More Than Counts

What does it take to make cheerleading easier to follow, understand and love as a fan?

In Episode 029, I sit down with Alex, the creator of Cheer Theory, to talk about his journey from competitive athlete to building one of the most trusted media platforms in cheerleading.

Alex takes us behind the scenes of covering Worlds, tracking scores and results in real time, and turning a very complicated sport into information fans can actually understand. We also discuss how cheerleading is represented outside our industry, why full routines still matter, and what it will take to move the sport forward without constantly trying to prove that it belongs.

Then, we revisit two routines that bookend Alex’s journey as an athlete: the 2011 Lady Bullets routine that made him fall in love with cheerleading and his final performance with Cali Coed. We finish by reviewing Kingston Elite Cheerleading Diamond and sharing ways their Level 1 routine could create even more visual impact.

This episode is about nostalgia, data, fandom and the work happening behind the scenes to help more people experience cheerleading as the sport we know it to be.

Takeaways

• Cheer Theory's evolution from a basic website to a comprehensive platform for cheerleading data and information
• The impact of technology on the accessibility and coverage of cheerleading competitions Media portrayal impacts public perception
• Evolution of cheerleading routines and scoring systems
• Nostalgia for past routines and trends

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey into Cheerleading
• 01:20 Evolution of Cheer Theory
• 02:47 Full-Time Commitment to Cheer Theory
• 03:11 The Impact of Technology on Cheerleading
• 07:06 Coverage of Cheerleading Competitions
• 26:08 Operational Excellence in Cheerleading Competitions
• 27:10 Media Portrayal and Public Perception
• 28:23 Evolution of Cheerleading Routines and Scoring Systems
• 33:30 Nostalgia for Past Routines and Trends

When a stunt feels shaky, a jump lacks height, or execution begins to fade, coaches often respond with more repetitions. But what if the real problem isn’t cleaning… it’s strength?

In this episode, Mimi sits down with physical therapist and former Ohio State cheerleader Maria Wisman, better known as The Cheer Doctor, to explore how strength training directly affects what we see on the competition floor.

They discuss why every cheerleader (including flyers!) belongs in the weight room, how coaches can make strength training manageable within an already busy practice schedule, and why simply lifting your flyer at practice doesn’t count as a strength program.

Mimi and Maria also revisit Maria’s own Ohio State routine and review a listener-submitted routine to break down how strength, power, and physical preparation show up through jumps, stunts, motions, landings, and execution under fatigue.

Because sometimes, your athletes don’t need more reps. They need more strength.

Takeaways

• Strength training can simplify the approach to cheerleading and improve athletic performance.
• Starting strength training at a young age can be beneficial for athletes in developing physical qualities necessary for success. Structured strength training is essential for efficiency and injury prevention.
• Balancing rest, recovery, and training is crucial for long-term success in cheerleading.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Strength Training Takeaway
• 00:53 The Journey to Cheerleading
• 02:54 The Birth of The Cheer Doctor
• 04:25 Misconceptions About Cheerleading
• 05:59 Physical Needs of Cheer Athletes
• 06:41 Strength Training for Cheerleaders
• 08:09 Access to Resources for Cheer Teams
• 09:28 The Impact of Strength Training on Performance
• 10:53 Starting Strength Training at a Young Age
• 12:03 Myth of Bulking Up from Strength Training
• 13:30 Overcoming Intimidation in the Weight Room
• 16:00 Basic Strength Training Tips
• 17:26 The Importance of Rotation in Training
• 19:09 Watching the UCA Nationals Routine
• 23:27 Strength Training vs. Repetition
• 24:32 Structured Strength Training
• 25:22 Sports-Specific Training Misconceptions
• 26:22 Differentiated Training for Bases and Flyers
• 27:16 Team Training and Vibe
• 30:33 Basics of Strength Training
• 32:14 Importance of Rest and Recovery
• 33:23 Injury Prevention and Recovery
• 40:06 Jumps and Power
• 43:32 Strength Training Considerations
• 45:04 Overlooked Muscle Groups
• 45:41 Key Exercise and Conditioning Drill

Can one routine succeed on two different score sheets?

In this episode, international choreographer Brandon Mackey joins Judge Mimi to talk about building routines around the world and adapting choreography for different athletes, cultures and scoring systems.

