Holy Chips! Our Snack-Filled Escape From Danger
This week’s episode of Jerking Around is raw, intense, and deeply moving as Teisha and Crystal open up about a terrifying experience at a national cheerleading competition in Dallas. What started as a joyful weekend with their daughters quickly spiraled into chaos, leaving them shaken and with a new perspective on life, safety, and what truly matters.
The weekend began on a spiritual high with an Elevation Worship concert—a rare moment of peace and connection as they watched their teenage daughters fully immersed in worship. The emotional resonance of that experience only sharpened the contrast with what happened next. Life can shift from calm to chaos in an instant, and this trip proved just how fragile that balance can be.
At the NCA cheerleading competition—an event drawing around 50,000 people—the atmosphere changed in a heartbeat. While standing in line for food, Tisha and Crystal suddenly found themselves in the middle of a full-blown panic. The sound of screaming, people running, and someone yelling “shooter” triggered a wave of fear that sent them rushing into a bathroom to hide. The gut-wrenching fear of waiting behind a locked door, uncertain of what might come next, is something they recount with heartbreaking honesty.
What followed was a frantic escape. After hearing what they believed were gunshots, they ran over a mile from the convention center, clutching their daughters and praying for safety. Official reports later claimed there was no shooter—just a bar fight that sparked the panic—but the hosts remain unconvinced. The distinct sound of multiple gunshots and the shared accounts from others in their cheer gym leave lingering questions and unease.
In the aftermath, the emotional toll has been profound. Hypervigilance, heightened anxiety, and sudden triggers have become part of their daily lives. They speak candidly about how this experience shifted their priorities overnight. Work stress and everyday frustrations now seem trivial compared to the overwhelming instinct to protect their families.
A particularly raw moment comes when they reflect on their physical limitations during the panic. Realizing they weren't as physically prepared to protect their children as they’d imagined has inspired them to make health changes—not out of vanity, but out of a deep desire to be strong enough to protect their families if ever faced with danger again.
Despite the trauma, Teisha and Crystal find strength in their shared resilience. The experience has strengthened their bond, reminding them—and their listeners—that surviving difficult moments together creates unbreakable connections. Their closing message is clear: while fear is real, it doesn’t have to define us. Processing trauma, finding strength, and living with purpose in the aftermath is where true healing begins.
This episode isn’t just a story—it’s a testament to the power of vulnerability, the strength of maternal instinct, and the resilience of the human spirit.
