Passion for Dance (Dr Chelsea Pierotti)

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Book a Workshop with Dr. Chelsea!

https://chelseapierotti.com/services
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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/46

 Do you need confidence to perform well, or do you need to perform well before you can feel confident about yourself? Confidence is one of the biggest mental skills dancers are usually working on. Whether we are a new studio dancer or a professional on Broadway, we are always trying to find that confidence boost to control our nerves and put our best foot forward. The question is how do you get that confidence?

Today’s episode is all about the confidence cycle. We’ll discuss the benefits of intentional cleaning sessions, giving your dancers a sense of accomplishment, and acknowledging small victories will have on your dancers’ confidence. When your dancers feel more confident, they’ll have better performance success, which only increases their confidence!

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/129

Relevé Membership: https://chelseapierotti.com/membership

Summary: If you've ever talked to your dancers about taking the floor with a confident mindset or using visualization before a competition, you probably understand the importance of mental skills training. But do you have any beliefs about mental toughness that are holding you back from your personal best? In my experience, there are four major myths that keep coaches from implementing mental toughness training with their team, even when they know it will be the difference in the team’s success.

In today’s episode, I’ll be discussing these four myths about mental toughness that I’ve heard around the internet, on social media, when I talk to dance educators, and in workshops that may keep teachers from training their dancers in mental skills. I don’t want anything holding you back, so let’s make sure these four false beliefs aren't getting in your way.

Episode Resourcees: https://chelseapierotti.com/118

Goal Setting Resource: https://chelseapierotti.com/goals

Summary: Do you ever look at another dance team you admire and think, “They must be so locked in. Every single practice they're probably making progress and getting better every day”? I guarantee that a team you admired at that event didn't just get better every day. There were setbacks along the way. There were days when it felt like progress wasn't happening, but that's why they did so well - these excellent teams understand that setbacks are good.

In this episode, we’ll focus in on the three things to do when you have setbacks in your goals. We’ll discuss the benefits of shifting our mindset around setbacks, why it’s important to pause and reset as well as track our dancers’ progress, and I'll tell you what to do when you have a setback coming up. Enjoy this episode of Passion for Dance!

Starter Journal Free Dowload: https://chelseapierotti.com/journal

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/144

It takes a lot of positive mental skills to learn how to focus on small improvements every day and not give up when you don't feel like you're making the progress you want. Many dancers focus on getting the turns, learning choreography quickly, scoring well in their solo, but they don't focus on how to make those things happen. You don't have to make huge strides every day in order to achieve those goals; it's all about the daily habits that make the difference, striving for 1% better than yesterday.

If you focus on the end result or focus on other people, you'll miss your opportunity for growth. Instead, focus on getting 1% better. In this episode, I’ll be talking about the 1% rule, why change doesn’t happen overnight, and how you can build your confidence through repetition. Dancers, if you get discouraged in class or feel like other dancers are learning faster than you and are always better than you, listen in!

Submit a Question to Dr Chelsea: https://chelseapierotti.com/question

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/182

As educators, we are trained in the skills of our sport. We know how to teach our athletes to clean up a routine, improve their turn technique, or achieve a new hip-hop trick. What we don’t always understand is how to coach them to prepare for competition day. Or lately, how to coach through a pandemic. If you never talk to your dancers about mindset and spend time specifically training your athletes to deal with unpredictability, you’re allowing for the unexpected to clutter their minds and pull their focus to the wrong place.

In this episode, I share my #1 mindset mantra that usually functions as a competition day mindset, but lately, it’s my whole mindset for the pandemic. It’s the mindset you need to stay motivated and accept the uncertainty: “Control the Controllables.”

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. Remember to use the hashtag #passionfordancepodcast so I can share it on my stories! 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/5

Did you know I have virtual workshops for dancers, teams, studios, and teachers!? I love working with dancers and dance educators by creating a workshop that is custom to your dancers. We can talk about motivation, goals, resilience, confidence... any mental skill! Find out more about my workshop offers by going to https://chelseapierotti.com/servcies

Summary:

If you’ve ever used affirmations with your dancers, this episode introduces a tool for a different way to use them. My guest today is Dr. Noah, a former professional dancer and a peak performance executive mental coach to the stars, who speaks on the power of using AFFORMATIONS instead of affirmations. This might be a subtle change, but it might make a huge difference for you and your dancers.

Dr. Noah danced with the Richmond Ballet, the Boston Ballet, Hartford Ballet and is also a keynote speaker who’s famous for helping people and companies take out their head trash and make more money while fulfilling their mission. He teaches his clients about the power of asking the right questions to help plant more positive thought seeds in your brain. Dr. Noah also teaches the Freedom Lifestyle Formula. Tune in to find out more!

Pull Quotes -

Dr. Noah: “So I said, “Wait a second. What if instead of saying statements we don't believe, why don't we just cut out the middleman, go right to the question, and that would instantly change the thought seeds we’re planting and, thereby, enable us to change our habits, change our results, and change our life. And I said, “Holy cow. I think I just invented something!” 

