This week, we’re breaking down what “knock knees” and “pigeon toes” really mean for cheerleaders — why they happen, how to screen for them, and what actually helps. You’ll learn how hip stability, ankle mobility, and developmental positions contribute to safe landings, plus I’ll walk you through 5 exercises you can start using today.

Looking for more help?
📘 Strength & Conditioning for the Cheer Athlete (with bonuses!)
https://ltthecheerpt.com/cheerathletebook

💪 Cheer Strength Programs (Bases, Flyers, All-Around Training)
https://ltthecheerpt.com/cheerworkouts294353-6697

🎥 Watch the Exercise Demo on YouTube

If today’s episode helped you, please leave a review and share it with another cheer parent or coach!

Are you working hard in practice but not seeing the results you want?
In this episode, LT The Cheer PT shares why having an outside coach can completely change how you train, perform, and stay motivated as a cheerleader.

Whether you’re a flyer working on your stability and body control, or a base trying to build power and prevent back pain — this episode will help you understand how personalized strength and mobility training can take your stunts to the next level.

You’ll learn:
💪 Why “practicing harder” doesn’t always mean “getting better”
⚖️ How smart progression prevents burnout and injury
🧠 What role strength and mobility play in cheer skill development
🌟 How outside coaching helps you stay motivated and consistent

“A good coach doesn’t just push you harder — they guide you smarter.”

Join LT’s new program for flyers and bases!
Learn how to:
✅ Build strength and control
✅ Improve stunt stability and balance
✅ Reduce pain and prevent injuries
✅ Stay motivated all season long

📍 Get all the details: HERE

💬 Key Quote from LT:🩵 Want to Train Smarter This Season?

🔗 Connect with LT The Cheer PT

🌐 Website: https://www.movebetterllc.com

LTTheCheerPT.com
📸 Instagram: @thecheerpt
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Cheer Athlete Podcast
📩 Email: [email protected]

Back pain holding your bases back? Learn how to spot — and fix — the movement patterns that make stunting harder than it needs to be.
Dr. Laura Turner, The Cheer PT, shares how to build a stronger squat, improve core control, and prevent pain by understanding what’s missing in your athlete’s movement.

✅ Perfect for: Bases, coaches, and parents who want to keep their cheerleaders healthy and strong.
🎯 Learn about the new Cheer Base Backbone Program HERE for bases who want less pain and more power.

(If you want to learn more about our Confident Cheer Flyer Project, please fill this form out )

🧠 Follow LT on Instagram: @thecheerpt
💌 Contact: [email protected]

This week on The Cheer Athlete, Laura breaks down two important cheer topics every parent and coach should understand:

💪 1. Bracing for injury prevention — is it actually helping or hurting?
Learn why relying on braces can sometimes weaken muscles and delay true recovery, plus what you can do instead to build lasting strength and confidence.

🧠 2. Teaching body control and awareness
Discover simple, effective ways to help cheerleaders feel their movements—tightening the right muscles, improving posture, and mastering body positions for safer, more powerful skills.

Whether your athlete is a flyer learning to stay tight in the air or a base working on landing strong, this episode will help you rethink how to train for injury prevention and performance.

✨ Ready to help your cheerleader move better, feel stronger, and reduce pain?
Laura’s new Flyer Strong and Cheer Backbone programs are coming soon — designed to build flexibility, stability, and power specific to cheer athletes.

📩 Stay tuned for early access or reach out directly at [email protected].
Follow @thecheerpt for weekly tips and cheer-specific training advice.

Find free guides and content at LTTheCheerPT.com

5 Cheer Travel Tips: Stay Calm, Strong & Hydrated on the Road

Competition season is here — which means it’s time to hit the road (or the skies)! In this week’s episode, Dr. Laura Turner, The Cheer PT, shares her top five tips to make cheer travel smoother, healthier, and way more fun.

Drawing from her own recent trip to Italy, Laura talks about the importance of taking time off, preparing your body for long days and lots of walking, avoiding the stiffness that comes with travel, staying hydrated, and keeping the stress level low when plans don’t go perfectly.

Whether you’re a coach planning for Nationals, a parent juggling schedules and suitcases, or a cheerleader ready to take the mat, these simple strategies can help you arrive ready to perform — and actually enjoy the experience.

🧳 In This Episode:

• Why time off makes you stronger (not lazy!)

• How to train your body for extra steps

• Small movements to ease stiffness on planes or buses

• The easiest way to stay hydrated while traveling

• Managing travel stress and finding the joy in the journey

📘 Mentioned in this episode:
Book: Strength & Conditioning for the Cheer Athlete — available now on Amazon.
Free Resources: Mobility and strength tools in Laura’s Linktree.

💬 Share your best cheer travel tip in the comments!

