In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast, the dads sit down with Chad Hall, one of the founding forces behind Dad Fury — the high-energy cheer dad movement that’s impossible to miss at competitions across the country.

What started as a few dads showing up loud and proud turned into something much bigger: a community focused on support, confidence, and showing athletes that their dads are all in.

Chad shares how he found his way into the cheer world, what it’s really like being “that dad” on the sidelines, and how Dad Fury grew from a spontaneous idea into a recognized presence in the cheer community. We talk about parenting through cheer, the emotional highs and lows of competition weekends, travel chaos, and why showing up matters more than getting it perfect.

This conversation is equal parts fun, heartfelt, and honest — and a reminder that cheer dads have a role to play, even if it’s loud, pink, and unapologetic.

Whether you’re a seasoned cheer parent or just starting the journey, this episode will make you laugh, nod in agreement, and maybe rethink how you show up for your athlete.

To our listeners — no matter where you are on your cheer journey, remember that taking care of your mental health matters just as much as hitting zero.

That’s why we’re proud to be partnered with BetterHelp.

If you ever feel overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, visit BetterHelp.com/CheerDad to get matched with a licensed therapist and start today.

That’s BetterHelp.com/CheerDad.

🎧 Listen now and meet the dad behind the fury.

In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast, the Dads sit down with cheer coach and former athlete Grant Lockaby to talk about what it really takes to develop confident, resilient athletes in today’s cheer world.

Grant shares his journey from athlete to coach, the lessons cheer taught him along the way, and how his coaching philosophy has evolved as he works with athletes under increasing pressure—both in the gym and online. Together, they dive into the realities of modern cheer, including confidence, burnout, social media comparison, and the balance between pushing athletes to grow while protecting their mental and emotional well-being.

This conversation offers valuable insight for **cheer parents—especially cheer dads—**looking to better understand the coach’s perspective, communicate effectively, and support their athletes through the highs and lows of the season.

If you’ve ever wondered what coaches wish parents understood, how to help your athlete through setbacks, or how cheer builds life skills beyond the mat, this episode is for you.

🎧 Sponsored by BetterHelp

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stretched thin, therapy can help. Visit BetterHelp.com/cheerdad to get 10% off your first month and connect with a licensed therapist from the comfort of your home.

This week on The Cheer Dad Podcast, the dads sit down with Joey Upchurch — a single cheer dad from Wilmington, NC, girl dad to two young athletes (ages 5 & 7), and the creator of Hit Zero Dad Club.

Joey shares his journey into the cheer world, what it’s like raising two young daughters in the sport, and the tough decision to take a season off to reset, rebuild, and establish a stronger foundation for his family. Between co-parenting, school transitions, and making sure his girls have the right support, Joey opens up about choosing long-term stability over short-term pressure.

We cover:

How Joey first stepped into the cheer dad life

His experience with long seasons, competition weekends, and burnout

The reasons behind taking time off from competitive cheer

Raising independent, confident young girls

The birth of Hit Zero Dad Club: from a simple idea to a full store

Why he wanted cheer dad merch that looked cool — not cheesy

Navigating cheer, fatherhood, and life balance as a single dad

It’s real, relatable, and full of heart — the kind of conversation every cheer parent can see themselves in.

Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your athletes. If life feels overwhelming — between parenting, work, schedules, and everything cheer brings — talking to someone can make all the difference.

That’s why we’re proud to partner with BetterHelp.

Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/CheerDad and connect with a licensed therapist from anywhere, anytime.