005 - Kevin

Kevin Ahern joins More Than Counts to share his journey into cheerleading and the path that led him from athlete to choreographer and coach.In this conversation, we explore how Kevin discovered cheerleading through his background in dance and how early opportunities to choreograph quickly turned into a passion for creating routines and working with teams. He shares his approach to choreography, including the importance of collaboration with coaches, understanding the strengths of athletes, and building routines that feel authentic to the team performing them.Kevin also talks about the realities of working with different programs — from adapting to gym changes and supporting teams through transitions, to how competition results can influence the growth and movement within gyms.And of course, we watch routines together.We break down performances from South Bay Divas, Texas Bandits, Fierce Athletics, and a listener-submitted routine from Brazil, discussing choreography choices, visual clarity, stunt creativity, and how small adjustments can impact the way a routine reads on the floor.This episode also touches on evaluating non-tumbling routines, the unique energy of Level 1 teams, and Kevin’s advice for aspiring choreographers looking to grow in the industry.TakeawaysKevin’s journey from dancer to cheerleader, choreographer, and coachWhy collaboration with coaches is essential when building routinesHow choreography should adapt to the strengths of each teamThe impact of competition results on gym growth and athlete movementLessons for aspiring choreographers entering the cheer industryChapters00:00 Discovering Cheerleading09:33 Choreography Philosophy and Non-Negotiables19:23 Theme in Cheer Routine25:39 Adapting to Gym Changes31:24 Factors Influencing Gym Attraction37:19 Level 1 Routine Enthusiasm42:33 Non-Tumbling Routine Evaluation