The Fullout Cheer Podcast
Episodes
A Judge’s Advice for Coaches and Parents in All-Star Cheer
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The conversation with all-star cheer judge Gabby Mauro continues in Part 2. Gabby answers more questions from coaches and parents while sharing pract...
Inside the Mind of a Cheer Judge | Q&A with Gabby Mauro (Part 1)
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What are judges actually looking for on the score sheet? In this episode of the Fullout Cheer Podcast, Danielle Johnston sits down with all-star chee...
Throwback: 3 Ways to Keep Great Coaches
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Great coaches are one of the most valuable assets in your gym — but they’re also one of the hardest things to keep. In this episode, Danielle bre...
Here 4 Cheer Episode
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this special crossover episode, Here 4 Cheer host Megan Gomarlo sits down with Full Out Cheer’s very own Danielle Johnston. Whether you are a vet...
Open Lobby, Strong Culture: Why I'll Never Shut Parents Out: Part 2
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If parent drama is inevitable, poor leadership is not. In Part 2, Danielle and Kelli from theory to action. They break down exactly how to reduce neg...
Open Lobby, Strong Culture: Why I'll Never Shut Parents Out: Part 1
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Parent drama. Lobby gossip. Closed practices. Open practices. Every gym owner has an opinion — and most of them are reactive. In Part 1, Danielle s...
If They're Not Sick, They're Injured: Part 2
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Part 2 dives into the fallout of illness and injury and adds the final challenge to the mix: Inclement weather. We talk about how to make smart decis...
If They're Not Sick, They're Injured: Part 1
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the reality coaches and gym owners are facing right now: constant absences due to illness, injuries piling up, and prac...
Stop Blaming Athletes. Start Educating Parents.
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Uncommitted athletes are one of the most common frustrations in all-star cheer. Missed practices. Inconsistent effort. Big potential with uneven resul...
5 Things Gym Owners Are (Already) Getting Wrong in 2026
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re running a gym in 2026 the same way you did a few years ago, this episode is probably going to make you uncomfortable...And we know it. In...
Culture v. Morale: Why "Happy" Doesn't Always Mean "Healthy"
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Culture doesn’t disappear overnight. It erodes quietly. One skipped conversation. One tolerated behavior. One season where standards slowly soften a...
The Free Marketing You’re Not Using (But Should Be)
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most gym owners say they want more leads, more trust, and more visibility. Then they completely ignore the easiest marketing tool they already have. ...
4 Dumb Things I Used to Brag About (and Why I Don’t Anymore)
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When I first opened my cheer gym, I wore a few things like badges of honor that I’d never brag about now. In this episode, I break down four things...
Beyond Affordable: Building a Program That Fits Your Families
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Danielle responses to a recent post made by a business coach regarding parents drawn to “affordable programs.” She breaks the my...
Cheer is NOT Just Like Every Other Sport: Part 2
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In part 2 of this series, Danielle tells listeners how cheer is a unicorn in the world of sports and athletes are not easily interchangeable! It's not...
Cheer is Just Like Every Other Sport: Part 1
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Danielle replies to a listener email about how cheer is like other sports in that athletes have positions that are not easily interch...
The Attendance Dilemma: "We Never Miss, But..."
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive into the reality of attendance in all star cheer and why it’s one of the hardest—and most important—parts of coaching. ...
Show the Love: How to Use the Love Languages to Show Your Customers Gratitude
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive into the power of gratitude and how it can transform the way we support and inspire gym parents. We’ll talk about the role ...
Divorce: The Ultimate Division Split
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dig into one of the tougher realities many athletes face—navigating gym life when parents are divorced. We explore practical str...
Financing Your Dream Gym (Without a Nightmare): Part 2
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this two-part series of the Fullout Cheer Podcast, Danielle and Justin tackle one of the most avoided topics in the cheer industry: debt. From the ...
Financing Your Dream Gym (Without a Nightmare): Part 1
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this two-part series of the Fullout Cheer Podcast, Danielle and Justin tackle one of the most avoided topics in the cheer industry: debt. From the ...
