The Cheer Dad Podcast

For our final episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast, we're going out with a special guest — Bill Seely, President of Varsity Spirit!

Bill joins Alex and Jerry for a conversation about his journey in cheerleading, the evolution of the sport, and some of the biggest questions facing cheer families today.

We brought questions directly from cheer parents, covering the rising costs of competitive cheerleading, spectator admission fees, Disney Park Hopper requirements, stay-to-play policies, Varsity's influence on the industry, and the controversies surrounding the sport.

We also look toward the future, discussing the Pro Cheer League (PCL), opportunities for athletes beyond college, and the possibility of cheerleading becoming an Olympic sport.

And of course, we couldn't let Bill leave without putting him through our signature rapid-fire questions!

As we close out The Cheer Dad Podcast, we want to thank every guest, listener, and cheer family who has been part of this journey. It's been an incredible experience sharing stories, asking questions, and celebrating the sport our daughters love.

One final episode. One big conversation. Thank you for being part of The Cheer Dad Podcast!

#TheCheerDadPodcast #BillSeely #VarsitySpirit #AllStarCheer #ProCheerLeague #CheerParents #Cheerleading

After reading through the conversation, I think this episode lands on one central message:

That theme comes through repeatedly as you discuss burnout, confidence, the car ride home, coach-parent communication, and enjoying the journey.

1. Raise the Athlete, Not the Pressure
2. The Car Ride Home: Where Champions (and Confidence) Are Made
3. How Parents Can Build Confidence Without Adding Pressure
4. Keeping the Joy in Cheer
5. When Cheer Stops Being Fun
6. The Parent's Biggest Role Isn't Coaching
7. Confidence Over Pressure
8. Helping Athletes Thrive Without Burning Out
9. Why Kids Quit Cheer (And How We Can Help)
10. More Than Medals: Raising Happy Athletes

• The Biggest Mistake Cheer Parents Make
• Why So Many Cheerleaders Burn Out
• The Truth About Parent Pressure in Cheer
• Coaches, Parents & Confidence: What Every Cheer Family Needs to Hear
• Is Competitive Cheer Pushing Kids Too Far?

What if the biggest challenge in cheer isn't the skills on the mat... but the pressure surrounding them?

This week on The Cheer Dad Podcast, Alex sits down with Becky Acra—Program Director at Revolution Athletics, coach of 26 years, Sport & Performance Psychology graduate student, and author of Raise the Athlete, Not the Pressure.

As both a longtime coach and a cheer mom raising three competitive athletes, Becky offers a unique perspective on helping athletes build confidence, avoid burnout, and enjoy the sport for the long haul.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why confidence is built long before competition day
• The surprising impact of the car ride home
• How parents can encourage without adding pressure
• Building stronger coach-parent relationships
• Why more athletes are experiencing burnout
• The importance of slowing down athletic development
• Helping athletes rediscover the joy of cheer
• Lessons every sports parent can apply—whether your child cheers, plays basketball, soccer, football, or any competitive sport

Whether you're a parent sitting in the stands, a coach leading a team, or an athlete chasing big dreams, this conversation is full of practical advice that can change the way you approach sports.

Sometimes the greatest victory isn't another banner—it's raising confident, resilient young adults who still love the game when the season is over.

Guest: Becky Acra

📖 Raise the Athlete, Not the Pressure

IG -

@coachbeckyacra

@wearecbxco

@revival_athletic_performance

TikTok

@coach_becky5678

🎧 Listen now and don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and as always…

Hit Zero!

Every great business starts with an idea—but not many begin with a 12-year-old cheerleader asking, "Why isn't there a lifestyle brand made just for us?"

In this episode of the Cheer Dad Podcast, Alex sits down with Ben and Caroline Chastain, the father-daughter team behind Cheer Leisure, to talk about turning a simple observation into a growing business.

Caroline shares how her experience as an All Star athlete inspired the idea for a premium athleisure brand that cheerleaders can wear beyond practice and competition, while Ben explains what it's been like stepping into the role of "Chief Cheer Dad" and helping his daughter navigate entrepreneurship at such a young age.

The conversation goes far beyond apparel. They discuss the lessons they're learning together about business, marketing, leadership, profit margins, social media, and what it means to chase a dream as a family. They also share how Shark Tank inspired their journey, why subtle cheer fashion fills a gap in the market, and how they're building a brand designed to fit seamlessly into a cheerleader's everyday life.

Whether you're a cheer parent, an athlete, or someone who's ever dreamed of starting a business, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the biggest opportunities begin with one simple idea—and parents willing to believe in it.

In this episode:

• How Cheer Leisure was born
• Caroline's journey from athlete to young entrepreneur
• Ben's perspective as the "Chief Cheer Dad"
• Building a family business together
• Lessons in entrepreneurship and leadership
• Creating a premium lifestyle brand for cheerleaders
• Why Shark Tank became their inspiration
• What's next for Cheer Leisure

Follow Cheer Leisure:

🌐 shopcheerleisure.com

📱 TikTok: @cheerleisure

📱 Facebook: Cheer Leisure

If you enjoy the Cheer Dad Podcast, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another cheer family.

