After The Routine Podcast

About After The Routine Podcast

What happens when the music stops and the routine ends? Hosted by Rachelle Provost, After The Routine dives into the real-world of professionals in cheerleading, dance, and gymnastics who have transformed their passion for the sport into meaningful careers - both on and off the floor. From coaches and choreographers to event producers, judges, and creative entrepreneurs, each episode explores how industry professionals got their start, the lessons they’ve learned, and what advice they’d give to the next generation of leaders in the sport. Whether you’re a current athlete, coach, a parent, or just starting to explore your career path, this podcast will help you discover the countless opportunities that exist beyond the competition floor.

Publisher

Rachelle Provost, TTB Media & Consulting Inc.

Category

business · sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Mar 2026

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

22 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   From Athlete to Cheer Tech: Nelson de Dios on Building A Career in Cheerleading - Ep. 23

   In this episode, we sit down with Nelson de Dios - a previous gym owner, marketer at OC All Stars, coach, and founder of CheerSync, to talk about building a career in cheerleading. In this episode, Nelson shares what he's learned in every role he's held in the sport, and why a growth mindset, sharing knowledge, and building relationships are what keep coaches and gyms moving forward. We get into how gyms can use social media and brand identity to recruit and retain athletes, the most common mistakes gyms make online, and how his Tuesday Tip series evolved. We also talk about his role in quality control for elite teams, and why education and mentorship matter so much for the next generation of coaches. Nelson tells the story behind CheerSync, from the idea to development, and how feedback from the cheer community has shaped it. He also shares where he sees the biggest growth opportunities in cheerleading over the next decade, and his advice for coaches and athletes just starting out. Check out CheerSync at https://cheersync.app (https://cheersync.app) In this episode, we talk about: Nelson's many roles in cheerleading and the moment he realized it could be a career Social media and branding strategies for cheer gyms Common social media mistakes gyms make and how to avoid them Using brand identity to drive recruiting and retention Creative ideas for engaging athletes and parents Why a growth mindset matters in coaching Encouraging education and mentorship in the cheer community The origin story of CheerSync and lessons from building it Innovations in cheerleading tryouts and the future of cheer technology Advice for aspiring cheer coaches and athletes Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Nelson de Dios and his cheerleading background 03:50 The moment Nelson realized cheerleading could be a career 07:47 Nelson's multifaceted role in cheer 14:10 Nelson's approach to social media and branding 15:23 Common social media mistakes gyms make 16:53 Innovative ideas for athlete and parent engagement 18:03 The importance of brand identity in recruiting and retention 19:25 The evolution of Tuesday Tip and social media content 21:51 Developing marketing skills and learning from others 22:40 Nelson's role in quality control for elite teams 24:24 Encouraging education and mentorship in cheer 26:17 Nelson's advice for young coaches and athletes 33:43 The story behind CheerSync and its development 38:13 Features and feedback in CheerSync's evolution 42:16 Lessons learned from building CheerSync 44:09 The future of CheerSync and cheerleading technology 46:00 Growth opportunities in cheerleading over the next decade 47:35 Advice for aspiring cheer coaches and athletes 56:14 Nelson's message to cheerleaders and coaches starting out 58:37 Closing remarks and next steps for listeners About After The Routine After The Routine is a weekly podcast exploring life beyond the mat - the careers, mindset, and lessons that carry cheer, dance, and gymnastics athletes into what comes next. Whether you're an athlete, coach, gym owner, or parent, this show is here to help you identify the opportunities and careers beyond your time on the mat or stage. New episodes release every Tuesday.

2. 

   6 Oct 2026

   The Future of All Star Cheer - How Jibreel Rayam Built a Career & Legacy Beyond The Mat - Ep. 22

