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"We said, okay, we're gonna call them All-Star." That single sentence sparked a transformation in cheer history. In this MotUS Edge podcast episode, we sit down with the legendary Lance Wagers to uncover the moments, memories, and mindsets that built the cheer industry as we know it. This isn’t just a look back—it’s a masterclass in leading with vision, love, and purpose. From Cheer Camp to Cheer Culture: The Origin of All-Star In 1984, Lance and his late wife Carol noticed a challenge in the cheer world: teams competing at high school nationals weren’t truly "school teams." Their solution? Create a new category—"All-Star." One conference room conversation later, and the All-Star division was born. In 1985, they hosted the first official All-Star Nationals. What started as a solution became a revolution. “The first event wasn’t huge, but it became everything.” From Gym Floors to Global Impact: Cheerobics & ACA Lance didn’t just innovate on the competition floor. He helped create Cheerobics as a warm-up and skills system for camps and gym programs. Later, he opened two Cheerobics gyms to give athletes—especially those who didn’t make school teams—a place to train and grow. After adopting two daughters from Brazil, Lance stepped into a new leadership role as president of ACA, a Varsity-owned brand that combined faith-based leadership with cheer education. It blended faith, fun, and fundamentals to shape better athletes and better people Five Leadership Lessons from Lance Wagers Here are five core takeaways gym owners and small business leaders can apply today: 1. Lead with Love, Not Ego “Herky gave us full trust to run NCA. He never had his thumb on us.” Trust empowers leaders to grow. Create space for your team to lead. 2. Big Movements Start Small One ballroom A $10 Cheerobics license A few hundred athletes Start where you are, use what you have. 3. Relationships Build Legacy From decades judging at FCC to mentoring rising stars, Lance shows that real success is built on lasting relationships. 4. Your Influence Goes Further Than You Think “Coaches influence how athletes behave in tough moments. I love watching that example unfold.” Model leadership. Your athletes (and team) are always watching. 5. Retirement Might Just Be a New Chapter Lance thought he was done. Then he became a dad again, led ACA, and found new ways to serve the industry. “I knew we were meant to do this. Carol said she was afraid I’d say yes.” That single act of courage and compassion echoes the kind of leadership we all need more of. A Moment That Hits Home: Fatherhood, Faith & Cheer One of the most powerful stories in the episode? Lance and Carol’s decision to adopt two girls from Brazil. What started as a mission trip turned into a life-changing decision. Overnight, they became parents again—navigating language barriers, high school transitions, and everything in between. For Gym Owners: Apply the Wisdom Take these actions inspired by Lance: Reconnect to your “why.” Empower your team to lead. Say yes to unexpected opportunities. Invest in the people around you—relationships are your most valuable asset. Why This Episode Matters Lance Wagers’ story is more than history—it’s a leadership guide. He reminds us: Our beginnings shape our legacy. Leading with heart creates lasting impact. The future of cheer is built on purpose and people. Whether you're coaching your first team or running a growing gym, this conversation is a reminder to lead boldly—and to leave things better than you found them. Listen, Learn & Lead Forward Ready to hear the full story? Catch the episode on your favorite platform: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Then join us at the MotUS Business Expo, Sept 28-30 in Nashville. Leadership, community, and growth—built for gym owners like you.

