The Cheer Dad Podcast

One Year of Cheer Dad Chaos

One year ago, we launched The Cheer Dad Podcast with one goal, to give cheer dads, moms, athletes, coaches, and fans a place to laugh, vent, tell stories, and celebrate the crazy world of All Star Cheer. Fast forward one year later… and what a ride it’s been. In this special anniversary episode, we look back at our end of season comps with special guests Maddee Grant as she tells us about her first Youth Summit and Haley Russell joins to answer some of maddee's questions. We also talk about: * The growth of the podcast over the past year * Lessons learned from cheer life * The friendships and connections built through the sport * What’s next for The Cheer Dad Podcast Most importantly, we want to thank every listener, guest, parent, athlete, and supporter who’s been part of this journey. Whether you’ve listened since episode one or just found us recently — thank you for being part of the Cheer Dad family. Here’s to Year Two. 🍻 🎧 Follow & Subscribe: Instagram: @thecheerdadpodcast TikTok: @thecheerdadpodcast 💻 Sponsored by Elite Cheer Stats Use code CHEERDAD for $5 off your first month. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

The Rise of the Rhino: How Commitment Transforms Cheerleading

This podcast episode features a comprehensive dialogue with Kollin Cockrell, a distinguished figure in the cheerleading community, celebrated for his achievements as a twelve-time world champion and his innovative contributions to the sport. We delve into the evolution of cheerleading, particularly the burgeoning pro cheer league, which is redefining competitive cheer through structured gameplay and scoring systems that resonate with a broader audience. Kollin articulates his personal journey from Olympic weightlifting to becoming a pivotal cheerleader, emphasizing the importance of resilience, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The discussion further explores the significance of mentorship in cheerleading, as Kollin shares his experiences coaching athletes globally, fostering a sense of community and growth within the sport. We conclude with insights into the future of cheerleading, highlighting its potential for expansion and recognition as a legitimate athletic endeavor. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

End of Season Chaos: Worlds, Summit & What Comes Next

In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast, Alex welcomes back coach Grant Lockaby for a real-time conversation about the most intense stretch of the cheer season. With NCA All-Star National Championship just behind us and The Cheerleading Worlds, The Summit, and D2 Summit all happening back-to-back, the pressure on athletes, coaches, and parents is at an all-time high. Grant breaks down what athletes are really feeling during this final push, how coaches manage the intensity behind the scenes, and what separates teams that hit from those that don’t when everything is on the line. The conversation dives into burnout, confidence, mental toughness, and how quickly the focus shifts from championship performances to the stress of upcoming tryouts. This episode is a must-listen for **cheer parents—especially cheer dads—**who want to better understand how to support their athlete during the biggest and most emotional moments of the season. If your athlete is competing, preparing for tryouts, or coming off a tough performance, this conversation will give you real insight into what they’re going through—and how to show up for them the right way. 🎧 Sponsored by Elite Cheer Stats Want to know where your team stacks up before they hit the mat? Head over to www.elitecheerstats.com and use code CHEERDAD to get $5 off your first month. 👉 Know before they hit the mat. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Lisa Hall (CheerMAD) on Cheer Culture, Parents & the Evolution of the Sport

In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast, we sit down with Lisa Hall—former journalist, 25-year cheer mom, and the creator behind Certifiably CheerMAD. If you’ve spent any time in the cheer world, you’ve probably seen her content. And recently… it’s been everywhere—racking up over 2 million authentic views in just 28 days. But this conversation goes way deeper than social media. Lisa brings a unique perspective from decades inside the sport—watching it evolve, grow, and in some cases… completely change. We talk about: * How cheer culture has shifted over the years * The real role of parents (and where we get it wrong) * The impact of social media on athletes and families * The pressure, politics, and reality behind the scenes * And whether the sport is moving in the right direction This is one of those conversations that every cheer parent—new or seasoned—needs to hear. If you’ve ever questioned what’s really going on in cheer… this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation 🔗 FOLLOW CERTIFIABLY CHEERMAD 🌐 Website: https://www.cheermad.com [https://www.cheermad.com] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheermad 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certifiably_cheermad 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheermad4 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

VIP = Viscous In Pink: A Cheer Dad Moment Gone Viral

What happens when a cheerleader tries to test her dad… and he actually passes? In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast, we sit down with the dad behind the viral TikTok moment where he confidently answered “VIP” with “Viscous In Pink”—and instantly became one of the most relatable cheer dads on the internet. But beyond the laughs, this episode dives into what it really means to be a cheer dad. We talk about: * How he got pulled into the world of all-star cheer * Learning the language (or at least pretending to 😂) * The chaos and magic of competition weekends * The role dads play behind the scenes * And why just showing up matters more than anything Whether you’re a seasoned cheer parent or brand new to the sport, this is one of those conversations that reminds you what it’s all about. Because at the end of the day… it’s not about knowing every term—it’s about being there when it counts. 🎧 SPONSOR MENTION (SHOW NOTES ADD-ON) This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Life gets busy, and sometimes the weight of everything we’re juggling goes unnoticed. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as showing up for your family. If you’ve been thinking about talking to someone, check out: 👉 betterhelp.com/cheerdad This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy