Burnout is real
I just read a story by someone who is fed up with the toxic environment of cheer. This made me so sad. I don’t know what the background is, so I can only surmise. Is it the current state of administration and the recent bringing to light the sexual predators? Or is it the competativeness of making a team? Is it the push to keep up, no matter the risk of injury to your body? Is it because it has now become a year round sport with no time to let your body heal or to find a different sport that allows you to train your body in multiple ways and therefore allowing you to be a better athlete?
The truth is, it doesn’t matter. Any sport we participate in should bring us joy. I know it has been 30 years since I put on a uniform and almost 10 since I coached from the sidelines, but I still love the sport that made me know I am an athlete. I still remember the thrill of cheering a game and the bigger thrill of nailing a new stunt at a game. I hold in my heart the times spent with my team at camp, or over New Year’s getting reading for Nationals…and more the bond we developed while on that competition floor.
As a coach, I remember the frustration my team would feel as we prepared new material. I know that rolled their eyes at me when I pushed them to be better at games. I know they weren’t thrilled when I held them back either at games or in competition. I would go back and address that better now so that when they finished cheering they still had that love in their heart. Maybe not holding them back when they weren’t ready to perform a stunt… I would rather my team remember my love for them by holding them back than for pushing them forward.
How have we lost that thrill? I think it’s amazing we are pushing limits. I am in awe of the stunts and tumbling I’m seeing on social media. I miss watching competitions and the excitement of it all.
If you’re a leader of a team in which the feel is toxic, what can you do to change that? I truly believe if you celebrate the wins, figure out the losses, and work together towards fun, you will actually excell faster. AND I know that your injury rate will be less.
If you’ve lost your love of the sport you are in, I hope you step back with your team and remember why you started. I urge you to walk away from a toxic environment but know that not every enviroment is that way.
Cheer from the heart. The frustrations are momentary. The memories and love will last a lifetime.