The Cheer Dad Podcast

Jerry had a scheduling conflict this week, so Alex is flying solo with one of the most influential choreographers in the cheer industry.

Triston Allen, owner of Worldwide Choreography, joins The Cheer Dad Podcast to talk everything from championship routines and score sheets to program culture, athlete development, and the future of cheer.

We discuss what separates successful programs from struggling ones, common mistakes teams make, what parents often misunderstand about competition season, and how choreography has changed over the years.

Plus, Triston sticks around for some rapid-fire questions, including Worlds vs. Summit, Texas vs. Florida cheer, and what every cheer dad should know.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, gym owner, or parent sitting in the stands every weekend, there's something in this episode for you.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

One year ago, we launched The Cheer Dad Podcast with one goal, to give cheer dads, moms, athletes, coaches, and fans a place to laugh, vent, tell stories, and celebrate the crazy world of All Star Cheer.

Fast forward one year later… and what a ride it’s been.

In this special anniversary episode, we look back at our end of season comps with special guests Maddee Grant as she tells us about her first Youth Summit and Haley Russell joins to answer some of maddee's questions.

We also talk about:

• The growth of the podcast over the past year
• Lessons learned from cheer life
• The friendships and connections built through the sport
• What’s next for The Cheer Dad Podcast

Most importantly, we want to thank every listener, guest, parent, athlete, and supporter who’s been part of this journey. Whether you’ve listened since episode one or just found us recently — thank you for being part of the Cheer Dad family.

Here’s to Year Two. 🍻

🎧 Follow & Subscribe:

Instagram: @thecheerdadpodcast

TikTok: @thecheerdadpodcast

💻 Sponsored by Elite Cheer Stats

Use code CHEERDAD for $5 off your first month.

This podcast episode features a comprehensive dialogue with Kollin Cockrell, a distinguished figure in the cheerleading community, celebrated for his achievements as a twelve-time world champion and his innovative contributions to the sport. We delve into the evolution of cheerleading, particularly the burgeoning pro cheer league, which is redefining competitive cheer through structured gameplay and scoring systems that resonate with a broader audience. Kollin articulates his personal journey from Olympic weightlifting to becoming a pivotal cheerleader, emphasizing the importance of resilience, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The discussion further explores the significance of mentorship in cheerleading, as Kollin shares his experiences coaching athletes globally, fostering a sense of community and growth within the sport. We conclude with insights into the future of cheerleading, highlighting its potential for expansion and recognition as a legitimate athletic endeavor.

In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast, Alex welcomes back coach Grant Lockaby for a real-time conversation about the most intense stretch of the cheer season.

With NCA All-Star National Championship just behind us and The Cheerleading Worlds, The Summit, and D2 Summit all happening back-to-back, the pressure on athletes, coaches, and parents is at an all-time high.

Grant breaks down what athletes are really feeling during this final push, how coaches manage the intensity behind the scenes, and what separates teams that hit from those that don’t when everything is on the line. The conversation dives into burnout, confidence, mental toughness, and how quickly the focus shifts from championship performances to the stress of upcoming tryouts.

This episode is a must-listen for **cheer parents—especially cheer dads—**who want to better understand how to support their athlete during the biggest and most emotional moments of the season.

If your athlete is competing, preparing for tryouts, or coming off a tough performance, this conversation will give you real insight into what they’re going through—and how to show up for them the right way.

🎧 Sponsored by Elite Cheer Stats

Want to know where your team stacks up before they hit the mat? Head over to www.elitecheerstats.com and use code CHEERDAD to get $5 off your first month.

👉 Know before they hit the mat.

In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast, we sit down with Lisa Hall—former journalist, 25-year cheer mom, and the creator behind Certifiably CheerMAD.

If you’ve spent any time in the cheer world, you’ve probably seen her content. And recently… it’s been everywhere—racking up over 2 million authentic views in just 28 days.

But this conversation goes way deeper than social media.

Lisa brings a unique perspective from decades inside the sport—watching it evolve, grow, and in some cases… completely change.

We talk about:

• How cheer culture has shifted over the years
• The real role of parents (and where we get it wrong)
• The impact of social media on athletes and families
• The pressure, politics, and reality behind the scenes
• And whether the sport is moving in the right direction

This is one of those conversations that every cheer parent—new or seasoned—needs to hear.

If you’ve ever questioned what’s really going on in cheer… this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation

🌐 Website: https://www.cheermad.com

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheermad

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

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheermad4

What happens when a cheerleader tries to test her dad… and he actually passes?

In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast, we sit down with the dad behind the viral TikTok moment where he confidently answered “VIP” with “Viscous In Pink”—and instantly became one of the most relatable cheer dads on the internet.

