What do dancers, gymnasts, and cheerleaders all have in common? They're not just performers—they’re artistic athletes.

In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I sit down with Jillian Barnaby, founder of Parallel Physical Therapy and expert in movement for artistic athletes. We dive into the unique physical and mental demands these athletes face, the common injuries that come with blending performance and precision, and why strength and motor control matter more than extreme flexibility.

Whether you're a coach, clinician, parent, or athlete yourself—this conversation will give you insight, inspiration, and practical tools to help artistic athletes move better, stay injury-free, and reach their full potential.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• What makes an artistic athlete different

• Why traditional rehab often misses the mark

• The importance of cross-training for performance and longevity

• How Jillian uses movement assessment to build better, safer athletes

  
  

  Jillian is the owner of Parallel Physical Therapy & Wellness, LLC in Boylston, MA, which is a physical therapy practice that focuses on rehabilitation, injury prevention, and wellness for artistic athletes. Jill has her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Hartford in CT. She is a licensed physical therapist in the state of MA. She has experience as a student dancer from a young age, as President of her college dance team, and as a teacher of both dance and gymnastics, which allows her to relate to artistic athletes, as well as their teachers, educators, & coaches. She is a Certified Dry Needling Practitioner, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist, certified teacher of Progressing Ballet Technique, and has trained in APPI Pilates Mat work. She is continuously seeking new educational opportunities so that she can continue to grow in her professional career and learn new techniques to help artistic athletes. She strives to not only help artistic athletes rehab from injuries, but also to work with these unique athletes prior to an injury occurring to allow them to train smarter, healthier, and with more self-awareness of their bodies.

  To connect with Jillian:

  Email [email protected]

  Website www.parallelptw.comInstagram www.instagram.com/parallelptwFacebook www.facebook.com/parallelptw

  Phone (774) 314-7472

  
  

  To connect with Laura, schedule a free consult, access all the free guides go here LTTheCheerPT.com

We made it to 100 episodes!
To celebrate this incredible milestone, I’m bringing you a special highlight reel featuring the most downloaded, most shared, and most talked-about guests from The Cheer Athlete Podcast:

✅ Kelvin Lam – Cheer Coach, on embracing the differences in stunt technique Connect with Coach Kelvin HERE

✅ Lain Lee – Mental Performance Coach & Tumbling Technique Specialist sharing deep insight on athlete identity, mindset, and confidence. Connect with Coach Lain HERE

✅ Jeff Benson – Mind Body Cheer and author, on the dangers of a fixed mindset. Episode 45 Building Resilient and confident Cheer Athletes

Whether you’re a cheer coach, athlete, or parent, this episode is packed with lessons that will help you train smarter, perform better, and grow as a leader in this sport.

Tune in now and celebrate with us—and if you’re ready for even more tools, support, and expert guidance, join the Cheer Athlete Membership today. Learn more HERE

Sign up here to get first notice when The Strength and Conditioning for Cheer Athlete Book is released

Stress fractures can be a cheer athlete's worst nightmare. In this episode, LT The Cheer PT breaks down what stress fractures are, how they happen, and what medical and health issues like hormone changes and RED-S can contribute to them. Learn the signs and symptoms to watch for and the most effective treatments to get you back on the mat safely. Ready to take your cheer performance to the next level?

Join the Cheer Athlete Membership for expert tips and guidance to help you stay injury-free and performing at your best!Connect with Laura here

Knee pain slowing you down? 🤕 Cheerleaders put a TON of stress on their knees with jumping, stunting, and tumbling, and overuse injuries are all too common. In this episode, we’re diving into non-traumatic knee injuries like Osgood-Schlatter Disease, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, and Jumper’s Knee. You’ll learn why these injuries happen, how to recognize them, and—most importantly—how to keep your knees strong, stable, and pain-free.

💡 What you’ll learn:
✔️ The most common non-traumatic knee injuries in cheer
✔️ Why cheerleaders are prone to knee pain
✔️ Simple ways to reduce pain and prevent overuse injuries

Don’t let knee pain sideline you! Tune in now and take the first step toward healthier, stronger knees.

👉 Share this with someone who needs to hear this!📩 Have a question? DM me on Instagram @TheCheerPT

Want to learn more? Access all the free guides HERE

Schedule a FREE Zoom Call with Laura

Behind the Scenes at the Massachusetts State Cheerleading Championship

In this episode, I share my firsthand experience from attending the Massachusetts State Cheerleading Championship. We delve into:

• Pre-Competition Rituals: Observing teams huddle, chant, and mentally prepare before hitting the mat.
• Energy Levels: The stark contrast between high-energy routines that captivated the audience and those that lacked intensity.
• Performance Etiquette: The importance of respecting performances, including the distractions caused by spectators walking during routines.
• Crowd Engagement: Highlighting teams that received significant crowd responses and how it fueled their performances.
• Emotional Moments: Witnessing athletes' raw emotions—tears, hugs, and the joy of achieving their goals—that moved many, including myself.
• Sharp Motions & Transitions: Appreciating routines with crisp motions and seamless transitions that stood out remarkably.
• Handling Mistakes: Discussing how teams managed stumbles or stunt wobbles and the impact of their recovery on the overall routine.

