The Cheer Biz Podcast

Are You Paying Coaches the Right Way?

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What should you actually pay your coaches, and how do you know if that number makes sense for your gym? In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan...

What Small Gym Summit Actually Means

28 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Varsity’s new Small Gym Summit announcement has the all star cheer world talking, and in this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks do...

The Truth About Selling a Cheer Gym

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Thinking about selling your cheer gym someday? Or buying one instead of starting from scratch? In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton s...

Great Coaches Do THIS Differently

21 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What makes a great youth coach stand out from everyone else? In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down five essential traits t...

Stop Losing Money on All-Star Cheer

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

“All-star cheer doesn’t make money.” Gym owners hear it constantly—especially when they’re starting a gym. And in this episode, Dan Cotton c...

Gym Owners: You’re Not Executing

14 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most cheer gym owners don’t have a knowledge problem—they have an execution problem. In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks ...

Directors vs Owners: Who Decides What?

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever wondered whether your gym director has too much power—or not enough—this episode will give you a clear framework. In this Cheer ...

What Judges Wish Coaches Knew

07 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Cheer judging feels like a black box—until now. In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton sits down with international cheerleading judg...

Young Coaches: Stop Doing This

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re a newer cheer coach (or you lead a staff full of them), this episode is a must-listen. Dan Cotton breaks down the five most common mistake...

Why No One Is Registering Yet

28 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Why are tryout signups slow—even when you “posted the link”? In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down the most common re...

Throwback: The Immense Legal Risk of the Industry Standard and Private Lessons with Matt Becker

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most cheer gyms don’t realize private lessons can create massive legal, insurance, and tax exposure—fast. In this episode, Dan Cotton sits down w...

You’re Building Your Pricing Wrong

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most cheer gym owners don’t have a pricing problem. They have a pricing system problem. In this technical episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cot...

Stop the Spiral: When They Say They’re Not Coming Back

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It’s February. Registration isn’t even open yet… and suddenly everyone is “not coming back next season.” You’re hearing it in the parent ...

You Don’t Need a Rebrand

14 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most cheer gym owners think “branding” means a new logo, better colors, or updated lettering. But in this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Co...

Part-Time Coach to Millionaire

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Can being a part-time cheer coach actually make you a millionaire? Dan Cotten says yes — and he lays out the mindset and the math. In this episode ...

(Re - release) How I Build My All-Star Packet

07 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It’s February — which means All-Star packets are getting built and released. And if yours is still not out (or it’s 25 pages long), you’re pro...

Excuses That Kill Progress

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve coached long enough, you’ve heard them all. In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotten breaks down 10 things athletes say that...

Systems Protect Athletes - Not Just Policies

31 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most cheer gym owners think “safeguarding” only means preventing the worst-case scenarios. But real athlete welfare runs deeper than policies and ...

Readable Routines Win

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Judging a cheer competition is harder than most coaches realize, and that matters for your scores. In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cott...

8 Non-Negotiables: Tryout Edition

24 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Tryouts might be in May, but if you wait until April to plan… you’re already behind. In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton walks c...

Why Cheer Gyms Stay Busy But Broke

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Cheer gym owners are some of the hardest-working business owners out there, yet many are running packed practices, full seasons, and nonstop schedules...

Cheer Gym Owners: Stop Taking Bad Advice

17 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Every cheer gym owner gets hit with opinions. The problem is, most of those opinions come from people who don’t understand your business—and takin...

The Leader You Need to Be in 2026

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to be a stronger leader in your cheer gym in 2026, you need better questions—not more hustle. In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, ...

Creating Demand for Cheer in a Small Town

10 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you own a cheer gym in a rural area or you’re the first program in your community, your biggest challenge is simple: education. Parents can’t b...

The Athlete Buy-In Blueprint

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down one of the most common frustrations in all star cheer: how to get more commitment, de...

