Mel Marie Cheerleader Interview <480p>

"Elite cheer is not sustainable forever. Your knees, your back, your wrists—they degrade. I know I have about 5-7 more years of competing at this level before I transition fully into coaching. That timeline is scary. You feel like you are running out of time to 'make it.'"

She leans forward, visibly passionate.

"I ask them to do one (1) tumbling pass. Just one. Cheerleading requires the endurance of a marathon runner, the strength of a gymnast, and the timing of a symphony conductor. In the past month, I’ve had a concussion, a sprained wrist, and a black eye from a flyer’s heel. That’s not 'spirit fingers.' That’s athletics." mel marie cheerleader interview

She also discusses the physical burnout. "Elite cheer is not sustainable forever