(NASHVILLE, Tenn)— Amy King is easy to spot on the field in her sparkling uniform and the kind of poise that can only come from years of performing under pressure. But off the turf, the Tennessee Titans Cheerleading Captain is just as magnetic, channeling her energy into teaching Pilates, running wellness retreats, and spreading her faith throughout middle Tennessee and her lively Instagram page.
“I’m from far northeast Tennessee, in Kingsport,” King said, smiling as she recalled her small-town roots. “I started dancing when I was four, and by seven, I was competing. We traveled all over, and I even trained at Broadway Dance Center in New York City every summer. Dance was my entire world.”
That passion for movement eventually led her to the University of Tennessee, where she studied animal science and veterinary medicine. “I love animals, which is actually my second passion,” she laughed. “I even have a bunny named Thumper. She’s litter box trained and hops around like a cat. She’s perfect.”
While King didn’t join UT’s spirit squad, she never let go of her dream to cheer professionally. “I always knew I wanted to cheer in the NFL,” she said. “I love the glitz, the glam and the big hair.”
In 2021, King made that dream a reality. After graduating from UT, she moved to Nashville, auditioned for the Tennessee Titans, and made the team on her first try. “It was surreal,” she said. “I also started teaching Pilates that same year. So I moved, started a new career, and made the cheer team all at once. It was a whirlwind.”
King described the NFL cheer audition process as “a beautiful monster.” “You have to walk in like you own the room,” she explained.
The Titans Cheer program is unique, offering different roles for dancers, flyers, tumblers, and bases. “I auditioned as a dancer because that’s my foundation,” she said. “But there’s a lot of preparation that goes into it. Each team has a different style, and you have to study them.”
Now entering her fifth season, King has grown from rookie to captain. “Every year, you still start fresh,” she said. “Our contracts are annual, so everyone, even veterans, has to re-audition. There’s no cap as long as your skillset and scores stay strong.” You could be a granny cheerleader with the Titans…if you’re that good!
However, when asked how long she’ll keep cheering? She smiled and shrugged. “That’s the million-dollar question. I’ve met so many of my goals, but now that they’ve announced the new stadium, I might have to stay a little longer,” she teased. “It’s hard to walk away from something you love this much.”
When she’s not performing at Nissan Stadium, King spends her days teaching Pilates at Form and Forza studios in Nashville. “After years of dancing and cheering, I realized how important injury prevention and mobility are,” she said. “Pilates keeps me strong, balanced, and pain-free. It’s what allows me to keep performing at a high level.”
Her passion for Pilates even transformed the Titans’ training program. “In my second year, I noticed we didn’t have a lot of low-impact, restorative movement built into our workouts,” she explained. “So, I pitched Pilates to our director as a way to prevent injuries and strengthen our bodies. “They loved it,” she explained. Now she leads mat Pilates sessions for the team.
“I’m officially the Titans Cheer Pilates instructor.”
King says the benefits go beyond flexibility. “Pilates is sustainable movement,” she said. “It’s about control, stability, and longevity. I want our cheerleaders, and all athletes, to be able to perform without breaking their bodies down.”
This year, King took her love of fitness global by launching Radiant Retreats, a luxury Pilates and wellness getaway for women. The first trip is set for April 2026 and will take participants to Greece.
“We’ll have daily mat Pilates, cooking classes, a full boat tour, and plenty of free time to recharge. I chose Greece for its focus on wellness, the Mediterranean diet, and that healing blue water.”
The retreat, she says, is about community and confidence. “I wanted to create a space for women who love health, travel, and self-care, she said.
And yes, it will be as Instagram-worthy as it sounds. “You can totally disconnect and put your phone away, or take all the photos, it’s your choice,” she laughed. “I just want everyone to leave feeling better than when they came.”
Keep watching Nashville Fit Magazine’s website for more updates on Radiant Retreats.
Between cheer practices, teaching classes, and serving as a team captain, King’s schedule is nonstop. “People always ask when I sleep,” she laughed. “But honestly, I prioritize rest. I love naps, especially on practice days. My days are physical from morning to night, so recovery is crucial.”
Her routine reflects both structure and self-awareness. “I’m very disciplined, but I’m also kind to myself,” she said. “It takes trial and error to find what works. Just because a trend works for someone else doesn’t mean it’s for you. Listen to your body.”
And when the pressure builds, as it inevitably does, King leans on her faith. “I’m a Christian, and I get so much confidence from God,” she said. “There are days maybe I’m bloated, or my hair won’t curl right, and I still have to walk out in front of thousands of people in a two-piece. It’s easy to get in your head.”
Her solution? “I do a daily devotional every morning,” she said. “On game days, sometimes two. It grounds me.”
King’s story blends grace, grit, and God, and she’s using her platform to inspire others. Whether she’s performing for 70,000 fans, teaching Pilates to clients, or helping women rediscover themselves abroad, one thing remains constant: her purpose.
“I truly believe movement is a form of worship,” she said. “It’s how I express gratitude for the body God gave me. Whether I’m on the field, in the studio, or by the sea — that’s where I feel closest to Him.”
And with that, Amy King proves that cheerleading is more than pom-poms and perfect smiles, it’s about leadership, faith, and finding joy in every step, jump, and stretch along the way.
That is why we are choosing to kick off our Titan Up Tuesday series with this awesome captain.
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