How what I learned as a cheerleader has followed me through life.
Cheering was a major part of my life from childhood through my adult years and has greatly impacted who I am today. There are aspects of my personality, my daily routine and how I raise my son that have come from cheering!!!
One of the most important things I learned from cheering is discipline and work ethic. Nothing ever comes easy; you have to work for everything. You have to put in the time to see the improvement. You can’t show up and expect perfection. As a cheerleader you practice that tumbling pass, that stunt, that routine for hours and hours until finally you nail it and that is the best feeling ever! Putting in the time and seeing the result. You have to continually pick yourself up off the ground and start over; sometimes back at the very first step. Now as a kettlebell competitor I use that discipline and understanding to understand my new sport. It may not always be perfect, I may have off days but I pick myself up off the floor and try again (I don’t spend as much time on the floor as I did when I fell cheering LOL).
And then there’s competition day, what you’ve worked so hard for!!! Sometimes it goes how you want and sometimes it doesn’t….either way you end up back in the gym preparing for the next go. And no matter how many times you get up in front of those judges the excitement is beyond anything you have ever felt! There is mental and physical prep going into each competition (they never change no matter what you are competing in)! I love the feedback that competition judges give and welcome their input (I know it sucks that they pick you apart), it gives us tools to learn from. I work hard every day to reach my goals; I know that just because I am done in the gym does not mean I am done.
As a cheerleader we are taught your basics have to be strong before you can move on to another skill or routine. This is so true for everything! I have learned if I am getting overwhelmed, repeatedly not succeeding, or struggling; I have to stop myself, take a step back and go back to the basics. We have to crawl before we walk, we have to get comfortable with a two leg stunt before we throw a one leg……same is true with work, school, family……..always remember to breathe and always go back and make sure you still have the basics!!!
Ok, I know this sounds so stereotypical but cheering has helped me put a cheerful spin on things….I try to always find the good in the situation and if I can’t, well, fake it til you make it LOL Seriously though, there is something about cheerleaders and a fun, upbeat and positive attitude that just attracts others to want to be a part of your life. Your cheering skills will continue on……you will use it to supports friends and family, make posters for your kids teams (of course you will still have your paint markers), run meetings in your office (CONFIDENCE and being comfortable in front of a crowd) and any other crazy twist life throws your way.
I feel like I could write forever about how cheerleading has changed, impacted and inspired my life!!!
Have a FIT day!!!
Your cheerFIT Ambassador,
Kaseedee
Kaseedee
Kaseedee fell in love with cheerleading in elementary school and cheered on and off through college. After college Kaseedee went on to cheer for the semi pro basketball team in Rochester, NY. Kaseedee has also coached cheerleading at all levels from PeeWee to high school to all star elite and cheer tumbling. Now, Kaseedee works full time in fitness and nutrition, while training to compete in marathons and kettlebell competitions. She is a mom to a blossoming athlete and is super excited to combine her love of cheering and fitness as a part of the cheerFIT team.