More Than Counts is a podcast about what really goes into cheerleading routines... beyond the eight counts!
Hosted by cheer Judge Mimi, this show brings choreographers, coaches, athletes, and industry leaders together to break down choreography, creativity, and the stories behind the routines you see on the mat. Each episode explores what makes routines special, what actually hits the scoresheet, and what cheerleading teaches us about teamwork, leadership, and life.
This podcast is for cheerleading coaches, choreographers, parents, and athletes who want to see routines differently, appreciate the process behind them, and better understand why cheerleading is truly More Than Counts.
029 Alex Gaggioli - Cheer Theory: Making Cheer Easier to Follow
What does it take to make cheerleading easier to follow, understand and love as a fan?
In Episode 029, I sit down with Alex, the creator of Cheer Theory, to talk about his journey from competitive athlete to building one of the most trusted media platforms in cheerleading.
Alex takes us behind the scenes of covering Worlds, tracking scores and results in real time, and turning a very complicated sport into information fans can actually understand. We also discuss how cheerleading is represented outside our industry, why full routines still matter, and what it will take to move the sport forward without constantly trying to prove that it belongs.
Then, we revisit two routines that bookend Alex’s journey as an athlete: the 2011 Lady Bullets routine that made him fall in love with cheerleading and his final performance with Cali Coed. We finish by reviewing Kingston Elite Cheerleading Diamond and sharing ways their Level 1 routine could create even more visual impact.
This episode is about nostalgia, data, fandom and the work happening behind the scenes to help more people experience cheerleading as the sport we know it to be.
Takeaways
Cheer Theory's evolution from a basic website to a comprehensive platform for cheerleading data and information
The impact of technology on the accessibility and coverage of cheerleading competitions Media portrayal impacts public perception
Evolution of cheerleading routines and scoring systems
Nostalgia for past routines and trends
Chapters
00:00 The Journey into Cheerleading
01:20 Evolution of Cheer Theory
02:47 Full-Time Commitment to Cheer Theory
03:11 The Impact of Technology on Cheerleading
07:06 Coverage of Cheerleading Competitions
26:08 Operational Excellence in Cheerleading Competitions
27:10 Media Portrayal and Public Perception
28:23 Evolution of Cheerleading Routines and Scoring Systems
33:30 Nostalgia for Past Routines and Trends
31 Aug 2026
028 Maria the Cheer Doctor - Can Judges Tell If Your Team Strength Trains?
When a stunt feels shaky, a jump lacks height, or execution begins to fade, coaches often respond with more repetitions. But what if the real problem isn’t cleaning… it’s strength?
In this episode, Mimi sits down with physical therapist and former Ohio State cheerleader Maria Wisman, better known as The Cheer Doctor, to explore how strength training directly affects what we see on the competition floor.
They discuss why every cheerleader (including flyers!) belongs in the weight room, how coaches can make strength training manageable within an already busy practice schedule, and why simply lifting your flyer at practice doesn’t count as a strength program.
Mimi and Maria also revisit Maria’s own Ohio State routine and review a listener-submitted routine to break down how strength, power, and physical preparation show up through jumps, stunts, motions, landings, and execution under fatigue.
Because sometimes, your athletes don’t need more reps. They need more strength.
Takeaways
Strength training can simplify the approach to cheerleading and improve athletic performance.
Starting strength training at a young age can be beneficial for athletes in developing physical qualities necessary for success. Structured strength training is essential for efficiency and injury prevention.
Balancing rest, recovery, and training is crucial for long-term success in cheerleading.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Strength Training Takeaway
00:53 The Journey to Cheerleading
02:54 The Birth of The Cheer Doctor
04:25 Misconceptions About Cheerleading
05:59 Physical Needs of Cheer Athletes
06:41 Strength Training for Cheerleaders
08:09 Access to Resources for Cheer Teams
09:28 The Impact of Strength Training on Performance
10:53 Starting Strength Training at a Young Age
12:03 Myth of Bulking Up from Strength Training
13:30 Overcoming Intimidation in the Weight Room
16:00 Basic Strength Training Tips
17:26 The Importance of Rotation in Training
19:09 Watching the UCA Nationals Routine
23:27 Strength Training vs. Repetition
24:32 Structured Strength Training
25:22 Sports-Specific Training Misconceptions
26:22 Differentiated Training for Bases and Flyers
27:16 Team Training and Vibe
30:33 Basics of Strength Training
32:14 Importance of Rest and Recovery
33:23 Injury Prevention and Recovery
40:06 Jumps and Power
43:32 Strength Training Considerations
45:04 Overlooked Muscle Groups
45:41 Key Exercise and Conditioning Drill
24 Aug 2026
027 Brandon Mackey - How to Build a Routine That Works on Any Score Sheet
Can one routine succeed on two different score sheets?
In this episode, international choreographer Brandon Mackey joins Judge Mimi to talk about building routines around the world and adapting choreography for different athletes, cultures and scoring systems.
Brandon shares his journey from Newfoundland to winning Worlds and becoming a full-time choreographer. Together, he and Mimi break down routines from Australia and Canada, explore the differences between comparative and rubric-based scoring, and discuss how teams can strategically adjust a routine when competing in both Canada and the United States... without rebuilding everything from scratch.
They also talk about creating fast-paced routines without sacrificing execution, using the entire floor, building choreography around a team’s natural strengths and developing the trust between coaches and choreographers that allows the best ideas to come to life.
Plus, Mimi reviews Ocala Athletics Code Red and Brandon shares his advice for anyone hoping to follow in his footsteps: defeat your own impossible and find the style that is uniquely yours.
Takeaways
Competitiveness drives success
Transitioning between locations presents challenges
Routine composition and creativity are key to success Reverse engineering choreography
Strategic adjustments for different competition score systems
Chapters
00:00 Journey into Cheerleading
01:59 Transitioning to Ontario
03:39 Coaching and Choreography
05:19 Global Nature of Work
09:58 Routine Composition and Creativity
19:04 Creating Visionary Choreography
22:14 Navigating Competition Score Systems
26:59 Nurturing Relationships and Philosophy
31:40 Strategic Routine Adjustments
36:58 Defeating the Impossible
38:14 Looking Ahead to the Season
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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