Your Cheer Gym’s 2026 Wake-Up Call

03 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you want your cheer gym to be unrecognizable in 2026 (in the best way), this episode is your wake-up call. In this high-energy episode of the Cheer...

Tryouts Are Closer Than You Think

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tryouts are closer than you think—and if parents don’t trust your team placements, the day after tryouts can turn into emails, angry calls, and fa...

Why Boys Don’t Join Your Gym

27 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Want more male athletes in your cheer gym? In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down what actually works (and what doesn’t) w...

Why Parents Don’t “Trust the Process”

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton sits down with Chris Rack, owner of Cheer Athletics Chicago, a former corporate executive who lef...

Culture Misalignment: The Breaking Point

20 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down a tough question every cheer gym owner eventually faces: when should you fire a custo...

Beat Everyone at Social Media in 2026

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton shares the exact strategies cheer gym owners need to excel at social media in 2026—without obse...

How to Be Your Gym Owner’s Favorite Coach

14 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton pulls back the curtain on the real-life behaviors that drive gym owners and managers absolut...

AI Mistakes Cheer Gym Owners Make

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

AI is powerful—but it can also make you look unprofessional, confuse your customers, and cost you real money if you use it wrong. In this episode of...

The Boundary Blueprint: Family Atmosphere Without the Mess

06 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can your gym feel like family without turning messy? In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton shares how to build a genuine family atmosph...

Your 2026 Game Plan Starts Now

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’re closing out 2025 with a hard look at the habits that quietly stall growth—and how to fix them before 2026. In this episode of the Cheer Biz ...

Culture First, Banners Later

29 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton sits down with Ashley Newberry, gym director at Dream Extreme All-Stars in Vacaville, CA—Miss C...

Your Real Competition Isn’t the Gym Next Door

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this candid episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton tackles a hard truth: the gym down the street isn’t your enemy. Most programs are servin...

The Truth About The Limited Division

22 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton breaks down everything gym owners and coaches need to know about the Limited Division at USA...

Saving Your Sanity During Competition Season

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Competition season is here—don’t just survive it, thrive. In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton shares 10 battle-tested tips to mak...

How Scammers Target Cheer Gyms

15 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Scammers love busy business owners—and cheer gyms are prime targets. In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton shares real stories and pr...

What Our Athletes Really Need From Us

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton tackles one of the most important conversations happening in the cheer industry rig...

The Long Game of Cheer Gym Ownership

08 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton sits down with Tiffany Hayes Wood, the founder and owner of Chico Cheer, to talk about her 2...

The One Skill Every Gym Owner Needs

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton breaks down one of the most overlooked marketing skills in the cheer industry—how to build...

How to Build a Winning Culture

01 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton dives into one of the most powerful leadership lessons from Legacy by James Kerr—the story...

1-Star Reviews & How to Not Panic

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton tackles one of the toughest parts of owning a business—getting a bad Google review. Even ...

My Honest Take on the Cheer Mom Controversy

25 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton gives his unfiltered response to a viral post on Crazy Moms of Cheer that’s been shaking u...

10-Minute Tactic: Raising Prices the Right Way

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton breaks down a 10-minute tactic that every cheer gym owner needs to master—how to raise you...

Beating Burnout: The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything

18 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton opens up about one of the hardest seasons of his entrepreneurial journey—burnout....

The Hidden Reason Owners Avoid Delegation (and How to Fix It)

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton breaks down the real reasons cheer gym owners and entrepreneurs struggle with delegation—a...

The 10-Minute Marketing Tactic

11 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this quick-hit episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton breaks down one of the most powerful — yet overlooked — tactics for cheer gym ...

The Truth About Free Speech and Your Business

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton explores the complex balance between freedom of speech and business ownership. While the Con...

What Every New Cheer Gym Owner Needs to Hear

04 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton sits down with Jenna Wolf and Alyssa Mendoza, the sister owners of Tri Cities Edge in Washin...

