The Cheer Biz Podcast

Your Real Competition Isn’t the Gym Next Door

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 serving 1–2.5% of local youth, which means the real opportunity isn’t poaching athletes—it’s growing awareness of all-star cheer, tumbling, and youth programs so more families enter the sport in the first place. You’ll hear why your true competition is often soccer, volleyball, and other full-time sports, not fellow cheer owners, and how collaborative marketing can lift every program in your area.

What you’ll learn:

Why the market is far from saturated—and how to reach first-time families

How two gyms marketing simultaneously can increase total demand

Practical ways to coordinate offers, timing, and messaging with nearby gyms

How to reduce “poaching panic” and refocus on long-term athlete pipelines (hello, ages 7–8)

A mindset shift that creates calmer seasons, better culture, and more revenue for everyone

If you’re a cheer gym owner, coach, or program director, this episode is your blueprint for going from rivalry to real growth—together.

The Truth About The Limited Division

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 USASF Worlds—where it came from, who it’s meant for, and why it’s become one of the sport’s most misunderstood divisions.

Dan dives into the history of Extra Small and Limited, the original protections that worked, and the loopholes that have caused frustration for smaller programs. He also shares his personal experience moving teams in and out of the division, and what changes could make it fair for everyone.

You’ll learn:

The true purpose of the Limited Division and how it started

Why the “D2 + one Worlds team” rule still matters

Where the system broke—and how to fix it

Why removing the division entirely would hurt small gyms

If you’re a cheer gym owner, coach, or Worlds-level athlete, this episode gives you a real, unfiltered look at what’s working, what’s broken, and what Limited needs to survive.

Saving Your Sanity During Competition Season

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 make comp days smoother, calmer, and more successful for cheer gym owners and coaches. You’ll learn how to delegate non-coaching tasks, systemize your pre-comp and day-of communications, book cleanup/choreo help early, fuel yourself with a real comp-day meal plan, script routines to read the score sheet like a pro, and assign social media coverage so every team gets seen.

What you’ll take away:

A step-by-step delegation plan so you can focus on athletes when it matters most.

Plug-and-play systems for itineraries, parent messages, and day-of updates.

When to schedule choreo cleanups and guest coaches so you’re not scrambling later.

A realistic comp-day nutrition plan that keeps your energy steady all weekend.

How to script skills to protect difficulty and make smarter AccuScore conversations.

Content assignments for staff that fill your feed with quality photos and video.

Perfect for cheer gym owners, head coaches, and program directors who want fewer fires, better performances, and a calmer staff experience—week after week.

How Scammers Target Cheer Gyms

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 practical steps to protect your money, accounts, and reputation from the most common attacks hitting gym owners right now. You’ll hear how a convincing “change of bank details” email stole a rent payment, what red flags to look for in phishing messages and spoofed websites, and why too-good-to-be-true equipment “deals” are almost always traps.

Dan also breaks down predatory financing—from “gross receipts” loans to buried terms like forced draws and sky-high interest—and explains how to pursue legit lines of credit with a real bank instead. Finally, he covers government/tech support impersonation scams, “Facebook account will be deleted” scare tactics, and the universal gift-card red flag.

What you’ll learn:

How to spot phishing (domain look-alikes, spoofed bank pages) before you click

The loan terms that scream “predatory” and what a legitimate LOC looks like

Safe-buying rules for used gear and marketplace posts

When to verify by phone/in-person before sending money

The fastest way to shut down “urgent” calls, texts, and DMs

If you’re a cheer gym owner, coach, or youth sports operator, this playbook will help you avoid losses, shut down scams, and stay focused on your athletes and business.

What Our Athletes Really Need From Us

In this powerful episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton tackles one of the most important conversations happening in the cheer industry right now—mental health, athlete well-being, and how we can do better as coaches and gym owners.

After reading a viral article claiming that the all-star cheer industry is “failing its athletes,” Dan dives deep into what that really means—and what we can actually do to create change. He explores the pressures of performance, body image, mental blocks, and the lack of mental health resources available to gym owners and coaches.

