World Champion Cheerleader with Narcolepsy Reveals How She 'Tricks' Her Brain Before Performing (Exclusive)
The now 20-year-old was diagnosed with narcolepsy as a teen and uses her platform to inform people about her experience
Despite her condition, she just won her second World Championship titleRylie Shaw is a two-time world champion cheerleader whose life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with narcolepsy in high school.
With no family history of the condition, navigating the challenges of sudden sleep attacks and chronic fatigue was a big learning curve.
Despite the hurdles, the 20-year-old from Wildomar, Calif., continues to compete at the highest level, balancing the demands of elite athletics with the realities of her diagnosis.
'I remember constantly telling my mom, 'I don't feel good,'' Shaw tells PEOPLE exclusively. 'I would frequently doze off in my classes and had a few instances of falling asleep at the wheel, when I realized my tiredness was not normal.'
In high school, she discussed her concerns with her doctor and was referred to a sleep specialist who enrolled her in an overnight study at a dedicated facility.
After her sleep patterns were monitored and evaluated, the results ultimately led to a narcolepsy diagnosis.
'I was the first in my family to be diagnosed, so navigating that was difficult as I didn't have someone that knew what it was like,' Shaw admits.
As a young woman with a limited 'battery,' spending time with friends and family was tiresome, and even more 'isolating.'
'When I'm really tired, it's overwhelming and often results in me shutting down and having a difficult time holding a conversation,' she explains. 'To others, this can appear rude, and they often don't understand.'
Throughout college, Shaw felt limited compared to her peers, realizing she couldn't stay out or socialize as long as others her age. Working through it meant accepting her limits and learning to prioritize her health without guilt.
Given that Shaw is also an athlete, managing her unpredictable exhaustion can be extremely difficult despite years of experience in gymnastics and cheerleading.
'Sometimes during practice, I would hit a wall of tiredness and my skills would suffer,' she says. 'With a high-energy sport like cheerleading, this can be really difficult when a sleep attack hits.'
Shaw has been an All-Star cheerleader since age 15. In April 2025, the California Allstars Rangers won their third World Championship title, making Shaw a two-time, back-to-back champion.
However, given the high demands of being a decorated cheerleader, Shaw is extremely cautious when it comes to cataplexy – a symptom of narcolepsy that can cause sudden loss of muscle control or even consciousness, often triggered by strong emotions.
Since being diagnosed, she has taken nightly medication to help regulate her sleep cycles, which is essential for preventing cataplexy attacks.
'I learned this trick that if I convince myself I'm not anxious or excited and prevent those emotions from growing, I can prevent cataplexy from being triggered,' she explains.
'This typically works during competition, and I've never had a cataplexy attack on stage. However, the emotion of relief when it's all over is a big trigger I typically can't prevent.'
The most difficult part for Shaw isn't even competing itself – adrenaline helps her power through events – but rather the toll it takes afterward.
'I typically spend the next few days crashed out and recovering by sleeping it off,' she reveals. 'Not to mention, I'm an emotional wreck. It's not fun, but definitely worth the thrills of competing with my team.'
Due to her limited energy, Shaw makes sure to prioritize rest and recovery. As an athlete, she recognizes that training demands much of her energy, often requiring her to turn down other opportunities or commitments.
Given the intense travel that comes with competing around the country, Shaw has had to coordinate with her team's schedule as best she can.
'I have to be very strategic with scheduling the best flights that disrupt my sleep schedule the least amount because missing sleep means I can't take my medication and makes me more prone to cataplexy,' Shaw says.
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However, this season, several of Shaw's teammates were also dealing with their own medical challenges, creating a supportive environment of mutual understanding.
'Along with that, I had teammates see me struggle and in response gave me support and prayer, which meant so much to me,' she shares.
Despite her condition, Shaw has come to embrace being different from others her age. She uses her social media platforms to shed light on how narcolepsy shapes her everyday life and career, offering insight, honesty, and inspiration.
When it comes to being a young athlete managing a chronic illness, Shaw says she has no regrets. 'Even if you fail, the experience will be worth it, so go for it!'
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