The Cheer Biz Podcast

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.

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

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 business and still be completely invisible. From trying to speak to everyone (and connecting with no one) to falling in love with tactics instead of strategy, Dan unpacks the most common—and costly—marketing mistakes cheer entrepreneurs make.

Whether you're running your first Facebook ad, struggling to fill classes, or wondering why no one’s converting from your Instagram reels, this episode is packed with real talk and actionable takeaways to help you stop wasting time, money, and momentum.

Want to attract real clients with a real plan? Then tune in, take notes, and let’s fix your marketing.

Looking to learn more of this in person?  Go to ngconferences.com to register for our Dallas conference June 20th-22nd 2025.  

Join the academy by visiting nextgenowners.com

Why Your Competitor Closing Might Be Bad For Business

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 industry visibility to cultural clashes when clients migrate over, Dan shares why fewer gyms in your area can actually spell trouble for long-term growth.

He breaks down:

• Why fewer competitors can mean fewer eyes on cheerleading

• How closures might signal market instability

• Why customers don’t automatically (or always helpfully) transfer

• The danger of losing your benchmark and creative motivation

• Why a thriving cheer industry benefits everyone

If you’ve ever celebrated a rival gym going under—or feared one might—you’ll want to hear this perspective-shifting episode. Growth isn’t about domination, it’s about expansion. Tune in and rethink what real victory looks like.

Looking to learn more of this in person?  Go to ngconferences.com to register for our Dallas conference June 20th-22nd 2025.  

Join the academy by visiting nextgenowners.com

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.