   In this episode, we sit down with Jibreel Rayam, coach, choreographer, gym owner, leader, and President of the Association of International All Star (AIA) to talk about where All Star cheer is headed. In this episode, Jibreel shares what he's learned from every level of the sport, and why community, education, and standardization are the foundations it needs to keep growing. We get into the strategy and identity behind successful worlds programs, and why grassroots and beginner programs matter just as much as elite teams. We also talk about how events can be designed around the athlete experience rather than only the scoreboard. Jibreel explains the vision behind the AIA, a new organization aiming to build a global platform for All-Star cheer. He also shares why consistent rules, scoring, and athlete safety standards are essential to the sport's credibility. In this episode, we talk about: How Jibreel got into cheerleading and built connections globally The influence of cheer camps and international standards on program development What makes a successful worlds program Moving from coach and gym owner into policy and governance roles The vision and goals behind the AIA and global All-Star cheer Why standardization in rules and scoring is key to athlete safety and sport credibility Designing tournaments that put the athlete and spectator experience first The role of parents and youth engagement in long-term sport growth Creating Summer Spirit Fest to bring the community together through education Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest 00:40 The importance of community and conferences in cheer 01:34 How Jibreel first got into cheerleading 02:03 Building relationships across programs in BC 03:28 The impact of cheer camps and international standards 03:56 Challenges in developing cheer programs internationally 05:37 From high school cheer to professional opportunities 06:03 The role of governance and the development of AIA 06:33 Starting and growing a gym in Tacoma 07:15 Balancing challenges and passion for cheerleading 08:04 The vision and goals of the AIA organization 09:16 Transitioning into choreography and program development 10:00 Creating memorable experiences at international events 12:04 The strategic planning behind cheer tournaments 12:28 Building Vancouver All Stars' program 14:00 The growth of the International Pro Level and visibility 16:05 The importance of standardization and athlete safety 18:00 Future opportunities and industry growth areas 19:49 Advice for coaches and gym owners on career development 21:38 What makes a successful worlds program 21:55 The significance of grassroots and beginner programs 23:59 The role of parents in sport development 24:32 Moving from gym owner to policy and governance 25:51 Reflections from Jibreel Rayam 33:10 Skills from coaching to organizational leadership 34:55 The importance of education in cheerleading 38:50 Creating Summer Spirit Fest and community building About After The Routine After The Routine is a weekly podcast exploring life beyond the mat - the careers, mindset, and lessons that carry cheer, dance, and gymnastics athletes into what comes next. Whether you're an athlete, coach, gym owner, or parent, this show is here to help you identify the opportunities and careers beyond your time on the mat or stage. New episodes release every Tuesday.

3. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Choreographing Around The World with Kyle Nicholas - Ep. 21

   What separates a choreographer that just gets though the routine from one that earns trust, builds routines that score well, and invites repeat clients year after year? In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Nicholas, choreographer and founder of Spirit FX, whose routines have taken him to gyms around the world. Kyle's path started as a backyard tumbler and grew into the owner of an international choreography business. In this episode, Kyle breaks down why quality, consistency, and professionalism are the foundation of everything he builds, and why he believes cheerleading is a business that should be treated like one. We get into the most common mistakes gyms make when planning choreography, how he builds routines strategically around score sheets, and what it takes to grow a team without letting standards slip. Kyle also shares what he's learned travelling internationally - from cultural differences to logistical curveballs - and how he manages burnout in an industry that rarely slows down. Want to learn more about Kyle and his team? Check them out at https://spiritfx.com/ (https://spiritfx.com/) In this episode, we talk about: Kyle's journey from backyard tumbler to business owner Why quality and consistency matter in choreography Building a team and maintaining high standards as you grow Customer service and professionalism in the cheer industry Common mistakes gyms make when planning choreography How to build routines around score sheets Cultural and logistical considerations when working internationally Managing burnout and mental health in a demanding industry Why saying yes to opportunities can shape your career Advice for aspiring choreographers and coaches Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Kyle Nichols and his background 01:58 Kyle's early love for cheerleading and trampoline skills 03:56 The accidental start of Spirit FX and business growth 08:03 Building a team and maintaining quality standards 11:54 Customer service and professionalism in cheerleading 17:45 Common mistakes gyms make in choreography planning 20:51 The process of building routines around score sheets 28:07 Advice for aspiring choreographers and coaches 31:54 Travel experiences and international cheerleading 36:48 Cultural and logistical considerations abroad 41:57 Handling burnout and mental health in a demanding industry 46:59 The importance of saying yes to opportunities 53:08 Reflections on Kyle's career and lessons learned About After The Routine After The Routine is a weekly podcast exploring life beyond the mats - the careers, mindset, and lessons that carry cheer, dance, and gymnastics athletes into what comes next. Whether you're an athlete, coach, gym owner, or parent, this show is here to help you realize the range of opportunities available to you. New episodes release every Tuesday.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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