Navigating Trauma & Moving Forward: Lessons from NCA 2025 with Jeff BensonDescription - This special impromptu episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast dives into the emotional aftermath of NCA Nationals 2025. Dan Cotton is joined by mental resilience expert Jeff Benson to discuss how gym owners, coaches, athletes, and parents can process, heal, and move forward after the traumatic events that unfolded.In this essential conversation, we cover:
Understanding trauma responses – Why some people seem “fine” while others are deeply affected
Signs of lingering trauma in athletes, staff, and parents
How gym owners should approach debriefing with their teams and families
The power of grounding techniques & mental resilience strategies to help athletes cope
Why empathy is key in supporting athletes and families through difficult experiences
Whether your gym was at NCA or not, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to build emotional resilience in your program and prepare for handling high-stress situations in the future.
Listen now and learn how to support your athletes in the wake of crisis.