The Birthday Party Booking Playbook

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton shares how Oregon Dream Teams booked 17 birthday parties in only 14 days, generating more th...

From Coach to Gym Owner

27 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton sits down with Carli Jordan, owner of North Dakota Cheer Tech, to unpack her inspiring journ...

Breaking the “That Won’t Work Here” Myth

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton tackles one of the biggest myths in the cheer industry: the belief that successful systems o...

The Growth of Canadian Cheer: Nick Verburg’s Journey

20 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton sits down with Nick Verburg, co-founder of Vision Cheer Company in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Vi...

Building Strong Cheer Staff: 3 Lessons From Our Annual Retreat

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton unpacks the three biggest lessons he learned during his gym’s annual staff training and re...

Big Lessons From a Small Gym Owner: Alicia Shaffer

13 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton sits down with Alicia Shaffer, the owner of GPX Cheer in Gillette, Wyoming. Alicia shares he...

When Athletes Quit Mid-Season

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What do you do when an athlete quits right before choreography? In this raw and timely episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton shares his re...

The Truth About "Hit Zero"

06 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mental blocks, performance anxiety, and “hit zero” culture are some of the biggest challenges facing cheer coaches and gym owners today. In this e...

The Next 10 Lessons: What I’d Tell My Younger Self

30 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After 15 years of running businesses, Dan Cotton reflects on the hard-earned lessons he wishes he could share with his younger self. In this continuat...

From Amateur to Expert: Mastering ChatGPT in 20 Minutes

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

AI isn’t the future—it’s the present. In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton walks you through how to go from casually using ChatG...

10 Honest Truths Gym Owners Wish They Could Tell Parents

23 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this emotional and unfiltered episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton opens up about the real struggles and heartfelt truths that coache...

From Athlete to Coach: Jalani Keo’s Journey Through College and All-Star Cheer

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan sits down with the one and only Jalani Keo to talk all things cheer. Jalani shares his journey from chee...

Where Did All the Money Go? Tracking Profit, Not Just Revenue

16 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After 15+ years as a business owner, Dan knows the sinking feeling of looking at your bank account and wondering where the money went. In this episode...

Train or Terminate: Making the Tough Call as a Leader

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton dives deep into one of the hardest decisions leaders face—should you invest in training an und...

5 Brutal Truths Holding Your Gym Back from Growth

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this no-nonsense episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down the five biggest reasons your gym isn’t growing — and why fixing them...

Choreography Success: How to Get Routines You Love

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Choreography season is here, and in this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton shares his top tips to help gym owners and coaches get the most...

10 Hard Lessons I’d Tell My Younger Self About Owning a Cheer Gym

02 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton shares 10 of the most important — and sometimes painful — lessons he’s learned fr...

Sweep the Sheds: Lessons in Leadership from Legacy

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this unique solo episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton dives deep into the powerful leadership lessons found in Legacy by James Kerr...

Legal Must-Knows for Gym Owners: From Partnerships to Protections

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this insightful episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton sits down in person with attorney Matt Becker to discuss the critical legal considerat...

Don’t Forget Your Why: Refocusing on What Matters Most

19 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this heartfelt episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton opens up about a challenging day that reminded him of a powerful truth: you can't los...

5 Reasons Your Systems Aren’t Working (And How to Fix Them)

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down why even the best systems can fail inside your gym. From overly complex processes to...

You Don’t Know Anything—And That’s Okay: Why Gym Owners Must Keep Learning

12 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this thought-provoking episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton gets real about a hard truth—most of us, even successful gym owners, don’t...

Why Culture Matters More Than Compensation

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton dives deep into one of the most important topics in gym ownership: staff culture. Drawing from r...

Mastering the Boring Stuff: The Hidden Keys to Growing Your Gym

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton dives into the often-overlooked truth of gym ownership: success is built on mastering the boring ...

Maximizing Your Gym Space: Lessons from the New Facility

28 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton broadcasts from his brand-new studio and facility to share critical insights on how to make the m...

