How do you balance the high-stakes world of gym ownership with the emotional journey of being a "cheer mom"? In this episode of Here 4 Cheer, Brittany Sterkel (Owner and Head Coach of Motion Athletics) gets honest about the unique challenges of leading a massive program while watching her own children navigate the sport from the other side of the glass.

Brittany shares the "aha" moments that changed her perspective on coaching, the pressure of maintaining a positive culture for hundreds of families, and how she balances the hustle of a business owner with the heart of a parent. We dive into why "transformational coaching" is the only way to build a legacy that lasts longer than a trophy.

In this episode, we cover:

• The dual perspective: Being a gym owner vs. being a parent.

• Why positive coaching is the secret to athlete longevity.

• Moving from transactional wins to transformational influence.

• Navigating the "hard stuff" with empathy.

• Practical tips for balancing family life with a 24/7 business.

Subscribe to Here 4 Cheer for more honest conversations about the cheer industry, business ownership, and athlete development.

#Here4Cheer #CheerMom #GymOwner #Cheerleading #PositiveCoaching #WomenInBusiness #ParentingAthletes #CheerLife #MotionAthletics #TransformationalCoaching

She won on the world stage—now she’s helping shape the future of the sport.

In this episode of Here 4 Cheer, Kaitlyn Lyday shares her journey from athlete to leader:

• Becoming a 3x ICU World Champion with the US National Team
• The mindset that separated her at the highest level
• The pressure, doubt, and identity struggles behind the scenes
• Transitioning from athlete to Director of Marketing & Social Media for USA Cheer
• How she’s now helping grow the sport and support the next generation

Plus, Kaitlyn breaks down what athletes, coaches, and programs are getting right—and wrong—today.

This is more than a cheer story. It’s about growth, purpose, and what comes after success.

Subscribe for more real stories from the cheer world Follow Kaitlyn for tutorials, tips, and behind-the-scenes insight

#cheerleading #allstarcheer #usacheer #cheerleader #cheerlife #cheertok #cheercommunity #cheerathlete #stunting #cheertraining #cheercoach #cheerleaders #worldchampion #icuworlds #cheerworlds #athletemindset #sportsmotivation #mentalgame #confidence #impostersyndrome #womeninsports #femaleathlete #leadership #socialmediatips #sportsmarketing #contentcreator #behindthescenes #podcast #here4cheer

What if your team isn’t losing because of skills… but because of what’s happening in their mind?

In this episode of Here 4 Cheer, Megan Gomarlo sits down with former Division I cheerleader Bailey Sineni—now a licensed therapist and mental performance coach—to break down the REAL reason teams hit in practice but fall apart under pressure.

Bailey shares her personal journey from cheering at Alabama to stepping away from the sport due to mental health struggles—and how that experience led her to build a system that’s now helping teams perform when it matters most.

You’ll learn:

• Why confidence ≠ mental toughness
• What’s actually happening in an athlete’s brain before they compete
• The biggest mistake coaches make before - and after - performances
• How breathwork can instantly reset a team
• How to build athletes who can handle pressure (on and off the mat)

If you’re a coach, athlete, or parent—this episode might completely change how you think about performance.

Drop a comment: Does your team struggle more in practice or at competition?

#Cheerleading #MentalPerformance #SportsPsychology #Here4Cheer #AllStarCheer #CheerCoach #AthleteMindset

Tryout season is HERE—and if you're a cheer parent, you already feel the stress.

In this solo episode of Here 4 Cheer, Megan breaks down the reality behind placements, levels, and the pressure that takes over this time of year. From Nashville competitions to NCA College Nationals, to the chaos of tryouts… this is the honest conversation a lot of parents need—but don’t always hear.

This episode covers:

• Why placements don’t define your athlete
• The biggest mistake parents make during tryout season
• What gym owners are REALLY thinking when building teams
• Why “level chasing” can actually hurt your athlete
• How to support your child (without stealing their joy)
• What actually matters for long-term success in cheer

If your athlete is going through tryouts—or you’re stressing about where they’ll land—this episode will shift your perspective.

💬 Drop a comment: What’s the hardest part of tryout season for you?

👍 Like & subscribe for more real talk from the cheer world.

#Cheerleading #CheerTryouts #AllStarCheer #CheerParents #Here4Cheer

Welcome to another episode of the Here for Cheer podcast with host Megan Gomarlo! Today, we are joined by Meredith Kidd, a retired cheer coach of over 20 years, a varsity judge, and the founder of Kidd Collegiate Consulting.

