Cheerleading is a sport 150%, so says my guest this week on the "Run the Race" podcast, which you should subscribe to. She's dancing her way to fitness at age 40 now too.

(3:05) Mandy Hood has coached hundreds of students in cheerleading and has been a part of more than 20 national titles, at all levels. (5:45) We talk to this coach and mom about the fitness aspects and misconceptions of cheer, from a tight core and strength to clutch execution and endurance.

(17:25) She also had plenty to share about the challenges and rewards of coaching, (23:44) starting out as a competitive dancer at age 4...mental health, (35:50) getting back into dance as a Pro partner and choreographer for Dancing Stars of Columbus GA...her heart for their cause of fighting Alzheimers Disease, (42:58) and being creative with choreography on a journey that's more important than the wins. I close out the episode with some more fitness practice from a famous cheerleader...then prayer.

Here are links to learn more about our local Dancing Stars competition benefiting such an important cause that we hope you'll donate to: https://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=18356&pg=entry.

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and all past episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.