PODCAST · sports
The Cheer Athlete
by Laura Turner
REAL talk about ways to progress in cheerleading, reduce injuries and stay healthy and fit for life. Laura Turner is The Cheer PT. She cheered thru college, while becoming a physical therapist. She has coached both high school and college. Later, her doctorate studies in physical therapy included a final project about cheer injuries and how movement screening may reduce the risk. She is passionate about keeping cheerleaders healthy so they don't lose time at school or with their friends and team. And she LOVEs seeing all the progress cheerleaders continue to make. Are you ready? Let's GO!
Episodes
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Episode 178:Why Ankle Sprains Keep Coming Back (It's Not Just a Sprain)
"It keeps coming back to the same spot." If your cheer athlete keeps rolling the same ankle, it's not bad luck, and it's not "just a sprain." In this episode, I break down why ankle sprains keep coming back and what's really going on underneath: ligaments that stay loose, sensors that don't...
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Episode 177: Why Stretching Your Most Flexible Flyer Could Be a Mistake
Your most flexible flyer says her hamstrings feel tight, so she stretches more. But that tightness may be her nervous system protecting a joint that's already too loose. Laura Turner, DPT, The Cheer PT, explains the tightness paradox, four red flags coaches miss, and simple screens to check…
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Episode 176: The 3 Things Nobody's Screening For in Cheer Athletes
Your athlete can have the perfect warm-up, programming and coaching cues, and still move like garbage. Why? What happens off the mat is running the show. Laura Turner, DPT, breaks down the 3 things nobody's screening for in cheer athletes: sleep, hydration, and stress and recovery. She covers how...
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Episode 175:Why Your Flyer Can't Stabilize: That Old Ankle Sprain Still Counts
Why Your Flyer Can't Stabilize: That Old Ankle Sprain Still Counts "I sprained my ankle back in high school… but that was forever ago, so it doesn't count, right?" It counts. Rarely is an ankle sprain just an ankle sprain. In this episode, I share two athletes from my clinic, one with knee pain…
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Episode 174: Stop Telling Your Cheerleaders to “Squeeze” — Do This Instead
“Squeeze! Stay tight!” It’s one of the most common cues in cheer—but squeezing harder doesn’t necessarily create better stability. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete, we look at what may actually be happening when a stunt keeps wobbling despite everyone trying to get tighter. We’ll break down…
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Episode 173: The Last Movement Screen Video Cheer Coaches Will Ever Need (5 Tests, 10 Minutes, No Equipment)
You don’t need a PT on staff to start paying attention to how your athletes move. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I walk you through a simple movement screen you can use with your team in about 10 minutes—no special equipment or certification required. We’ll look at trunk flexion…
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Episode 172: Back Pain: Your Movement May Tell You What’s Missing
Back pain can make choosing the “right” exercise feel complicated. But before you focus on the exercise, take a look at the movement. In this episode, we bring together the movement patterns we've been discussing over the past several weeks and apply them to back pain. What happens when you touch...
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Episode 171 Your Shoulder Feels Tight—But Is Your Shoulder Really the Problem_
Your shoulder feels tight—but is your shoulder actually the problem? If you have trouble reaching overhead, reaching behind your back, or keeping your shoulders relaxed during pressing movements, it’s easy to assume you simply need more shoulder mobility. But your shoulder doesn’t move by itself....
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Episode 170: Your Neck Feels Tight-But It Might Not Be The Problem
Your neck feels tight—but is your neck actually the problem? When something feels stiff, our first instinct is often to stretch it. But if you keep stretching the same area and the tightness keeps returning, it may be time to ask a different question. In this episode, we explore neck motion as…
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Episode 169: Trunk Extension: Creating Space for Better Movement
Your back is supposed to bend forward—but it’s also supposed to extend. So why does reaching overhead sometimes leave you feeling tight through your shoulders or pinched in your lower back? In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, we continue our movement-screen series by looking at trunk...
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Episode 168: Trunk Flexion: Why Bending Forward Isn't Bad for Your Back
Most people have been told to "lift with your legs" and never bend their back. But is that really how the body was designed to move? In this episode, we take a closer look at trunk flexion—one of the most important movement patterns we use every day. From tying your shoes to picking something up...
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Episode 167: Movement Is a Conversation—Are You Listening?
Movement Leaves Clues. What if the way you move is telling you more than where you hurt? In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I explain why movement is more than pass or fail—it’s information. Whether you're a coach, trainer, therapist, athlete, or someone simply trying to move better,...
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Episode 166: Your Pain May Not Be The Problem.
