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More Than Counts: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Judge Mimi
More Than Counts is a podcast about what really goes into cheerleading routines... beyond the eight counts!Hosted by cheer Judge Mimi, this show brings choreographers, coaches, athletes, and industry leaders together to break down choreography, creativity, and the stories behind the routines you see on the mat. Each episode explores what makes routines special, what actually hits the scoresheet, and what cheerleading teaches us about teamwork, leadership, and life.This podcast is for cheerleading coaches, choreographers, parents, and athletes who want to see routines differently, appreciate the process behind them, and better understand why cheerleading is truly More Than Counts.
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- Yesterday46 min
017 Brynn + Jalyn - The Team That Scored 100
A perfect score is one of the rarest achievements in cheerleading. But what happens after you get one?In this episode, Judge Mimi sits down with Brynn and Jalyn of Macs All Stars, the coaches behind Reign, a team that went from a half-year experiment to back-to-back Summit champions and one of the few teams to earn a perfect 100-point score.Together, they break down the journey behind the score, the culture that makes Macs All Stars special, and the challenge of keeping athletes motivated after reaching the top. They also discuss routine strategy, theme selection, choreography, and how coaches balance confidence with humility throughout a season.Along the way, they revisit Reign's routines, reflect on what "perfect" really means in a subjective sport, and share lessons that apply far beyond the scoresheet.Because cheerleading is more than counts. It's about the teamwork, leadership, resilience, and growth that happen long before the trophies and scores are announced.TakeawaysThe importance of motivation and humility in maintaining successThe subjective nature of perfection in competitive cheerleading Adapting to a new division requires depth and motivationChoreography benefits from a personal connection with the athletesChapters00:00 The Journey to Cheerleading07:20 Routine Development and Strategy16:08 Scoring a Perfect 10024:34 The Definition of Perfection in Cheerleading30:19 Adapting to a New Division44:36 Reviewing a Cheerleading Routine
- 1 weeks ago42 min
016 Coach Levi - Confidence, Fear, and the Making of Great Tumblers
Tumbling is one of the most visible skills in cheerleading, but the journey behind it is often much bigger than the skill itself.In this episode, Levi joins us to talk about what it really takes to develop successful tumblers. From overcoming fear and mental blocks to building confidence under pressure, we explore the challenges athletes face and the role coaches and parents play in supporting them along the way.We also dive into the art of tumbling itself—what makes standing tumbling visually appealing, how judges perceive different skills, and how coaches can make smarter decisions when building routines around their athletes' strengths.Whether you're a coach trying to maximize your tumbling score, a parent supporting an athlete through a setback, or an athlete chasing the next skill, this conversation offers practical insights and a fresh perspective on one of cheerleading's most important disciplines.Because great tumbling isn't just about the skills athletes perform—it's about the confidence, resilience, and trust they build along the way.Chapters00:00 The Journey of Tumbling06:52 Supporting Athletes Through Mental Blocks21:22 Uniformity in Tumbling Styles27:02 The Challenge of Standing Fulls33:16 The Challenge of Standing Fulls39:21 Tumbling in Routine Building47:13 Tumbling Technique and Coaching
- 2 weeks ago49 min
015 Rick Rodgers - How Paracheer Is Changing Cheerleading Forever
What does it take to create a place in cheerleading where everyone belongs?In this episode, Judge Mimi sits down with Rick Rodgers, one of the pioneers behind adaptive and para cheerleading, to discuss the journey that led to a groundbreaking para sport cheer showcase at ICU Worlds.Rick shares how adaptive cheerleading has evolved over the last decade, the creativity required to adapt skills and routines for athletes with different disabilities, and the challenges of building opportunities for participation at the highest levels of the sport.Together, they explore the differences between Cheer Abilities, Adaptive Abilities, and Para Sport Cheer, watch the evolution of some of Rick’s routines, and discuss what it would take for para cheerleading to one day become a recognized Paralympic sport.This conversation is a reminder that some of the