This episode of the Cheer Mom podcast focuses on essential hair and makeup supplies and tips for competition day, including how to get a sleek high pony without the stress, the one thing everyone needs to achieve a flawless makeup look, and Kristen’s favorite makeup remover.

Cheer athlete and coach, KaNeya, reveals her hacks for quick styling, making any cheerleader competition-ready in just 5-10 minutes on day two of competition!

Click here to view detailed hair and makeup tutorials, and a full list of supplies!

Wanna jump around? Here are a few highlights:

02:17 Essential Tools for Competition Day Hair

04:52 Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Competition Hair

12:11 Makeup Tips for Cheer Competitions

26:53 Tips from KaNeya

Your perfect style awaits, with Slick Hair Company! Visit slickhaircompany.com/thecheermomblog and use code THECHEERMOMBLOG for 10% off!

The pre-competition phase is the part of the season when so many cheer athletes feel like quitting. The newness of choreography and new teammates has worn off, and now they’re just in the grueling work. In this episode, Kristen talks about how to keep athletes motivated and maintain a positive mindset.

Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights:

08:51 Tips to Get Through the Monotony

09:13 Team Bonding and Motivation Strategies

13:15 Setting Short-Term Goals and Rewards

18:09 Reflecting on their Love for Cheer

23:36 Upcoming Episode Preview

Your perfect style awaits, with Slick Hair Company! Visit slickhaircompany.com/thecheermomblog and use code THECHEERMOMBLOG for 10% off!

In this episode of the Cheer Mom Podcast, we dive into a fascinating conversation with Jenny, an experienced cheer judge and devoted cheer mom. Jenny provides valuable insights into the complexities of cheer competitions, score sheets, and the art of judging. We explore intriguing questions such as how a cheer team can win despite experiencing a mishap, the significance of elite skills and technique, and why a universal score sheet may not be feasible. Kristen delves into these topics and more, peppering "Judge Jenny" with questions about the fairness of judging across the cheer industry, and the potential impact of a single mistake on a routine's score. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of cheerleading competitions, illuminating the nuances of judging and the importance of showmanship.

Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights:

13:56 The Complexity of Cheerleading Rules and Scoring

24:44 Understanding the Role of Judges

26:17 Judges' Perspective on Fairness

28:55 The Importance of Showmanship

29:52 Challenges in Scoring and Judging

39:43 Human Error in Judging

49:03 Resources for Parents

There was a series of episodes that I feel didn't get enough love and attention last season, so I am bringing back some of the best moments from all of them.

Dad Fury, Firestorm Dads, and Carl Eppolito all have their own take on cheer, but one thing they all have in common is they want to be involved in cheerleading and supporting their girls.

Share this episode with your favorite cheer dads and maybe they'll get some fun inspiration from these dynamic groups of cheer dads from all over the country. Cheer doesn't have to be all about glitter and makeup, and these dads have found their special sauce to get involved and have fun in the process.

Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights:

8:08 DadFury and their mission
13:22 FireStorm Dads and their first impression of a cheer competition
16:40 Carl Eppolito's thoughts on all the different levels in All Star Cheer

Special guest, Jeff Webb, the founder of UCA and Varsity Spirit, shares his journey from being a high school and college cheerleader to managing NCA and ultimately building his own cheerleading empire. He offers behind-the-scenes stories of founding UCA, overcoming challenges, and witnessing the sport’s evolution over the years. The conversation touches on the international growth of cheerleading, the push for Olympic recognition, and the critical focus on safety. Jeff also reflects on the joy he’s found in his career and his ongoing passion for advancing the sport globally.

Kristen answers questions about must-haves for cheer athletes, whether or not USASF standards are optional, and the decision-making process of moving from prep to elite cheer.

Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights:

05:27 Must-Have Cheer Gear

12:14 Competition Realities and Strategies

20:53 Governing Bodies in Cheerleading

21:32 Understanding USASF and Its Role

24:16 Limitations of USASF Authority

30:56 Deciding Between Prep and Elite Cheer

Your perfect style awaits, with Slick Hair Company! Visit slickhaircompany.com/thecheermomblog and use code THECHEERMOMBLOG for 10% off!

The episode dives into the specifics of different types of tumbling mats and the progression of tumbling training. Cory - a former tumbling coach and current AirTrack rep - explains the differences between dead mats, spring floors, rod floors, and Airtracks. Cory gives recommendations for home tumbling equipment and drills - with a few caveats and coaching disclaimers, of course!

Visit getpomi.com/podcast to learn more and see how you can be better protected from the “what-ifs” that happen in cheer.

Find Cory in the chat at https://airtrackus.com/ or cory@airtrackus.com

Kristen explains the significance of championship gifts and tokens in the cheerleading world, highlighting the differences between various competitions. From banners and trophies at local events to coveted Letterman jackets at major events like NCA, the episode dives into what athletes receive when they win a regional event or a large, Super National competition. A special focus is given to the custom-designed championship rings crafted by renowned designer Santwon, whose intricate and thoughtful designs have made a significant impact on the cheer community. Kristen and Santwon have a chat on stage at the All Star World Championship, discussing the inspiration and detailed process behind his iconic rings, and emphasizing his unique relationship with coaches and athletes.

Wanna jump around? Here are some highlights:

00:24 Types of Championship Gifts

01:50 The Coveted Championship Jacket

04:31 The Customization Process of Championship Rings

09:08 Championship Ring Design

10:51 Interview with Santwon

13:15 Santwon’s Journey and Insights

16:25 The Creative Process Behind Ring Design

Your perfect style awaits, with Slick Hair Company! Visit slickhaircompany.com/thecheermomblog and use code THECHEERMOMBLOG for 10% off!

Use code: POD15 at TheCheerCollection.com for 15% off your order.

Ambassador applications for The Cheer Collection are open! Tap here to learn more.