In this episode Jason Larkins interviews Courtney Smith-Pope, owner of Cheer Extreme. Courtney shares her journey in cheerleading, from coaching her sister in elementary school to founding Cheer Extreme All-Stars. She reflects on the evolution of cheerleading from the 1990s to the present day, highlighting the changes in music, divisions, and skill sets. Courtney also discusses the transition from the Piedmont Panthers to Cheer Extreme and the team's first wins at NCA and Worlds. She shares her superstitions and rituals before competitions and emphasizes the importance of creating lasting memories for her athletes. Courtney concludes by discussing the competitiveness and unpredictability of the large senior division at Worlds. In this conversation, Courtney Smith-Pope discusses various topics related to the cheerleading industry. Courtney also shares the formation of ASGA (All-Star Gym Association) and the importance of fun and memorable games in practice. She emphasizes the need for a more affordable and less travel-intensive industry. Courtney debunks the myth that her gym is mean and hateful, and expresses her desire for more positivity and respect in the industry. She suggests interviewing her sister, Kelley, as a future guest.

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Other great cheerleading podcast to check out- The Cheer Biz Podcast, The Cheer Mom Podcast, Spill the Cheer, Mat Talk Table Talk, Cheer Chats Podcast

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