Is the painful area really the problem? Not always. In this episode, I discuss why your body often compensates when movement is limited and why the area that hurts may actually be doing extra work rather than causing the problem. Using a real patient example, I explain how observing movement—not...
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Episode 165: Why Your Back Pain Isn't The Problem (Most of the time)
Why Your Back Pain Isn't the Problem (Most of the Time) Does your back hurt when you lean backward, tumble, reach overhead, or stand for long periods? What if your back isn't actually the problem? In this episode, I use the movement pattern of back extension to show why pain often appears in one...
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Episode 164: The Biggest Mistakes Coaches Make During Movement Screens
In this episode, I explain why movement screens shouldn't be about finding perfect form—they should help us understand how the body solves movement. We'll discuss: • Why compensation isn't always a bad thing • The five questions I ask during every movement screen • How movement quality changes...
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Episode 163: Why Your Foot Isn't the Problem: Understanding Single-Leg Balance
Is your foot really the problem...or is it just where the movement shows up? In this episode, I pull together the key ideas from my recent five-part YouTube series on single-leg stance and explain the why behind the exercises. We'll talk about why balance is about more than simply standing on one...
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Episode 162: Why Stretching Alone Isn't The Answer
Why do you still feel tight after stretching? It's one of the most common questions I hear from athletes, clients, and adults trying to move better. In this episode, we explore why stretching alone isn't always the answer. Tightness isn't always caused by short muscles. Sometimes it's your body's...
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Episode 161: The Missing Link Between Movement, Strength and Performance
What is the missing link between movement, strength, and performance? In this episode, I discuss why building strength isn't always the first step toward better performance. Movement quality, awareness, breathing, control, mobility, and stability all play important roles in how efficiently we…
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Episode 160: The ABCs of Movement: Awareness, Breath, and Control
In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I’m breaking down the ABCs of movement: Awareness, Breath, and Control. These three principles are the foundation of how I help cheerleaders, adults, and physical therapy clients move better, reduce pain, and build strength safely. Whether you are...
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Episode 159: The One Balance Test That Predicts How Well You'll Move As You Age (And Why Cheerleaders Practice It Every Day)
What can cheerleaders teach adults about balance? More than you might think. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I'm beginning a new chapter—one that still includes cheerleading, but also explores how the movement lessons we learn as athletes can help us throughout life. We'll talk…
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Episode 158 Why Your Back Handspring Dies After Your Round-off
Why does a cheer athlete’s roundoff back handspring sometimes feel powerful one day… and completely fall apart the next? In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I’m breaking down one of the most common tumbling issues I see in cheer athletes: losing power and posture between connected…
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Episode 157: Why Rest and Recovery Matter for Cheerleaders, Parents, and Athletes Who Never Slow Down
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your body… is slow down. In this week’s episode of The Cheer Athlete, LT The Cheer PT talks about the difference between rest and recovery — and why both are essential for stronger performance, better health, and fewer injuries. From cheer practices and...
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Episode 156: Back Pain in Cheerleaders and Cheer Parents: When to Worry, What to Watch For, and How to Move Better Naturally
Back pain can sideline a cheerleader… but it can also wear down the parents driving to practices, flying to competitions, and carrying all the gear. In this week’s episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I’m expanding the conversation beyond just the athlete—because healthy cheerleaders need…
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Episode 155: Cheerleading Is About Heart—But Injuries Need Time | When to Push, When to Rest, and How to Return Safely
Every cheer parent, coach, and athlete eventually faces this question: “Should they push through… or should they sit out?” In this week’s episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I’m breaking down one of the most important—and emotional—topics in youth athletics: ✅ When it’s okay to keep moving ✅…
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Episode 154: Is 16 Too Late to Start Tumbling? What Cheerleaders (and Parents) Need to Know
Is 16 too late to start tumbling? This question came straight from a cheer parent's group—and it’s one I heard some unexpected answers, that differ from my pov. In this episode, we break down what actually matters when it comes to starting tumbling later in a cheerleader’s career. Because the…
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Episode 153: Your Cheerleader’s Summer Training Plan: Build Strength, Power, and Prevent Injuries Before Next Season
Summer might feel like a break from cheer… but it’s actually your biggest opportunity to improve. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, we’re breaking down exactly what cheerleaders should be doing during the “off-season” to come back stronger, more powerful, and more prepared for the…
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Episode 152: Fix Your Body Positions in Cheer The Secret to Better Stunts, Jumps, and Injury Prevention
If your athlete is struggling with body positions like heel stretches, arabesques, or even just staying stable in the air—this episode is for you. But here’s the twist… This isn’t about stretching more. In this episode, we break down: Why body positions start on the ground, not in the air The...
