Description

In this episode of More Than Counts, I sit down with Hailey D’Lynn Smith — Weber State, Miami Metal, and Team USA athlete — to break down one of the most powerful journeys in partner stunt.

From her transition out of elite gymnastics into the world of cheerleading, to qualifying near the bottom and rising to become a back-to-back champion, Hailey shares what it really took to build confidence, trust a long-term stunt partnership, and redefine what winning means.

Together, we watch her routines from 2022 to today and analyze the evolution in real time — the strategy behind routine construction, the shift from difficulty to cleanliness, and the mindset that changed everything.

We talk about:

• developing confidence when you feel like you don’t belong
• the role of coaching, mentorship, and athlete support systems
• overcoming setbacks and injuries
• training with intention and purpose
• why your “reason why” matters more than motivation

This episode is about perseverance, growth, partnership, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible — on and off the mat.

Because cheerleading is More Than Counts.

Chapters

• 00:00 Journey from Gymnastics to Cheerleading
• 19:06 Evolution of Routines and Skills
• 28:37 Pushing Boundaries and Setting New Standards
• 35:12 Overcoming Setbacks and Finding Purpose
• 54:32 Dedication, Discipline, and Growth Mindset