High School Cheer v. All Star: The Great Divide
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Teens picking high school over all star, and all star coaches frustrated at the last-minute demands of high school cheer...Sound familiar? In this epi...
Hot Take: The Crazy Cheer Moms Have a Point: Part 2
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎧 Part 2 is here — and yes, we’re going deeper. Last week, we talked about what the Crazy Cheer Moms got right. This week? What they got very ...
Hot Take: The Crazy Cheer Moms Have a Point: Part 1
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🚨 This week on the pod: I respond to that viral post from Crazy Cheer Moms. As a gym owner, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the emotionally-ove...
Turn Around Your "Meh" Start to the Season
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is the check-in we promised we wouldn’t skip. In this follow-up to “Rebuilding After Dumpster Fire Season,” we revisit the goals we made i...
Stop Blaming Gen Z
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are your coaches tuning you out? Do your meetings feel pointless? Respect doesn’t come with your job title—it comes from how you lead. In this epi...
Make $2k in 3 Days: 10 Cheer Gym Revenue Hacks
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Need fast cashflow for your cheer gym? In this episode of the Fullout Cheer Podcast, Danielle reveals 10 proven ways to make $2,000 in just 3 days. W...
Why Athletes Leave Small Cheer Gyms for Big D1 Programs
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why do athletes leave small D2 cheer gyms for big D1 programs—and what can gym owners do to keep them? In this episode of the Full Out Cheer Podcast...
The Real Cost of Bartering
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trading free tuition for services might feel like a smart move, but it could actually cost your cheer gym thousands. In this episode of the Fullout Ch...
Birthday Parties = Big Profits
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Birthday parties aren’t just a fun add-on—they’re one of the highest-margin, lowest-stress income streams in your gym (if you do it right). In ...
Outsmart Your Competitors This Fall
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fall isn’t the time to “hope it works.” It’s the time to plan and profit. In this episode, we’re breaking down the smart marketing moves gym...
Hijack the Back-to-School Hype
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Back-to-school season is one of the biggest opportunities for cheer gym growth—if you know how to use it. In this episode, we’re breaking down 5 p...
Open Houses Aren't Dead
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Open houses are soooo worth it, but you can't just wing it anymore. In this episode, learn how to plan one that drives signups, fills classes, and doe...
I Lost My Spark 🔥
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever felt like stepping away from coaching made sense on paper—but left you feeling disconnected, uncertain, or even burned out in a whole ...
Owners: Set These 3 Boundaries or Cry Later 😭
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are parent interactions running your life? In this episode, I’m sharing three boundaries that completely transformed how I work with parents at the ...
She Ran the Carpool… Now She Runs the Gym
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
She was fixing bows and cheering behind the spectator ropes—now she’s running the whole program. In this episode, we talk to a former cheer mom tu...
The Teen Brain...Buffering...
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why do teenagers make baffling decisions, feel things at full volume, and occasionally behave like over-caffeinated raccoons with WiFi access? In this...
Stars, Stripes & Staff Who Don't Need You
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This 4th of July, let’s talk gym owner freedom—the kind where your gym runs like a machine, and you’re not the one refilling toilet paper or ans...
Small Gyms Unite!
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful episode, Danielle sits down with Cat Weeden—owner of Luxe Cheer in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and co-founder of the Small Cheer Gym Associati...
Fixing the Summer Slump: Smarter Revenue Strategies for Gym Owners Who Deserve a Break (But Won't Get One)
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fixing the Summer Slump: Smarter Revenue Strategies for Gym Owners Who Deserve a Break (But Won't Get One) Summer slowdowns aren’t new—but they d...
Blind Spots & Business: Why You Can't See Your Own Mistakes
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Coaches are pros at asking for feedback — on routines, legality, and performance. But when it comes to running the business? We often tough it out s...
Coaching Your Own Kid: The Most Personal COaching You'll Ever Do
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Coaching your child is one of the most emotional, challenging, and rewarding roles you’ll ever take on. In this episode, we get real about the blurr...