Key Highlights -

[2m 40s] - What Getting Your Life Back Means to Dr. Noah

[5m 45s] - The Freedom Lifestyle Formula 

[7m 45s] - To Change Your Life, Change the Thought Seeds You’re Planting 

[10m 01s] - Affirmations vs. AFFORMATIONS

[18m 23s] - Advice on Helping our Dancers Believe in Themselves

[26m 13s] - A Starting AFFORMATION

[29m 40s]c- More About Dr. Noah and His Work

Resources -

Dr. Noah’s AFFOMRATIONS Method: https://afformations.com/get-afformations-secure

Dr. Noah’s Website: https://noahstjohn.com/

AFFORM Wear: https://afformwear.com/

Millionaire AFFORMATIONS Book:  https://millionaireafformations.com/get-millionaire-book-secure

To submit a question, anonymously or not, head to www.chelseapierotti.com/podcast and you’ll see a link to submit a question.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

Dr. Chelsea announces updates for the Passion for Dance podcast in 2025, including a slight shift in focus towards more dancer-focused episodes while maintaining content for dance educators and coaches.

There's also a new website: PassionForDancePodcast.com, for easier access to episode resources, notes, and player links.

Thank you for sharing your passion for dance with the world!

Welcome to part three of my goal-setting series! If this is the first time you're tuning in, please feel free to back up a few episodes and start with part one of this goal-setting series. However, if you’re a loyal listener, you’re set up and ready to listen to this episode!

There are a lot of common problems that come up for dancers, and they derail you from reaching your full potential and climbing your personal mountain. But if you know what could get in the way and you plan for it, you are much closer to realizing your dreams, whether at competition or in the studio. In this episode, we’ll be talking about why people fail at their goals. We’ll dive into eight common problems I see with goals, so tune in to learn all about what could get in the way of your dancers’ goals.

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/125

Leave a Message: https://chelseapierotti.com/message

What lessons did you learn from 2020? It’s time to reflect on some of the mindset lessons I’ve learned last year and I want to share those lessons with you. The last 18 months have disrupted our normal routines and in different ways, our work-life balance. One of the important lessons psychologists have taught us is the value of reflection. It’s a chance to pause and notice what’s different and how you truly feel about it. We know reflection is a powerful way to learn and grow. So before we dive headfirst into whatever this next school year brings, I’m going to share 3 mindset lessons I'm glad to take with me into the 2021 dance season.

Mentioned in Today’s Episode

Starter Journal Prompts for Dancers

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/28

Let’s talk about that terrible emotion ... disappointment. Disappointment is normal, and everyone goes through it, but it can be really hard to get over. There’s probably something in your dance past that haunts you. I know I do have plenty of things I’m disappointed about over the years!  

In this episode, I share the six steps to dealing with disappointment, the story of my own biggest disappointments as a dancer, and how I wish I had used these strategies to get over it.

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. Remember to use the hashtag #passionfordancepodcast so I can share it on my stories! 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/3

Did you know I have virtual workshops for dancers, teams, studios, and teachers!? I love working with dancers and dance educators by creating a workshop that is custom to your dancers. We can talk about motivation, goals, resilience, confidence... any mental skill! Find out more about my workshop offers by going to https://chelseapierotti.com/servcies

Have you ever choked under pressure? Let the nerves get to you and ruin an audition or performance? What about as a director or coach, have you watched one of your dancers get so nervous that they freeze and you get that deer in headlights look? You know what I’m talking about, and it’s devastating. In this episode, I share a very simple one-minute breathing exercise that will help you calm the nerves in order to perform.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/7

Did you know I have private workshops for dancers, teams, studios, and teachers!? I love working with dancers and dance educators by creating a workshop that is custom to your dancers. We can talk about motivation, goals, resilience, confidence... any mental skill! Find out more about my workshop offers by going to https://chelseapierotti.com/servcies

In this episode, I talk with a registered dietitian and former competitive dancer Jenny Accettura. As usual, I bring the mindset perspective into the conversation and Jenny shared a major mindset shift about nutrition that might serve you if you’re a former dancer...aka an adult who doesn’t train as many hours as you used to! We also discussed the challenging food rules you learned as a dancer and how they may not be serving you now, and how you can talk to your dancers about nutrition if you’re nervous to bring it up because you aren’t an expert. Because I know it was a conversation that intimidated me as a young teacher. And finally, we end with some practical advice about helping our body recover after a long dance day.

Mentioned in Today’s Episode

Centerstage Nutrition for the Recovery Guide: https://centrestagenutrition.com/

Jenny Accettura on Instagram: @centrestagenutrition

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/27

Dr. Chelsea tackles the challenges dancers face during the intense competition season including losing and offers valuable insights into three aspects worse than losing: regret, blame, and lack of improvement. Dr. Chelsea shares personal stories and actionable strategies to help dancers and educators focus on growth, accountability, and effort, redefining success beyond competitive outcomes. 

Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/198

NEW TO THE SHOW?! Check out this New Listener Resource to dive into building mental toughness as a dancer.

Episode Breakdown:

00:37 The Reality of Losing

01:27 Three Things Worse Than Losing

03:30 Regret: The Worst Feeling

06:41 Blame: The Destructive Force

10:11 Growth: The Ultimate Goal

11:48 Redefining Success

Let’s talk about stress. Stress is something we all deal with, but today I want to share something with you that you might not have heard before… science has actually taught us that stress can be good for us! I know that sounds crazy but stick with me for this episode and I’ll tell you all about it. Also, this episode is a little different... I’m going to speak directly to the dancers. Now dance teachers and coaches out there this is will certainly still be helpful for you, but I’ve had some requests recently to cover this topic in a way you could simply share with your dancers. So, this is that episode! Listen in, and then feel free to share with your dancers. This is my take on the upside of a dancer's stress.

