Cheerleading: the ultimate power pose

Have you ever struggled with confidence? Are you like me and have an easier time sitting back and listening to a crowd vs owning the room and being the loud one in the crowd? Today I was reminded that channeling our inner superhero and stiking a power pose can help us create the confidence we need to succeed..and how being a cheerleader is the ultimate power pose

Cheerleading changed my life. I was always a shy, introverted kid. When I tried out for cheer in high school I found a place where I could step out of that quiet kid and feel more confident around a crowd. It wasn’t til college when I really recognized how much fun it really was and how I was totally ok jumping around, and cheering for my team, in front of a ton of people.

I was listening to a talk by Tony Robbins today in which he talked about the power pose. He had us sit up tall, hands on hips, chest proud. He changed our state by getting us to clap our hands and shout out an emotion that made us really happy. As I sat there making breakfast, assuming this posture I felt my inside shy, insecure person slide away. And I was reminded that this is exactly how we cheerleaders are taught to be.

Cheerleading gave me the confidence to be in front of people. It took my coaches a long time to get me comfortable but with the cues to stand up tall, create strength in my body-also called being ‘clean’ in cheer-to smile, to imagine myself in my happy place, I became more comfortable.

Now, years after I finished cheering and coaching, I am still a bit of an introvert and it can take a bit to get comfortable in a crowd, but I know I have the tools to put myself into a confident state and overcome those insecurities.

Here’s a tip to help you the next time you need confidence to achieve a goal, whether it be talking with an employer, trying out for a team, or just talking with a loved one about a sensitive subject. Stand tall with a solid stance, hands on hips, chest proud and imagine your favorite superhero about to take on the world. Then, put on some happy music (or sing it in your head), clap your hands and cheer like your team just won the Superbowl. Just before you speak or perform, take some deep breaths in and out, and remind yourself you’ve got this!