Brandon shares his journey from Newfoundland to winning Worlds and becoming a full-time choreographer. Together, he and Mimi break down routines from Australia and Canada, explore the differences between comparative and rubric-based scoring, and discuss how teams can strategically adjust a routine when competing in both Canada and the United States... without rebuilding everything from scratch.

They also talk about creating fast-paced routines without sacrificing execution, using the entire floor, building choreography around a team’s natural strengths and developing the trust between coaches and choreographers that allows the best ideas to come to life.

Plus, Mimi reviews Ocala Athletics Code Red and Brandon shares his advice for anyone hoping to follow in his footsteps: defeat your own impossible and find the style that is uniquely yours.

Takeaways

• Competitiveness drives success
• Transitioning between locations presents challenges
• Routine composition and creativity are key to success Reverse engineering choreography
• Strategic adjustments for different competition score systems

Chapters

• 00:00 Journey into Cheerleading
• 01:59 Transitioning to Ontario
• 03:39 Coaching and Choreography
• 05:19 Global Nature of Work
• 09:58 Routine Composition and Creativity
• 19:04 Creating Visionary Choreography
• 22:14 Navigating Competition Score Systems
• 26:59 Nurturing Relationships and Philosophy
• 31:40 Strategic Routine Adjustments
• 36:58 Defeating the Impossible
• 38:14 Looking Ahead to the Season

How do we raise athletes who can handle pressure, disappointment and big expectations... without making their results feel like everything?

This week, I sit down with Coach Becky, author of Raise the Athlete, Not the Pressure, to talk about the role coaches and parents play in shaping an athlete’s experience in sport.

Becky has experienced cheerleading from almost every angle: athlete, coach, gym owner, program director and cheer mom. We talk about the pressure we sometimes create without realizing it, why the car ride home matters, how coaches and parents can better work together, and what athletes actually need from us when things don’t go according to plan.

We also look at a season where Becky’s team was predicted to win at Summit, only to have a rough 10 seconds that ended their run. It opens up a bigger conversation about social media, expectations, athletic identity and remembering that one performance does not define an athlete... or their season.

And, of course, we watch some cheerleading together and review a listener-submitted routine.

Link to Becky's book: https://link.amazon/B0iz5aplY

Takeaways:

• Recognizing pressure in athletes
• Creating better coach-parent relationships
• Navigating the car ride home
• Helping athletes handle failure and disappointment
• Separating athletic identity from results
• Building confidence from real evidence, not social media expectations

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey to Cheerleading
• 01:05 From Cheerleader to Coach
• 02:22 The Gym Owner and Competitive Cheerleading
• 03:43 The Impact of COVID and Moving Forward
• 05:30 Coaching Daughters and Parental Influence
• 08:54 The Inspiration Behind the Book
• 13:55 Supporting Parents and Athletes
• 19:18 Bridging the Gap Between Parents and Coaches
• 21:55 Effective Communication Between Parents and Coaches
• 32:33 The Impact of Social Media on Athletes
• 34:19 The Unpredictability of Sports Competitions
• 36:36 Enjoying the Journey in Cheerleading

What if there were more than one pathway to competitive cheerleading?

David Sims joins More Than Counts to take us inside YCADA and the evolution of Travel Cheer & Dance, an alternative competitive pathway built for programs that don’t necessarily fit into the traditional All Star model.

We talk about where youth and recreation cheer fits into the history of our sport, why Travel Cheer was created, and what makes its approach different. Then, of course, we get into scoring. David breaks down a system where difficulty isn’t capped, every skill has value, execution comes with real risk, and coaches have more freedom to build a strategy around the athletes they actually have.

We also review a listener-submitted routine from Carlton All Stars and talk choreography, floor use, creativity, movement, and why full-team tumbling might deserve a comeback.

Because sometimes growing the sport isn’t about getting everyone onto the same path—it’s about creating more paths for people to stay in it.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Evolution of Cheerleading
• 02:59 Youth and Recreation Cheerleading
• 23:55 Precision-like Scoring in Cheerleading
• 25:47 Strategic Decision-Making in Cheerleading
• 28:19 Barriers to Entry in Cheerleading
• 29:14 Competitive Pathways in Cheerleading
• 30:02 Scoring Systems and Comparative Aspects
• 39:23 Routine Review and Feedback
• 42:25 The Essence of Cheerleading

Most people know Jason Larkins from his podcast, social media, or years of coaching championship teams. But behind the routines and the highlights is another role that often goes unseen: gym director.

