Britney Gilman, owner and head coach of Supreme Cheer & Tumble in Mesa, Arizona, joins Cheer Dads Unfiltered for Season 2 Episode 4 and this one takes us inside the gym.

Recorded in person at Supreme Cheer & Tumble, Britney shares how she found cheer, started coaching at a young age, built Supreme from 21 athletes into a growing program, and what it really takes to create a gym culture where athletes and families feel like they belong.

Tom, Geoff and David dig into the owner and coaching side of cheer — choosing the right gym, athlete development, rushing skills, mental blocks, privates, parent involvement, communication, trust, and the balance between being competitive and protecting the athlete experience.

It is a fun, honest conversation about building a program, developing athletes, supporting families, and what cheer parents often do not get to see behind the gym doors.

Learn more about Supreme Cheer & Tumble and follow their journey on social.

🎙️ New episodes every Thursday.

Here for the parents. Here for the athletes. Here for every count

Hailey D'Lynn Smith joins Cheer Dads Unfiltered for Season 2 Episode 3 and this one covers a lot of ground.

Hailey shares her journey through cheer, what the sport has taught her, how confidence is built over time, and what athletes really experience when expectations, pressure and personal growth all collide.

Tom, Geoff and David dig into the athlete and coaching side of the sport, the lessons that carry far beyond the mat, and the role parents can play in supporting athletes without taking over the journey.

It is a fun, honest conversation about cheer, growth, identity, confidence, coaching and the people who shape athletes along the way.

🎙️ New episodes every Thursday

Here for the parents

Here for the athletes

Here for every count

Season 2 is officially underway and the honeymoon phase of making All-Star is already over 😂

Last week, we shared where Izzy, Ruby and Everly landed. Now the teams are set, choreography is done, school is back in session... and competition season still feels forever away.

This week, Tom, Geoff and David sit down for a real Cheer Dads check-in on the part of competitive cheer nobody posts about: the work between making the team and stepping onto the competition floor.

We talk about choreography week, 20+ hour cheer weeks, new tumbling skills, flyer flexibility, balancing third grade with All-Star schedules, and watching our daughters find their places on their new teams.

We also get into one of the biggest questions we've faced as sports parents: When should you advocate for your kid and when should you get out of the way and let them advocate for themselves?

David shares how Everly approached her coach and earned another opportunity instead of Dad stepping in. Geoff talks about Ruby landing her back handspring and immediately eyeing the next skill. And Tom wrestles with helping Izzy handle the pressure of a two-week flexibility goal without becoming that cheer dad.

Plus: ridiculous cheer expenses, squishies everywhere, bedazzled cheer shoes, school vs. sports, who will cry first at competition... and Geoff officially becomes Snacks.

Because December gets the trophies, photos and bright lights.

But August builds the athlete.

Next week: Hailey D'Lynn Smith joins Cheer Dads Unfiltered

🎙️ New episodes every Thursday

Here for the parents. Here for the athletes

Here for every count

Season 2 is officially here

We ended Season 1 with a cliffhanger: all three of us thought we had a pretty good idea of what the next cheer season was going to look like

Turns out… we had no idea 😂

In the Season 2 premiere, we rewind the whole story and unpack how Izzy, Ruby and Everly all made the jump into All Star cheer but through three very different paths.

Tom and Geoff walk through how Izzy and Ruby ended up together on Shimmer at USA Starz, competing Youth Level 1 All Star, while David shares why Everly made a bigger move and joined Mini Majesties at Supreme Cheer in a limited-travel All Star program.

We get into the tryout decisions, coach conversations, family discussions, finances, travel, practice expectations and all the stuff cheer parents actually have to think about when their athlete is ready for more.

We also talk about:

• Prep vs. All Star and what we understand now that we absolutely did not understand a year ago
• Why our original plans changed after tryouts
• How much influence coaches should have on a family’s decision
• Full travel vs. limited travel All Star
• Private lessons, tumbling and the increased commitment that comes with leveling up
• Nutrition, school, sleep and managing the schedule
• What has already surprised us about All Star practices
• The pressure parents can accidentally put on their athletes
• Why there is no single “right” path through competitive cheer
• What we’re excited and nervous about heading into the new season

The biggest takeaway from all three families?

Let your athlete write their own story

Season 1 was us discovering the cheer world

Season 2 is us living inside of it

New teams. New gyms. New challenges. Same three dads trying to figure this thing out one count at a time.

Welcome to Season 2 of Cheer Dads Unfiltered

Here for every count 📣

#CheerDadsUnfiltered #AllStarCheer #CheerParents #CompetitiveCheer #CheerDad

Seven months ago, three dads sat down with one simple goal:

learn more about the sport our daughters love

We never imagined where that journey would take us

🏆 Best Cheer Podcast at the Cheer Awards

🎙️ 33 episodes

❤️ Incredible guests

🤝 Lifelong friendships

📈 Hundreds of thousands of views

In our Season One Finale, we're taking a step back to reflect on everything this first season became

We talk about:

• How Cheer Dads Unfiltered started
• The guests and moments that impacted us most
• Winning Best Cheer Podcast
• The incredible relationships we've built throughout the cheer community
• What we've learned as fathers
• Some big family decisions happening behind the scenes
• What's next for Cheer Dads Unfiltered

Most importantly...we want to say thank you

To every athlete, parent, coach, judge, gym owner, brand partner and listener who welcomed us into this community...

Thank you for making this first season unforgettable

❤️ Here for every count

Follow Cheer Dads Unfiltered:

Instagram: @cheerdadsunfiltered

TikTok: @cheerdadsunfiltered

YouTube: Cheer Dads Unfiltered

Website: cheerdadsunfiltered.com

What happens when a college football player trades shoulder pads for stunts?

