This December, we’re running a series of spotlights on athletes-turned-cheer professionals. Meet Megan Carmean of Elite Cheer!

26-year-old Megan Carmean, aka “Carmeano,” considers herself an “in-betweener” because she was able to experience the evolution of the all-star world from the time she first began her cheer career at age 10 at Omaha, NE-based Elite Cheer to now. While competing as an athlete, Carmean also played the role of assistant coach in many of the national championships the team won. Since 2006, Carmean has been Elite Cheer’s Head Coach, Safety Coordinator and Youth Program Director (all while holding down a full-time job as a nurse).

“Having the experience of previously being an all-star cheerleader helps significantly in my day-to-day coaching,” says Carmean. “I feel it helps me relate to the current athletes in a unique manner. I understand the parts of practice they dread and the parts they love.”

Carmean uses her own experience to explain why the “boring” stuff is just as necessary as the “fun” parts of practice. She can also relate to the kids when it comes to time management: “I missed many school activities and birthday parties for practices and competitions, but when I can explain to the girls that it was worth it, it helps them cope.”

As a veteran who still remembers competing on a college cheer blue floor instead of the standard spring floor of today, Carmean looks forward to the day that the athleticism of all-star cheerleading is fully recognized as a sport and receives the respect it deserves.

–Vicky Choy