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Mentioned in the show:

Stress Management Tools free downlod

Book: The Upside of Stress by Dr. Kelly McGonigal 

*affiliate link*

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/36

Summary: Healthy communication with our dancers starts with us dance coaches and teachers. We’re the role models for how we want to communicate in our programs and our studios and our teams. We establish the rules and expectations for how to talk to each other and what healthy communication looks like. Good communication can improve motivation, can help dancers be more resilient, and can put them in the right mindset to persevere and have fun.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the importance of effective communication, which is a huge topic both in its complexity and importance. I’ll be talking about effective communication strategies and will give you seven distinct ways to communicate effectively from coach to athlete or teacher to dancer. As I always say, your language matters, so how you communicate to your dancers can make a huge impact in their lives.

Check out resources for this episode and more at https://chelseapierotti.com/112

There is no denying that the current generation of athletes is different. Not necessarily good or bad, but they are different. There are some things to consider this season when coaching and teaching Generation Z: the advantages, the challenges, and specifically in this episode I want to talk about how technology influences this generation and our ability to teach them. There’s no question growing up as digital natives has changed our dancers. But it’s not all bad and I’ve got some suggestions for how to help.

Click the links for journal prompts designed for dancers

Starter Journal Prompts

Confidence / Competition Day Journal Prompts

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/22

Summary:

Just imagine you get up on competition day and you are pumped and excited but actually not nervous. You know your dancers are ready to crush it today! Just imagine how good it would feel to know you did everything possible to support your dancers and no one is going to be a deer in headlights when they take stage or fall apart today. You’ll be able to just exhale, relax, and enjoy competition day knowing it’s all handled. That’s truly what I want for all of you.

I put out a call for listeners to send in questions, and I picked two to answer. In this episode, you’ll hear from two of our listeners who asked about making sure your new dancers are prepared and making sure we don’t end up with that blank stare, panic look at our first event.

I’ll also be sharing about my audio course, Confident Dancer Formula. If you’re a part of this wonderful community, then I know you take your dancers’ mindset seriously and you understand that it could be the thing that makes the difference for your dancers this year. If you know your dancers need some more help with confidence this year and you want to take that little extra step, then listen in and see if this is a good fit for you because saying most dancers struggle with mindset all season, but then they just hope it’ll be okay when it’s time to take the floor.

Resources -

The Course: The Confident Dancer Formula

To submit a question, anonymously or not, head to www.chelseapierotti.com/podcast and you’ll see a link to submit a question.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

What if we were “Like a Boy?” Would you treat us differently if we were male athletes? The LSU Tiger Girls had a clear and powerful message in their recent hip hop routine, the choreography was top-notch, and the dancers are so talented. But have you ever wondered what it felt like to coach the team through this journey?

I wanted to celebrate the person behind the team. The one who, along with her assistant coach, had to deliver the bad news when they couldn’t compete, the one who picked them back up and wouldn’t let them quit, and the coach who created a team culture of humble hard-working athletes that stole our hearts and got us all fired up. This is the story of the LSU Tiger Girls, straight from Coach Kandace. 

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Mentioned in Today’s Show:

Instagram: @lsutigergirls

Doctors for Dancers

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/49

Summary:

We’re going back in the archives today with an interview from 2020 with the amazing Dawn Walters of The University of Kentucky Dance Team. Dawn’s approach to coaching is so relatable and refreshing. She has such genuine advice and a superpower as a coach. We talk about opening the door for more dancers of different genres and backgrounds to join a big university program. She really led us behind the curtain and shared how she runs practices, how she cleans her routines, and even how her coaching style has changed. She was really open with me when we got into some of the hard stuff and we talked about addressing race in the dance team industry and protecting yourself as a coach from that one angry parent who could tear it all down.

Dawn was a UK cheerleader and dancer, and she started coaching UK in 2009. She has a long list of accomplishments including national titles, starting her own all-star gym, judging for top competitions, and, of course, just impacting so many young lives through her program at The University of Kentucky. I hope this beautiful interview brings you a dose of motivation and inspiration as we head into competition season.

Pull Quotes -

Dawn: “So I’m hoping that coaches will now step back and go, “Wow, okay, I was being so strict on that,” and not to be mean but just for sake of going everybody has to wear their hair in a ponytail and in a bun and whatever... Let’s take that pressure off of those coaches that go, “But I have to or I’m gonna get a point taken off ‘cause everybody’s hair wasn't this way.” ... It felt like I had to have a weave or I had to do this to my hair because otherwise I wouldn't have made the team or I wouldn't have been able to do things or whatever. Hopefully, those things go there. That’s what I really hoped that the dialogue and the communication would be there so then your kids of color and your Black kids would feel like, “Wow. I’m accepted.”

Key Highlights -

[1m 53s] Team Culture 

[7m 52s] Dawn’s Two Teams: The White Squad and The Blue Squad

[11m 23s] How Dawn Runs Team Practice

[19m 27s] Dawn’s Cleaning Style 

[25m 15s] Go with the Flow! 