In this episode, Jason shares how he accidentally found cheerleading, the journey that led him from athlete to coach, and eventually to leading a successful all-star program. We dive into what really happens during team placements, why some of the hardest coaching decisions happen long before athletes ever step onto the floor, and the leadership lessons he's learned after more than two decades in the sport.

We also watch two of American Cheer's routines from last season, breaking down the strategy behind their choreography, creativity, and scoring decisions while discussing how routines evolve throughout the season.

Whether you're a coach, gym owner, athlete, or parent, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the decisions that shape a program long before competition day.

Takeaways

• The transition from athlete to coach is a significant and impactful journey.
• The role of a gym director involves making tough decisions, managing team dynamics, and dealing with the stress of team placement. Dedication is key to winning
• Coaching and choreography play a crucial role in team success

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey into Cheerleading
• 03:05 From Athlete to Coach
• 11:00 The Role of a Gym Director
• 20:56 Team Placement and Decision-Making
• 25:05 Coaching and Team Dynamics
• 27:27 Perfect Opening
• 28:10 Showmanship and Creativity
• 29:01 Choreography and Stunts
• 32:50 Dance Difficulty and Execution
• 37:11 Motivating the Team
• 38:48 Personal Achievements and Legacy
• 41:03 Team Black's Journey
• 44:39 Pyramid and Dance Performance
• 48:49 Competition and Coaching Insights

What catches a judge's eye in the first 15 seconds of a routine? What separates winning programs from everyone else? And what would I change if I had one chance to help your team score higher?

In this special solo episode of More Than Counts, I'm answering your questions about judging, coaching, business, social media, and balancing life as a mom while traveling the world as an international cheer judge. Along the way, I review listener-submitted routines from around the world, sharing one thing each team does exceptionally well and one area I'd focus on to maximize their scores.

Whether you're a coach looking for fresh ideas, an athlete curious about what judges really notice, or someone who simply loves the sport, this episode is packed with practical insights you can bring back to the gym.

Chapters:

• 0:00 — Introduction and what judges notice in the first 15 seconds
• 3:32 — Routine review: Fame All-Star Vixens
• 8:54 — What I wish I had when I started in cheer
• 10:42 — Routine review: Coventry Dynamite C4
• 15:17 — How much a team’s social media presence matters
• 18:32 — Routine review: Airborne Elite All Star Stealth
• 22:59 — Scariest decision made
• 25:43 — Routine review: Cheer United Solar Sister
• 30:01 — Coaching mini/youth vs senior athletes
• 32:12 — Routine review: Twisted Cheer and Dance — Rain
• 35:17 — The new IASF scorecard
• 40:00 — Routine review: Paris Cheer Nights
• 44:43 — Balancing being a mom with traveling
• 46:29 — Routine review: Laser Cheer Academy Ruby Royal
• 51:34 — Biggest mistakes coaches make
• 53:00 — Routine review: All-Star Evolution Glory
• 56:53 — What cheer needs to attract fans outside the sport
• 62:37 — Routine review: TNT All-Star Detonator
• 66:23 — How to connect with your community and school
• 68:16 — What winning programs consistently do
• 69:15 — Routine review: Cheer Empire Athletic Kings
• 72:38 — Did you expect social media to become a big part of your career?
• 74:26 — Routine review: Ace Athletic Probe
• 77:46 — What the cheer industry should look like in 10 years

Kelvin Lam has spent decades asking a simple question: why do great stunts actually work?

From his early days at the University of Hawaii to Team USA and becoming one of the most respected stunt educators in the sport, Kelvin has built a reputation for challenging conventional wisdom and helping coaches see stunting through a different lens.

In this episode, we dive into the fundamentals that make stunts stronger, safer, and more efficient, while unpacking some of the biggest myths that have been passed down through generations of cheerleading. We also watch routines together, breaking down what elite coaches notice in real time and why seemingly small technical decisions can have a lasting impact on an athlete's development.

