Bonde On Cheer

Hybrid Cheer

Bonde on Cheer is a straight-talk podcast about the reality of cheerleading. Hosted by coach Bonde Johnson, the show dives into athlete development, team culture, tryouts, training, and the lessons learned from years in the gym. No hype, no shortcuts—just honest conversations about what actually makes athletes and teams better.

Episodes

  1. 5D AGO

    Tryout Preparation: Why It Starts Way Earlier Than You Think

    Welcome back to Bonde on Cheer, the podcast where we have honest conversations about athlete development, team culture, coaching, training, and the lessons learned from years in the gym. IN THIS EPISODE: I'm breaking down what tryout preparation actually looks like and why the two-week grind mentality misses the point entirely. If you think tryouts are a first impression, think again. Coaches already know who you are before you walk through the door, and that means the real work starts long before tryout day. I cover what coaches are actually watching for, why clean skills will always beat difficult ones, and why strength and conditioning is the most underrated tool in your training arsenal. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Why tryout preparation starts the day after last season's tryouts end, not two weeks before the next oneWhy cleanliness always beats difficulty and what a coach sees when you throw a shaky skill you can barely replicateWhat coaches are actually looking for beyond the skills, including attitude, coachability, and how you treat other athletes in the roomWhy blank slate athletes with good fundamentals are often more valuable than highly skilled athletes with bad habitsWhy strength and conditioning is still far behind where it should be in cheerleading and how building those habits consistently will make you a more coachable, more teachable athleteWhat a successful tryout actually looks like, and why enjoying the process matters more than you think ABOUT HYBRID CHEER: Hybrid Cheer isn't just a training program, it's a revolution in cheer for everyone. I founded Hybrid Cheer as a former gymnast, college cheerleader, and USA Weightlifting-certified coach to help athletes bridge the gap between raw talent and elite execution. No matter your age or skill level, you deserve top-tier training. We focus on technique, strength, and skill development to help you hit harder, stunt smarter, and train like a collegiate athlete. We don't just teach skills, we build athletes. CONNECT: Follow Hybrid Cheer on Instagram @hybrid_cheerFollow me on Instagram @bondejohnsonOnline Training hybridcheer.com

    12 min

  2. MAR 12

    I Said I'd Never be a Cheerleader (Bonde Johnson on How He Built Hybrid Cheer)

    I Said I'd Never be a Cheerleader (Bonde Johnson on How He Found His Calling) Welcome to the very first episode of Bonde on Cheer — the podcast where we have honest conversations about athlete development, team culture, coaching, training, and the lessons learned from years in the gym. IN THIS EPISODE: I'm sharing the story behind Hybrid Cheer — from a kid who swore he'd never be a cheerleader, to building a global cheer training brand. I walk you through my journey from multi-sport athlete to gymnast, CrossFitter, Olympic weightlifter, and eventually FSU cheerleader (thanks, Mom), and explain how a deep love of coaching and a gap in the industry led me to build Hybrid Cheer from the ground up. I'm also laying out the vision for this podcast: a candid, evolving conversation about what creating real standards in cheerleading could and should look like. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Why I was so resistant to cheerleading and what changed my mindHow my background in strength & conditioning, sports nutrition, and Olympic weightlifting shaped my coaching philosophyThe gap I kept seeing no matter where I traveled and how it motivated me to build HybridWhat this podcast is (and isn't). It's not "this is the right way, full stop." It's the evolution of building a standard in real timeHow every other sport has clear standards, and why cheer needs the same ABOUT HYBRID CHEER: Hybrid Cheer isn't just a training program — it's a revolution in cheer for everyone. I founded Hybrid Cheer as a former gymnast, college cheerleader, and USA Weightlifting-certified coach to help athletes bridge the gap between raw talent and elite execution. No matter your age or skill level, you deserve top-tier training. We focus on technique, strength, and skill development to help you hit harder, stunt smarter, and train like a collegiate athlete. We don't just teach skills — we build athletes. CONNECT: Follow Hybrid Cheer on Instagram @hybrid_cheerFollow me on Instagram @bondejohnsonOnline Training hybridcheer.com

    17 min
  • 2 Episodes

About

Bonde on Cheer is a straight-talk podcast about the reality of cheerleading. Hosted by coach Bonde Johnson, the show dives into athlete development, team culture, tryouts, training, and the lessons learned from years in the gym. No hype, no shortcuts—just honest conversations about what actually makes athletes and teams better.

Information

  • Creator
    Hybrid Cheer
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hybrid Cheer