Episode 26: Aaron Flaker (Former President/Co-owner and Co-founder of JAM Brands, current Co-Owner of Athletx Sports Group)

- Flaker discusses his intro into the world of cheer (spoiler alert: He started out as a mascot!)

- The history behind how cheerleading has undergone a MASSIVE transformation through the years...

- Cheer has all of the markers of every other sport/competition, but the unique addition of aesthetics. 

- The incredible story behind Flaker's first business venture, which grew into one of the largest cheer events in the world (Jam Fest turned Jam Brands)

- Digging into the nature of dance/cheer competitions and the seemingly 438439 different divisions at each competition. Do people even care if the competition is legit, or are they just happy to claim they are "national champions?"

- Smart people have recognized that the world of youth sports is a business. We don't get mad at other enterprises for capitalizing on the demand. Why do we get mad at those making money off youth sports?

- Are we running the risk of pricing parents out of youth sports?

- Maybe we will forever and always romanticize youth sports... But is the vision of what we remember it to be the reality today?

- And of course... MORE PIPING HOT TAKES