Here 4 Cheer

Megan Gomarlo

Welcome to ”Here 4 Cheer,” a podcast dedicated to celebrating the vibrant world of cheerleading. Join host Megan Gomarlo as she connects with inspiring coaches, gym owners, athletes, and industry leaders to share their stories, insights, and advice. Each episode offers a blend of personal experiences and practical takeaways, aiming to uplift and empower listeners. Whether you’re a parent, coach, athlete, or cheer enthusiast, ”Here 4 Cheer” provides a positive space to learn, grow, and be inspired by the incredible people shaping the future of cheerleading.

  1. 4d ago

    John Knowles: Building Winning Teams

    Nationally recognized choreographer, educator and former Cheer Athletics All-Star Director John Knowles joins Megan on Here 4 Cheer for an incredibly honest conversation about leadership, culture, communication, athlete buy-in and what it really takes to build successful teams. John shares lessons from more than 15 years at Cheer Athletics, including how he learned to lead staff, build trust with athletes and parents, create competitive team cultures, and motivate coaches and athletes beyond wins and losses. He also gets candid about the mistakes that shaped him as a coach — from learning when to stop criticizing every rep to understanding parents differently after becoming one himself. One of his biggest lessons? Athletes can tell when their coach is truly invested in the journey with them. John also takes us inside That Cheer School, the coaching community he created to share the systems, practice strategies, choreography tools and resources he developed throughout his career. In this episode: • Building trust between coaches, athletes and parents   • Creating genuine athlete buy-in   • Developing and motivating coaching staffs   • Why coaches need to explain the “why”   • Creating value for yourself as a coach   • Balancing accountability with confidence   • Lessons learned at Cheer Athletics   • Why great coaches never stop learning   • The story behind That Cheer School   • Why sometimes the thing that scares you is exactly what you should run toward Whether you're a gym owner, coach, athlete or cheer parent, this conversation is packed with ideas you can immediately bring back to your program. #Here4Cheer #Cheerleading #AllStarCheer #CheerCoach #CheerAthletics #JohnKnowles #CheerCoaching #AllStarCheerleading #CheerLife #ThatCheerSchool

  2. Sep 15

    Brantley Jittu: Chasing Dreams and Paying It Forward

    Brantley Jittu’s journey in cheerleading is about so much more than competition. From discovering all-star cheer as a six-year-old to becoming a respected choreographer, coach, consultant, and business owner, Brantley has built his career around helping others believe in themselves and reach their potential. In this episode of Here 4 Cheer with Megan Gomarlo, Brantley opens up about growing up as a male cheerleader in the South, facing bullying and death threats simply for being himself, and learning to embrace who he was and what he loved. He also shares the lessons that shaped him as a leader—including the advice from his childhood coach that taught him, “not everybody’s journey is the same” and that you can accomplish more by inspiring people than by tearing them down. Brantley and Megan also dive into: • Building a career in the cheer industry • The importance of mentorship and developing the next generation • Leadership and creating a positive gym culture • The business side of running a successful cheer program • Why gyms need to invest in training, choreography, music, and athletes—not just appearances • Helping coaches, gym owners, judges, and choreographers grow • Brantley’s vision for making cheer a place where people can believe in themselves and find their place At the heart of the conversation is Brantley’s belief that success isn't just about winning. It's about opening doors for other people and creating an impact that continues long after you're gone. This is a conversation about courage, leadership, purpose, and the power of cheer to change lives. #Here4Cheer #BrantleyJittu #Cheerleading #AllStarCheer #CheerCoach #CheerleadingPodcast #CheerIndustry #CheerLeadership #GymOwners #CheerBusiness

  3. Sep 1

    How to Build Confident, Resilient Athletes | Jen Graffice

    What does it really take to build confident, resilient athletes? In this episode of Here 4 Cheer, Megan Gomarlo sits down with international speaker and confidence and performance strategist Jen Graffice, founder of Q Life, for a powerful conversation about the connection between mindset, confidence, and athletic performance. Jen has worked with more than 30 world champion programs and brings a unique perspective shaped by sports medicine, health and wellness, coaching, and her experience as a parent of competitive cheerleaders. Together, Megan and Jen talk about: • Why courage creates confidence • Why athletes need to normalize failure and learn from struggle • How parents can communicate more effectively with their kids • The importance of coaches taking those small "micro moments" to check in with athletes • How breath work can help athletes manage pressure before competition • Using words, journaling, and visualization to strengthen mindset • How mental blocks can be connected to confidence • Why parents and coaches should stop comparing athletes and their journeys • How the language coaches use can build athletes up while still maintaining high standards • Creating a positive mindset culture that includes coaches, athletes, and parents Jen's message is ultimately bigger than cheer: the goal isn't simply to create better performers. It's to help develop strong, confident, resilient humans. If you're an athlete, coach, parent, or gym owner, this is an episode packed with practical ideas you can start using immediately. Subscribe to Here 4 Cheer for more conversations about cheerleading, coaching, mindset, leadership, and the people who make this sport so special.