Hit Zero!

Every cheer parent knows the feeling...

The tuition is paid... then the competition fees arrive. Next come uniforms, travel, spectator tickets, hotels, food, warmups, bows—and somehow there's always another expense around the corner.

This week, Alex sits down with Lexie Peedin, founder of My Cheer Budget, to talk about the real cost of all-star cheer and, more importantly, how families can plan for it without letting the financial stress overshadow the experience.

Lexie shares the story behind creating My Cheer Budget after realizing there were no budgeting tools designed specifically for cheer families. The conversation dives into:

🏆 The hidden costs that surprise most new cheer parents

💰 Why the gym's expense sheet is only part of the story

✈️ How travel hacking and credit card rewards can save thousands on competition travel

📅 Why planning for Summit, Worlds, and postseason events should start on Day One

🎀 Smart ways to save money without taking away from your athlete's experience

🍋 Fundraising ideas that actually work (and a few that don't)

📈 Simple budgeting strategies every cheer family can start using today

Whether you're entering your first season or you've been living the cheer life for years, this episode is packed with practical advice that can help you spend less time stressing about money and more time enjoying the journey with your athlete.

🎁 Special Discount on the Fundraising Planner Bundle:

http://mycheerbudget.com/podcast

🛍️ Etsy Shop:

mycheerbudget.etsy.com

📸 Instagram:

@mycheerbudget

🎵 TikTok:

@mycheerbudget

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with another cheer family. Your support helps us continue bringing you conversations that inform, entertain, and celebrate the cheer community.

Until next time... Hit Zero! 🖤💙

Competitive cheer isn't getting any cheaper—but what if there was another way to help pay for it besides fundraising?

This week, Alex sits down with Mandy Holmes, founder of Sponsor My Athlete and creator of Carpool to Contracts, to discuss how families can build genuine partnerships with local businesses that help offset the rising costs of youth sports.

Rather than asking for donations, Mandy explains how athletes can provide real marketing value to businesses through social media, community engagement, and authentic relationships. She shares the same system that has helped hundreds of youth sports families secure sponsorships for travel, equipment, competition fees, and even entire seasons.

Whether your athlete competes in cheer, baseball, softball, volleyball, dance, or any other youth sport, this episode is packed with practical advice you can start using immediately.

• Why sponsorships are marketing partnerships—not donations
• The biggest mistakes parents make when approaching businesses
• How to create a one-page athlete media kit
• Why character matters more than championships
• How even athletes with small social media followings can attract sponsors
• Where to find businesses already looking to support youth sports
• The life skills sponsorships teach beyond helping pay for competition season
• Mandy's first three steps for families ready to start today

If you've ever wondered how to make competitive cheer a little more affordable, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

🌐 Website: https://sponsormyathlete.com/home-133906?am_id=alexr7203

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carpooltocontracts

📸 Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/therealhousewifeofscottsdale

🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts

📸 Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thecheerdadpodcast

📘 Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TheCheerDadPodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you would follow the show, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another cheer parent who could benefit from these sponsorship ideas.

Hit Zero!

What does nearly 20 years in the All Star cheer world teach you?

This week, Alex and Jerry sit down with veteran cheer dad Kevin Askew, whose family has been part of All Star Cheer since 2006. From multiple gym changes and moving across state lines to watching his daughter win NCA, Cheersport, and The Summit, Kevin shares the highs, the sacrifices, and the unforgettable moments that have shaped his family's journey.

The conversation dives into how the sport has evolved over the last two decades, why finding the right gym can change an athlete's confidence, what it's really like surviving a two-team season, and why more dads are becoming an important part of the cheer community.

Kevin also opens up about the friendships, road trips, late-night drives, championship moments, and the father-daughter bond that cheer has created—proving that the trophies are great, but the memories are what last.

Whether you're a brand-new cheer parent or a seasoned veteran, this episode is full of stories, laughs, and advice from someone who's truly lived the cheer life.

🎙️ In this episode:

• How All Star Cheer has changed since 2006
• Finding the right gym after moving states
• Winning NCA, Cheersport & The Summit
• Surviving two-team seasons and balancing family life
• Why every dad should get involved in cheer
• Lessons learned from 20 years in the sport
• Lightning Round: favorite competitions, road trips, cheer snacks, and more!

Hit play and join us for a conversation every cheer parent can relate to.

Hit Zero!

Every athlete eventually performs their last routine.

Whether it's because of graduation, aging out, injury, college, or simply moving on to the next chapter, every cheer family eventually faces the question...

What comes next?

This week, we're joined by Rachelle Provost, host of the After the Routine podcast, to talk about life after competitive cheer and the many ways athletes and parents can stay connected to the sport they love.

