The Cheer Dad Podcast

Alex & Jerry

The Cheer Dad Podcast Cheer stories. Laughs. Real dad life. From the carpool to the comp floor, The Cheer Dad Podcast is your backstage pass to the wild world of All Star cheer—through the eyes of two proud cheer dads. With over 15 years of combined experience, hosts Alex and Jerry bring you real talk, hard-earned wisdom, and a whole lot of laughs from life on the sidelines. Whether you’re packing last-minute bows, learning the difference between Level 2 and Level 6, or cheering your athlete through the season’s highs and lows—this show is for you. Each episode dives into stories from the mat, comp recaps, interviews with other cheer parents and coaches, and the stuff no one tells you when you first become a cheer dad. It’s spirit. It’s chaos. It’s glitter in your truck forever. Welcome to The Cheer Dad Podcast—where we always hit zero (or at least try). This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

  1. 1d ago

    Cheer Is Expensive... Here's How to Make It Work

    Every cheer parent knows the feeling... The tuition is paid... then the competition fees arrive. Next come uniforms, travel, spectator tickets, hotels, food, warmups, bows—and somehow there's always another expense around the corner. This week, Alex sits down with Lexie Peedin, founder of My Cheer Budget, to talk about the real cost of all-star cheer and, more importantly, how families can plan for it without letting the financial stress overshadow the experience. Lexie shares the story behind creating My Cheer Budget after realizing there were no budgeting tools designed specifically for cheer families. The conversation dives into: 🏆 The hidden costs that surprise most new cheer parents 💰 Why the gym's expense sheet is only part of the story ✈️ How travel hacking and credit card rewards can save thousands on competition travel 📅 Why planning for Summit, Worlds, and postseason events should start on Day One 🎀 Smart ways to save money without taking away from your athlete's experience 🍋 Fundraising ideas that actually work (and a few that don't) 📈 Simple budgeting strategies every cheer family can start using today Whether you're entering your first season or you've been living the cheer life for years, this episode is packed with practical advice that can help you spend less time stressing about money and more time enjoying the journey with your athlete. Connect with Lexie & My Cheer Budget🎁 Special Discount on the Fundraising Planner Bundle: http://mycheerbudget.com/podcast 🛍️ Etsy Shop: mycheerbudget.etsy.com 📸 Instagram: @mycheerbudget 🎵 TikTok: @mycheerbudget If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with another cheer family. Your support helps us continue bringing you conversations that inform, entertain, and celebrate the cheer community. Until next time... Hit Zero! 🖤💙 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    Cheer Is Expensive... Here's How to Make It Work

  2. Jul 21

    From Carpools to Contracts: The Sponsorship Blueprint for Cheer Families

    Competitive cheer isn't getting any cheaper—but what if there was another way to help pay for it besides fundraising? This week, Alex sits down with Mandy Holmes, founder of Sponsor My Athlete and creator of Carpool to Contracts, to discuss how families can build genuine partnerships with local businesses that help offset the rising costs of youth sports. Rather than asking for donations, Mandy explains how athletes can provide real marketing value to businesses through social media, community engagement, and authentic relationships. She shares the same system that has helped hundreds of youth sports families secure sponsorships for travel, equipment, competition fees, and even entire seasons. Whether your athlete competes in cheer, baseball, softball, volleyball, dance, or any other youth sport, this episode is packed with practical advice you can start using immediately. In this episode:Why sponsorships are marketing partnerships—not donationsThe biggest mistakes parents make when approaching businessesHow to create a one-page athlete media kitWhy character matters more than championshipsHow even athletes with small social media followings can attract sponsorsWhere to find businesses already looking to support youth sportsThe life skills sponsorships teach beyond helping pay for competition seasonMandy's first three steps for families ready to start today If you've ever wondered how to make competitive cheer a little more affordable, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. Connect with Mandy Holmes🌐 Website: https://sponsormyathlete.com/home-133906?am_id=alexr7203 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carpooltocontracts 📸 Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/therealhousewifeofscottsdale Connect with The Cheer Dad Podcast🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecheerdadpodcast 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCheerDadPodcast If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you would follow the show, leave a 5-star review, and share it with another cheer parent who could benefit from these sponsorship ideas. Hit Zero! This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    From Carpools to Contracts: The Sponsorship Blueprint for Cheer Families

