Episode 4 – Dan Weaver | Building a National Championship Culture

In this episode of the Here 4 Cheer Podcast, host [Your Name] welcomes Dan Weaver, Head Coach of the University of Minnesota Cheer Team and 5x National Champion. From starting as a walk-on athlete at the University of Delaware to leading one of the top Division 1A programs in the nation, Dan’s journey is full of lessons for athletes, parents, and coaches.

We talk about:

• What it really takes to get recruited for college cheer

• How being an alternate can shape your leadership and resilience

• Why freshmen must learn to “be okay with being bad” at first

• The difference between a good team and a great team

If you’ve ever dreamed of competing at UCA Nationals, cheering in front of 50,000 fans, or just want a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed at the next level, this episode is for you.

Mental blocks can stop an athlete in their tracks — but they don’t have to be permanent. In this Here 4 Cheer episode, we talk with Jeff Benson from Mind Body Cheer about why mental blocks happen, how cheerleading’s perfection-focused culture can make them worse, and what athletes, coaches, and parents can do to move past them.

Jeff explains the difference between a fixed and growth mindset, shares practical strategies for breaking through performance fears, and offers tools to help athletes rebuild confidence and resilience.

Whether you’re stuck on a tumbling skill, coaching athletes through fear, or just curious about the mental side of cheerleading, this conversation will leave you with new ways to approach challenges and support long-term growth.

Welcome to Episode 2 of Here 4 Cheer! This week we’re joined by flexibility guru Cat Haley, who dives into the critical role flexibility plays in competitive cheerleading. From her unique training program and how she helps athletes level up, to her journey in the cheer world and what it really takes to thrive in the sport—this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes cheer life.

Whether you're a flyer, coach, or parent, you’ll gain valuable tips and perspective on building strength, improving flexibility safely, and sustaining success in All-Star cheer.

Topics Covered: - How Cat Haley’s flexibility program works - Getting started as a flexibility coach - Tips for improving flexibility for cheer - Balancing cheer and personal life - Advice for athletes and coaches

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes every week!