[27m 01s] You Cannot Treat All Your Dancers the Same

[32m 10s] What Dawn Would Like to See Change in Our Dance World 

[37m 30s] Dawn’s Biggest Challenge as a Coach

[42m 41s] Dawn’s Favorite Memory as a Coach 

[45m 07s] Dawn’s Advice for Coaches 

Resources -

To be a part of a future episode, visit: www.chelseapierotti.com/beontheshow

Transcript and further resources at:

www.chelseapierotti.com/84

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

This week I have the pleasure of sharing an interview with Kelsey Nelson. You know how sometimes you meet someone and it just clicks? Kelsey and I clicked quickly and I think we have similar philosophies and approaches to teaching dance. In this episode, we cover topics like how to get more mentally tough dancers, how Kelsey defines success, and concrete tips for improving confidence in our dancers.

Mentioned in the show:

Kelsey Nelson

Instagram: @kjndance

Spotify Playlist for dance teachers: kjndance

Facebook: Kelsey Nelson Training technique

Journal Starter Prompts for Dancers:

https://chelseapierotti.com/starterjournal

Matthew McConaughey Inspiring Graduation Speech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmCTQ_mkzHU

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This episode is brought to you by The Tiers System.

The app tracks dancers' progress through the skill progressions so you (and your dancers) can transparently see where they are in their skill development and what they need to do to move to the next level (or Tier). You can access a dancer's full skills list, see which dancers are strongest in which categories, and select any skill to see the list of dancers on your team with that skill with the click of a button. You can download the app and learn more at https://thetierssystem.com

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/19

Last summer, I hosted an online conference called the Confident Dancer Summit, where 20 different dance educators came together to teach a short course on different aspects of confidence. It was a great weekend and I decided to share one of those inspiring conversations with you today. One of the summit speakers was Mary Wendt, an incredible woman I’ve had the pleasure of working with a few times. She’s the Education director for the  USASF (or US All-Star Federation). For her class at the summit, she paired up with another USASF director Kinshasa Garret and they brought together other successful coaches and had a panel discussion about increasing dancers' confidence.

This episode is PART 2 of this conversation, so if you missed last episode, go back and start there! Here is part two of the Confident Dancer Summit Panel discussion with Mary Wendt and Kinshasa Garret.

All Resources Mentioned in Today’s Show:

https://chelseapierotti.com/70

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

Today’s guest is Caroline Liviakis, she is the Founder and Executive Artistic Director of the Caroline Liviakis Dance Company (CLDC), choreographing and producing live performances and interactive experiences. In her most recent project, she brings her creative visions to digital form as a choreographer and director of film, music videos, and commercials. Caroline currently teaches at Loyola Marymount University and is currently in pre-production for her debut feature-length film: Lessons In Love.  And towards the end of our conversation, today shared this amazing idea…What happens if dance isn’t just a backup to the star of the show, but dance is actually an integral part of telling the story?! It’s an amazing vision for our dance industry.

Caroline and I talked about transitioning from dancing for fun to choosing it as a career, the importance of connecting with the audience in commercial dance, the importance of cultivating relationships and what networking really means, and some great advice for those of you trying to chase your own dance career passions. 

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/67

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

Summary: You may have heard there are four pillars to the Passion for Dance podcast: mindset, resilience, motivation, and community. All of the episodes revolve around those themes, and I chose that structure because it comes directly from my Positive Coaching Framework. To be a coach with impact, you have to teach your dancers how to have a tough mindset, fierce motivation, and steady resilience, and I believe the best way to accomplish that is with a community next to you. My goal as an educator is always to have a positive impact on the dancers and other teachers that I work with, and it’s time I share that with all of you.

This episode is part one of a three-part series where I will show you how to be a dance coach who truly makes a lasting positive impact on your athletes by focusing on those three areas of mindset, motivation, and resilience. In today’s episode, we’ll start off with the mindset pillar. We break down the three tools of mindset: building confidence, establishing positive self-talk, and Controlling the Controllables. I’ll also share a message from a member of the Relevé Membership and dive deeper into the tools available to you inside of the membership.

Resources -

Episode Website: http://www.chelseapierotti.com/101

The Relevé Dance Coach Membership is there to replenish your personal, mental, and emotional energy and help you create dancers who are mentally tough, resilient, and motivated. Join the Relevé Membership here: www.chelseapierotti.com/membership

Submit a question to be answered on the show: www.speakpipe.com/passionfordance

Join my email list here: www.chelseapierotti.com/email

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers

Word of mouth is still the best way the show can grow! If you have a dance friend out there who you think would benefit, please share this episode with them!

Mental skills are how you get the most out of your physical skills, and it helps ensure your dancers peak at the right time, and compete at their highest ability. Whatever physical skills you have trained are what you see on the competition floor.

See, confidence is just one aspect of mental skills training, but it’s an important one. And while every coach wants athletes to have mental skills like focus, resilience, and confidence during competitions, we often only talk about them and train for those mental skills during competitions. We try to build resilience and confidence through the act of competing.

But mental skills should be practiced when your body is calm and you aren’t in a stressful environment. You want to practice these skills when you’re relaxed, master them in that scenario, then move on to using those mental skills in competition. This episode gives you one idea of how you can do just that… by developing a pre-performance routine.

