5 Struggles Every Aspiring Pro Cheerleader Can Relate To
Courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders
Anyone who has no interest in cheerleading may not understand why someone would even want to be a pro cheerleader. Despite being one of the best opportunities a woman could ever experience in her life, professional cheerleading remains to be something that a lot of people take lightly.
Sure, we're all aware of the surprisingly low pay that NFL cheerleaders get after all the hours of practice they dedicate for game days and appearances - not to mention these women have their own day jobs. One could argue that cheerleaders would be better off doing something else.
Why being part of a pro cheer squad as any woman's dream is no secret. It's a huge honor to be selected as one of the few, elite ambassadors for a national sports team. Plus, not everyone gets a chance at perfection in terms of glamour and physical fitness.
Here are 5 struggles aspiring cheerleaders can relate to:
1. Your family doesn’t take your dream seriously.
So you sit at the dinner table with your family and announce that you plan to join the upcoming NFL cheer tryouts. Your family may tease you and tell you that you have a crazy dream. Some family members who do not understand the sport would deliver a critical opinion that would trigger negative feelings in you.
Your family knows the importance of you having a career but what they cannot understand is how professional cheerleading can make you successful. The truth is, you can only explain why you want to pursue cheerleading and how the sport can impact your life but you cannot force your beliefs on others. Do respond in a diplomatic way. You can let your family know that you hate having regrets of not trying.
Courtesy of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders
2. Your friends have a negative view of what pro cheerleading is about.
Like family members, your friends don't understand that professional cheerleading is a serious activity, that you represent a team as an ambassador and most of all you build lifelong friendships with your cheer sisters. The connections you make in your pro cheerleading experience can get you wonderful career opportunities in the near future.
Courtesy of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Again, you cannot make your friends believe in your dream especially if it's something they wouldn't expect you to have based on your personality. Remember that just because others can't support your personal goals doesn't mean that you should stop. If some of your friends criticize you no matter how you explain yourself, it might be that they would like to see you fail.
People who have a lot of doubts and are quick to dismiss possibilities should not influence your decisions. Others may express their opinions about your plans to audition for a pro cheer squad but at the end of the day, nobody's going to chase your dream for you.
3. You find it challenging to get or stay in shape.
Senior Femail writer Miranda Bryant was invited to join one of NFL New York Jets Flight Crew's prep classes (see photo below) so she could get a firsthand experience on what aspiring pro cheerleaders do to make their dream squad.
Courtesy of the New York Jets Flight Crew
After participating in the prep class, she said, "I really did think I was in shape but there was no way I was going to be able to keep up with these women despite my best efforts. It was taking all of my focus to ensure I didn't mess up the routine and make any of the other women look bad."
Even before your dream actualizes, the effort it takes to eat right and stay disciplined with your workout plans is simply tremendous. Professional cheerleading isn't just about the pom-poms - it's an athletic endeavor and a lifestyle that needs commitment.
Kat, an Atlanta Falcons cheerleader, mentions that your eating habits impact your looks, performance, and how you feel about yourself. She sticks to a clean eating meal plan.
4. The process seems intimidating.
Professional cheerleading tryouts are getting more competitive and this makes the entire process intimidating. Judges aren't only looking for pretty faces. You need to demonstrate superior dance talent, flexibility, professionalism, enthusiasm, attitude, and verbal skills.
Courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders
Candidates are challenged to prove that they make ideal representatives of their dream squad at the same time stand out and show that they are a better fit than current team members.
If you see yourself as a professional cheerleader, you have to go through the intimidating process of competing with thousands of women to get the chance to land in a coveted spot in a professional team.
5. You have tried before and failed.
Bringing back your confidence after it has been crushed is never easy. You knew that there was a possibility of not making your dream team on your first attempt but you can't pretend everything's fine. When you are passionate about something, it's normal to encounter resistance along the way. This challenges your dedication to the sport. Have you truly asked yourself how far you're willing to go?
Part of the learning process is acknowledging your failure and focusing on how you can do better. Perhaps you lacked preparation. If you think joining your team's pre-audition workshops or signing up for a pro cheerleading dance and fitness class would help to further prepare you for the upcoming tryouts, do it. Get back to the business of being you!
Courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders
Is professional cheerleading for you?
If you still dream to cheer for the pros or want to gain more self-confidence through diet, keeping a positive mindset, fitness training and looking glamorous, our community has everything you need to succeed at cheerleading - whether you’re a newbie or veteran.
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