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Episode 151:College Cheer Nationals: What It Really Takes to Compete (And How to Choose the Right Program)
College Nationals is here—and for many cheerleaders, it’s the moment they’ve been working toward all year. In this episode, I’m sharing: My personal experience competing at college nationals What really goes into preparing for this level Why every program (not just the big-name schools) deserves...
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Episode 150: Jump Higher Without More Stretching: Why Cheerleaders Should Be Sprinting
Most cheerleaders are told they need more flexibility to jump higher… But what if that’s not actually the missing piece? In this episode, we’re breaking down why sprinting might be one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools to improve your cheer jumps. From toe touches to tumbling, sprinting...
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Episode 149: Should Your Cheerleader Take a Break? How to Know When It’s Time to Reset
Should your cheerleader push through… or take a break? In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, we’re talking about something most athletes—and parents—struggle with: knowing when it’s time to reset. From year-round schedules to constant practices and competitions, today’s athletes rarely…
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Episode 148: Why Your Cheerleader Has Hip Pain in Back Walkovers (And How to Fix It)
If your cheerleader is feeling pain in the front of their hip during back walkovers, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I break down what’s really happening at the pelvis and hips during walkovers—and why that pain isn’t always coming from where you think.…
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The Episode 147: End of Cheer Season: Recovery, Reflection, and What Comes Next
As the high school cheer season comes to an end here in Massachusetts, this time of year can feel bittersweet for athletes, coaches, and parents. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I reflect on what the end of a season really means — celebrating the memories, honoring the hard work…
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Episode 146: Why Flexibility Alone Won’t Improve Your Cheer Skills (Control Is the Key)
Many cheerleaders are told they need to become more flexible to improve their heel stretches, jumps, and stunts. But flexibility alone isn’t the answer. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I break down the missing piece most athletes overlook: control. When athletes rush through…
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Episode 145: Serious or Just Sore? How to Know If Your Cheerleader’s Injury Needs Medical Attention
How do you know if your cheerleader’s injury is serious… or something you can monitor? Should you go to the ER? Can they walk it off? How long will they be out? In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I break down: The difference between serious vs catastrophic injuries When to call 911…
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Episode 144: Osgood Schlatter & Sever’s Disease in Cheerleaders What Parents and Coaches Need to Know About Growth-Related Knee and Heel Pain
Growth spurts can be tough on cheerleaders — especially when knee or heel pain starts to show up. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, I break down two of the most common growth-related injuries in young athletes: Osgood Schlatter’s disease and Sever’s disease. You’ll learn: What’s...
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Episode 143: Catastrophic Injuries in Episode 143:Cheerleading What Athletes, Parents, and Coaches Need to Know
In this episode of the Cheer Athlete Podcast, we’re talking about a tough—but important—topic: catastrophic injuries in cheerleading. While these injuries are relatively rare, cheerleading accounts for a significant percentage of catastrophic injuries in female high school sports. In this…
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Episode 142: Overuse Injuries in Cheerleading: Why They Happen and How to Prevent Them
Most cheerleading injuries don’t happen from one big fall—they build up slowly over time. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, we break down what overuse injuries are, why cheerleaders are especially at risk, and how parents and coaches can spot the warning signs before a small issue...
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Episode 141 Recovery Isn't Rest: How Proper Recovery Keeps Cheerleaders Healthy and Injury-Free
Recovery isn’t the same as rest—and it deserves its own place in cheer training. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, we break down what recovery actually is, what it isn’t, and why skipping recovery increases the risk of overuse injuries. You’ll learn how gentle movement, breathing,...
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Episode 140 Warm-Ups Aren’t About Stretching: How Cheerleaders Should Actually Prepare to Train
Warm-ups aren’t about stretching—and they’re not just a formality before practice. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, we continue the conversation on warm-ups and break down what they’re actually meant to do for cheerleaders. You’ll learn why many warm-ups miss the mark, how proper...
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Episode 139: When Should Cheerleaders Be Independent With Dynamic Warm Ups?