As the season wraps up, it's crucial to maintain conditioning. Join The Cheer Athlete Club for summer training programs designed to enhance strength, flexibility, and performance.

Teaser for Next Week:
We'll explore knee injuries in cheerleading, discussing the prevalence of braces or taping during competitions and strategies for prevention and support.

Connect with Us:
Share your thoughts and experiences on Instagram (@thecheerpt). Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated on future episodes!

Connect with Laura

In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, host Laura Turner, a.k.a. "The Cheer PT," delves into the multifaceted world of cheerleading injury prevention. Reflecting on recent events at the All-Star competition in Dallas, Laura emphasizes the importance of mental resilience and physical preparedness in the face of unexpected challenges.​

Key Takeaways:

• Holistic Injury Prevention: Discover the five essential elements that go beyond flexibility, including effective warm-ups, strength training, proper landing techniques, and the significance of rest and recovery.​

• Mental Well-being: Learn strategies to manage anxiety and stress, especially after traumatic events, ensuring athletes maintain focus and confidence.​

• Training Smarter: Understand the importance of tailored training plans that prioritize quality over quantity, reducing the risk of overtraining and injuries.​

Whether you're a cheerleader, coach, or parent, this episode offers valuable insights to keep athletes safe, resilient, and at the top of their game.​

Join the Injury Prevention Challenge HERE

Introducing The Cheer Athlete Club! Learn more HERE

Connect with Laura at LTTheCheerPT.com

Strength training isn’t just for powerlifters, it’s agame-changer for cheerleaders who want to stay injury-free and perform at their best! In this episode, LT The Cheer PT breaks down five keyways strength training helps prevent ankle sprains, knee injuries, back pain, and more.

You'll learn:
✅How joint stability reduces injuries✅Why strength helps absorb impact from tumbling & stunts✅The best core exercises to protect the spine✅How to avoid overuse injuries with the right training✅Why strength training builds confidence & resilience

🚨 FREE WEBINAR ALERT:Want to learn more? Join LT for the Injury Prevention & Strength Webinar onFeb 27 at 6 PM—sign up now!

Connect with LT HERE

🔜 COMING SOON: Stay tunedfor the 5-Day Injury Prevention Challenge + an exclusive membership for cheerleaders, parents, and coaches!

🎧 Listen now and start training smarter!

📌 Subscribe & Share to help keep cheerleaders safe, strong, and competition-ready!

Ankle injuries are one of the most common struggles incheerleading—but what if we’ve been approaching injury prevention the wrongway? 🤔

In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I break down:
✅Why cheerleaders keep rolling their ankles (and how to stop it!)
✅The missing link between hip strength and ankle stability
✅What to do instead of endless stretching
✅Simple exercises that build strength without adding hours to your training

🎟️ JOIN MY FREE WEBINARon February 27! 📲 Join HERE

📩 GET YOUR FREE INJURYPREVENTION GUIDE: 🔗HERE

Email Laura HERE

Connect with LT at LTTheCheerPT.com

In this episode of "The Cheer Athlete," we delve into the critical role of body and self-awareness in enhancing performance and preventing injuries among cheerleaders.

We discuss the importance of distinguishing between pain and a healthy stretch, and how developing this awareness can lead to better body positioning, posture, and breath control. Tune in for practical tips on improving body control, strength, flexibility, and overall movement to keep cheerleaders healthy and at the top of their game.

Don't miss our free webinar on February 27th at 6 PM, where we'll explore these topics in greater depth and provide additional injury prevention strategies. Sign upHERE to receive access to the live session and a free replay.

Join us as we empower cheerleaders, coaches, and parents with the knowledge to foster a safer and more effective training environment.

GoHERE to get our free guides on low back pain and strength and flexibility for cheerleaders

Schedule a FREE strategy callHERE

Coaching isn’t just about strategy and skills—it’s about relationships, resilience, and creating a culture where athletes thrive. In this episode ofThe Cheer Athlete Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Susan Averna, a developmental psychologist, mental health consultant, and head cheerleading coach at Trinity College, to discuss her new bookFabric: Be the Coach Every Athlete Needs.

We dive into the six key elements of coaching—Focus, Awareness, Belonging, Repair, Intentionality, and Curiosity & Compassion—that form the foundation of great coaching. Dr. Averna shares insights on how to build a positive team culture, support athlete mental well-being, and navigate the evolving challenges of coaching in today’s digital world.

Tune in to learn how to create an environment where athletes don’t just perform better—they grow into more confident, coachable, and resilient individuals.

If you want to check out Susan and my first conversation, it is episode 40.

Connect with Susan by email at[email protected]

Find her onFacebook

📖Grab Dr. Averna’s book:HERE
💬Join the conversation on Instagram:@thecheerpt

Connect with LauraLTTheCheerPT.com

If you want to learn more about how you can work with Laura goHERE and we will schedule a strategy call