The Fullout Cheer Podcast

Your Parents Aren’t Different. Your Standards Are.

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.

Copy-Paste Coaching Is Killing Athlete Progress

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.

A Judge’s Advice for Coaches and Parents in All-Star Cheer

The conversation with all-star cheer judge Gabby Mauro continues in Part 2.Gabby answers more questions from coaches and parents while sharing practical advice for both groups on how to better support athletes and approach competitions with the right mindset.From understanding judging expectations to improving communication around competition results, this episode offers valuable insight for anyone involved in all-star cheer.

Inside the Mind of a Cheer Judge | Q&A with Gabby Mauro

What are judges actually looking for on the score sheet?In this episode of the Fullout Cheer Podcast, Danielle Johnston sits down with all-star cheer judge Gabby Mauro to answer real questions submitted by coaches and parents.Gabby breaks down how judging works, what judges notice immediately when a team hits the floor, and the most common misconceptions about scoring in all-star cheer.If you've ever wondered why routines place the way they do, this episode gives you a rare look at competition through the judge’s perspective.

Throwback: 3 Ways to Keep Great Coaches

Great coaches are one of the most valuable assets in your gym — but they’re also one of the hardest things to keep.In this episode, Danielle breaks down three practical strategies gym owners can use to retain their best coaches and build a stronger staff culture. She will discuss what great coaches actually need from leadership, why many gyms accidentally push good staff away, and how small changes in communication, expectations, and appreciation can make a huge difference in long-term retention.If you’ve ever worried about losing a great coach or struggled with staff turnover, this conversation will give you actionable ideas to help your coaches feel valued, supported, and committed to your program.

Here 4 Cheer Episode

In this special crossover episode, Here 4 Cheer host Megan Gomarlo sits down with Full Out Cheer’s very own Danielle Johnston. Whether you are a veteran gym owner or just starting your entrepreneurship journey in the all-star cheerleading industry, this conversation is a masterclass in scaling your business without losing your sanity.Danielle dives deep into the proven systems every gym needs to run on autopilot, drawing from her unique background in the Air Force to help owners step away from the daily grind. You will learn the specific marketing strategies that actually fill recreational classes, the truth about gym profitability, and why "knowing your numbers" is the difference between surviving and thriving.Megan and Danielle also discuss the transformative power of the Cheer Biz Accelerator, the importance of hiring for culture over skill, and how to maintain high athlete retention by building a family-focused gym environment. Stop being a martyr for your business and start building the life—and the gym—you have always dreamed of.

Open Lobby, Strong Culture: Why I'll Never Shut Parents Out: Part 2

If parent drama is inevitable, poor leadership is not.In Part 2, Danielle and Kelli from theory to action. They break down exactly how to reduce negativity without closing your doors — and what it really takes to create a self-policing, positive parent culture.They cover: How to educate parents before problems start and the power of consistent communication.This episode is practical, direct, and rooted in experience. Because the goal isn’t to eliminate noise. It’s to build a culture strong enough to handle it.

Open Lobby, Strong Culture: Why I'll Never Shut Parents Out: Part 1

Parent drama. Lobby gossip. Closed practices. Open practices. Every gym owner has an opinion — and most of them are reactive.In Part 1, Danielle sits down with a parent-turned-coach to unpack what’s really happening in the lobby and why simply “closing the doors” isn’t the solution.They discuss:Why parent drama will always exist (and why that’s not the real problem)The difference between transparency and chaosWhat parents actually see from the lobbyHow open practices protect both athletes and coachesWhat changes when a parent crosses over into coachingIf you believe culture is built on the floor — and in the lobby — this conversation will challenge you to lead instead of hide.

If They're Not Sick, They're Injured: Part 2

Part 2 dives into the fallout of illness and injury and adds the final challenge to the mix: Inclement weather.We talk about how to make smart decisions when routines need to change, how to simplify without panicking, and how to handle choreography changes without destroying athlete confidence. We also cover what to do when weather wipes out a full week of practices, how to keep athletes engaged outside the gym, and how to reset quickly once you’re back instead of losing even more time.This episode is about staying strategic when the season won’t cooperate and keeping progress moving forward, even when nothing goes according to plan.

If They're Not Sick, They're Injured: Part 1

In this episode, we talk about the reality coaches and gym owners are facing right now: constant absences due to illness, injuries piling up, and practices that never look the way they were planned. Attendance is unpredictable, routines are constantly being reworked, and keeping momentum feels harder than ever. If you’ve felt frustrated, exhausted, or like you’re constantly playing catch-up this season, this episode will make you feel seen and give you practical ways to move forward anyway.