Starting a cheer business has been one of the most exciting — and emotionally challenging — things I’ve ever done.

From the outside, it can look really fun. Bows, glitter, cute designs, cheering kids, big dreams. And don’t get me wrong — there are moments that feel amazing. Your first sale. Someone tagging you in a post. A message saying, “This meant something to us.”

But there’s also the other side people don’t talk about enough.

Christmas break is one of those rare pauses in the year. No early practices, no school alarms, no packed schedules. Just slower mornings, extra family time, and space to breathe.

And then suddenly… it’s over.

The New Year is often full of big goals, fresh starts, and a lot of pressure — especially for cheerleaders.

New skills to master.

New levels to train for.

New expectations at the gym, at school, and sometimes even from ourselves.

While setting goals can be exciting, it’s just as important for athletes to take care of their mental health as they do their physical training. Strong minds build confident athletes — and confidence is everything in cheer.

The Christmas story is one of the most familiar stories in the Bible, but it’s also one of the most powerful. Beyond the nativity scene, the lights, and the traditions, it’s a story filled with lessons about humility, obedience, courage, teamwork, and purpose — values that show up every day in cheerleading, whether we realize it or not.

The holiday break is a much-needed pause — no late night practices, no competitions, no constant schedule. But for cheerleaders, it can also feel a little unsettling. You want to rest… but you don’t want to feel rusty when practice starts back up.

The good news? Staying in shape over Christmas break doesn’t mean intense workouts or strict routines. It’s about gentle consistency, both physically and mentally.

It’s easy to think of cheerleading as an escape — a place where the music is loud, the smiles are big, and the problems of the world fade into the background. But cheerleaders don’t live in a bubble. We scroll the same headlines. We feel the same tension. And when there’s a lot going on in the world, it doesn’t just stay outside the gym doors.

Even if we don’t talk about it, global stress has a way of showing up in our bodies, our minds, and our performance.

Artificial intelligence is everywhere now — in our phones, our feeds, and even in the content we scroll past every day.

For teens and young athletes growing up in this environment, the pressure to look perfect or perform flawlessly has only intensified. Cheerleaders especially face a constant wave of comparison, curated highlight reels, and now… AI-generated “perfection.”

But what is all of this actually doing to our mental health?

In the cheer world, trends change fast. One week it’s a new practice set everyone seems to have, the next week it’s the latest drop from Rebel or another big brand. Cheer fashion is fun, creative, and honestly a huge part of the community — but it can also bring a quiet pressure that nobody really talks about.

Cheerleading is incredible—it’s more than just stunts and routines. It’s teamwork, athleticism, and a place to challenge yourself while having fun. But sometimes, even the most dedicated cheerleader may wonder if it’s time to step away. And that’s okay. Quitting doesn’t mean failure—it can actually be a brave and healthy choice.

Thanksgiving break always feels like a deep breath — a short pause filled with family, food, and a much-needed slow down. But once the break is over, something funny happens: we expect ourselves to instantly snap back into full cheer mode.
Perfect jumps. Sharp motions. Endless energy. Zero hesitation.

But the truth?
Most athletes come back feeling a little off.
And that’s not a flaw — it’s actually completely normal.

Depression and anxiety have a way of making the world feel gray and distant. And for a while, that was my world.
Small tasks felt impossible.
Things I used to enjoy didn’t feel like me anymore.
And the people who loved me didn’t always know how to help.

But somehow… cheer did. At 35 years old, I signed on to compete on an open non-tumbling team. And it saved my life.

Thanksgiving always brings gratitude to the surface — but in cheer, it can be more than a holiday idea. Gratitude can actually support athletes’ mental health, soften perfectionism, and strengthen team culture. And during comp season, that matters more than ever.

Today, Wicked: For Good finally hits theaters — and as someone who grew up on the soundtrack, “For Good” has always stayed with me.
It’s a song about impact. About the people who walk into your life, shift something inside you, and leave you better than you were.

And honestly? That’s cheer.
And that’s mental health.

There’s something magical about competition season. The music, the sparkly uniforms, the nerves that somehow feel exciting instead of scary. For many cheerleaders, this time of year is the heartbeat of the sport — the moment everything they’ve worked for finally comes together.

But comp season also shows up right when the days get colder, darker, and shorter. And for a lot of athletes, that shift in the weather brings a shift in their mood… one they don’t always recognize.

Cheerleaders are known for their sparkle — the bright uniforms, the sharp motions, the clean routines, the confidence, and of course… the smile.
From the outside, it looks effortless. But anyone who has spent time in the cheer world knows the truth: behind that smile, there’s often a whole lot more going on.