Ever walked out of a cheer competition thinking…

“Wait… how did we lose by 0.15?”

Or “Why did that team jump us?”

You’re not alone — and this episode is going to change the way you watch cheer forever.

This week on The Cheer Dad Podcast, the dads are joined by Gabby Mauro, certified judge for United Scoring, YCADA, and OCS, and creator of Score Sheets with Gabby Mauro. Gabby breaks down cheer scoring in plain English and explains exactly what’s happening on the judges’ side of the table.

In Part 1, we cover:

1. What judges are actually looking for during a routine
2. How score sheets are structured
3. The difference between difficulty vs execution
4. What counts as a deduction (and what doesn’t)
5. How teams can win or lose by tiny margins like 0.05
6. Why the loudest crowd reaction doesn’t always match placements

Whether you’re a new cheer parent or a seasoned competition veteran, this episode will help you understand scoring, stop the confusion, and enjoy competitions with a whole new “cheer IQ.”

🎧 Listen now — and don’t miss Part 2!

📲 TikTok: @scoresheetswithgabbym

📸 Instagram: @scoresheetswithgabbymauro

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp.

Cheer life is stressful — and parenting is a lot. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or burned out, therapy can help.

Get 10% off your first month at:

betterhelp.com/cheerdad

In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast, the dads are joined by Gina Bartel — cheer mom, content creator, and recurring guest co-host on the Let’s Talk Cheer Podcast.

Gina is also the creator of the popular Facebook group Cheer Moms Anonymous, where cheer parents from all over come together for support, laughs, and real talk about what competition season actually feels like.

We dive into the cheer mom experience from the inside out — from the pressure, burnout, and comparison game… to the hilarious moments, group chat chaos, and the community that makes it all worth it.

Whether you’re a cheer dad, cheer mom, or brand new to the sport, this conversation will make you laugh, nod along, and feel a whole lot more seen.

📲 Follow Gina:

1. TikTok: @ginablivin
2. Instagram: @ginabsellin
3. Facebook Group: Cheer Moms Anonymous

Cheer life can be amazing — but it can also be stressful. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or burned out, talking to someone can help.

Visit BetterHelp.com/cheerdad to get 10% off your first month and get matched with a licensed therapist online.

In this episode of The Cheer Dad Podcast, the dads sit down with Chad Hall, one of the founding forces behind Dad Fury — the high-energy cheer dad movement that’s impossible to miss at competitions across the country.

What started as a few dads showing up loud and proud turned into something much bigger: a community focused on support, confidence, and showing athletes that their dads are all in.

Chad shares how he found his way into the cheer world, what it’s really like being “that dad” on the sidelines, and how Dad Fury grew from a spontaneous idea into a recognized presence in the cheer community. We talk about parenting through cheer, the emotional highs and lows of competition weekends, travel chaos, and why showing up matters more than getting it perfect.

This conversation is equal parts fun, heartfelt, and honest — and a reminder that cheer dads have a role to play, even if it’s loud, pink, and unapologetic.

Whether you’re a seasoned cheer parent or just starting the journey, this episode will make you laugh, nod in agreement, and maybe rethink how you show up for your athlete.

To our listeners — no matter where you are on your cheer journey, remember that taking care of your mental health matters just as much as hitting zero.

That’s why we’re proud to be partnered with BetterHelp.

If you ever feel overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, visit BetterHelp.com/CheerDad to get matched with a licensed therapist and start today.

That’s BetterHelp.com/CheerDad.

🎧 Listen now and meet the dad behind the fury.