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Mentioned in today’s show:

Confident Dancer Formula

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/41

I was working with a group of dancers recently, and after our discussion about competition mindset, two dancers came up to me and asked, “What do I do if I’m standing backstage about to go on and the negative thoughts are just going crazy? How do I stop it?” Negative self-talk is probably one of the biggest issues that dancers talk to me about. Most dancers understand what negative self-talk is and how it’s not helpful, but they can't always stop it from happening.

In today’s quick-tip episode, I’m gonna give you one tool to stop the backstage negativity spiral. We’ll discuss how to handle backstage nerves, helpful and unhelpful self-talk, taking control of your mind and body, and how to reverse unhelpful thoughts. I’ll share a few examples of unhelpful thoughts and walk you through how to reverse them. I hope this gives you a new idea to test out!

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com117

Leave a message for Dr Chelsea: https://chelseapierotti.com/message

Summary: Gratitude has become a bit of a buzzword lately with people everywhere telling you to start a gratitude journal, have a gratitude practice every evening, write down the top three things you're grateful for today. Expressing gratitude, either verbally or writing it down, on a regular basis can help rewire your brain. There’s an old saying: “You can’t live a positive life with a negative mind.” However, we have to train for that positive mind, and practicing gratitude is one simple and very powerful way to train your brain to see more positives in your life.

In this episode, we’ll focus on how gratitude can deepen our relationships and improve our mindset. I’ll be sharing with you a little behind-the-scenes peek at some scientific findings that back up a new way to tap into the power of gratitude. I hope this episode encourages you to think about gratitude in a different way than you have before, especially during Thanksgiving. I hope that this episode serves as a reminder to tell the people in your life when you are grateful for something that they have done or the impact they have made. Happy Thanksgiving!

Key Highlights -

[1m 56s] - Training Your Mind with Gratitude

[3m 32s] - Gratitude is Finding Joy in the Little Things

[4m 20s] - Gratitude Lists 

[5m 59s] - Gratitude Research

[7m 11s] - Gratitude in the Form of a Narrative

[9m 21s] - Gratitude Prompts

Resources -

20 Gratitude Prompts for Dancers: https://www.chelseapierotti.com/88

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

Dr. Huberman’s Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huberman-lab/id1545953110?i=1000542687520

When you're trying to motivate your dancers using positive coaching, you might focus on celebrating the small wins, cheering them on, praising every step of growth along the way. That all sounds good, but let's talk about the flipside: could too much praise be a bad thing?

In this episode, I'm going to tell you all about what psychologists call the Good Job Coach, and as it turns out, the Good Job Coach might not be as motivational as you might think. We’ll discuss the importance of specificity with feedback and the sweet spot of balance between praise, instruction, and redirection. Tune in to hear all about what too much praise can do to your dancers and how to keep their spirits high!

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/147

Follow the show: https://followthepodcast.com/passionfordance

In the third installment of 'Emotional Intelligence for Dancers,' Dr. Chelsea delves into coping strategies for managing emotions over the long term, helping dancers recover from disappointment and frustration. She emphasizes the importance of reflection, after-action reviews, and maintaining a balance outside of dance. Practical tips include journaling, non-screen relaxation routines, and ensuring physical wellness. Dr. Chelsea advocates for the integration of these practices to foster resilience and emotional stability, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling dance experience.

Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/196

NEW TO THE SHOW?! Check out this New Listener Resource to dive into building mental toughness as a dancer.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Emotional Intelligence for Dancers

00:45 Coping Strategies for Long-Term Emotional Management

02:22 Reflection and After Action Reviews

05:38 Journaling for Emotional Growth

07:54 Post-Performance Relaxation Routine

09:00 Maintaining Balance Outside of Dance

11:20 Physical Wellness and Long-Term Care

12:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Summary: As teachers, studio owners, and coaches, we often don't get credit when things are going well. If our dancers are doing well at competition, they are praised, and rightfully so. If we have a recital that goes off without a hitch, teachers might be praised but the studio owner is rarely recognized outside of the studio. 

I was recently working with a group of studio owners, and I heard from one of them how disheartening it can be when you’re giving everything of yourself to your studio and no one seems to notice. That conversation inspired me to share a short message in today’s episode about the importance of giving credit to others and how to deal with those negative emotions when you feel like no one notices how hard you’re working, along with some leadership tips.

While I believe that passing on the compliment to others is a sign of a strong leader, a lot of times, many leaders also can afford to recognize they’re allowed to take a compliment themselves, too. If you think this message might help another dance educator in your life, please share the episode with them. We could all use a little uplifting note now and then, so let’s spread that message to other hardworking dance educators who need to hear it!

Resources:

This Episode’s Website: http://www.chelseapierotti.com/105

Sign up to my Email List: www.chelseapierotti.com/email 

For many teams, be it school teams or studios, we are entering a new season. Wouldn't it be great if we could establish strong, positive cultures from the beginning? When an athlete quits in the middle of the season, it usually causes drama, stress, and a lot of extra work. Generally speaking, as coaches and teachers, we strive to create a culture of team commitment where athletes stay invested all season, year after year.

In today’s episode, I'll be sharing three specific strategies you can use to establish a resilient commitment in your dancers this year. Whether you coach a four-year school program or at a studio where your teams cross all ages, team commitment is vitally important. Tune into today’s episode to learn about these three simple steps to improve athlete-coach relationships and encourage genuine commitment from your dancers!