  3. Jul 14

    More Than Banners: Twenty Years of Cheer Memories

    What does nearly 20 years in the All Star cheer world teach you? This week, Alex and Jerry sit down with veteran cheer dad Kevin Askew, whose family has been part of All Star Cheer since 2006. From multiple gym changes and moving across state lines to watching his daughter win NCA, Cheersport, and The Summit, Kevin shares the highs, the sacrifices, and the unforgettable moments that have shaped his family's journey. The conversation dives into how the sport has evolved over the last two decades, why finding the right gym can change an athlete's confidence, what it's really like surviving a two-team season, and why more dads are becoming an important part of the cheer community. Kevin also opens up about the friendships, road trips, late-night drives, championship moments, and the father-daughter bond that cheer has created—proving that the trophies are great, but the memories are what last. Whether you're a brand-new cheer parent or a seasoned veteran, this episode is full of stories, laughs, and advice from someone who's truly lived the cheer life. 🎙️ In this episode: How All Star Cheer has changed since 2006Finding the right gym after moving statesWinning NCA, Cheersport & The SummitSurviving two-team seasons and balancing family lifeWhy every dad should get involved in cheerLessons learned from 20 years in the sportLightning Round: favorite competitions, road trips, cheer snacks, and more! Hit play and join us for a conversation every cheer parent can relate to. Hit Zero! This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    More Than Banners: Twenty Years of Cheer Memories

  4. Jul 7

    Life After Cheer: Finding Your Next Passion

    Every athlete eventually performs their last routine. Whether it's because of graduation, aging out, injury, college, or simply moving on to the next chapter, every cheer family eventually faces the question... What comes next? This week, we're joined by Rachelle Provost, host of the After the Routine podcast, to talk about life after competitive cheer and the many ways athletes and parents can stay connected to the sport they love. We dive into: Why the transition out of cheer can be emotional for both athletes and parentsThe life skills cheer develops that translate into college and the workplaceCareer opportunities beyond coaching—including judging, event production, marketing, music, photography, media, and entrepreneurshipWhy so many people find their way back to cheer, even after stepping awayHow gyms can better prepare athletes for life beyond competition If you're a cheer parent wondering what comes after the final routine—or an athlete trying to figure out what's next—this is a conversation you won't want to miss. 🎧 Plus, we wrap things up with our rapid-fire round and hear some incredible stories from Rachelle's conversations with industry professionals who turned their passion for cheer into lifelong careers. Because sometimes the last routine isn't the end...it's just the beginning of a new chapter. I especially like "When the Music Stops: Life After Cheer" as the title. It ties directly into the opening of the episode and immediately tells listeners this isn't just another interview—it's a conversation about something every cheer family will eventually experience. It's memorable, emotional, and fits the tone of the episode perfectly. If you want to lean even harder into the parent audience, I'd also strongly consider "Parents Aren't Ready for This Moment" as a title. It's a little more click-worthy while still accurately reflecting the discussion you and Rachelle had. Facebook: @aftertheroutinepodcastInstagram: @aftertheroutinepodcastTikTok: @aftertheroutine_podcastYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBi7W2BEfSY507Oqk6bcONkik7ZjXJ0-RSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5vHVlIA1INAmJTUbTvUrdpApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/after-the-routine-podcast/id1882061903 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    Life After Cheer: Finding Your Next Passion

  5. Jun 30

    Behind the Scenes of Cheer Media: A Conversation with Shane James

    What does it take to become the voice behind some of cheerleading's biggest stories? This week on The Cheer Dad Podcast, Alex sits down with Shane James, founder of Cheer Daily, Cheer Media, and The Cheer Awards, for an inside look at the media side of the cheer industry. Shane shares his incredible journey from being the only male cheerleader in his small Mississippi town to building one of the largest cheer media platforms in the world. They dive into how breaking news is reported, why accuracy matters more than being first, what really happens behind the scenes at major events like Worlds and NCA, and the vision behind creating The Cheer Awards. They also discuss the future of cheerleading, the possibility of Olympic inclusion, AI in sports media, social media's impact on the industry, and what parents often don't see behind the scenes. Whether you're a cheer parent, athlete, coach, or simply love the sport, this episode gives you a rare look behind the curtain at the people helping shape cheerleading's future. In This Episode🏆 Shane's journey from athlete to media entrepreneur 📰 How Cheer Daily became one of cheerleading's most trusted news sources 📸 Behind the scenes of covering the biggest events in cheer 🎤 The story behind launching The Cheer Awards 🤖 How AI is changing sports journalism 🌎 The future of cheerleading and the Olympic dream 💙 Advice for cheer parents and athletes Follow Shane & Learn More📰 Cheer Daily: https://cheerdaily.com 📸 Cheer Daily on Instagram: @CheerDailyIG 🏆 The Cheer Awards: www.thecheerawards.org If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow The Cheer Dad Podcast, leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review, and share this episode with another cheer family. Your support helps us continue bringing you conversations with the people who are shaping the future of cheerleading! 💙🏆 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    Behind the Scenes of Cheer Media: A Conversation with Shane James

