A video of a cheer coach screaming at athletes went viral this week… and the reactions shocked us. Some people defended it. Some called it “normal.” Others said, “That’s just competitive cheer.” In this episode, Danielle Johnston and Dan Cotton break down where the line actually is between intense coaching and toxic coaching — and why so many people in the cheer industry have become desensitized to behavior that should never be acceptable. They talk about: Why some coaches confuse intimidation with leadership The difference between accountability and emotional outbursts Why parents sometimes normalize aggressive coaching behavior How gym culture either permits or prevents these situations What owners should do when a coach loses control And how coaches can become more self-aware before they reach that breaking point This conversation isn’t about “soft coaching.” It’s about leadership, emotional regulation, athlete safety, and creating environments where athletes can actually thrive. If you’ve ever questioned whether a coach crossed the line — or if you’re trying to become a better leader yourself — this episode is an important conversation for the entire cheer industry.

Most cheer gym owners think they have a sellable business. In reality… they have a job. In this episode, Danielle sits down with Matt Becker, an attorney who works closely with business brokers, to break down why so many gym sales fall apart—and what buyers are actually looking for. They dig into the biggest myths gym owners believe about selling, including: Why your gym isn’t worth what you think it is The truth about revenue (and what buyers ignore) Why doing everything yourself hurts your value The reality of bringing on a partner for “capital” And why selling won’t magically fix burnout This isn’t theory. This is what shows up in real deals—and what kills them. If you think you might sell your gym someday (or just want to build something that could be sold), this episode will show you what actually matters… and what doesn’t.

If you’ve been losing athletes this season, it’s probably not for the reason you think. In this episode, Danielle breaks down the real reasons athletes are leaving—and why most gym owners completely miss what’s actually happening. She covers: Why athletes feel stuck in their skills (and how stagnation drives them out) The difference between healthy commitment and full-blown burnout How change—both inside the gym and in families’ lives—quietly impacts retention These aren’t dramatic blowups or obvious problems. They’re the subtle issues that slowly push athletes out the door. If you want to improve retention, it starts with understanding what’s really causing athletes to leave.

Most gym owners think emotional parents are the problem… they’re not. In this episode of the Full Out Cheer Podcast, Danielle sits down with Jason Larkins to break down what’s really happening when parents get frustrated, reactive, or overwhelmed—and how smart coaches handle those moments the right way. You’ll learn: Why emotional parents aren’t actually the issue How to tell if a parent wants a solution or just to be heard The biggest mistakes coaches make in tough conversations How to lead your staff without micromanaging or losing control Why systems and structure matter more than you think They also dive into how the cheer industry has evolved, from skill progression to competition culture, and what today’s gym owners need to be doing differently. If you’ve ever had a parent conversation go sideways… this will change how you handle it.

Most routines don’t lose because of talent… they lose because of bad strategy. In Part 2, Danielle Johnston and John Barajas break down how to choose the right skills, structure your routine, and avoid the mistakes that cost teams points. As you’re building your teams and heading into choreography season, this is what you need to get right.

Ever looked at your score sheet and thought… there’s no way that’s right? In this episode, Danielle Johnston sits down with judge and choreographer John Barajas to break down how judging panels, deductions, and AccuScore actually work. If you’ve ever felt a little intimidated by the idea of challenging your scores, you need to listen to this episode!

Most gym owners are convinced their parents are “different.” More demanding. Less respectful. Impossible to manage. They’re not. In this episode, we break down the reality that parents are parents everywhere. The difference isn’t who you attract, it’s what you allow. If your families aren’t following policies, respecting boundaries, or buying into your programs, it’s not a parent problem. It’s a systems, leadership, and culture problem. We’re diving into how clear expectations, consistent processes, and strong staff alignment create compliance without constant conflict. Because the gyms that seem to have “great parents” didn’t get lucky. They built it that way. If you’re tired of feeling like your parents won’t listen, this episode will show you exactly where the breakdown is and what to fix so things start running the way they should.

Most athletes aren’t stuck because they lack talent—they’re stuck because of copy-paste coaching. Drill after drill of coaches searching social media to find the next great "fix" to their athlete's tumbling skills. In this episode, Danielle Johnston and Corey Rickett break down why understanding body mechanics, skill progression, and athlete mentality matters more than copying drills—and how great coaches actually develop elite athletes.