Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

My name is Colton Durbin--I'm 25 years old, and currently have the great privilege of working at Cheer Athletics in Plano, Texas. I'm the proud coach of four teams: the Fiercekatz, Leopards, Cougars, and Prowlers. That's about 100 athletes I get to work with on a daily basis!



It's crazy to me that this is my job, because I truly believe it's the best one in the world. Who else gets to wear athletic clothes everyday and help some of the most talented children in the nation hone their skills in a sport that they love? Cheer Athletics is said to be "the best place for kids," and it's exactly that. I know from experience as an athlete, a coach, and a person that there is no better place to take your child if they are interested in cheerleading. I've found a passion for this job through the athletes I coach--they trust in us so much to lead them to success, and the look I get to see in their eyes when they reach their goals is beyond fulfilling.

Any coach knows it's not about the money or the wins--at the end of the day, it's about the kids!

Growing up in a small town, I played football and wrestled most of my life without even knowing what a standing back or a full up was until college. That's when I decided to give up what I had done for three quarters of my life and try out for the cheerleading team. I was lucky enough to cheer on some of the best teams not just in the nation, but the world! I cheered at Missouri Southern State University and Oklahoma State University (small and large coed). Outside of college cheerleading, I cheered all star since 2011, and was lucky enough to be a part of two amazing teams. My first year, I joined Twist and Shout Genesis while attending OSU.

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My coaching journey began during my time at Missouri Southern State. I started working classes at a gym called "The Flip Shop," and began coaching all star teams not long after! As a poor college student, I was so excited to have found a job doing something I was still involved with and enjoyed so much. Little did I know, I was about to fall in love with coaching even more. For the rest of my cheerleading career, I was a part of Cheer Athletics Wildcats. This team truly changed my life; it's the reason I have the job I do. After moving my whole life down to Dallas to be at Cheer Athletics, I was offered the opportunity to start coaching classes while still on Wildcats during my first years at California.

A year later, I was hired as an all star coach, and since that day, my life has been changed for the better!

I've been lucky enough to have been coached by some of the best coaches in this industry. Leroy McCollough, Brandy McCollough, Orson Sykes, Brad Habermel, Angela Rogers, and Jay McCartney: Thank you for showing me what a great coach is while I was your athlete, and thank you for guiding me as I continue my journey in this sport as a coach. You have all been the perfect example of what I strive to be.



One more person deserves a special thank you: my father, Kevin Durbin. Growing up, he was my coach not just for football, but for wrestling, as well. Needless to say, there may have been some nights we went home not speaking to each other. But through it all, you showed me more than just how to play a sport; you showed me how much you loved your athletes. You showed me how to safely push someone past their limits to bring out their potential, and you always managed to let them know you were doing it for them. You are a huge reason I'm the coach I am today. Thank you, Dad, for being the best teacher, coach, and role model.

To the kids I coach, thank you for being the best "job" I could have ever hoped for. You teach me patience, kindness, and that sometimes conditioning like three sets of nine lines will help keep your stunts up! My job is all about the kids I coach--I truly do love each and every one of you!

G3FCA2A❤️