  6. Jun 23

    Behind the Scores with Alex Gaggioli

    Ever wonder how Cheer Theory keeps track of thousands of teams, competitions, scores, bids, and rankings every season? This week it's the Alex & Alex Show as Cheer Dad Podcast host Alex Russell welcomes Cheer Theory founder Alex Gaggioli. From his start as a gymnast to becoming the most recognizable data guy in cheer, Alex shares how Cheer Theory was built and what he's learned from watching more cheerleading than just about anyone on the planet. We talk rankings, scoring myths, Cheer Twitter, Worlds, Summit, the future of the sport, and what every new cheer parent should know before stepping into their first competition. If you've ever fallen down the Cheer Theory rabbit hole, this is the episode for you. My pick for the title would be: "30,000 Feet Above Cheer: Inside Cheer Theory with Alex Gaggioli" because it ties directly into your intro where you described Alex as seeing the sport from 30,000 feet while the rest of us are watching through the lens of our own athlete and team. It's unique and captures the entire conversation perfectly. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    Behind the Scores with Alex Gaggioli

  7. Jun 16

    Cheer Mom, Cheer Dad, Same Team

    What happens when you combine a former cheerleader and coach, a cheer dad who discovered the sport later in life, and three daughters navigating the all-star cheer world? This week, Alex and Jerry sit down with Andrew and Cristina to talk about cheer from every angle. Cristina shares her journey from athlete and coach to cheer mom, while Andrew discusses what it was like stepping into a sport he knew almost nothing about and discovering just how demanding, emotional, and rewarding it can be. The conversation dives into the realities of competition weekends, raising athletes through wins and losses, handling disappointment, building confidence, and why some of the most valuable lessons in cheer happen away from the competition floor. They also discuss the friendships cheer creates, the importance of commitment, the role parents play in an athlete's journey, and why leaning into the cheer life can create memories that last long after the final routine. Whether you're a cheer mom, cheer dad, coach, or athlete, this episode is a reminder that cheer is about much more than trophies and score sheets. If you'd like to help Haley with her cheer season here's the link to the Double Good popcorn fundraiser. https://s.dgpopup.com/x35f1h0a This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    Cheer Mom, Cheer Dad, Same Team

  8. Jun 9

    The Mind Behind the Routine | Triston Allen

    Jerry had a scheduling conflict this week, so Alex is flying solo with one of the most influential choreographers in the cheer industry. Triston Allen, owner of Worldwide Choreography, joins The Cheer Dad Podcast to talk everything from championship routines and score sheets to program culture, athlete development, and the future of cheer. We discuss what separates successful programs from struggling ones, common mistakes teams make, what parents often misunderstand about competition season, and how choreography has changed over the years. Plus, Triston sticks around for some rapid-fire questions, including Worlds vs. Summit, Texas vs. Florida cheer, and what every cheer dad should know. Whether you're an athlete, coach, gym owner, or parent sitting in the stands every weekend, there's something in this episode for you. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    The Mind Behind the Routine | Triston Allen
See All (49)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

About

The Cheer Dad Podcast Cheer stories. Laughs. Real dad life. From the carpool to the comp floor, The Cheer Dad Podcast is your backstage pass to the wild world of All Star cheer—through the eyes of two proud cheer dads. With over 15 years of combined experience, hosts Alex and Jerry bring you real talk, hard-earned wisdom, and a whole lot of laughs from life on the sidelines. Whether you’re packing last-minute bows, learning the difference between Level 2 and Level 6, or cheering your athlete through the season’s highs and lows—this show is for you. Each episode dives into stories from the mat, comp recaps, interviews with other cheer parents and coaches, and the stuff no one tells you when you first become a cheer dad. It’s spirit. It’s chaos. It’s glitter in your truck forever. Welcome to The Cheer Dad Podcast—where we always hit zero (or at least try). This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Information

  • Creator
    Alex & Jerry
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Alex & Jerry
  • Show Website
    The Cheer Dad Podcast