this two-part series of the Fullout Cheer Podcast, Danielle and Justin tackle one of the most avoided topics in the cheer industry: debt. From the early loans that helped them build their businesses to the financial mistakes they almost made, they get honest about what they’ve learned through the highs, lows, and interest payments. Part One dives into the big question: Is there such a thing as...

Teens picking high school over all star, and all star coaches frustrated at the last-minute demands of high school cheer...Sound familiar? In this episode, Danielle breaks down the rivalry between high school and All Star cheer, why it’s hurting athletes, and what it actually looks like when both sides learn to work together. If we want to grow the sport—and keep athletes from burning out—it start...

🎧 Part 2 is here — and yes, we’re going deeper. Last week, we talked about what the Crazy Cheer Moms got right. This week? What they got very wrong. From loyalty vs. entitlement to the myth of "favoritism," I'm sharing the gym-side perspective you won’t find in a Facebook comment war. You wanted honesty. This is that. With a little glitter and a lot of caffeine. Like & Subscibe for more Fullo...

🚨 This week on the pod: I respond to that viral post from Crazy Cheer Moms. As a gym owner, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the emotionally-overcaffeinated. But buried in the drama? Some real truths. In Part 1, I’m breaking down the valid concerns — from sky-high costs to mid-season cuts — and why the conversation actually matters. Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete, this one's worth a l...

This is the check-in we promised we wouldn’t skip. In this follow-up to “Rebuilding After Dumpster Fire Season,” we revisit the goals we made in June to figure out if we’ve actually made progress… or just got better at decorating chaos. It’s your preseason reality check—part reflection, part reset, and just enough motivation to help you get back on track before things spiral (again). Cringe with u...

Are your coaches tuning you out? Do your meetings feel pointless? Respect doesn’t come with your job title—it comes from how you lead. In this episode, I’m breaking down the real reasons your staff doesn’t see you as the boss (hint: it’s not your age) and what you can do to earn their respect.

Need fast cashflow for your cheer gym? In this episode of the Fullout Cheer Podcast, Danielle reveals 10 proven ways to make $2,000 in just 3 days. Whether you’re looking to boost registrations, re-enroll athletes, run sibling specials, book more birthday parties, or host revenue-driving events, these strategies are designed to give you quick wins you can implement immediately. You’ll learn: ✅ Ho...

Why do athletes leave small D2 cheer gyms for big D1 programs—and what can gym owners do to keep them? In this episode of the Full Out Cheer Podcast, Danielle sits down with former Twisters athlete and current coach Allie Taylor to share her story of making the leap from a small-town gym to a large D1 program, and eventually coming back home as a coach. Together they discuss: The real reasons athl...

Trading free tuition for services might feel like a smart move, but it could actually cost your cheer gym thousands. In this episode of the Fullout Cheer Podcast, Danielle Johnston and Matt Becker of GymLawyers.com break down why bartering is risky — and what to do instead. You’ll learn: The legal & tax pitfalls of bartering How misclassification of staff can cost you big Why “free” services a...

Birthday parties aren’t just a fun add-on—they’re one of the highest-margin, lowest-stress income streams in your gym (if you do it right). In this episode, we’re talking: How to market parties without sounding desperate What to offer when you don’t have a bounce house Who should staff parties and how to train them Why now is the time to start booking And how to turn “happy birthday” into actual b...

Fall isn’t the time to “hope it works.” It’s the time to plan and profit. In this episode, we’re breaking down the smart marketing moves gym owners should be making right now to set up a high-revenue season. You’ll learn: What to do after the back-to-school rush How to promote events and parties without chaos The difference between selling and actually engaging Why staff should be part of your mar...

Back-to-school season is one of the biggest opportunities for cheer gym growth—if you know how to use it. In this episode, we’re breaking down 5 proven strategies to boost enrolment, drive athlete signups, and promote your gym during the busiest time of year. Learn how to run back-to-school ads that convert, plan high-impact events, connect with local schools, and build buzz with spirit days and g...

Open houses are soooo worth it, but you can't just wing it anymore. In this episode, learn how to plan one that drives signups, fills classes, and doesn’t end with three toddlers and a confused grandparent wandering around your lobby. We cover timing, marketing, setup, and converting visitors into athletes—without wasting time or money.

Have you ever felt like stepping away from coaching made sense on paper—but left you feeling disconnected, uncertain, or even burned out in a whole new way? In this episode, I share the real story behind losing my spark as a gym owner, what burnout looked like when I wasn’t on the floor, and how slowly returning to coaching helped me rediscover the part of this job that actually lights me up. If y...

Are parent interactions running your life? In this episode, I’m sharing three boundaries that completely transformed how I work with parents at the gym—less stress, fewer misunderstandings, and way more respect on all sides. These aren’t just policies—they’re intentional shifts that protect your time, your team, and your role as a coach and leader. You’ll hear: The one rule that ended late-night m...