But beyond the laughs, this episode dives into what it really means to be a cheer dad.

We talk about:

• How he got pulled into the world of all-star cheer
• Learning the language (or at least pretending to 😂)
• The chaos and magic of competition weekends
• The role dads play behind the scenes
• And why just showing up matters more than anything

Whether you’re a seasoned cheer parent or brand new to the sport, this is one of those conversations that reminds you what it’s all about.

Because at the end of the day… it’s not about knowing every term—it’s about being there when it counts.

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp.

Life gets busy, and sometimes the weight of everything we’re juggling goes unnoticed. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as showing up for your family.

If you’ve been thinking about talking to someone, check out:

👉 betterhelp.com/cheerdad

This episode emphasizes the introduction of Elite Cheer Stats, a groundbreaking platform designed to offer comprehensive analytics and scoring comparisons for cheerleading teams across competitions. Our discussion centers around the significant stresses associated with cheer seasons, both for athletes and their parents, and how this innovative tool can alleviate some of those pressures by providing clarity and insights into team performances. By leveraging Elite Cheer Stats, parents can gain a deeper understanding of their team's standings and competitive landscape, thus fostering a more informed and engaged cheer experience. We also delve into the personal journey of the creator, who, as a cheer dad himself, recognized the need for such a resource within the cheer community. The conversation is enriched by practical insights and a candid exploration of the challenges faced during the competitive cheer season.

What really goes on inside Cheer Moms Anonymous?

In this episode, we’re joined by Gina Bartel, the voice behind the wildly popular Cheer Moms Anonymous community, where moms share the real, raw, and sometimes hilarious questions they might not ask anywhere else.

But this time… we flipped the script.

Gina brings some of those anonymous questions to the show, and I give a dad’s perspective—unfiltered, honest, and sometimes completely different from what you’d expect. From competition drama to gym dynamics, parent pressure, and everything in between… nothing was off limits.

This episode is a fun, eye-opening look at the cheer world from both sides of the parent aisle—and a reminder that moms and dads might see things differently, but we’re all just trying to show up for our kids.

If you’ve ever sat at a comp and thought, “Are we the only ones dealing with this?”… trust me, you’re not.

Show Notes:

1. Guest: Gina Bartel (Cheer Moms Anonymous)
2. Real anonymous questions from cheer moms
3. A dad’s honest take on cheer culture, parenting, and competition life

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.

Life gets busy, and sometimes you need someone to talk to. BetterHelp makes it easy to connect with a licensed therapist from anywhere.

👉 Get started today and save on your first month:

betterhelp.com/cheerdad

This episode of the Cheer Dad Podcast delves into the profound significance of parental involvement in the cheerleading journey, exemplified through the experiences of our guest, Charlie Shore. We explore how his unwavering support for his daughter, characterized by regular attendance at practices and competitions, serves not only as a source of encouragement for her aspirations but also as a vital element in fostering their familial bond. The discussion poignantly highlights the challenges faced by cheer dads, from managing busy schedules to navigating emotional hurdles, all while emphasizing the importance of presence in a child's life.

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp.

Life gets heavy sometimes—and as dads, we don’t always talk about it. BetterHelp makes it easy to connect with a licensed therapist online, on your schedule.

If you’re looking for someone to talk to, check them out at BetterHelp.com/cheerdad and take that first step.

On this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast, the dads sit down with stand-up comedian, teacher, and viral content creator Jay Yoder.

Jay has built a massive following online by turning the chaos of parenting, teaching, and cheer life into hilarious and relatable comedy. But behind the jokes is a proud cheer dad who knows exactly what it’s like to spend long weekends at competitions, learn an entirely new language of cheer terminology, and try to keep up with the wild world of All-Star cheer.

We talk with Jay about how he got started in stand-up comedy, what it was like performing his first shows, and how his daughter’s cheer journey eventually became some of his most popular content online.

Jay also shares stories about meeting cheer parents while MC’ing at Globals in Atlantic City, the unexpected reactions he gets from cheer families who recognize him from his videos, and how cheer culture has influenced his comedy both online and on stage.

Of course, we wrap things up with our fan-favorite Quick Hits, where we compare the worlds of stand-up comedy and cheer competitions to see which one is tougher.

Whether you’re a cheer parent, a comedian, or just someone trying to survive the madness of competition weekends, this episode is packed with laughs and relatable moments.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.

Life gets busy and overwhelming, and sometimes it helps to talk to someone who can provide support and perspective. BetterHelp makes it easy to connect with a licensed therapist from anywhere.

Visit BetterHelp.com/cheerdad to get started today.