What does it really take to rebuild a college cheer program from nothing?

In this episode of Here For Cheer with Megan Gomarlo, UMass Head Coach Colby Hall opens up about taking over a struggling program with just 22 athletes, rebuilding team culture, raising expectations, and ultimately leading her team to a College Nationals championship.

From holding on “for dear life” in year one to creating a powerhouse program in New England, Colby shares the real behind-the-scenes work of leadership, accountability, athlete development, and resilience—on and off the mat.

Whether you’re a cheerleader, coach, athlete, or sports fan, this episode is a masterclass in building something meaningful under pressure.

🎧 Topics include:

Rebuilding a college cheer program from the ground up

Culture shifts and athlete buy-in

Leadership lessons for coaches

Competing at College Nationals

Why New England cheer is thriving

#CollegeCheer

In this episode, host Megan Gomarlo sits down with Izzy Russo, a five-time World Champion and former flyer for the legendary Top Gun All Stars (TGLC) —one of the most iconic teams in all of cheerleading.

Izzy opens up about what it really takes to compete at the highest level of the sport, from moving across the country at 12 years old to chase her dreams, to handling pressure, fan attention, and the expectations that come with wearing a Top Gun uniform. She shares behind-the-scenes insight into TLC’s culture, innovation, and championship mindset, plus what it was like training under Coach Victor and competing in front of massive crowds.

Now a college cheerleader at the University of Central Florida, Izzy talks about the transition from All Star to college cheer, overcoming challenges with tumbling, staying mentally tough, and finding balance as a student-athlete. Her advice for young athletes? You can’t be scared—if you don’t try, you’ll never know what you’re capable of.

This episode is packed with inspiration for athletes, parents, and coaches alike.

Topics covered:

Moving for cheer & chasing big dreams

Life on Top Gun TLC and winning Worlds

Pressure, leadership, and fan attention

Transitioning from All Star to college cheer

Mental toughness, setbacks, and staying hungry

Advice for aspiring elite and college cheerleaders

What separates a thriving cheer gym from one that’s constantly overwhelmed?

In this episode of Here For Cheer, host Megan Gomarlo sits down with Danielle Johnston—co-owner of Twister Sports, founder of Next Gen Gym Owners, and author of The Cheer Gym Owner’s Handbook—to talk honestly about what it takes to build and sustain a successful cheer gym.

From growing a gym in a small town to creating systems that keep gyms running smoothly, Danielle shares practical insights on leadership, staffing, retention, marketing, and mindset. This conversation is packed with real-world strategies gym owners can start using immediately.

Whether you’re a new gym owner or a seasoned veteran looking to scale smarter, this episode delivers clarity, confidence, and actionable takeaways.

🎧 Perfect for:

How do you grow a cheer gym without losing your culture, your staff, or yourself?

In this powerful episode of Here For Cheer, host Megan Gomarlo sits down with Rachel Lynch, MBE, owner of North East Cheer (UK) and founder of The Cheerleading CEO, to break down exactly how she scaled her program from 80 athletes to over 900 members—while maintaining retention, confidence, and community.

Rachel shares real, practical strategies for:

Building retention before recruitment

Creating systems that support growth before you need them

Developing young leaders and future coaches from within

Managing staff without burnout 

Making tough business decisions while still leading with heart

Growing confidence in young athletes—on and off the mat

Expanding internationally and navigating Worlds, Summit, and European competition pathways

Whether you’re a cheer gym owner, coach, program director, or aspiring leader, this episode is packed with honest insight, actionable takeaways, and mindset shifts that can change the way you run your program.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or stuck on the hamster wheel of growth—this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone, and that sustainable success is possible.

In this solo episode of Here for Cheer, host Megan Gomarlo shares the 10 essential skills every cheer coach must master to build strong athletes, healthy team culture, and long-term success—on and off the mat.

From connection and communication to leadership, motivation, adaptability, and problem-solving, Megan breaks down the real-life coaching skills that matter most during a long and demanding cheer season.