Dance Coach Membership Relevé: https://chelseapierotti.com/membership

More Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/173

In this episode of Dr. Chelsea delves into the benefits of mindfulness for dancers. She clarifies the difference between mindfulness and meditation and discusses how mindfulness can improve both mental well-being and dance performance. Dr. Chelsea offers practical mindfulness exercises, while emphasizing the importance of being present and non-judgmental. She also shares resources for new listeners and encourages the dance community to explore mindfulness as a tool to regulate emotions, improve focus, and eventually achieve peak performance.

New Listener Resource: https://passionfordancepodcast.com

Other Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/192

00:00 Introduction to Passion for Dance

00:08 The Demands on Dancers and the Need for Mindfulness

00:23 Understanding Mindfulness vs. Meditation

01:16 The Power of Mindfulness in Dance

08:27 Practical Mindfulness Exercises for Dancers

12:27 Conclusion and Resources for New Listeners

Whether you're a coach at a school or teach in a studio setting, your dancers likely need to build a tight-knit team if they're going to be successful this season. Traditionally, people think of connecting socially when they want dancers to be close, but there are actually four types of team building, and social connection’s only one way to build that tight-knit group.

In today’s episode, I'll be sharing those four types of team building to work on this summer if you want to enhance team dynamics and have a group that gets along and works well together all season. Make sure to get the free download that goes along with this episode that covers lots of different team-building games at www.chelseapierotti.com/168. Tune into this episode to learn how to enhance your team dynamics this season so you can have happier, more successful dancers!

Download Team Building Games

Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/168

Have you ever wanted to ask a mental performance coach what to do in a certain situation? Do you have a dancer who's getting overly anxious before competition, or you're not sure how to get your dancers to be fully committed? I want to be a resource for you - the place you can come to ask questions and receive concrete advice. This episode is all about common misconceptions and questions I get about commitment, accountability, punishment, and all things team dynamics. To top it off, I decided to bring on a special guest, who is a fellow mental performance consultant, so we could talk about it together.

My guest today is Demi Agaiby, a Mental Performance Consultant & Director of Beyond Horizons Performance based in Chicago, IL. In this episode, we’ll both share our professional opinions and advice about tough love, understanding your emotions, team commitment, and how having a bad day doesn't mean you have an excuse to have a bad practice. There are not many other consultants who understand dance and all the things that make dancers special and unique, but tune in for a special conversation between two former dancers who are now mental performance consultants!

Leave your Questions for Dr Chelsea:  www.chelseapierotti.com/message

Connect with Demi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondhorizonsperformance/

Positive Team Culture Freebie:  http://beyondhorizonsperformance.com/digital-resources/a-coachs-guide-on-how-to-develop-a-positive-team-culture/

Follow Passion for Dance: https://followthepodcast.com/passionfordance

Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/176

Are you an assistant coach? Do you have an assistant in your program? Maybe you’re in the school setting and lucky enough to be an assistant coach.  Or maybe you’re a head coach doing everything alone and wishing for some help! While this typically applies to a school or all-star setting with head and assistant coaches, it can also apply to studio teachers and owners who have younger teachers that report to you.

If you work with more than one dance educator but you have to be on the same page sometimes and this episode is for you. I’m going to share a little about my journey as a head coach with and without an assistant, and if you have assistants, the 4 questions you should ask them at the beginning of the season, plus if you are the assistant, I have some questions you should make sure to ask of your head coach or studio owner before we get back to the fall season. 

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Freebie Download: Assistant Coach Questions 

https://chelseapierotti.com/71

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

If you’re a dance teacher who feels like you can’t dance like you used to but just chalk it up to being old, you have to listen in to today’s episode. My guest today is a functional dietitian who was also a studio dancer, college dancer, and cheered for the Kansas City Chiefs. Kelsey sat down with me to talk about improving your ability to sustain energy during long performances and competitions and why we need more minerals in our diet. I seriously learned so much, and not to give it all away, but we need more minerals when we’re stressed, which includes physical stress like exercise! Kelsey also shared her important advice about the dangers of coffee (and no, she doesn’t just tell you to quit caffeine) and so much more. 

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Show Notes and Resources

https://chelseapierotti.com/76

_________

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

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Mentioned in the Show:

Free Download: Roadmap to Choosing the Right Captains

Journey to Elite Captain

Self-Paced online leadership course for dance team leaders: Journey to Elite Captain

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, research references, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/56

Do you ever wish your dancers would focus more on individual growth rather than being the best? I know many dancers who only found success in the win or in being the best, when I know they would go so much further and enjoy their success more if they defined success differently. For this episode, I brought in Erin Manske because she has a unique background and take on dance team. She developed a way to bring a little objectivity to our sport without losing the artistry.  She used her background in research and data analysis combined with her dance training to build a skills tracking app called The Tiers System. The Tiers System helps coaches build the best possible team by bringing data and statistics to the dance team world. Through The Tiers System, Erin has helped coaches across the country improve consistency, transparency, and equity in their coaching while empowering their dancers to be more motivated, independent, and intentionally focused on team culture. 

Throughout our conversation, we talk about her new app, and we cover some of the challenges many of us face like motivating our dancers and building confidence. Erin even shares an exercise she does with her team to help them build trust and confidence in each other that I know you’re going to enjoy. 