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If you’re a gInside the MotUS Business Expo: Why Gym Owners Are Marking Their Calendars for Nashville If you’re a gym owner who’s serious about growth, culture, and community, then you might want to clear your schedule for September 29–30. The MotUS Business Expo in Nashville isn’t your typical business event. It’s more like a two-day power-up for your mind, your mission, and your momentum—with a little red carpet magic thrown in. So what makes this event more than just another “conference”? Let’s break it down. Connection It all kicks off Sunday night with a relaxed rooftop gathering at the AC Hotel. No name tags. No pressure. Just real conversations, new friendships, and maybe even a few future collaborations. By Monday morning, you're caffeinated and connected—ready to dive into Brew & Build and a lineup of classes designed for gym owners, by gym owners and experts who get it. Sessions That Actually Matter We’re talking… Unlocking your “Why” with Aaron Flaker—get ready to rethink your purpose and find fresh clarity. Crafting your gym’s brand or implementing EOS planning—choose your growth strategy with Austin Bayles or Kari Pickering. Making your gym more fun (and profitable!) with Gean Carilmons Exploring everyday ownership realities—from team selection drama to the best air fresheners (yes, really). These aren’t vague motivational talks. These are strategic, specific, and tailored to the unique world of all-star and youth sports business. Round Tables that Get Real Let’s be honest—some of the best insights come from other owners who’ve been in the trenches. That’s why the round tables are a highlight. You’ll rotate through three raw, honest sessions covering: How others reveal team placements (and what actually works) Creative ways to streamline day-to-day operations What MotUS can do to support your gym’s future Bring your questions. Bring your quirks. Bring your favorite vacuum recs. Legendary Leadership & Financial Gameplans Tuesday’s lineup includes a deep dive into building a legendary gym culture with Justin Carrier, mastering finances with Marc Pancratz, and designing smart gym layouts with Justin Stricklin. You’ll walk away with notes, ideas, and probably a to-do list you’re actually excited about. And if you’ve ever felt the weight of leadership—Sierra Garvin’s “How Full Is Your Bucket?” will remind you why it’s worth it. Monday Night = Red Carpet Vibes What happens when you blend industry celebration with Nashville charm? You get the launch party for The Pioneers of All Star Cheer, hosted at the Musicians Hall of Fame. With red carpet photos, cocktails, live music, and book signings, this event is more than a party—it’s a tribute to where we’ve been and where we’re going. Come dressed to celebrate the sport that built your business. Bonus Reason: The Prizes. Let’s just say… you’ll want to stay until the end. The MotUS team is known for going big with giveaways. Rumor has it something unforgettable may be up for grabs. Don’t Miss It. The MotUS Business Expo is where ideas spark, businesses evolve, and lifelong connections are made. If you’re looking for a weekend that’s equal parts strategy, support, and celebration—Nashville is calling. You can check out the full schedule and sign up here: https://www.joinmotus.com/business-expo Your future self (and your gym) will thank you.

"You're either on top of the world... or questioning everything." That quote from Casey Jones captures what competition weekends really feel like for gym owners and coaches. In this MotUS Edge podcast episode, the team dives into the emotional roller coaster that comes with competition season: the thrill of a perfect routine, the sting of a narrow loss, and the leadership it takes to navigate everything in between. As the season builds to its peak, this conversation is a timely reminder that strong leadership doesn’t just show up on the mat—it shows up in how you lead your people through every high and low. 1. The Reality of Competition From the outside, competition weekends look like celebration and sparkle. But inside the arena, gym leaders know the truth: it's long days, emotional swings, and enormous pressure. Athletes and coaches invest months for moments that unfold in minutes. And the aftermath can feel brutal. As Casey shares, a coach whose teams earned second place—after battling last-minute injuries—walked away feeling like a failure. That Monday slump is real. This isn’t about being dramatic. It’s about being honest: competition weekends take a toll. 2. Leadership Isn’t Just Strategy—It’s Emotional Management At the heart of this episode is a call to lead with presence and perspective. When one coach is riding the high of a win and another is quietly questioning their place in the program, leadership is knowing how to show up for both. “Your staff is like your kids,” says Stacy. “You’ve got to celebrate one and lift up another—all in the same dinner.” Leading through events means managing energy, emotion, and expectation—not just strategy and score sheets. 3. How to Ground Your Program During Big Events 1. Normalize the Ups and Downs Wins and losses aren’t always a reflection of effort. Remind your staff: they’re great coaches even on hard days. Create space for them to decompress and reset. 2. Frame the Weekend Before It Starts As Cole shared, unrealistic expectations lead to unnecessary disappointment. Whether you're a seasoned program or first-time finalist, set clear definitions of success before you walk in. 3. Coach Your Coaches Don’t assume your staff knows how to handle feedback, parent questions, or emotional fallout. Equip them with scripts, support, and perspective. “Feedback is a gift,” says Stacy. “And if we treat it that way, we all get better.” 4. What About the Parents? Competition weekends amplify parent stress too. Hair, travel, money, food, emotions—it all collides in high-pressure environments. And when expectations aren’t managed, small things become big conflicts. Kevin reminds us: “Your parents reflect your attitude. If you're calm and focused, they’ll follow your lead.” 5. Redefine Success Too often, we tie the quality of a season to one event. But as Casey shared, some of his teams won all season, placed second at NCA, and still saw it as a failure. Meanwhile, others won their final event and called the season a win—despite early losses. It's time to redefine what success looks like: Did your athletes grow? Did your staff stay healthy and connected? Did your program culture stay strong? Did you model resilience and professionalism? If yes—you’re winning in all the ways that matter. For the Gym Owner: Practical Actions to Take Now Hold a staff huddle post-event – Let emotions settle, then debrief together. Reset goals for the final leg of season – Refocus your coaches and teams. Coach your parents – Communicate clear expectations and support protocols. Reinforce shared success – Celebrate the behind-the-scenes effort, not just the outcome. Build rituals for bounce-back – Give your coaches and kids emotional tools to recover and refocus. Why This Matters Now In an industry obsessed with the win, this episode is a rally cry for perspective. Great programs aren’t just built on banners—they’re built on emotional intelligence, cultural clarity, and consistent leadership. "Customers will never love a company until the employees love it first." – Simon Sinek Make your coaches feel seen, supported, and valued—and they’ll show up better for your kids. Listen, Learn & Lead Forward Catch the full conversation here: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Then join us at the MotUS Business Expo, Sept 28–30 in Nashville. The leadership, community, and coaching support you’ve been craving—all in one place.