We dive into:

• Why the transition out of cheer can be emotional for both athletes and parents
• The life skills cheer develops that translate into college and the workplace
• Career opportunities beyond coaching—including judging, event production, marketing, music, photography, media, and entrepreneurship
• Why so many people find their way back to cheer, even after stepping away
• How gyms can better prepare athletes for life beyond competition

If you're a cheer parent wondering what comes after the final routine—or an athlete trying to figure out what's next—this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

🎧 Plus, we wrap things up with our rapid-fire round and hear some incredible stories from Rachelle's conversations with industry professionals who turned their passion for cheer into lifelong careers.

Because sometimes the last routine isn't the end...it's just the beginning of a new chapter.

I especially like "When the Music Stops: Life After Cheer" as the title. It ties directly into the opening of the episode and immediately tells listeners this isn't just another interview—it's a conversation about something every cheer family will eventually experience. It's memorable, emotional, and fits the tone of the episode perfectly.

If you want to lean even harder into the parent audience, I'd also strongly consider "Parents Aren't Ready for This Moment" as a title. It's a little more click-worthy while still accurately reflecting the discussion you and Rachelle had.

• Facebook: @aftertheroutinepodcast
• Instagram: @aftertheroutinepodcast
• TikTok: @aftertheroutine_podcast
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBi7W2BEfSY507Oqk6bcONkik7ZjXJ0-R
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5vHVlIA1INAmJTUbTvUrdp
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/after-the-routine-podcast/id1882061903

What does it take to become the voice behind some of cheerleading's biggest stories?

This week on The Cheer Dad Podcast, Alex sits down with Shane James, founder of Cheer Daily, Cheer Media, and The Cheer Awards, for an inside look at the media side of the cheer industry.

Shane shares his incredible journey from being the only male cheerleader in his small Mississippi town to building one of the largest cheer media platforms in the world. They dive into how breaking news is reported, why accuracy matters more than being first, what really happens behind the scenes at major events like Worlds and NCA, and the vision behind creating The Cheer Awards.

They also discuss the future of cheerleading, the possibility of Olympic inclusion, AI in sports media, social media's impact on the industry, and what parents often don't see behind the scenes.

Whether you're a cheer parent, athlete, coach, or simply love the sport, this episode gives you a rare look behind the curtain at the people helping shape cheerleading's future.

🏆 Shane's journey from athlete to media entrepreneur

📰 How Cheer Daily became one of cheerleading's most trusted news sources

📸 Behind the scenes of covering the biggest events in cheer

🎤 The story behind launching The Cheer Awards

🤖 How AI is changing sports journalism

🌎 The future of cheerleading and the Olympic dream

💙 Advice for cheer parents and athletes

📰 Cheer Daily: https://cheerdaily.com

📸 Cheer Daily on Instagram: @CheerDailyIG

🏆 The Cheer Awards: www.thecheerawards.org

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow The Cheer Dad Podcast, leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review, and share this episode with another cheer family. Your support helps us continue bringing you conversations with the people who are shaping the future of cheerleading! 💙🏆

Ever wonder how Cheer Theory keeps track of thousands of teams, competitions, scores, bids, and rankings every season?

This week it's the Alex & Alex Show as Cheer Dad Podcast host Alex Russell welcomes Cheer Theory founder Alex Gaggioli. From his start as a gymnast to becoming the most recognizable data guy in cheer, Alex shares how Cheer Theory was built and what he's learned from watching more cheerleading than just about anyone on the planet.

We talk rankings, scoring myths, Cheer Twitter, Worlds, Summit, the future of the sport, and what every new cheer parent should know before stepping into their first competition.

If you've ever fallen down the Cheer Theory rabbit hole, this is the episode for you.

My pick for the title would be:

"30,000 Feet Above Cheer: Inside Cheer Theory with Alex Gaggioli"

because it ties directly into your intro where you described Alex as seeing the sport from 30,000 feet while the rest of us are watching through the lens of our own athlete and team. It's unique and captures the entire conversation perfectly.

What happens when you combine a former cheerleader and coach, a cheer dad who discovered the sport later in life, and three daughters navigating the all-star cheer world?

This week, Alex and Jerry sit down with Andrew and Cristina to talk about cheer from every angle. Cristina shares her journey from athlete and coach to cheer mom, while Andrew discusses what it was like stepping into a sport he knew almost nothing about and discovering just how demanding, emotional, and rewarding it can be.

The conversation dives into the realities of competition weekends, raising athletes through wins and losses, handling disappointment, building confidence, and why some of the most valuable lessons in cheer happen away from the competition floor.

They also discuss the friendships cheer creates, the importance of commitment, the role parents play in an athlete's journey, and why leaning into the cheer life can create memories that last long after the final routine.

Whether you're a cheer mom, cheer dad, coach, or athlete, this episode is a reminder that cheer is about much more than trophies and score sheets.

If you'd like to help Haley with her cheer season here's the link to the Double Good popcorn fundraiser.

https://s.dgpopup.com/x35f1h0a