  4. Aug 25

    The Fearless Mindset That Built a Champion | ChiChi

    What happens when you refuse to be afraid of a “no”? On this episode of Here 4 Cheer, Megan Gomarlo sits down with powerhouse coach, choreographer, consultant, and entrepreneur ChiChi for an inspiring conversation about taking risks, building leaders, creating championship cultures, and believing in athletes before they believe in themselves. ChiChi shares his incredible journey from discovering competitive cheer to cheering at Navarro and Texas Tech, coaching championship programs, returning to Navarro as a coach, and helping build its all-girl program. He also opens up about what separates elite programs from the rest—and why the most successful teams are built on culture, accountability, and leadership. They also dive into: • Why great coaches care about more than championships • The importance of veterans developing and protecting rookies • Why player-led teams are so powerful • What ChiChi looks for when recruiting athletes • His advice for athletes who don't think they're good enough • Building a successful cheer program as a business • The story behind Nation's Best, his new individual and small-group championship concept • Why athletes need a life outside of cheer • Taking risks, chasing big ideas, and refusing to settle Chi Chi's message throughout the conversation is simple: go for it. You never know what's possible until you try. 🎙️ Here 4 Cheer is hosted by Megan Gomarlo and features conversations with athletes, coaches, choreographers, and leaders shaping the world of cheer. #Here4Cheer #Cheerleading #ChiChi #NavarroCheer #CheerCoach #CompetitiveCheer #CheerleadingCoach

  5. Aug 11

    Building Champions Beyond the Mat | Melissa Bull

    On this episode of Here for Cheer, Megan Gomarlo sits down with Melissa Bull, four-time national championship coach, Ravenwood High School head coach, and USA cheer coach, for an honest conversation about elite coaching, leadership, culture, resilience, and what matters beyond the scoreboard. Melissa shares the journey that took her from Moorhead athlete to championship coach, her path to Ravenwood, and what makes the program's culture so special. She also opens up about the pressure of coaching at the highest level, handling difficult losses, pushing the boundaries of cheerleading, and helping athletes learn to perform under pressure. In this conversation, Melissa talks about: • Building a championship culture without losing the human element • Why she doesn't use traditional team captains • Using data and positive tracking to motivate athletes • Teaching athletes communication, self-advocacy, and resilience • Handling the pressure that comes with being a powerhouse program • Why coaches have to be willing to lead from the front • Learning how to win — and how to lose • Taking calculated risks and pushing the boundaries of cheerleading • Her journey back to representing Team USA as a coach • What separates talented athletes from true champions • Why the relationships and lessons matter more than the championship • Building a legacy that continues after athletes graduate • How cheerleading can shape young women far beyond the gym • The importance of balance, boundaries, and taking care of yourself as a coach • Why gym owners should showcase their culture—not just their skills—on social media One of the biggest takeaways from Melissa: “You have to be good at winning, but you also have to be good at losing.” This is a conversation about cheerleading, but it's really about leadership, courage, community, and becoming the kind of person others want to follow. Host: Megan Gomarlo Guest: Melissa Bull Ravenwood High School | USA Cheer Subscribe to Here for Cheer for more conversations with the athletes, coaches, and leaders pushing the sport forward. #HereForCheer #Cheerleading #CheerCoach #MelissaBull #RavenwoodCheer #TeamUSA #CompetitiveCheerleading #CheerleadingCoach #CheerCulture #CheerleadingPodcast

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Welcome to ”Here 4 Cheer,” a podcast dedicated to celebrating the vibrant world of cheerleading. Join host Megan Gomarlo as she connects with inspiring coaches, gym owners, athletes, and industry leaders to share their stories, insights, and advice. Each episode offers a blend of personal experiences and practical takeaways, aiming to uplift and empower listeners. Whether you’re a parent, coach, athlete, or cheer enthusiast, ”Here 4 Cheer” provides a positive space to learn, grow, and be inspired by the incredible people shaping the future of cheerleading.

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