Being cut from a team can feel like the end of the world — but sometimes, it’s the start of something even better.
Dr. Laura Turner (The Cheer PT) shares her personal story of resilience, how to help your athlete handle disappointment, and why grit and growth matter more than perfection.

🎯 Learn how rejection can become redirection — both in cheer and in life.

📘 Grab Laura’s book Strength and Conditioning for the Cheer Athlete on Amazon. https://a.co/d/75Py0jn
💡 More free injury prevention tips at LTTheCheerPT.com

Welcome to The Cheer Athlete Podcast! I’m Laura Turner, The Cheer PT — Doctor of Physical Therapy and strength coach, helping cheerleaders, coaches, and parents keep athletes healthy, safe, and strong for life.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and today I’m sharing why it’s so important to start open conversations about breast health early — especially with our kids.

This is a personal topic for me. I found my first lump as a teenager while I was cheering. Thankfully, it wasn’t cancer — but I went on to find several more lumps in my 20s and 40s. Those experiences, along with seeing friends, teammates, and parents affected by breast cancer, have shaped how I view prevention, screening, and awareness.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why teens should start hearing about breast health at puberty (without fear).

• How self-awareness and knowing your body can make all the difference.

• The role of family history (and why you should look at BOTH your mother’s and father’s side).

• How genetic testing can empower informed decisions.

• The progress we’ve made in treatment and survivorship — and why hope matters.

• How cheerleading teams and communities can play a role in raising awareness.

My message: Talking about breast cancer shouldn’t be taboo. Open conversations help our athletes grow up informed, empowered, and proactive about their health.

✨ Resources:

• American Cancer Society

• Breast Cancer Research Foundation

💌 Questions or stories to share? Reach out at [email protected] or connect on Instagram @thecheerpt.

Learn more ways to connect with Laura at LTTheCheerPT.com

Remember: Take life one step at a time. Don’t forget to breathe out. And always take care of the body that takes care of you.

Welcome to The Cheer Athlete Podcast! I’m Laura Turner, The Cheer PT. I help cheerleaders, parents, and coaches navigate injuries, prevent setbacks, and keep athletes healthy and strong so they can cheer for life.

This week’s episode is about perception — and how changing the way we look at challenges can help athletes (and all of us) move forward.

I was inspired by Jeremy Renner’s book My Next Breath, where he shares lessons from his near-fatal accident and recovery. His story carries powerful takeaways for cheerleaders:

• Love matters most. When everything else fades, love for family, teammates, and the sport is what carries us through.

• Focus on the next breath. In moments of stress, pain, or self-doubt, progress comes from taking things one step — and one breath — at a time.

• Shift your perception of pain. Pain doesn’t always mean you’re finished; it can be a signal to pay attention, adjust, and keep moving forward.

These lessons apply not only on the mat, but in school, training, and life. Whether you’re learning a new skill, balancing schoolwork, or facing setbacks, perception and persistence can change everything.

📖 Want to dive deeper? Check out My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner on Spotify, Audible, or Kindle.

👉 And if you’re looking for cheer-specific tools, grab my free guide: 3 Tips to Prevent Injury in Cheer and my done-for-you Warm-Up & Cool-Down Program

Remember: Take one step at a time. Don’t forget to breathe. You can do anything you put your mind to.

Conditioning is essential for cheerleaders — but should it ever be used as punishment when a flyer falls?

In this episode, I break down why “exercise as consequence” can actually increase injury risk and create fear instead of confidence. We’ll talk about what really causes falls, share voices from the cheer world, and dive into 5 research-backed tips to keep stunt groups safer and more consistent.

👉 Download your free Injury Prevention Guide here: https://ltthecheerpt.com/injuryfree-350183

References & Sources Mentioned:

• Braun-Trocchio, C., et al. (2024). Effects of Coaching Behaviors and Differences in Sport Injury Anxiety Among Cheerleaders. Journal of Emerging Sport Studies. Link

• Mueller, F. O., et al. Cheerleader Injuries and Safety. PMC. Link

• FierceBoard Community Discussion: Conditioning as Punishment Link

• Cheerleading Coaching Blog – Coach Brandy: How to Deal with Talkers on Your Team Link

• Varsity News – AACCA Rules Update, Jim Lord quote Link

What you’ll learn today:

• Why punishment conditioning can lead to more falls

• How fatigue, fear, and poor timing play into stunt crashes

• Real quotes from athletes, coaches, and cheer leaders

• Five practical ways to reduce falls & prevent injury

Tune in, share with your coaching staff, and start building safer, stronger stunt groups.

To access other free guides and learn more about programs, head to LTTheCheerPT.com

Try these 2 tips that I learned from Tony Robbins

To connect with Laura LTTheCheerPT.com