Mentioned in Today’s Episode

The Tiers System: https://thetierssystem.com

The Confident Dancer Summit: https://confidentdancersummit.com

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/25

Any dancer dreaming of a professional career is most likely working hard in the studio and honing their skills to be the strongest dancer they can be, but in the professional dance world, talent is only 20% of the equation. There are a lot of other skills to master that make up that other 80%. This 80/20 rule where success as a professional dancer is 20% talent, 80% everything else comes from my esteemed guest today, Menina Fortunato.

Menina's mission is to help the next generation of dancers create their dream dance careers. She had her own remarkable career for three decades in this dance industry. She has navigated the demands of both on-camera and behind-the-scenes work while also juggling the responsibilities of being a loving wife and devoted mother of three. Menina has worked on prominent television shows and films including America's Got Talent, Star Trek: Enterprise, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, and she's graced stadium stages entertaining massive crowds with superstars like Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Carrie Underwood, Paula Abdul, and so many more.

Menina and I talk about maintaining motivation as a professional dancer, how our current generation could learn more about rejection and handling negative emotions through mental toughness and some mindset advice for aspiring professionals. And, of course, she'll break down her 80/20 rule and share what that other 80% is all about!

Resources -

Follow Menina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/meninafortunato

Connect with The Business of Dance: www.bizofdance.com

Connect with The Hollywood Summer Tour www.dancehst.com

Connect with Menina: www.meninafortunato.com

Sign up to the Passion for Dance Email List: www.chelseapierotti.com/email

Key Highlights -

[3m 51s] - Menina’s Dance Background

[10m 12s] - Menina’s Favorite Memory Onstage

[14m 17s] - What’s Kept Menina Motivated Professionally

[17m 48s] - Menina’s View on Values

[19m 19s] - The 80/20 Rule

[29m 16s] - Challenges Menina Sees in Dancers Seeking a Professional Career

[34m 45s] - Menina’s Take on Balance and Mindset

[39m 03s] - Menina’s Thoughts on Managing Chaos

Goal setting isn't just about saying something you want to achieve, writing it on a sticky note, and then going for it. That's why a lot of goal setting falls apart. We mean well and we set some big goal, and then somehow it never happens. How you think about goals and how you approach them makes all the difference in making goal setting work for you. I’ve seen hundreds of dancers learn how to use goal setting properly and then turn around to have their most successful season ever, and it’s time I share the insider info with you!

This episode is part one of a two-part series about goal setting. Today, we’ll set the foundation of the achievement mindset. Then next week, I'll share with you my exact goal-setting process that has changed my own life and so many dancers and coaches I've worked with. In this episode, you'll learn the three key ways that an achievement mindset combined with good goal setting changes your performance!

Dance Team Catalyst Course: https://chelseapierotti.com/catalyst

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/160

Dance educators work for the love of dance. But it certainly helps if we have a group of dancers we adore and want to work with every day. This episode is a conversation about creating a positive culture and it will apply if you coach a school team, teach at a studio, own a studio, or really any situation where you are working with dancers or other dance educators. Team culture is what keeps us going. If you work with good people, you stay.  Dancers work harder for a team they feel a part of. Dance teachers stay loyal to a studio with good culture.  It’s what makes a lot of the hard stuff worth it. So how do you create a positive culture? I’ll share the two key elements of creating a positive culture, values and communication.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. Remember to use the hashtag #passionfordancepodcast so I can share it on my stories! 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/6

Did you know I have virtual workshops for dancers, teams, studios, and teachers!? I love working with dancers and dance educators by creating a workshop that is custom to your dancers. We can talk about motivation, goals, resilience, confidence... any mental skill! Find out more about my workshop offers by going to https://chelseapierotti.com/servcies

We know that being a dance coach with a positive impact is more than teaching dance skills and helping your dancers perform well and achieve competitive success. But how? What are the coaching strategies that actually help you teach your dancers those important life skills? How do you challenge them and help your dancers achieve mental strength and perseverance while also supporting their mental health? Well, there are 3 key pillars of being a positive dance coach and it’s all inside the Positive Coaching Framework

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Relevé: A community for coaches on the rise

https://chelseapierotti.com/membership

__________

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/61

Grit is in the dancer who works so much harder than the naturally-talented dancer who slides by. Grit is in the dancer who doesn't quit on a new skill and in the dancer who gets back up every time she falls. Even if you're not familiar with this term, you've probably seen it as a coach and a teacher.

In today’s episode, we’ll be talking all about this mental skill of grit. We’ll discuss the two key areas of grit: passion and persistence. We’ll also touch on an equation for achievement, talent, effort, and skill. I believe we can teach our dancers to have more grit because no matter how much talent they start with, we have to help them take it as far as they can go!

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/122

Many coaches today struggle with accountability on their teams or in the studio. We want dancers who do the hard work and follow through with their promises. Truly accountable dancers own up to their mistakes and do what they say they're going to do even when no one's watching. It's all about being accountable to each other, and the best leaders know how to do that.

Today’s episode is for dancers! I’ll be sharing with you why the very best leaders make mistakes and focus on personal accountability. I'm going to explain exactly what to do if you want to be a strong leader on your team. I’ll talk about how leaders model accountability, the importance of challenging our own self-talk, and how creating simple, fun gestures can help you stay accountable to your team. Tune in to hear what it takes to be the dancer who is being a positive role model for everyone else!