Drama-Proofing Your Program: Surviving the Parents
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Teenagers are dramatic, but parents can be worse. In this episode, we give you the survival guide you didn’t know you needed for maintaining peace i...
Rebuilding After a Dumpster Fire Season
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every gym has That Season. You know the one. We’ll walk you through how to debrief, regroup, and rebuild after a year that nearly made you quit. Dum...
Your Gym is Not Your Therapist: Detaching Your Identity from Your Business
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you feel your gym’s highs and lows in your soul? That’s probably not healthy. This episode digs into how gym owners can create separation betwe...
My Gym is Full, But I’m Empty: When Success Isn’t What You Thought
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You hit the milestones. Your teams are full. On paper, you’ve “made it.” So why does it still feel... off? In this candid Fireside Chat episode...
5 Ways to Derail Your All Star Season Before it Even Begins
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Fireside Chat, Danielle shares the 5 biggest tryout mistakes that can derail your season before it even begins. We’re talking agi...
Behind the Scenes at the ASWC & The Quiet Hustle Prior to Tryouts
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Fireside Chat, Danielle shares a behind-the-scenes look at the Allstar World Championship and the critical weeks that follow. From ...
Why Growth Could Wreck Your Gym
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More athletes, more teams, more revenue—right? Not always. Danielle & Justin walk you through the critical mistakes gym owners make when they ch...
What the Numbers Reveal: The Real Story Behind the OCS Scoresheet Shift
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Fireside Chat, Danielle interviews Craig Hallmark and Heidi Weber from the Open Championship Series to talk all things scoresheet. They e...
You Owe Me For That! What You Need to Know Before Docking Staff Pay
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Fireside Chat, I’m joined by Matt Becker, attorney and founder of GymLawyers.com, to break down one of the most misunderstood t...
🔥 The OCS Scoresheet Debate: Why I’m On Board (And How It’ll Grow My Gym)
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Fireside Chat, I’m diving into the new scoresheet released by The Open Championship Series. It's already stirring opinions acro...
🔥 The Open Championship Age Grid: My Thoughts Regarding Athlete Safety, Retention & Program Growth
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Open’s new age grid has been a hot topic in the all star cheerleading world, but is age separation alone really what keeps kids safe? In this ep...
🔥 Why I Needed a Mid-Season Reset (And Why Your Coaches Might Need One Too!)
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As a coach, it’s easy to let cheer consume your every thought—but at what cost? In this episode, we dive into the reality of stepping away mid-sea...
🔥 Coaching Minis – Strategies for Success with 6-8 Year Olds
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Coaching Minis (ages 6-8) is a whole different game! In this Fireside Chat, Danielle shares the best strategies for working with this age group—help...
🔥 Retention Roadmap: Month-by-Month Strategies to Keep Your Athletes Coming Back
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Danielle shares a month-by-month retention roadmap to help gym owners keep athletes engaged and returning season after season. Learn how to use feedba...
Your Reputation Matters: Why Business Owners Need to Be Great Customers Too Part 2
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Think your customers never get frustrated with you? Reality check: they do. The way you feel about other businesses is exactly how some of your own cu...
Your Reputation Matters: Why Business Owners Need to Be Great Customers Too Part 1
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We expect our customers to be patient, understanding, and professional. But are we holding ourselves to the same standard when WE are the customer? Yo...
Unicorn Businesses: The Unique Freedom of All-Star Cheer Gyms Part 2
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The all-star cheer industry has faced some major challenges over the years—pandemics, scandals, and lawsuits—but the sport continues to grow. Why ...
Unicorn Businesses: The Unique Freedom of All-Star Cheer Gyms Part 1
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
All-star cheer gyms are truly one of a kind in the business world. Unlike franchises or traditional industries, we have the power to create and innova...
Navigating Business with Your Spouse: Balancing Roles, Boundaries, and Success Part 2
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Part 2: Navigating Business with Your Spouse – The Solutions In Part 2 of this series, we’re sharing the strategies that have helped us overcome t...