In this episode of Cheer Dads Unfiltered we're joined by Will Hemsley of the Golden State Grit to talk about one of the most unique journeys in competitive cheer.

From playing football under coaches connected to Eric Berry and Cam Newton to cheering at Navarro, Weber State and the Pro Cheer League Will shares how he found a new passion, what it's really like competing at the highest level and why coaching the next generation means more to him than winning championships.

We also dive into:

🏈 Transitioning from college football to elite cheer

💪 Is competitive cheer actually harder than football?

📣 Life at Navarro, Weber State & the Golden State Grit

🧠 Mental toughness, confidence & overcoming fear

👏 Why great coaches change lives

👨‍👩‍👧 Advice for parents raising young athletes

🔥 Will's favorite Pro Cheer League moments

Whether you're a cheer parent, athlete, coach, or simply curious about the world of competitive cheer, this conversation offers an inside look at what it really takes to compete and lead at the highest level.

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok & YouTube:

@CheerDadsUnfiltered

New episodes every Thursday

Here for every count ❤️

Skylar Graves joins Cheer Dads Unfiltered to share one of the most unique journeys we've heard yet.

From 13 years in competitive gymnastics to cheering at Trinity Valley Community College, competing at Worlds with USA Stars Obsession, and becoming one of the very first professional cheer athletes with Miami Metal, Skylar opens up about the road that brought him here.

We dive into:

• Growing up in gymnastics

• Transitioning into cheer

• Breaking stereotypes around boys in cheer

• College cheer and scholarships

• Trinity Valley culture

• Winning at Worlds

• Competing in the inaugural Pro Cheer League season

• Mental toughness and what separates elite athletes

• Finding your people and building confidence

Whether you're a cheer parent, athlete, coach, or someone chasing a dream, this conversation is packed with perspective, laughs, and lessons that go far beyond the mat.

Here for every count.

What does it really take to go from a young All-Star athlete to competing in the Professional Cheer League?

This week we're joined by Alex Simonis. Back spot, former Arizona State STUNT athlete, high school coach and current member of the Atlanta Air in the Professional Cheer League.

Alex shares one of the most informative conversations we've had for cheer parents, breaking down every stage of an athlete's journey. From youth cheer to high school, college recruiting, STUNT and eventually the professional level.

We also dive into why back spots deserve more recognition, what college coaches are really looking for, how families can prepare for the recruiting process and what it was like earning a spot in the Professional Cheer League.

In this episode:

• Why back spots are the quarterbacks of cheer

• The biggest mistakes families make when preparing for college cheer

• All-Star vs High School Cheer

• What STUNT really is (and why every parent should know about it)

• College recruiting tips from an athlete who's lived it

• Alex's journey to the Atlanta Air and the Professional Cheer League

• Advice every young athlete needs to hear

Whether your athlete is just starting their cheer journey or dreaming about competing at the highest level, this episode offers practical advice, encouragement, and a behind-the-scenes look at where the sport is headed.

🎙️ Real Dads. Real Cheer Conversations

Here For Every Count

From rodeo arenas to all star cheer competitions, Parker Kimber never expected to become one of the most recognizable cheer dads in the community.

In Episode 29 of Cheer Dads Unfiltered we sit down with Parker to talk about his journey into cheer, raising a dedicated athlete, building friendships inside the cheer world and why supporting every athlete matters.

We also dive into competition weekends, the famous glitter beard, becoming the go-to competition hair dad, injuries, resilience and why having fun might be the most important part of the entire journey.

In this episode we discuss:

✅ Becoming a cheer dad after a lifetime in rodeo & sports

✅ Why all star cheer became a family lifestyle

✅ Competition weekends & travel stories

✅ The famous glitter beard & competition hair tradition

✅ Parenting through injuries, setbacks & growth

✅ Building community inside your cheer gym

✅ Why every athlete deserves support

Whether you're a new cheer parent, seasoned veteran or simply love the all star cheer community this episode is packed with laughs, perspective and plenty of real cheer dad moments.

🎙️ New episodes every Thursday

Our first ever Cheer Mom has officially entered the chat

This week on Cheer Dads Unfiltered we're joined by Gina Bartel, creator of Cheer Moms Anonymous and unofficial co-host of Let's Talk Cheer alongside Jason Larkins.

From Pop Warner to All Star Cheer, coaching her daughter, navigating gym changes, surviving tryouts, team moms, competition weekends, Pizza Paul, Crock-Pots at Summit, and everything in between, Gina gives us an honest look at what life is really like from a cheer mom's perspective.

If you've ever wondered what goes through a cheer parent's mind behind the scenes this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• Why Gina created Cheer Moms Anonymous

• The biggest mistakes new cheer parents make

• The emotional side of tryouts and team placements

• Why parents become so invested in cheer

• The truth about All-Star Cheer vs. Rec Cheer

• Team moms, travel weekends and competition life

• Pizza Paul, hot dogs, standing fulls and plenty of laughs

Whether you're a cheer mom, cheer dad, coach, athlete or just beginning your cheer journey, we hope this conversation reminds you that we're all figuring it out together.

🎧 Follow Gina:

Instagram & TikTok: @ginablivin

📘 Join Cheer Moms Anonymous on Facebook

🎙️ Listen to Let's Talk Cheer with Jason Larkins and Gina Bartel

🏆 Gina is nominated for Best Social Media Presence at the Cheer Choice Awards!

Vote here:

https://cheerawards.org

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, leave a review and share it with another cheer family.

📲 Follow Cheer Dads Unfiltered

Instagram: @cheerdadsunfiltered

YouTube: Cheer Dads Unfiltered

We're here for every count