most important innovations in cheerleading aren't about difficulty—they're about access, inclusion, and creating opportunities for every athlete to shine.TakeawaysAdaptive cheerleading divisions have opened up opportunities for athletes with disabilities to participate in cheerleading at various levels.Choreography and logistics in para sport cheerleading involve unique adaptations to accommodate athletes with disabilities, including visual impairment, wheelchair use, and other impairments. Adaptation and creativity are essential in developing cheerleading routines for disabled athletes.The potential for Paralympic cheerleading presents an opportunity for inclusive and diverse participation in the sport.Chapters00:00 Journey into Cheerleading07:59 Choreography and Logistics in Para Sport Cheerleading15:02 Inclusion of Athletes with Disabilities30:31 Adaptation and Creativity in Cheerleading38:13 Challenges and Opportunities in Paralympic Cheerleading49:53 Inclusion and Growth in Paralympic Cheerleading
- 3 weeks ago1h 1m
014 Adrian Butler - How Top Gun Legends Won Worlds in Year 1
From opening two gyms in two years to building a first-year Worlds champion, Adrian Butler takes us inside one of the most talked-about seasons in cheerleading.In this episode, we break down the rise of Top Gun Legends — how the athletes bought into the vision, the pressure of carrying the Top Gun name, and the tiny routine changes that helped shape their Worlds-winning run.Adrian also shares his philosophy on coaching, athlete development, routine construction, musicality, and why creating emotion matters just as much as difficulty. From building culture inside the gym to creating moments that make crowds erupt, this conversation goes far beyond the scoresheet.We also watch and analyze routines together, including the evolution of the Legends routine from early season to Worlds Finals, and talk about what truly makes a routine memorable.TakeawaysLeadership and TrustCreating Memorable Moments Emotional ConnectionArtistic ExpressionChapters00:00 The Rise of Top Gun Legends13:32 Inception of Top Gun Legends Routine34:08 The Art of Emotional Connection in Music40:06 Strategic Music Changes and Surprises47:45 Strategic Team Development and Progression53:39 Building a Culture of Excellence and Value01:01:33 Trends in Cheerleading and Skill Development
- May 18, 202639 min
013 Kyle - Building Winning Routine Across the Globe
From teaching himself backflips in his backyard in rural Iowa… to choreographing Worlds-level routines across the globe, Kyle Spirit FX has become one of the most influential voices in competitive cheerleading.In this episode, we dive into what it actually takes to build winning routines in different countries, across different score sheets, and for completely different team cultures. From South America’s explosive growth in cheerleading, to adapting choreography for Open, United, and ICU score sheets, Kyle breaks down the strategy behind routines that don’t just score well… but leave an impact.We also react to some unforgettable Worlds performances, including the viral Chilean routine that had everyone talking, and discuss why creativity, pacing, participation, and performance matter more than ever in modern cheerleading.This conversation goes far beyond choreography. It’s about leadership, integrity, global growth in the sport, and understanding what really makes a routine memorable.Because cheerleading is more than counts.TakeawaysTakeawaysHow Kyle went from a small-town athlete to building a global choreography companyWhy South American cheerleading is growing so quicklyThe differences between ICU, Open, and United score sheetsHow score sheets influence routine constructionWhy themes either completely work… or completely missThe importance of full-team participation in modern choreographyHow international teams are pushing creativity in the sportWhat separates a good routine from a winning oneWhy integrity and relationships matter in the choreography worldChapters00:00 From Backyard Tumbler to Global Choreographer08:02 Building Routines Across Different Score Sheets16:59 Why South America Is Changing Cheerleading22:46 The Reality of Non-Tumble Divisions30:22 Themes, Creativity & What Actually Wins40:33 Advice for the Next Generation of Choreographers
- May 11, 202641 min
012 High School Cheer Rules - Explained with Coach K
