Rediscover your place in the cheer industry after taking a break or retiring.
By Colleen Wood-Smith
“I’m proof that you can come back and come back big.” —Noe Mendiola, Texas Bandits All Stars
Leaving a cheer gym can be one of the biggest and most life-changing decisions a coach or gym owner ever has to make—especially if your money, heart and relationships have been invested in the business for years.
Whether you became a parent, needed a change of pace or simply wore yourself out, you may have found the need to back off—or finally retire—from the cheer world. But that doesn’t always mean you’ll be able to give up cheer for good.
If you’ve left the gym scene but are itching for a return, we have dozens of ways to jump back in feet first. Check out these four scenarios and see where you, your staff or your fellow coaches may fit in.
Case #1: You wanted to try something different for a few years.
Whether you headed back to school to pursue a business degree or traveled the world with friends, you knew that a much-needed change was in order for your physical and mental well-being.
But getting back into the swing of things when you return can be daunting, especially if you closed down your business or sold it in the process. “I thought that I’d never want to run a gym again because the free time was so great and traveling was so much fun and life-altering,” admits Noe Mendiola, who closed El Paso’s Texas Bandits All Stars in 2005 and then reopened in 2010. “But here I am as a testament to never say never. I now have five all-star teams and more than 15 high schools training at my gym. I also coach out-of-state and international teams throughout the year. [I’m proof that] you can come back and come back big.”
The number-one thing you can do to ensure an easy return is simply stay connected while you’re gone, especially if you plan to return within a few years; keeping up with rules, gym news and industry changes should be top on your to-do list. “I stayed active [after I closed my gym] by giving clinics, judging and doing choreography,” Mendiola adds.
Bottom line? The more you know about the industry and the more connections you have, the better. It will come in handy once you’re ready to lace up your coaching shoes again.
BF: Case #2: You took some time off to focus on your family.
There’s no question that having a child will change you forever. For some, work goes on as usual. But for others, like Sarah Malcom Gosnell, owner and coach at Legends Elite AllStar Cheerleading in Marietta, GA, taking a break was of the utmost importance. “It was important for me to take some time off during the birth of my child,” says the mother of three. “But I also felt it was extremely imperative to somehow remain involved in the sport that played such a huge role in my life before becoming a parent.”
For Gosnell, this meant lending a hand in a local rec squad that needed her help. After giving birth and taking some time to focus on her family, she couldn’t help but be pulled out of retirement earlier than she’d expected. Luckily, a rec program was just enough to keep her busy on both fronts.
Jenny Fenig, a life and career coach in Great Barrington, MA, says that in order for work and parenting to fit together, there needs to be balance—and the acceptance that you simply can’t do it all on your own. “When deciding what to take on, be realistic about how much time something is going to take and how much enjoyment you’ll get from it,” she says. “Make it a point to under-promise and over-deliver.”
And it helps to have understanding co-workers and students to back up your decisions. Though Gosnell admits there was a bit of adjustment required after return, she’s created a system that works for her [ITAL: and] the gym. “My family, cheerleaders and their parents all really supported me when I came back,” she says. “I think it’s because I take the time to show that my being a parent doesn’t effect my coaching. My kids are my world and my life but when I’m at practice, those kids out there cheering for me get my full attention.”
Fenig agrees, suggesting that coaches be present—wherever that may be. “When you’re at work, be at work, and when you’re with your kids, be with them,” she says. “Give yourself permission to [ital: not] feel guilty about your choices. The g-word is a waste of time and energy.”
BF: Case #3: Your business failed, and you’re at a loss.
More common than we’d like to admit, some gyms have a variety of problems that force their owners to close the doors indefinitely, creating a retirement plan they never wanted in the first place. Whether it’s financial troubles due to the economy, problems with business management or low enrollment, closing a gym can leave an owner feeling helpless and alone.
Allison Babb Phillips, a small business coach in Kennesaw, GA, remembers when her first business failed. “I had a pity party of feeling regretful,” she says. “But I quickly realized that the best thing to do was discover the key reasons [ITAL: why] I failed and then address them so I could move forward.”
Starting another gym isn’t impossible, nor should it be an unrealistic goal. Just make sure that the second time around, you create a stronger business model while learning from and correcting your previous mistakes. “I embraced that I was missing puzzle pieces that were crucial to success,” says Phillips of her former business. “My next move was to connect with someone who had those missing pieces—my first business coach and mentor. Since then, I’ve decided I’d always have a mentor to check in with, get advice from and fill the gaps that I may have in my own business experience and skills.”
BF: Case #4: You’ve been gone for a long, long time.
There are those coaches—like the legendary Hilda McDaniel—who dedicate their whole lives to coaching and launching cheer businesses. Or, there are those who’ll hit a point earlier on that indicates it’s quitting time.
Then there are the coaches who [ital: think] they’re ready to retire—until they actually do and realize just how much they miss it. “It bothered me that I didn’t have a place to call home,” admits Mendiola. “I’d use other facilities, high schools and parks for work, but not having the convenience of a [permanent location] was hard on me.”
Remember that even if you’ve retired, it’s never too late to make a comeback—especially if you miss the work. Be sure to attend coaches conferences, connect with old colleagues and find out exactly what’s changed since you’ve been gone.
In the end, one thing we’ve all come to learn is that in cheerleading, age is but a number (does Herkie ring a bell?). “We all have so much to give to the cheer industry, even at my age,” says Mendiola, 41. “Even though I have bum knees, I can still create dances or demos by using my mind more than my body—your mind never forgets the fundamentals and it never stops creating.”
Modern Family
Trying to find your place at the gym post-baby? With a little planning, things can go off without a hitch. Check out these terrific tips for parents who want to share their time between work and home.
- Use your gym’s day-care facility or form a play area. Not only will your little ones use the room when you’re coaching, but it could be a great resource for cheer parents (and a money-maker for your business!). “In our office, we have a television, coloring books, snacks and even a Pack ’n Play for staff members’ kids,” says Sarah Malcom Gosnell, owner of Legends Elite AllStar Cheerleading in Marietta, GA.
- When first returning, coach one team only (unless you’re completely up for more.) Better yet, focus your efforts on a group, such as a Mini team, that travels and practices less frequently
- If traveling with your children, create a plan well in advance. Bring a sitter or family member, and ask a trusted cheerleader on the senior team to occasionally check in on your child. If traveling solo, opt to video-chat during breaks to stay in touch.
- Hire a reliable and trustworthy sitter from your program. There are plenty of well-qualified and responsible cheerleaders and coaches at your gym to lean on. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
- Roll with the punches. Every family’s different, and because practices are usually held in the evenings, find your own way of making things work. “It’s hard to have family dinners, so my [9-year-old] daughter and I practice on the same nights,” says Joelle Antico, co-owner of World Cup All-Stars in Freehold, NJ. “That way, we can at least eat dinner together two nights per [week].”
Stay Connected
Check out these five ways to stay involved in the cheer industry after retiring as a gym owner:
- Work as a sales rep for a cheer company: You can often create your own schedule and make a commission at the same time.
- Coach at a dance studio or rec program that travels less frequently or performs locally.
- Attend coaches conferences, and if you’re well known as an industry expert, ask about teaching a few classes while you’re there.
- Make it your mission to attend two competitions every season. You may even enjoy being a spectator, rather than suffering the stress of having your teams competing.
- Consider choreographing or running workshops several times a year (if not more!).
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