“Go for what you want – believe in what you can do!”
CHEERFIT AMBASSADOR FEATURE: ERIKA BODENHAUSEN
Our cheerFIT Ambassador community is filled with leaders and motivators who all share the passion for fitness, love for cheering and drive to help inspire others. We know our community has some pretty amazing people and we are constantly learning about everyone’s story, including their successes and challenges. Erika Bodenhausen shared with us her struggle with injuries and how she overcame and ended on top!
Her story reminds us that injury doesn’t necessarily mean the end. . .once we let our body rest and recover, we get back out there and “go for what we want!”. The cheerFIT team presents to you our ‘Ambassador of the Week’ feature with Erika Bodenhausen.
SHARE WITH US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AND HOW YOU GOT TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY!
I started cheering when I was 4 and it is still my whole life. In 2010 I was on a large junior level 3 at Stars Vipers. It was around NCA and I started complaining of my back hurting. The parents and gym owner had a meeting and told my parents that I have been in pain, but it was probably just sore muscles that are hurting. My mom said it was just muscles that were sore! I competed NCA and the rest of the competitions that season and my back still hurt. We just finished choreo for the new season and my mom decided to take me to the doctor. We did X-rays and they found nothing.
The doctor said come back in 2 weeks if it still hurts. Of course it still hurt, so we went back and they referred us the orthopedic doctors. Those doctors decided to get me a CT scan and I ended up finding out that I had fractured my L4 and L5 pars bilaterally. I couldn’t cheer for 3 months and I felt so bad!
The doctors told me that if my back still hurts after the 3 months were over and I kept doing things, I could potentially become paralyzed.
I never missed a practice while I was out.
After those months, the doctors cleared me to cheer again. Right before NCA the coaches decided that they wanted me to compete, so I did. . .I won NCA that year!
Then, about two years ago, my foot was hurting and it wouldn’t stop. We went to the doctor and they gave me a boot to help me try and stay off of it. On my way to NCA that year, my doctor called my mom and told her I was to stop activity.
I ended up having a torn ligament and really close to almost another torn ligament. I was in a boot for 3 months. . .but through motivation, determination and commitment – I am now back and better than ever!
Thank you for letting me share my story. –cheerFIT Ambassador Erika Bodenhausen
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE?
“It’s kinda fun to do the impossible!” 🙂
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A CHEERFIT AMBASSADOR?
I love being able to share the experience with the people who surround me. I also love being able to help and show other people how to work out the right way!
FUN FACT: WHAT 3 THINGS ARE ALWAYS IN YOUR CHEER BAG?
- My cheer shoes
- Rock Your Hair hairspray
- Inhaler
Thank you Erika for sharing your story. You are a true motivation and inspiration to us all! I too had multiple injuries throughout my cheerleading career, and totally understand the struggle – this is what inspired me to found cheerFIT! People like you and the rest of our community who live and share the cheerFIT lifestyle is what being an ambassador is all about!
Stay FIT <3,
Danielle
cheerFIT is so much more than just a workout brand – we are a lifestyle, a community and an inspiration. We are a community who is strengthened through fitness – both mentally and physically. It is our mission to spread the awareness that cheerleaders need fitness. We are dedicated to building a community of strong, powerful individuals who are a true inspiration to their team and leaders in their community. Together we are disrupting the traditional methods of fitness training and revolutionizing the way people think about cheerleading and their fitness needs! Are you the next cheerFIT Ambassador? Apply today.
Hi! I also had a major injury during my cheer career. I have totally exploded my acl, chipped a piece of my tibia off, and torn my meniscus. The docter told me that I could never cheer again for 2 years and that I have to get major surgery. It was sad but that didn’t stop me! I went to another DOCTER and they told me that I could wear a brace and finish the season Because I refuse to let my team down and I really wanted to win! I feel what you went through and I totally understand and people don’t know us cheerleaders when we really want something nothin is gonna stop us from getting it! Congrats on ur NCA win!
Hi Alyssa! Thanks for the comment – definitely can relate! I blew out my ACL twice and is one of the #1 drivers of why I started cheerFIT! I looked to turn an challenge into an opportunity and on a mission to spread the awareness that cheerleaders need fitness! Great job staying motivated, determined and a great team member #cheerfitstrong <3