You’ll learn:

How to create a psychologically safe environment for athletes

Why communication and mentorship matter more than ever

The difference between accountability and emotional safety

What every gym should have in place before tragedy strikes

Real, actionable steps to better support your athletes’ mental health

This is a must-listen for cheer gym owners, coaches, and leaders who want to build a culture of growth, trust, and true athlete well-being—not just winning routines.

The Long Game of Cheer Gym Ownership

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 20-year journey building one of Northern California’s most respected cheer programs.

Tiffany shares how she started her gym while still in college, the lessons she’s learned through growth and adversity, and how she’s kept her passion for cheer alive two decades later. From balancing small-town dynamics to managing overhead in California’s tough economy, she opens up about what it really takes to run a thriving gym while staying true to your values.

You’ll hear how Chico Cheer built its legacy through community, athlete development, and smart business decisions—plus why Tiffany believes success isn’t about square footage or world titles, but about consistency, connection, and culture.

If you’re a cheer gym owner, coach, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insight on longevity, leadership, and staying inspired in the ever-changing cheer industry.

The One Skill Every Gym Owner Needs

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 a proper hook.

Whether you’re promoting tumbling classes, birthday parties, or your cheer program, your hook determines whether someone stops scrolling or keeps scrolling. Dan explains exactly how to grab attention, connect emotionally with your audience, and get them to click, engage, and convert.

You’ll learn:

How to craft scroll-stopping hooks that actually convert

The difference between video, visual, and copy hooks

Why your first three seconds matter more than anything else

The “hook–story–prescribe” method for better ads

Real examples from Next Gen, Cheer Biz Accelerator, and cheer gyms that are winning with marketing

If you want to get better results from your social media ads, stop wasting ad spend, and turn curiosity into conversions, this episode will show you how to do it—fast.

Perfect for cheer gym owners, coaches, and entrepreneurs ready to master marketing that works.

How to Build a Winning Culture

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 of how the New Zealand All Blacks reinvented their team culture and built one of the most successful dynasties in sports history.

Dan shares how these same principles apply to cheer gyms, coaches, and business owners who want to build strong, winning cultures that last. You’ll learn how to identify when your program has gone stagnant, when it’s time to adapt, and how to create a plan that re-energizes your team and your business.

Discover the four stages of organizational change, why comfort leads to decline, and how continuous adaptation can transform your cheer gym from “surviving” to truly thriving.

If you’re a gym owner, coach, or leader looking to strengthen your culture, improve accountability, and keep your program growing year after year—this episode will show you exactly how to “go for the gap” and build lasting success.

1-Star Reviews & How to Not Panic

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 the best cheer gyms and small businesses get them, and when it happens, it stings. Dan shares how he personally handles negative feedback, what to do (and what not to do) when it happens, and how to turn criticism into a chance to improve your systems, culture, and customer experience.

You’ll learn:

How to professionally respond to bad Google and Facebook reviews

When to engage—and when to let it go

The legal do’s and don’ts of replying to reviews

How to protect your reputation online

The simple mindset shift that turns negative feedback into growth

If you’ve ever felt your stomach drop after a 1-star notification, this episode will help you reframe it, respond like a pro, and come out stronger than before.

Perfect for cheer gym owners, small business owners, and coaches looking to lead with integrity, improve their reputation, and build trust in their communities.

My Honest Take on the Cheer Mom Controversy

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 up the industry.

From pricing and mid-season cuts to loyalty, favoritism, and communication, Dan breaks down each part of the post—and shares what most parents don’t realize about what it actually takes to run a successful cheer gym.

With 13+ years of experience as a gym owner, coach, and mentor to hundreds of cheer programs, Dan pulls back the curtain on the business realities, coaching challenges, and emotional weight behind every tough decision gym owners have to make.

You’ll hear:

The truth about pricing and why most gyms actually undercharge

Why mid-season cuts and alternates exist (and how to handle them right)

The difference between tough coaching and toxic coaching

How favoritism can happen—and how good coaches avoid it

What parents and gym owners can do to rebuild trust in the industry

If you’re a cheer gym owner, coach, or parent, this episode is a must-listen. It’s honest, educational, and eye-opening—a conversation that could change the way you see the sport forever.