This episode is a must-watch for all-star cheer coaches, gym owners, school cheer coaches, team leaders, and cheer parents who want to better support athletes and create winning, resilient programs.

In this episode:

How elite cheer coaches build trust and athlete buy-in

Communication strategies that motivate without breaking confidence

Leadership lessons athletes carry beyond cheer

Keeping teams focused through injuries, setbacks, and long seasons

Creating a culture that athletes and families want to be part of

Perfect for:

All-Star Cheer Coaches

Cheer Gym Owners

Youth, High School & Competitive Cheer Coaches

Cheer Parents & Athlete Leaders

Anyone passionate about cheerleading culture and leadership

👉 New episodes of Here for Cheer drop weekly.

Welcome back to the Here 4 Cheer Podcast! In our first episode of 2026, host Megan Gomarlo sits down with global cheer ambassador Jibreel Rayam, President of the AIA — Association for International All Star, and 20+ year gym owner.

In this episode, Jibreel gives an inside look at how the AIA is reshaping the future of All Star cheer on a global scale. From international pathways to athlete experience, he breaks down what’s next for the sport — and why worldwide collaboration matters more than ever.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

In this episode of Here for a Cheer, host Megan Gomarlo sits down with two absolute legends of the industry: Hank Light, the V!Roc Choreographer Director with over 100 UCA National titles, and Kim Gaskin, a 36-year veteran coach of Burlington Township with five NHSCC titles.

Together, they take a trip down memory lane, discussing how a chance meeting at a pool bar before Nationals turned into a decades-long mentorship and friendship. Hank and Kim share invaluable advice on how to build a program that lasts, the importance of adapting coaching styles for today’s athletes, and why the relationship between a coach and a choreographer is critical to success.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Evolution of Nationals: Hank reflects on attending his 40th High School Nationals and how the event has grown from small rural schools to a massive, multi-division event.

Building a Legacy: Kim explains the "Team Burlington" philosophy, the importance of monthly mandatory parent meetings, and how to teach discipline and critical thinking to build leaders.

Choreography Secrets: Hank reveals that a routine is 75% coaching, why teams need to "live in" their choreography before changing it, and the importance of stamina over skills.

The Coach’s Responsibility: Why coaches must know the rules book inside and out rather than relying solely on choreographers.

Work-Life Balance: Kim opens up about her battle with breast cancer, the support of her cheer family, and the necessity of delegating tasks to survive burnout.

Memorable Quote: "Winning is a luxury, that's not a goal... Making good humans is a full-time job." — Hank Light.

Cheerleading has been her whole life—and now, she’s reflecting on what it means to go pro... and let go.

In this episode of Here For Cheer, we sit down with Macie Dickey, Texas Tech cheerleader and Pro Cheer League athlete, to talk about growing up in the gym, navigating injuries, transferring colleges, winning a national championship, and facing the emotional reality of the end of a cheer career.

Macie opens up about sacrifice, resilience, family, and why cheerleading will always be a part of who she is. This is an honest, heartfelt conversation for athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone who’s ever given everything to the sport they love.

In this inspiring episode, host Megan Camarillo sits down with the legendary Michael Head, a two-time UCF Collegiate Champion and five-time World Champion with USA Cheer!

Michael opens up about his incredible journey in the cheer world, discussing the difficult moments when he faced doubt from people who didn't understand his passion. He shares what it feels like to finally see those doubters come around and why the support of his friends and family is everything. This is a must-listen for anyone needing a boost of confidence or a reminder to stay true to the things they love, no matter what others say.

Michael also looks ahead to his final season with USA Cheer, offers great advice to listeners, and reminds us that if he can help just one person, it makes a big difference.

Competition season is here — and we’re breaking down exactly how parents and athletes can make the most of it! In this episode, Megan Gomarlo shares her best tips for having a successful, fun, and drama-free comp season. From showing spirit and staying on time to giving your athlete healthy feedback, this episode helps set the tone for a positive year.

You’ll learn:

This episode is perfect for new families AND returning cheer parents who want their athlete to thrive this season.

Thank you for supporting Here 4 Cheer — and come say hi at competitions!