How Cheerleading Helped Me Overcome Height Issues

So I know I talk about cheerleading a lot on my site but hey, it's my webstie so I can do whatever I want, right?
 
So I wasn’t always so confident in my height. I wanted to be a Victoria’s Secret model – true statement – and I found out that wasn't going to be reality at a young age. I went through multiple tests and found out it was too late for me to start growth hormones (at the age of like 10) and that I was never even going to make it to 5 feet. Bummer.
I wasn’t good at the sports that required a ball, I got teased a lot for my height, I didn’t want to ride horses anymore, and I just wasn’t okay with being 4’8” tall.
 
But in cheerleading, I was the perfect size.
 
From the start I was picked as a flyer, which is probably one of the most fun jobs on the team. You get thrown in the air, chucked into pyramids, and I was put in the front for most cheers and dances because nobody could see me otherwise. It was so exciting because cheerleading finally gave me a place where I felt like I fit in.

As I got a bit older I liked the different aspects of cheer more and more. I found I really liked performing in front of a crowd. I loved entertaining people and seeing their reactions when I hit my stunts or did a really cool tumbling pass. My favorite part was interacting with the crowd at games and watching them get pumped up for the players. It gave me a lot more confidence in my every day life, even though I was totally self conscious about my height. Cheer helped me overcome that anxiety and grow in my social skills.
 
As the time went on I became obsessed with doing my hair and makeup for performances and games. I loved seeing which hair style was the best. Some hair styles I won’t even talk about because they’d be pretty embarrassing today (aka the pouf; what was I thinking!?). But I loved trying on new eyeshadows and picking the perfect color for my lips. I blushed when I got compliments on my makeup or how my hair looked that day. I began to help my teammates with their hair and makeup which was so much fun. I now had a new found love/obsession for everything beauty that has continued up until this very day, all thanks to cheer!
 
When I got into college I met some of the most incredible people – they were all short. YES! All the girls on my college team were right around my height so I wasn’t the super midget anymore. Sure, I was still always the shortest one, but I didn’t stick out like a sore thumb in a group photo anymore. I could share clothes with these girls, and shoes, and just life experiences about being a tiny, petite girl! Some of my teammates have turned into my best friends that I’ll have for a lifetime. They’ve helped me feel more confident in myself, and in my own skin, and I have cheerleading to thank for bringing us together.
 
Cheerleading helped me find my place growing up, and bring out different characteristics I didn’t know I had, as well as some new obsessions. I wouldn’t trade my cheerleading career for the world. I’m so glad and lucky to have had these experiences, and that they have helped me get through the difficulties of growing up different.

What are your thoughts or experiences? Did you play another sport that helped you fit in when you felt like you had the short end of the stick? Did you have a mentor or friend that helped you get through the hard times? Feel free to let me know by clicking the “comments” section of this post!
 
As always thanks for reading peeps! Stay tuned for more.
xox
Sammie