Kevin Hooker has been involved with Elite Cheer since 1993, when two collegiate cheerleaders and ex-gymnasts decided to teach people and opened the center.  They offer competitive cheer and martial arts, which also teaches students discipline, self-confidence, humility, respect, dedication, hard work, accountability and many other life skills used every day.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Our biggest challenge has been exposing more people to what we do.  We’ve seen kids really make a huge change in their lives by being here.  They find this passion for cheer and become a super star.  Overcoming huge obstacles – and learning this incredible self-confidence they never thought possible.  Getting the stigma of the word CHEER from the minds of a layperson is probably the single hardest difficulty.  Cheer or cheerleading doesn’t even come close to defining the high flying, acrobatic gymnastic tumbling stunts and pyramids we do.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – We have trained – literally – thousands of kids.  Seeing them succeed in life – watching them grow up and become outstanding fellow citizens and knowing that we were part of their success is huge for us.  We’ve seen kids turn their lives around from drugs, alcohol and other negative teenage issues into outstanding people.

Tell us a little about your family. – I have a beautiful wife, and three incredible children ages 4, 10, and 14.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – By far the turning point in my life was my senior year summer.  I was registered to attend U-N-@Kearney.  Something that summer forced me to attend Lincoln, be it a feeling or some major force in my life telling me – I HAD to go to Lincoln.  I met my best friend and now business partner.  I also met my soul mate and wife the following year.  It all revolved around what I do now – competitive cheer.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Relax with my kids and love of my life.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I’m a third degree black belt in kenpo (soon to be fourth) and I just earned my blue belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

What are you the most proud of? – My kids are my life – but I am most proud of the Elite family that we created.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Don’t ever believe that there is something you can’t do and never EVER say a negative thing about yourself – period.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – WISE

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – The ability to heal immediately from any injury.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – I play the piano – never get a chance to play much.

Which talent would you most like to have? – Eidetic memory

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I am right where I want to be!

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – The DaVinci Code

What is your favorite movie? – Too many to name!

What is your favorite TV show? – Currently it’s Elementary

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Firebirds

If you could have dinner with one person from the past or present, who would it be? – My paternal grandfather.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?www.EliteCheer.comwww.KarateOfOmaha.com