ProCheer League Breakdown: Hype, Hope, and Hesitations

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton dives into the newly released details about the ProCheer League. Recording from his new stud...

Smooth Like Butter: Fundraising Made Easy with Team Butter

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton sits down with Amy Bay and Heath Methlie from Team Butter, sponsors of the upcoming conferen...

Failing Forward: What I Do When Things Go Wrong

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton gets real about the setbacks and slip-ups that come with running a business. From unexpected fin...

Lessons from the Minis: What Coaching Tiny Athletes Taught Me

14 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this short but insightful episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton shares his candid reflections after spending five intense hours choreog...

Lessons from the Move: Why I’m Never Doing It Again

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton shares the wild ride of relocating his cheer gym — and why he never wants to move again. B...

How I Stopped Getting Angry Parent Calls After Team Placements

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton dives into one of the most stressful times of the season—team placements. Dan shares how h...

From Closed Doors to Open Arms: Rethinking Parent Involvement in Cheer Gyms

31 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton shares a personal and professional transformation—his complete p...

Top 5 Cheer Gym Marketing Must-Dos for 2025: Sell the Transformation, Not Just Tumbling

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this milestone episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan dives deep into the five essential marketing strategies every cheer gym owner must embrace i...

3 Big Mistakes I Made Trying to Grow My Cheer Gym (So You Don’t Have To)

24 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan shares three major missteps he made in his journey to grow a successful cheer gym—mistakes many ...

Why Not Us? The Rise of the Association of International All-Star (AIA)

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan sits down with longtime friend and industry powerhouse Jibreel Rayam to discuss his groundbreaking new ...

Holy Smokes... We Won D2 Summit: What this process taught me

17 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this deeply personal episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan shares the emotional rollercoaster of finally winning D2 Summit with his Senior Medium ...

What Happens When Your Team Doesn’t Hit: Processing a Worlds Letdown

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this raw and honest episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan shares the emotional aftermath of his team’s disappointing performance at Worlds and t...

Pro Cheer Is Coming… But Will It Actually Change Anything?

10 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan dives into the buzz surrounding the newly announced Pro Cheer league and explores what it could mean fo...

“I Didn’t Know AI Could Save Me This Much Time—Until It Did”

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan breaks down how artificial intelligence has quietly become his most powerful productivity tool—and h...

The Secrets to Motivating Teens: Effort Isn’t a Vibe, It’s a Behavior

03 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan shares his most effective (and hard-earned) strategies for motivating teens and pre-teens in cheerlead...

I Never Knew I Could Be "Marketing" And Still Staying Invisible

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan dives into one of the most painful lessons he's learned as a gym owner: you can be marketing your busi...

Why Your Competitor Closing Might Be Bad For Business

26 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan unpacks a surprising truth: your local competitor closing down isn't always a win. From reduced indus...

Lessons from the Mat: 10 Coaching Truths That Changed How I Lead

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan shares 10 powerful coaching lessons learned over 22 years on the mat. From why consistency matters more...

10 Brutally Honest Lessons Owning a Cheer Gym Taught Me

20 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan opens up about the real, raw, and sometimes ridiculous lessons he’s learned from 15 years of owning a...

Things Parents Say That Make Me Want to Swallow a Pom-Pom

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this tongue-in-cheek rant episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan unleashes a hilarious (but honest) look at the most common — and most maddening ...

Q&A: Increasing Registration, Cross-Training Concerns, and Cheerlebrity Camps

13 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this listener-driven episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan answers real questions from cheer gym owners and coaches across the country. From boost...

Testing Your Pricing: When, How, and Why It Matters

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan breaks down the real-world strategy behind testing your gym's pricing — and when you shouldn’t to...

Coaching the Coaches: Building a Championship Staff with Adam Forte

05 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan welcomes back one of the industry’s most impactful voices—Adam Forte of Forte Spirit Solutions. Kno...