023 Judge Mimi - You Asked. I Answered. (And Reviewed Your Routines.)

What catches a judge's eye in the first 15 seconds of a routine? What separates winning programs from everyone else? And what would I change if I had one chance to help your team score higher?In this special solo episode of More Than Counts, I'm answering your questions about judging, coaching, business, social media, and balancing life as a mom while traveling the world as an international cheer judge. Along the way, I review listener-submitted routines from around the world, sharing one thing each team does exceptionally well and one area I'd focus on to maximize their scores.Whether you're a coach looking for fresh ideas, an athlete curious about what judges really notice, or someone who simply loves the sport, this episode is packed with practical insights you can bring back to the gym.Chapters: 0:00 — Introduction and what judges notice in the first 15 seconds3:32 — Routine review: Fame All-Star Vixens8:54 — What I wish I had when I started in cheer10:42 — Routine review: Coventry Dynamite C415:17 — How much a team’s social media presence matters18:32 — Routine review: Airborne Elite All Star Stealth22:59 — Scariest decision made25:43 — Routine review: Cheer United Solar Sister30:01 — Coaching mini/youth vs senior athletes32:12 — Routine review: Twisted Cheer and Dance — Rain35:17 — The new IASF scorecard40:00 — Routine review: Paris Cheer Nights44:43 — Balancing being a mom with traveling46:29 — Routine review: Laser Cheer Academy Ruby Royal51:34 — Biggest mistakes coaches make53:00 — Routine review: All-Star Evolution Glory56:53 — What cheer needs to attract fans outside the sport62:37 — Routine review: TNT All-Star Detonator66:23 — How to connect with your community and school68:16 — What winning programs consistently do69:15 — Routine review: Cheer Empire Athletic Kings72:38 — Did you expect social media to become a big part of your career?74:26 — Routine review: Ace Athletic Probe77:46 — What the cheer industry should look like in 10 years