just ask katelyn banky. >> it took over my life but in a good way. i think cheer really shaped who i am today. >> reporter: she started competing at six. >> it was cheer 100%. 15 hours a week for 15 years. >> reporter: over the course of 15 years she suffered five concussions, all from cheer leading. her first concussion was when she was 13, not from flying and falling but from being the base. >> i caught the girl and both my arms were around her, and i mis hit my head right on the basketball floor. that one was scary, because i did lose vision for a while. >> reporter: but she didn't stop cheering. >> i avoided going to the doctor. i tried pushing myself too hard to get back in really fast, because i didn't want to miss cheering at the next big game. concussions, there is still a suck it up attitude in the sports culture. we need to realize that you cannot roll the dice with your brain, health and well being. >> reporter: cheer leading evolved from cheering on the sidelines to a highly competitive, international sport. and the pressure to win by doi