The Cheer Biz Podcast

How I Stopped Getting Angry Parent Calls After Team Placements

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 he used to be overwhelmed with questions, complaints, and confusion from parents and athletes, and what he did to reduce those issues by over 90%. Learn how strategic parent education, proactive athlete conversations, and creating an exciting post-placement experience can transform your tryout season. Whether you're a new coach or a veteran gym owner, these practical tips will help you eliminate drama and increase trust in your placement process. Plus, Dan gives a sneak peek into the opening of his brand-new gym and what to expect at the 2025 Dallas conference. Don't miss it!

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

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton shares a personal and professional transformation—his complete pivot on parent involvement in cheerleading gyms. Once firmly against allowing parents to play an active role beyond the transactional, Dan now sees immense value in inviting them into the process. Through stories of moving to a new facility, unexpected volunteer support, and the power of community-driven events, Dan explores how redefining parent roles can strengthen your gym’s culture, build deeper connections, and actually make your business stronger. Whether you're skeptical or curious about parent committees, this episode offers practical takeaways and a fresh perspective for any gym owner navigating this often tricky terrain.

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

In this milestone episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan dives deep into the five essential marketing strategies every cheer gym owner must embrace in 2025 to stand out and succeed. From shifting your focus from selling products to selling transformations, to leveraging AI as a full-fledged team member, Dan offers actionable advice packed with real-world examples. He also shares big news about the Cheer Biz Conference in Dallas and celebrates a major podcast achievement—100,000 downloads! Whether you're running a competitive gym or just starting out, this episode will help you rethink your approach to content, connection, and conversion. Don't miss it!

 Topics include:

• Selling transformation over product features

• Making your gym's social media personal and engaging

• Embracing micro-content with big value

• Why building an email list is mission-critical

• How to treat AI like a staff member—not a gimmick

 Listen now and get ahead of the game in 2025!

 Plus: Hear Dan's heartfelt thanks to the community and details on how to register for the can’t-miss conference of the year.

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

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 owners still fall into today. From overspending on flashy uniforms and equipment, to undercharging in hopes of attracting more clients, to trying to do everything alone—Dan breaks down why these strategies didn’t work and what you should do instead. If you’re serious about building a sustainable, thriving program, this is a must-listen. Plus, get the latest updates on the upcoming Dallas conference and how you can join the Next Generation Gym Owners Academy to level up your business.

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

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan sits down with longtime friend and industry powerhouse Jibreel Rayam to discuss his groundbreaking new venture: the Association of International All-Star (AIA). From his early days in the Pacific Northwest to leading international cheer initiatives, Jibreel shares his journey through event production, gym ownership, and global collaboration.

Together, they explore how AIA aims to unite gym owners across the world with a shared vision of inclusivity, innovation, and ownership. Learn about the unique profit-sharing model, upcoming international tournament in Montreal, and how AIA is giving gym owners a real seat at the table.

If you've ever felt boxed in by the current cheer landscape or wondered what's next for the sport on a global scale, this episode is a must-listen.

 

 associationofinternationalallstar.com

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

In this deeply personal episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan shares the emotional rollercoaster of finally winning D2 Summit with his Senior Medium 4 team after seven years of near-misses, setbacks, and close calls.

Dan unpacks what made this year different—how athlete buy-in, strategic routine planning, and team culture all aligned for the win—and what lessons he’s taking away as a coach, a leader, and a program director. From managing post-victory expectations to addressing perfectionism in athletes and navigating the cheer industry’s hypercritical culture, this episode goes beyond the trophy to explore what winning really means.

Whether you’ve won big or are still chasing that milestone, Dan’s reflections are honest, insightful, and a reminder of why we do what we do.

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

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 the valuable lessons learned in the process. From last-minute injuries to heartbreaking routine mistakes, Dan walks through how he supported his athletes through the loss, refocused on growth, and used the experience to strengthen his team’s culture. Whether you've faced your own letdown or just want to be better prepared when it happens, this episode is a must-listen for every coach and gym owner navigating the high-pressure world of all-star cheer.

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

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 for the industry. Is this the future of competitive cheerleading, or just hype without a plan? Dan unpacks the potential benefits, the unanswered questions, the financial realities, and whether this is the game-changing moment cheerleaders have been waiting for—or just another flash in the pan. Whether you're excited or skeptical, this is a must-listen for anyone in the all-star cheer world.

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

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan breaks down how artificial intelligence has quietly become his most powerful productivity tool—and how it can do the same for you.

From content creation and email automation to client communication, data analysis, and systems optimization, Dan shares real-life examples of how AI has helped him streamline nearly every aspect of running a cheer gym, saving time, money, and mental energy in the process.

Whether you're still stuck doing things the hard way or you're curious how to use ChatGPT, Gemini, or automation tools to scale your cheer business, this episode is your fast-track AI playbook.

 Stop wasting time. Start working smarter—with AI.
 Hit play and learn how.

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

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan shares his most effective (and hard-earned) strategies for motivating teens and pre-teens in cheerleading, based on 22+ years of coaching, behavioral science, and real-world experience.

You’ll learn:

• How to use fake control to boost buy-in without sacrificing structure

• Why purpose-driven coaching beats generic praise

• How to leverage peer pressure, short-term wins, and energy regulation for consistent performance

• When to tap into your athletes’ “villain arc” for next-level focus

• And why effort is a behavior—not a vibe

Whether you're a coach or gym owner, this episode is packed with powerful, practical tools to connect with Gen Z athletes and get the most out of your practices.

 Listen in—and don’t forget to share this one with your coaching staff.