The Cheer Biz Podcast

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

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 than charisma, to how sarcasm impacts an athlete’s internal narrator, Dan breaks down the hard truths, funny moments, and deeply emotional realizations that come with coaching youth athletes. Whether you’re a seasoned coach or new to the game, this episode will challenge you to lead with intention, communicate with clarity, and remember the lasting impact you have beyond skills and scores.

 

This one is for every coach who’s ever juggled count sheets, emotions, and a whole lot of caffeine—don’t miss it.

10 Brutally Honest Lessons Owning a Cheer Gym Taught Me

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 cheer gym. From hard-earned wisdom like “you are the culture” and “profit over popularity” to hilarious truths like pretending to be in meetings just for a moment of silence, Dan shares five game-changing insights—and five soul-crushing realities—that every gym owner will relate to. Whether you’re just starting out or knee-deep in entrepreneurship, this episode will inspire, validate, and maybe even make you laugh-cry a little.

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

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 — things parents say to cheer coaches and gym owners. From “Can we just take the year off to tumble?” to “She’s a flyer, but she doesn’t need to stretch,” Dan breaks down why these phrases drive coaches up the wall and how to handle them with grace and a little grit. Whether you’re a coach needing a laugh or a parent curious about the other side of the mat, this one’s got something for everyone. Grab your coffee (or something stronger) and enjoy a cheer coach’s comedic therapy session.

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

In this listener-driven episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan answers real questions from cheer gym owners and coaches across the country. From boosting next season’s athlete registration numbers to navigating the tricky waters of athletes cross-training at other gyms, and finally, how to evaluate those flashy cheerlebrity camps—Dan brings honest, practical advice rooted in experience. If you’re looking for clarity on strategy, parent communication, and protecting your athletes while growing your business, this episode is packed with insights you can use right now.

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

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 touch those numbers. Whether you’re adjusting class rates, refining All-Star tuition, or trying to build value into your offerings, Dan walks you through how to do the math, when to test with new clients vs. existing ones, and why blindly raising prices could backfire. Plus, he shares tips on running focus groups, gauging parent tolerance, and how to add perceived value without increasing hard costs. If you’ve ever asked, "Can I charge more?" — this episode is for you.

Coaching the Coaches: Building a Championship Staff with Adam Forte

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. Known for his high-performance staff training and athlete development systems, Adam shares what he’s learned from working with gyms across the U.S. and Canada.

 

They dive deep into how to build better coaches, why staff training needs to be intentional and ongoing, and how to create a gym culture that leads to both technical success and long-term athlete retention. From hiring smarter to running quarterly staff trainings to teaching coaches how to communicate, this episode is packed with real advice to help gym owners elevate their teams from the inside out.

 

Whether you’re a gym owner, All-Star director, or coach looking to level up, this conversation will give you the tools and mindset shifts you need to take your coaching staff—and your athletes—to the next level.

Should You Let Athletes from Other Gyms Train at Your Gym?

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan dives into a hot topic in the All-Star world: should gym owners allow athletes from other gyms to train in their facility? From tumbling classes to private lessons, Dan shares his personal experience, evolving mindset, and business-driven reasons behind his open-door policy—even for athletes from local competitors.

He covers the benefits of cross-gym training, why it builds brand credibility, how it adds revenue, and why operating with a collaborative mindset can elevate the entire cheer industry. Whether you’ve been strict on this or you're unsure where you stand, this episode will challenge your thinking and offer a new lens on how to approach this common dilemma in cheerleading.

Streamline your tryouts with the Cheersync App!

Founders of the cheersync app John and Nelson join us to tell us about all the ways that the Cheersync app can improve your program tryouts.  Cheersync provides some amazing tools for gym owners to make your tryouts even smoother.  Join us to learn all about what cheersync has to offer.  

Protecting Your Assets and Building Wealth with Matt Becker

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton sits down with Matt Becker of Gym Lawyers PLLC to discuss critical strategies for gym owners to protect their assets and build long-term wealth. From creating legal shields through LLCs and operating agreements to diversifying investments and understanding personal guarantees, Matt covers everything you need to know about securing your business and personal assets.

 

Whether you’re just starting your gym or running a successful business looking to grow, this conversation is packed with invaluable tips to ensure you’re financially protected and positioned for future success. Tune in to learn practical steps you can take today to safeguard your wealth and enhance your financial security.

Huge Opportunity For All Cheer Gyms! A Game-Changing Opportunity with Heidi Weber of the Open Championships.

In this exciting episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton sits down with Heidi Weber from the Open Championship to discuss a groundbreaking announcement—cheerleading is officially joining the AAU Junior Olympics! Heidi shares how this new opportunity will not only provide an unforgettable experience for athletes but also offer gym owners a strategic way to generate summer revenue with minimal overhead.

 

They dive into the details of the event, the benefits of participation, and the exclusive gym playbook designed to help programs implement this opportunity seamlessly. If you’re looking for ways to grow your gym, attract new athletes, and be part of a historic cheer event, this episode is a must-listen.

 

 Registration opens May 1st—don’t miss your chance to be part of something big!