No one opens a gym because they love confrontation. But if you lead people, conflict is part of the job . From frustrated parents to underperforming staff, hard conversations are inevitable. What separates great leaders is how they handle them. 1. Get Clear on the Goal Before you say a word, ask yourself: What outcome am I hoping for? If the goal is to "prove a point," you're setting the conversation up for failure. If the goal is "alignment, understanding, and improvement," you're already ahead. Pro Tip: Write down your objective before the talk. Keep it simple and specific. 2. Embrace Radical Candor Kim Scott’s "Radical Candor" model offers a powerful mindset: Care personally, challenge directly. You don’t have to choose between being kind and being honest. You can (and should) be both. Say it like: "I care about your growth, and I need to give you some feedback that might be hard to hear." 3. Use the Facts, Not Feelings Avoid vague accusations or emotionally charged statements. Stick to observable behavior: ❌ "You’re always late and unmotivated." ✅ "You’ve been late three times this week, and I noticed low energy during practice." This removes defensiveness and makes the conversation feel fair. 4. Listen Like a Leader This is not a monologue. Make space for the other person to speak. Reflect back what you hear. Ask clarifying questions. Listening builds trust. Example: "Help me understand what happened from your perspective." 5. Follow Up With a Plan A conversation is just the beginning. What happens next is what counts. Set clear expectations and timelines. Schedule a follow-up. Structure it: What needs to change? By when? How will we measure it?  Real Scenarios, Real Tactics Underperforming Coach: Schedule a 1-on-1. Give specific feedback. Offer support or mentorship options. Outline next steps. Disruptive Parent: Stay calm. Restate gym policies. Bring in a third party if needed. Document everything. Tense Staff Dynamics: Facilitate a group conversation. Define roles. Realign on shared goals. Final Word: Courage is a Leadership Skill If you're having the same complaints over and over, it's a sign: a conversation is overdue . Conflict doesn't go away by avoiding it—it multiplies. Lead with compassion, but lead with strength. Because the best leaders don’t shy away from hard talks. They lean in and make them count.

Owning a gym can feel like a never-ending grind. But it doesn’t have to. The key to freedom isn’t working harder—it’s working smarter . And that starts with systems. Let’s talk about the top systems you need to get out of the weeds and into the visionary role your gym deserves. 1. Scheduling: Automate Your Calendar Use tools like Calendly, Google Calendar, or class management software to eliminate the back-and-forth. Set recurring team meetings Automate trial class sign-ups Create time blocks for admin vs. creative work Bonus: Protect your "off time" like it’s sacred. Because it is. 2. Onboarding: New Hires Done Right Create a step-by-step onboarding system that includes: Orientation checklist Video trainings Culture manual Weekly check-ins Why it matters: The faster your team is up to speed, the faster you can delegate. 3. Delegation: Build a Leadership Ladder Stop trying to do it all. Identify tasks you can train, trust, and transfer. Admin? Delegate. Social media? Delegate. Warm-ups? Delegate. Your job is vision, not micromanagement. 4. Communication: Say It Once Use a central platform (Slack, Band, Trello) to communicate consistently. Create channels or boards for: Team updates Weekly goals Parent communication templates Stop repeating yourself. Start systemizing. 5. Billing + Admin: Automate the Back End Use platforms like Jackrabbit, iClassPro, or Studio Director to: Auto-bill tuition Track attendance Send reminders Less time chasing payments = more time leading. Bonus: Weekly CEO Time Block 1-2 hours a week for high-level strategy. No interruptions. No "quick questions." Use it to: Review metrics Brainstorm growth strategies Plan your next move  Final Word: Freedom Comes From Systems The goal isn’t to do less work—it’s to do your best work . The kind of work that grows your gym, inspires your team, and energizes you. Start small. Pick one system to build this week. Because when your business runs on systems, you don’t have to run on empty.

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