In this episode, Laura Turner, the Cheer PT dives into why a dynamic warm up is better than static stretching and when cheerleaders can be expected to warm up on their own. Connect with Laura at LTTheCheerPT.com Ask A PT HERE Grab a signed copy of Strength and Conditioning for the Cheer Athlete HERE
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Episode 138 Concussions In Cheerleading: What Parents, Coaches, and Athletes Need to Know
Concussions are real—and they do happen in cheerleading. In this episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, we talk about why concussions occur, how to recognize the signs (even when they’re subtle), and why proper recovery matters—especially for young athletes. We also discuss readiness, strength…
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Episode 137: When in Doubt, Breathe A Holiday Reminder for Cheer Families, Coaches, and Athletes
This short holiday episode of The Cheer Athlete Podcast is a reminder to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the moment. As Christmas Eve arrives and the year comes to a close, we talk about why perfection isn’t the goal—in cheer or in life. Whether you’re a cheer parent, coach, or athlete, this…
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Episode 136: Doctor? PT? Keep Cheering? How to Know When an Injury Needs Medical Care
When your cheerleader gets hurt, how do you know what to do next? Should you call the doctor? See your physical therapist? Just keep cheering? In this episode of The Cheer Athlete, Dr. Laura (The Cheer PT) breaks down five clear situations where you should stop scrolling social media and seek...
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Episode 135: Cheer, Parenting & Perspective: Lessons I Wish I Learned Sooner
ABOUT THIS EPISODE In this heartfelt episode, Laura (“LT the Cheer PT”) opens up about the real-life lessons cheer can teach us—and the lessons we often don’t learn until much later. Through personal stories about her own cheer journey, her mom, and the challenges of being in the “sandwich...
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Episode 134: From Base to Flyer (or Flyer to Base): How to Help Your Cheerleader Succeed in Any Position
When your cheerleader is suddenly switching roles — from base to flyer or flyer to base — it can feel overwhelming for both athlete and parent. In this episode, I break down what actually matters during a position change: strength, stability, mobility, confidence, and understanding what the other...
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Episode 133: Is It Ok For Your Cheerleader to Lift At The Gym?
When is it actually safe for kids to start lifting? In this episode, Laura (LT The Cheer PT) breaks down what the research really says — and what she sees every day in cheer, youth sports, and strength training. You’ll learn why kids can start strength training much earlier than most parents…
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Episode 132: Knock Knees in Cheerleaders: What It Means, What To Do, and 5 Fixes
This week, we’re breaking down what “knock knees” and “pigeon toes” really mean for cheerleaders — why they happen, how to screen for them, and what actually helps. You’ll learn how hip stability, ankle mobility, and developmental positions contribute to safe landings, plus I’ll walk you through…
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Episode 131: Flyers and Bases How an Outside Coach Keeps You Strong, Safe, and Motivated
Are you working hard in practice but not seeing the results you want? In this episode, LT The Cheer PT shares why having an outside coach can completely change how you train, perform, and stay motivated as a cheerleader. Whether you’re a flyer working on your stability and body control, or a base...
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Episode 130: Get Under the Stunt How Cheer Bases Can Reduce Back Pain and Build Strength
Back pain holding your bases back? Learn how to spot — and fix — the movement patterns that make stunting harder than it needs to be. Dr. Laura Turner, The Cheer PT, shares how to build a stronger squat, improve core control, and prevent pain by understanding what’s missing in your athlete’s...
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Episode 129: From Braces to Body Control How to Help Cheerleaders Move Smarter
This week on The Cheer Athlete, Laura breaks down two important cheer topics every parent and coach should understand: 💪 1. Bracing for injury prevention — is it actually helping or hurting? Learn why relying on braces can sometimes weaken muscles and delay true recovery, plus what you can do...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
REAL talk about ways to progress in cheerleading, reduce injuries and stay healthy and fit for life. Laura Turner is The Cheer PT. She cheered thru college, while becoming a physical therapist. She has coached both high school and college. Later, her doctorate studies in physical therapy included a final project about cheer injuries and how movement screening may reduce the risk. She is passionate about keeping cheerleaders healthy so they don't lose time at school or with their friends and team. And she LOVEs seeing all the progress cheerleaders continue to make. Are you ready? Let's GO!
HOSTED BY
Laura Turner
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Cheer Athlete have?
The Cheer Athlete currently has 180 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Cheer Athlete about?
REAL talk about ways to progress in cheerleading, reduce injuries and stay healthy and fit for life. Laura Turner is The Cheer PT. She cheered thru college, while becoming a physical therapist. She has coached both high school and college. Later, her doctorate studies in physical therapy included a...
How often does The Cheer Athlete release new episodes?
The Cheer Athlete publishes regularly with 180 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Cheer Athlete?
You can listen to The Cheer Athlete on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Cheer Athlete?
The Cheer Athlete is created and hosted by Laura Turner.
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