This week on More Than Counts, I sit down with Coach K, the creator behind High School Cheer Rules, to break down one of the most misunderstood parts of cheerleading: legality.From viral stunt videos to hidden deductions that can completely change rankings, we talk about how high school cheer rules actually work, why different competitions sometimes interpret rules differently, and how coaches can better protect their teams from costly mistakes.We also dive into the differences between high school, All-Star, and ICU-style cheerleading, how rules evolve over time, and why some programs seem “ahead of the curve” when new skills become legal. Along the way, Coach K shares her journey from high school coach to one of the internet’s go-to voices for legality education.And of course, we end the episode the More Than Counts way: by reviewing a listener-submitted routine and discussing what makes it effective beyond just the skills.Because cheerleading is more than counts. It’s strategy, safety, creativity, and understanding why the rules exist in the first place.TakeawaysWhy legality deductions happen more often than coaches thinkThe biggest differences between high school and All-Star cheer rulesHow rule interpretations can vary between competitionsWhy understanding the “why” behind the rules mattersHow elite programs prepare for future rule changesWhat makes a routine feel clean, strategic, and intentionalChapters00:00 – Meet Coach K & the world of High School Cheer Rules08:15 – Why high school legality is more complicated than people realize21:59 – Breaking down common stunt deductions29:06 – All-Star vs. school cheer: what changes?34:43 – The future of cheer rules & skill progression42:30 – Listener routine review and feedback
- May 4, 202639 min
010 Leon - How Australia Does Cheer Differently… and Still Wins
What if everything you think you know about cheerleading… depends on where you are in the world?In this episode, I sit down with Leon to unpack what cheer looks like in Australia—and why it’s so different from what we see in North America. From the way programs are built, to how dance and cheer are deeply connected, to coaches taking on choreography themselves… this is a completely different system. And yet—it works!We talk about what it actually takes to grow a sport in a country where there’s no traditional pathway, how teams prepare for international competitions like Summit on a completely different season timeline, and what it means to build athletes not just for routines—but for life.This episode is a reminder that there isn’t just one way to do cheerleading. And sometimes, doing it differently is exactly what leads to success.TakeawaysCheerleading growth in AustraliaChoreography and coaching in cheerleading Mental preparation for competitionsCollaboration and support in the cheerleading communityChapters00:00 The Growth of Cheerleading in Australia14:10 Preparing for Competition20:22 Routine Elements and Impact28:55 Looking Ahead to 2026
- Apr 20, 202650 min
#010 Dahlston Delgado - The Mind Behind Your Favourite NCA Routines
What does it actually take to build a routine that wins—and one that people remember?In this episode, I sit down with Dahlston Delgado—the choreographer behind 13 routines at NCA this year, and creative forces shaping cheerleading both on and off the competition floor.We break down his process from the very first skills check to the final performance—how he builds structure, layers movement, and makes decisions that balance the score sheet with the audience experience.We also get into the differences between college and all-star choreography, what changes when you’re building for NCA vs UCA, and how his work on Stumble and Broadway has shifted the way he sees routine design.Plus, we watch and analyze real routines—including one submitted by a listener—and talk through what works, what could be elevated, and how small decisions create big impact.This conversation is a deep dive into the strategy, creativity, and emotion behind elite routines—and a reminder that the best performances don’t just score well… they make you feel something.Chapters00:00 The Journey to Choreography08:10 The Impact of TV on Choreography19:23 Choreographing for Texas Tech Large Co-ed24:44 Choreographing for Mississippi State All Girl48:34 Analyzing a Listener's Routine
About More Than Counts
More Than Counts is a podcast about what really goes into cheerleading routines... beyond the eight counts!Hosted by cheer Judge Mimi, this show brings choreographers, coaches, athletes, and industry leaders together to break down choreography, creativity, and the stories behind the routines you see on the mat. Each episode explores what makes routines special, what actually hits the scoresheet, and what cheerleading teaches us about teamwork, leadership, and life.This podcast is for cheerleading coaches, choreographers, parents, and athletes who want to see routines differently, appreciate the process behind them, and better understand why cheerleading is truly More Than Counts.
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