Whether you're a coach trying to maximize your Game Day score, or a parent navigating the stressful college admissions process, this episode has something for you! Meredith shares her incredible journey from rebuilding the program at South High School to judging massive events like UIL and Daytona. She also dives deep into what it takes to get high school athletes ready for college.

In this episode, we discuss:

College Admissions Secrets: Meredith breaks down why SAT and ACT testing is making a comeback and how students need to strategically plan their high school classes.

Community Service That Counts: We discuss why meaningful volunteering, like working in healthcare or helping at kids' cheer camps, matters much more than just logging random service hours.

Coaching Burnout: Discover the real reason many high school coaches are leaving the sport and learn how parents can be better advocates and supporters.

What Judges Want: Get a judge's perspective on Game Day routines, including the proper way to utilize tools like flags, signs, and rally towels.

Connect with Meredith Kidd:

• Website: Visit kidcollegiateconsulting.org to book a free 30-minute consultation!

• Team Sessions: Meredith offers specific virtual sessions for cheer and dance teams, as well as help for coaches to decipher judges' comments.

• Instagram: Follow along for more tips and to get your brain thinking about the college process.

#Cheerleading #CheerCoach #CollegePrep #CheerJudge #CollegeAdmissions #GameDayCheer #StudentAthlete #HighSchoolCheer #CheerMom #CheerLife #CollegeConsulting #ScholarshipTips #VarsityCheer #Ucheer #HereForCheer #CollegeBound #SATprep #AthleteLife #SpiritPrograms #CoachingLife

What does it actually take to build a national championship program… from the ground up?

In this episode of Here 4 Cheer, University of New Hampshire Head Coach Scott Rigoli shares the full story behind one of college cheer’s most impressive rises — from taking over a program with no expectations to winning a national title in year one.

He walks through the moment they thought they placed 4th… only to be crowned champions — and how that shock win sparked a culture that continues to grow today.

But this episode goes deeper than one moment.

Scott breaks down:

• How he transitioned from youth, high school, and all-star cheer into college coaching
• What it really takes to build (and rebuild) a program
• The evolution of recruiting — from “skills first” to culture-first
• How UNH became a destination for athletes who once felt they had to leave New England
• Why buy-in, work ethic, and love for the sport matter more than talent alone
• The reality of coaching — leadership, adversity, and long-term vision

This is a must-listen for athletes, coaches, and anyone trying to build something meaningful — on or off the mat.

Hosted by Megan Gomarlo

#cheerleading #collegecheer #unhcheer #cheernation #ncanationals #daytona #cheercoach #allstarcheer #cheerpodcast #cheertok #unh #newhampshire

What does it really take to win at the highest level of college cheerleading?

On this episode of Here 4 Cheer, Megan Gomarlo sits down with legendary Morehead State head coach Mark Coleman — 21-time national champion — to break down the mindset, culture, and pressure behind one of the most dominant programs in the sport. This is an unfiltered look at what separates good from elite.

💥 Why Morehead athletes are “built different” 💥 The truth about pressure, expectations, and nationals 💥 Why winning is hard… but repeating is even harder 💥 How championship culture is actually created (and protected) 💥 What coaches and athletes NEED to hear

If you’re an athlete, coach, or cheer parent — this episode will change how you think about success.

New episodes every Tuesday Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more cheer insights

#Here4Cheer #Cheerleading #MoreheadState #CheerCoach #CollegeCheer #AllStarCheer #CheerPodcast #WinningMindset

What happens when three sports dads enter the world of competitive cheer… for the first time?

In this episode of Here 4 Cheer, host Megan Gomarlo sits down with the Cheer Dads Unfiltered crew - Tom Slocum, Geoffrey Mazariegos, and David Woods - to talk misconceptions, intensity, scoring confusion, and what REALLY surprised them about all-star cheer.

From thinking it was just pom-poms and sidelines… to realizing it’s one of the most demanding sports out there — this conversation is honest, funny, and eye-opening.

Topics include: - The biggest misconceptions about cheer - Why competitive cheer is harder than it looks - The pressure of a 2-minute routine - What dads didn’t understand (and now do) - Parent culture, coaching, and team dynamics

Whether you’re a cheer parent, athlete, or just curious about the sport — this episode will change how you see cheer

#CheerDads #CheerDadsUnfiltered #AllStarCheer #Cheerleading #CheerLife #CheerParents #SportsParents #YouthSports #CheerCommunity #CompetitiveCheer #CheerPodcast #PodcastClips #SportsPodcast #DadLife #GirlDad #ParentingWins #AthleteLife #TeamSports #WeHadNoIdea #NowWeGetIt #AllIn #GameChanger #BehindTheScenes #CheerTruth #newperspective