I’ve participated in cheerleading since I was three-years-old.
I’ve been involved in dance and gymnastic lessons and competed as a member of gymnastics teams all across the country.
Once I graduated from college, I was able to complete the requirements to join a professional cheerleading team. We cheer at professional NFL games, show up at charity events and have posed on calendars and posters. While I get paid to be a professional cheerleader, it’s not much money. I can’t make a living being a cheerleader. I enjoy it and love the athleticism of it. I’ve realized that this level of cheerleader is rather strenuous. I need to remain in peak physical condition. Through the cheerleading team, I participate in two-hour practice sessions four evenings per week and personal training sessions 3 mornings per week. I workout with a personal trainer who has tailored a workout program specific for my needs. Along with keeping within my ideal weight range, I concentrate on my BMI, core strength, flexibility and stamina. The dances we perform on the field are quite demanding. I need to look pretty and fit while also completing the difficult dance routines and stunts. The personal trainer is absolutely essential. She motivates me toward more difficult goals. She encourages and pushes me to always be better. She makes the effort to change exercises from one session to the next. Because of her, I target all of the different muscle groups. She stresses the importance of a thorough warm-up and cool-down and shows me how to improve and maintain flexibility. She also is beneficial in helping me to avoid injury. Along with all of the training sessions, practices and football games, I make an effort to follow a nutritious diet, good hydration habits and get eight hours of sleep every night.