How Cheerleading Became So Acrobatic, Dangerous and Popular
Briefly

“I was always small and flexible, which made me the perfect flyer. But with that came a lot of injuries. I got my first concussion in the third grade, and after that, the struggles just kept piling on.”
“Despite the complaints from other parents about Coach Realpe's intense style, I was driven by the dream of becoming the best cheerleader I could be. I ignored the warnings.”
“As I transitioned to the University of Hawaii, the training became even more demanding. Coach Baker’s comments about my Instagram really affected me, I felt like I had to live up to a certain image.”
“After my seventh concussion during a basket toss, things changed drastically. I started to worry about the long-term effects of these injuries, it was hard to maintain my passion while my body was failing me.”
Read at www.nytimes.com
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