Kristen discusses the emotional challenges and dynamics of evaluation season in cheerleading. She emphasizes the importance of managing expectations and supporting athletes (and ourselves!) through anxiety. The conversation also explores how parents can redefine success for their children beyond just outcomes, focusing on personal growth and character development.

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Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off!

Managing Expectations and Emotions During Evaluation Season

With the end-of-season emotions mixing with beginning-of-season pressure, it felt like the perfect moment to do a roundup episode about the most requested, most discussed, most “please help me, I’m lost in the YouTube comments” topic ever: Mental blocks.

Whether your athlete is deep in the weeds of a mental block or you just want to be ready when that inevitable moment comes (because let’s be real—it usually does), this episode is a must-listen. Share it with your cheer mom group chat. Save it for a rainy day. Let’s make tryout season feel slightly less unhinged.

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Full episodes referenced:

Debbie Love

Jeff Benson

Lain Lee

Tumble Chef

Best Mental Block Advice

Has The Summit lost its prestige? Is it too easy to get a bid? Do some teams not deserve a bid because of their low scores? Let's talk about it.

 

Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order

Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off!

Has The Summit Lost Its Prestige?

Kristen discusses the importance of celebrating small victories in cheerleading, and how these moments contribute to the emotional growth of young athletes. She emphasizes the need for parents to recognize and appreciate the progress their children make, regardless of competition outcomes, fostering a positive environment that nurtures confidence and maturity.

Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order

Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off!

Small Ways to Celebrate Your Athlete, Win or Lose

More and more, high schools are telling their athletes they can’t do All Star, and vice versa. So more athletes are having to choose, and it’s not always an easy, clear cut choice.

That depends on so much. It depends on where you live, the strength of either program, what you want to do during high school, after high school, and it just keeps going. In this episode, Kristen breaks down questions and factors to consider to help guide cheerleaders (and their parents) through the decision-making process.

Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off!

Work with me in Florida to capture your end-of-season memories!

plentyofsunshinephotography.com/cheer-sessions

 

Should I do High School Cheer or All Star Cheer?

"Have you ever seen Bring it On?" This is one of the many questions that make us roll our eyes in the cheer world. In this episode, Kristen addresses the misconceptions and stereotypes about cheer.

Cheer is so often misunderstood, and Kristen brings a reminder of the dedication, discipline, and passion that fuel this sport.

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Eye-Rolling Questions People Ask About Cheer

Join Kristen, Dan Cotton (Cheer Biz Podcast) and Jason Larkins (Let's Talk Cheer Podcast), as they record and answer questions in front of a live audience.

Book a photo shoot with me in Florida! I'm working with athletes, teams, stunt groups and families to create unforgettable memories. Visit https://www.plentyofsunshinephotography.com/cheer-sessions to see if I'll be at your end-of-season cheer event this April or May.

Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order

Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off!

Including Boys, Gym Values, and Should Crossovers Be Illegal?

Heather Jones and her daughter, Lily, share a heartfelt conversation about the silent struggle too many athletes face with eating disorders. Lily opens up about her own battle, the toll it took on her health, and the difficult road to recovery. With the unwavering support of her family, friends, and her Stingray Allstars cheer family, she found the strength to heal. Now, as a member of the world-famous Stingray Allstars Orange, Lily is using her journey to inspire others, reminding athletes that they are never alone. Heather emphasizes the importance of open conversations and a strong support system in breaking the silence surrounding these struggles.

 

Lilys social media- 

Instagram: @lilyyy.joness [https://www.instagram.com/lilyyy.joness/]

X: lilyy_jonesss [https://twitter.com/lilyy_jonesss]

TikTok: lilyyy_jonesss [https://www.tiktok.com/@lilyyy_jonesss]

Heather 

Instagram: @heather_jones42 [https://www.instagram.com/heather_jones42/]

Facebook: Heather Jones

 

Eating Disorder Resources:

https://anad.org/get-help/eating-disorders-helpline/

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-help/

https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/

 

Visit tccjewelry.com [http://tccjewelry.com] and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order

You Are Not Alone: Eating Disorders in Cheerleading

Kristen breaks down how AI tools like ChatGPT can be a game-changer for cheer moms and coaches alike. She highlights how these tools streamline communication, help craft the perfect messages, and make planning for cheer competitions a breeze. It’s an insightful, practical conversation that’s all about making life easier—on and off the mat!

 

Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order

Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off!

Try the Slick Stick on your own hair and on your cheerleader’s hair and experience the magic at slickhaircompany.com and enter code: THE CHEER MOM BLOG at checkout for

Chat GPT but Make it Cheer

Cheerleading is a passion, a commitment, and for so many, a way of life. But what happens when it starts to feel like more of a burden than a joy? In this episode, Kristen breaks down five key signs that it might be time to step back—whether that means taking a break or retiring from competitive cheer altogether. If you’ve ever questioned whether to keep going or move on, this one’s for you!

Here's the episode with Jeff Benson about Toxic Cultures in Cheer [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/addressing-toxic-cultures-in-cheer-with-jeff-benson/id1636965477?i=1000659576042]

 

Visit tccjewelry.com and enter code CHEERMOMPOD for 15% off your order

Apolla Socks are changing the cheer game, two feet at a time! Visit apollaperformance.com and use CHEERMOM2024 for 10% off!

5 Signs it Might be Time to Quit Competitive Cheer

The Cheer Mom Podcast is a place that helps cheer moms (and dads!) understand cheer and navigate this crazy world, so we can support our athletes. Listen to experts within the industry on topics like strength and conditioning, keeping our athletes safe, and all things High School, College and All Star Cheer. Grab your cheer mom beverage of choice, and let's be friends!

Kristen Wheeler

Shows