Whether you're coaching Level 1 athletes or building Worlds-level routines, this conversation will change the way you think about progressions, technique, and the future of stunt coaching.

• Why elite coaches see stunts differently.
• The biggest misconceptions in stunt technique.
• How small technical choices shape long-term athlete development.
• Why creativity starts with strong fundamentals.
• The role of progressions in building safer, more consistent stunts.
• What coaches should really be looking for when troubleshooting a stunt.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Early Cheer Experience
• 03:00 Transition to University of Hawaii
• 05:58 Innovative Video Filming and Technique Instruction
• 07:01 Underrated Fundamental in Stunting
• 08:02 Shoulder Positioning in Stunting
• 09:04 Scoring and Creativity in Cheerleading
• 27:01 Crowd Interaction and CrowdScore
• 30:04 Overcoming Frustration and Setbacks
• 48:30 Innovative Techniques and Routines
• 56:06 Forward-Thinking Technique Choices
• 57:09 Maxing Out Stunt Difficulty
• 58:14 Alignment and Weight Distribution in Stunts
• 59:33 Proper Technique and Progressions
• 01:10:42 The Role of Pyramids in Maximizing Points
• 01:12:38 Teaching and Practicing Proper Technique

What makes a dance score? Is it more movement? More difficulty? Or is it something else entirely?

In this episode of More Than Counts, Judge Mimi sits down with choreographer and coach Jake to explore one of the most debated parts of a routine: dance. Together, they unpack what makes choreography memorable, why readability matters just as much as difficulty, and how seamless transitions, musicality, and visual design can elevate a routine.

Jake also shares how an unexpected background in marching band shaped his choreography philosophy, what he's learned coaching athletes from Level 2 through Level 6, and why creating routines that fit the team will always outperform trying to force complexity.

As always, they put theory into practice—breaking down routines from Cheer Athletics' Ocelots, a developing 4.2 team, and a listener-submitted routine, discussing pacing, formations, cleaning, recovery, and the small details that can make a big difference on the scoresheet.

Whether you're a coach, choreographer, athlete, or simply love the creative side of cheerleading, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what judges actually see—and what makes great choreography stand out.

Takeaways

• Importance of Readability in Dance
• Balancing Difficulty and Execution Choreography and Routine Design
• Team Development and Progression

Chapters

• 00:00 The Art of Dance
• 01:39 Choreography and Coaching Journey
• 02:36 Influence of Gymnastics and Marching Band
• 03:46 The Role of Music and Dance in Cheerleading
• 20:38 Dance Cleaning and Strategy
• 26:38 Visual Movement and Showmanship
• 27:40 The O'Baby Queens
• 28:51 The NCA Experience
• 30:15 The Aftermath
• 32:18 The Oslo Routine
• 33:31 Building a 4.2 Team
• 48:57 Routine Analysis

Professional cheerleading is no longer just an idea—it's becoming a reality.

In this episode, Judge Mimi sits down with John Newby, Commissioner of the Professional Cheer League (PCL) and EVP of Varsity International, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a professional league from the ground up.

They discuss the vision behind the PCL, why the league is moving to a head-to-head format, what new games are coming in Season 2, and how the league is creating more opportunities for athletes to shine. John also shares how athlete compensation works, the challenges of bringing international athletes into the league, and what still needs to happen before professional cheer becomes a full-time career path.

To wrap up the conversation, John and Judge Mimi watch one of his favorite PCL routines together, breaking down the moments that made it unforgettable and what fans might have missed.

Whether you're an athlete dreaming of competing professionally, a coach following the evolution of the sport, or simply curious about where cheerleading is headed, this episode offers an inside look at the decisions shaping its future.

• Why the PCL was created and the vision driving its growth.
• How the new head-to-head format changes the fan and athlete experience.
• What athletes are paid and what needs to happen for professional cheer to become a full-time career.
• The challenges—and opportunities—of expanding the league internationally.
• Why building a professional sport takes more than great athletes—it takes trust, collaboration, and a shared vision.

Chapters

• 00:00 The New Format and Vision for the Future
• 20:35 Visa Requirements and Logistics
• 26:08 Dallas Drive's Performance and Props Feedback
• 31:32 Scheduling and Event Logistics