The Fullout Cheer Podcast

By Next Generation Gym OwnersBusiness Entrepreneurship

The Fullout Cheer Podcast episodes

May 28 Parents Aren't Ruining Cheer. Your Systems Are.
Every coach and gym owner has thought it at some point:

“Parents are ruining cheer.”

But what if the real issue isn’t parents at all?

In this episode, Danielle breaks down how customer expectations, communication, and family dynamics have changed dramatically over the last decade... while many gyms are still operating with outdated systems and assumptions.

From overscheduled families and last-minute communication to transparency, trust, and social media pressure, this episode explores why parents often become frustrated and what gym owners can do about it.

Because difficult parents usually aren’t created by one bad moment.

They’re created when people feel confused, ignored, or blindsided.
32 min
May 21 When Coaches Cross the Line
A video of a cheer coach screaming at athletes went viral this week… and the reactions shocked us.
Some people defended it.
Some called it “normal.”
Others said, “That’s just competitive cheer.”

In this episode, Danielle Johnston and Dan Cotton break down where the line actually is between intense coaching and toxic coaching — and why so many people in the cheer industry have become desensitized to behavior that should never be acceptable.

They talk about:
Why some coaches confuse intimidation with leadership
The difference between accountability and emotional outbursts
Why parents sometimes normalize aggressive coaching behavior
How gym culture either permits or prevents these situations
What owners should do when a coach loses control
And how coaches can become more self-aware before they reach that breaking point

This conversation isn’t about “soft coaching.”
It’s about leadership, emotional regulation, athlete safety, and creating environments where athletes can actually thrive.

If you’ve ever questioned whether a coach crossed the line — or if you’re trying to become a better leader yourself — this episode is an important conversation for the entire cheer industry.
33 min
May 14 Why Your Cheer Gym Isn't Actually Sellable
Most cheer gym owners think they have a sellable business.

In reality… they have a job.

In this episode, Danielle sits down with Matt Becker, an attorney who works closely with business brokers, to break down why so many gym sales fall apart—and what buyers are actually looking for.

They dig into the biggest myths gym owners believe about selling, including:

Why your gym isn’t worth what you think it is
The truth about revenue (and what buyers ignore)
Why doing everything yourself hurts your value
The reality of bringing on a partner for “capital”
And why selling won’t magically fix burnout

This isn’t theory. This is what shows up in real deals—and what kills them.

If you think you might sell your gym someday (or just want to build something that could be sold), this episode will show you what actually matters… and what doesn’t.
46 min
May 07 Losing Athletes This Season? This Is Why
If you’ve been losing athletes this season, it’s probably not for the reason you think.

In this episode, Danielle breaks down the real reasons athletes are leaving—and why most gym owners completely miss what’s actually happening.

She covers:

Why athletes feel stuck in their skills (and how stagnation drives them out)
The difference between healthy commitment and full-blown burnout
How change—both inside the gym and in families’ lives—quietly impacts retention

These aren’t dramatic blowups or obvious problems.
They’re the subtle issues that slowly push athletes out the door.

If you want to improve retention, it starts with understanding what’s really causing athletes to leave.
21 min
April 30 How Smart Coaches Handle Emotional Cheer Parents
Most gym owners think emotional parents are the problem… they’re not.

In this episode of the Full Out Cheer Podcast, Danielle sits down with Jason Larkins to break down what’s really happening when parents get frustrated, reactive, or overwhelmed—and how smart coaches handle those moments the right way.

You’ll learn:

Why emotional parents aren’t actually the issue
How to tell if a parent wants a solution or just to be heard
The biggest mistakes coaches make in tough conversations
How to lead your staff without micromanaging or losing control
Why systems and structure matter more than you think
They also dive into how the cheer industry has evolved, from skill progression to competition culture, and what today’s gym owners need to be doing differently.

If you’ve ever had a parent conversation go sideways… this will change how you handle it.
53 min
April 23 How to Build a Routine That Actually Scores Well
Most routines don’t lose because of talent… they lose because of bad strategy.

In Part 2, Danielle Johnston and John Barajas break down how to choose the right skills, structure your routine, and avoid the mistakes that cost teams points.

As you’re building your teams and heading into choreography season, this is what you need to get right.
25 min
April 16 Inside AccuScore: Why You Got That Deduction
Ever looked at your score sheet and thought… there’s no way that’s right?

In this episode, Danielle Johnston sits down with judge and choreographer John Barajas to break down how judging panels, deductions, and AccuScore actually work.

If you’ve ever felt a little intimidated by the idea of challenging your scores, you need to listen to this episode!
27 min
April 09 Your Parents Aren’t Different. Your Standards Are.
Most gym owners are convinced their parents are “different.” More demanding. Less respectful. Impossible to manage.

They’re not.

In this episode, we break down the reality that parents are parents everywhere. The difference isn’t who you attract, it’s what you allow. If your families aren’t following policies, respecting boundaries, or buying into your programs, it’s not a parent problem. It’s a systems, leadership, and culture problem.

We’re diving into how clear expectations, consistent processes, and strong staff alignment create compliance without constant conflict. Because the gyms that seem to have “great parents” didn’t get lucky. They built it that way.

If you’re tired of feeling like your parents won’t listen, this episode will show you exactly where the breakdown is and what to fix so things start running the way they should.
31 min
April 02 Copy-Paste Coaching Is Killing Athlete Progress
Most athletes aren’t stuck because they lack talent—they’re stuck because of copy-paste coaching. Drill after drill of coaches searching social media to find the next great "fix" to their athlete's tumbling skills.

In this episode, Danielle Johnston and Corey Rickett break down why understanding body mechanics, skill progression, and athlete mentality matters more than copying drills—and how great coaches actually develop elite athletes.
45 min
March 26 A Judge’s Advice for Coaches and Parents in All-Star Cheer
The conversation with all-star cheer judge Gabby Mauro continues in Part 2.

Gabby answers more questions from coaches and parents while sharing practical advice for both groups on how to better support athletes and approach competitions with the right mindset.

From understanding judging expectations to improving communication around competition results, this episode offers valuable insight for anyone involved in all-star cheer.
32 min

About The Fullout Cheer Podcast

From the publisher's feed

The Fullout Cheer Podcast with Danielle Johnston is the ultimate resource for cheerleading gym owners, all star cheer coaches, and industry professionals who want to grow their gyms, lead successful teams, and thrive in the competitive cheer industry. Hosted by Danielle Johnston — now in her 14th season as a cheer gym owner, co-owner of Next Generation Gym Owners, and author of the must-read “The Cheer Gym Owners’ Handbook” — this podcast delivers proven strategies and real-world insights from someone who’s built a thriving cheer program from the ground up.