Navigating Business with Your Spouse: Balancing Roles, Boundaries, and Success Part 1
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Part 1: Navigating Business with Your Spouse – The Challenges Running multiple businesses with your spouse is rewarding but comes with its unique se...
Must-Have Website Features for Cheer Gyms
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your website is one of the most powerful tools for growing your cheer gym—if it’s set up right! In this episode of Fireside Chat, we’re uncoveri...
Leveling Up in 2025: 3 Commitments to Make Our Gym Better Than Ever
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Fireside Chat, we’re sharing three game-changing commitments we’re making to elevate our all-star cheer gym in 2025. From creat...
Why Educating All-Star Cheer Parents is Key to Success Part 2
03 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this continuation, we dive deeper into the challenges and rewards of educating cheer parents. We discuss more real-world scenarios that highlight w...
Why Educating All-Star Cheer Parents is Key to Success
28 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode dives into the importance of educating All-Star cheer parents to build trust, reduce confusion, and create a supportive team mindset. We ...
Tough Love: How to Handle Late Payments & Overdue Accounts Part 2
22 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tough Love: How to Handle Late Payments & Overdue Accounts
22 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are overdue accounts creating stress and straining your gym's operations? Managing late payments is a critical part of running a gym - and it’s abou...
Master Your Gym To-Do List
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a gym owner juggling a million tasks and still feeling like there’s never enough time? In this episode of Fireside Chat, Danielle dives into...
What Is Your Gym Doing For You?
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you running your gym as a business that truly works for you? Owning a gym is more than a passion project—it’s an opportunity to create real, m...
Creating a Gym That Gives Back to You
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you pouring time and energy into your gym without getting a return? Running a gym isn’t just a labor of love—it’s a serious investment, and ...
The Dark Side of Success: Part 3
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is the final part of the series titled, "The Dark Side of Success" where Justin and Danielle talk about what happens when others try to bring you...
The Dark Side of Success: Part 2
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is Part 2 of the series titled, "The Dark Side of Success". In this episode, Danielle and Justin will talk about the root cause of this negativit...
The Dark Side of Success: Part 1
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Success is what we all strive for, but what happens when it brings unexpected negativity from others? In this Fireside Chat episode, we dive into the ...
What It's Like Living 300 Yards From Your Gym
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Fireside Chat, Danielle tells you what it's like to be next door neighbors with your gym! This is a question we've had a lot...Do g...
Accountability in Action: Building a Staff That Thrives
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this Fireside Chat, Danielle dives into the essential steps for building a strong, accountable staff from day one. Learn how to set clear expectati...
The Power of Informed Parents: 3 Things You Should Educate Gym Parents On
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive into the top three things every cheer gym parent should know to become strong advocates for your gym. We'll break down why un...
3 Ways to Keep Great Coaches
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Keeping great coaches is key to your gym's success. In this episode, we share three proven strategies to retain your top coaches. Tune in to learn act...
Good to Great: Unlocking Employee Potential Across Generations
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’ll explore how to turn good employees into great ones by focusing on their strengths, aligning skills with roles, and expanding ...
Delegate to Elevate: Maximize Growth in Your Gym
21 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Danielle and Justin Johnston share how effective delegation allows cheer gym owners to focus on vision, finances, and relationships, ...
Control Freak or Empowered Gym Owner: Which Are You?
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Justin and Danielle tackle a question that many gym owners grapple with: Are you a control freak or an empowered leader? Join us as we...
5 Pieces of Advice That Could Sink Your Cheer Gym
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Not all advice is good advice! In this video, we break down the top 5 worst pieces of advice cheer gym owners often hear—and why you should steer cl...
Digitally Transform Your Gym
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you tired of dealing with endless paperwork and manual processes? Join us as we discuss practical tips and tools to help you streamline your opera...
Four Tips to Transform Your Business and Life
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we uncover four powerful tips to supercharge your personal discipline, elevating both your life and your business.