After 15 years of running businesses, Dan Cotton reflects on the hard-earned lessons he wishes he could share with his younger self. In this continuation of his popular “10 Things” episode, Dan dives into 10 more powerful insights—covering money, space, failure, culture, profitability, and more—bringing the list to 20 essential truths for gym owners and entrepreneurs. Tune in to learn from his mistakes, successes, and strategies so you can grow your business faster without making the same missteps.

AI isn’t the future—it’s the present. In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton walks you through how to go from casually using ChatGPT to leveraging it like a true expert. You’ll learn practical strategies like building master prompts, organizing project folders, using canvases for better outputs, creating custom GPTs, and unlocking the power of GPT Agents to automate real business tasks. Whether you’re a gym owner, coach, or entrepreneur, this crash course will help you save time, boost productivity, and stay ahead in the AI revolution.

In this emotional and unfiltered episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton opens up about the real struggles and heartfelt truths that coaches and gym owners wish parents understood. From the sacrifices made behind the scenes, to the financial realities of running a cheer gym, to the tough decisions that weigh heavily on coaches, Dan shares the raw side of the industry. Whether you’re a parent, coach, or gym owner, this episode offers a valuable perspective on the challenges and passion that fuel the sport of cheerleading.

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan sits down with the one and only Jalani Keo to talk all things cheer. Jalani shares his journey from cheering at Oregon Dream Teams, Trinity Valley, and Weber State to becoming an NCA national champion and now an All-Star coach. They dive into what it really takes to make it in collegiate cheer, how to build winning culture, and the balance between athlete passion and program business. Packed with insight, lessons, and a little friendly competition, this conversation is a must-listen for athletes, parents, and coaches alike.

After 15+ years as a business owner, Dan knows the sinking feeling of looking at your bank account and wondering where the money went. In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, he breaks down the real difference between gross revenue and profit, the hidden expenses that eat away at your bottom line, and the traps gym owners fall into—like overstaffing, underpricing, and neglecting owner pay. Dan shares practical steps for auditing your finances, finding your “magic number” for enrollment, and building a profit-focused mindset so you can grow your gym without losing sleep (or your paycheck).

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton dives deep into one of the hardest decisions leaders face—should you invest in training an underperforming employee or decide it’s time to part ways? Drawing from years of business ownership and his background in law enforcement training, Dan shares a practical framework for evaluating employee performance, assessing willingness to grow, and navigating termination with clarity and professionalism. Whether you manage a small team or a large staff, this episode will help you make confident, informed decisions for the health of your business.

In this no-nonsense episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down the five biggest reasons your gym isn’t growing — and why fixing them could change everything. From underutilizing social media to crafting weak offers, clunky enrollment processes, and the harsh reality that most people don’t even know you exist, Dan delivers tough love and practical solutions. If you’re serious about scaling your gym, this episode is your wake-up call.

Choreography season is here, and in this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton shares his top tips to help gym owners and coaches get the most out of their choreography sessions. From prepping your athletes and communicating with your choreographer to avoiding last-minute changes and catching legality issues early, this episode is packed with practical advice to ensure you walk away with a routine you love. Whether you're new to choreography season or a seasoned pro, these tips will help set you—and your athletes—up for success.

In this powerful episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton shares 10 of the most important — and sometimes painful — lessons he’s learned from 15 years of owning a cheer gym. From the hidden cost of scholarships to promoting the wrong people, Dan delivers honest, actionable advice that today’s gym owners (and future ones) can learn from. Whether you're just starting out or years into your journey, this episode is packed with insight that will save you time, money, and heartache.

In this unique solo episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton dives deep into the powerful leadership lessons found in Legacy by James Kerr. Kicking off a new multi-part series, Dan explores Chapter 1—“Character”—and unpacks the All Blacks’ core principle: "Sweep the Sheds." He shares how this idea of humility, ownership, and pride in the small things has impacted his gym, his coaching, and his team's championship mindset. From redefining leadership to balancing pride with humility, this episode is a must-listen for gym owners, coaches, and athletes striving for excellence on and off the mat.