Welcome to The Cheer Athlete Podcast! I’m Laura Turner, The Cheer PT. I help cheerleaders, parents, and coaches navigate injuries, prevent setbacks, and keep athletes healthy and strong so they can cheer for life.

This week’s episode is about perception — and how changing the way we look at challenges can help athletes (and all of us) move forward.

I was inspired by Jeremy Renner’s book My Next Breath, where he shares lessons from his near-fatal accident and recovery. His story carries powerful takeaways for cheerleaders:

• Love matters most. When everything else fades, love for family, teammates, and the sport is what carries us through.

• Focus on the next breath. In moments of stress, pain, or self-doubt, progress comes from taking things one step — and one breath — at a time.

• Shift your perception of pain. Pain doesn’t always mean you’re finished; it can be a signal to pay attention, adjust, and keep moving forward.

These lessons apply not only on the mat, but in school, training, and life. Whether you’re learning a new skill, balancing schoolwork, or facing setbacks, perception and persistence can change everything.

📖 Want to dive deeper? Check out My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner on Spotify, Audible, or Kindle.

👉 And if you’re looking for cheer-specific tools, grab my free guide: 3 Tips to Prevent Injury in Cheer and my done-for-you Warm-Up & Cool-Down Program

Remember: Take one step at a time. Don’t forget to breathe. You can do anything you put your mind to.