Take the Podcast Quiz for a Currated Podcast List: https://chelseapierotti.com/quiz

Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/180

Do you have more slow twitch or fast twitch muscle fibers? Does your body process B vitamins quickly making you more sluggish sometimes? Maybe you’re like me and you have no idea. So what if a genetic test could tell you specific information like that and even more like information about nutrition, and heart health, plus caffeine and sleep? 

Today I talked with Sarah Haslock Johnson, founder of Dance RX, which I’m telling you, is so exciting. It’s an at-home genetic test and wellness resource, specifically crafted with dance optimization in mind. In this interview, we talked all about Dance RX, but also what it takes to be a good teacher, the industry-wide mental health concerns that were part of her motivation to create Dance RX, and more. So this is the story of Sarah’s journey and the power of Dance RX. 

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Show Notes and Resources

https://chelseapierotti.com/79

_________

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

Summary:

If I know our dance world, then I know that one thing you can count on every season is you’re going to have to clean your routines. Whether your dance team is game-day focused, you're preparing for a championship, or you're performing the nutcracker this holiday season, we all want our routines to be as clean as possible. I always, personally, admire the routines that are exceptionally polished. It makes the artistic message easier to read and understand (and it’s just plain impressive) but cleaning can get really monotonous.

From the mental side of things, I know that’s one of the times where we really need our dancers to be more mentally tough. We need them to dig down and stick with us. Learning how to stick with a long, boring task is a good skill to have, so challenge your dancers to stay with you even if you’re spending a long time on one small section. That said, sometimes we all need a break and a little motivation boost.

Today, I’m going to share a cleaning idea that I learned from fellow coaches who were using this a lot during the pandemic when they had to stay in small groups, but, truly, it’s great anytime because of the mental break, the built-in leadership challenge, and that shift in focus.

Pull Quote -

Chelsea: “This Station Cleaning Method is a great way to take a mostly-clean routine that isn’t quite consistent yet and give it that last polish. It allows your leaders some autonomy, each dancer has some time for more feedback, and it’s simply just a way to change it up when cleaning monotony is just obnoxious and we can’t do it anymore.”

Key Highlights -

[3m 12s] The Station Cleaning Method

[3m 57s] Step One: Divide the Routine into Sections

[4m 28s] Step Two: Divide the Team into Four Equal Groups

[5m 28s] Step Three: Add Giant Sticky Notes to Each Section

[6m 36s] Step Four: Send Each Group to Their Station to Clean

[7m 35s] Step Five: Come Back Together and Run Each Section as a Whole Group

[8m 27s] Recap of The Station Cleaning Method

Resources -

Show Notes, Transcript, and Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/82

Submit your question for the upcoming Q&A episode about building confidence here: https://speakpipe.com/passionfordance

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

Do you have much experience with dance outside of your own culture? Since it's International Dance Day, I want to take today's episode to focus on dance as a source of heritage and identity and how it can truly connect us across our different cultures, but I can't do it alone. My guest today is four-time Emmy Award-winning host and executive producer of the show Bare Feet, Mickela Mallozzi, who is on a mission to experience the world one dance at a time.

In today’s episode, Mickela and I talk about the need to be vulnerable when you're learning something new and how we have to let go of perfection so that we can genuinely be curious and learn from other cultures and experience dance through their eyes. She shares her views on the various cultural foundations of dance that are not often taught, and she shares some great stories like learning the dance with the people of the Garifuna who survived exile only to maintain, thrive, and grow their cultural heritage, including their native dances. I hope you enjoy the cultural exploration of dance in this episode, and let’s celebrate International Dance Day together!

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/157

Connect with Mickela on the Bare Feet website: www.travelbarefeet.com

Follow Mickela and Bare Feet on Instagram: www.instagram.com/travelbarefeet

Sign up to my Email List: www.chelseapierotti.com/email

Do you feel like you have a good work-life balance, or do you feel like the dance side of your life can sometimes tend to take over? If you feel like you have too many passions and it's impossible to do it all, I have a better plan for us: work-life blend. This is actually something I discussed back in 2021, but I've had so many teachers ask me for help with it recently that I decided to go back in the archives to re-release this episode.

In this episode, we’ll discuss how our work and our life shouldn’t be in opposition to each other and how beneficial it can be to evaluate the categories of your life and use a planner to best implement the work-life blend that works best for you. If you feel like work-life balance is impossible, please listen in. If you can shift your perspective around this stuff, I promise you can find balance!

Episode Resources:

https://chelseapierotti.com/141

In today’s conversation, we talk about our passion for dance and teaching, why we believe dancers can't take a compliment and need support from us now more than ever, and how we can help our students define success and get through the hard times. 

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JAM Podcast

Joe and Michelle’s Dance Podcast

@jamdancepodcast

Thrive Dance Experience

@thrivedanceexperience

https://thrivedanceexperience.com/

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/59

Are you a perfectionist? Do you work with perfectionist dancers? I was a perfectionist dancer and a coach, but now I’m a recovering perfectionist. Perfectionism is still a regular battle for me, and it’s really common in our dance industry. Dancers are trained to focus on the most minute details. A pinky finger out of place could change the results of a competition - sometimes literally, and sometimes it just feels that way. In this episode, I’ll share the root cause of perfectionism, help you recognize your perfectionist dancers and learn how to support them so they can be the best possible dancer. I hope this episode gives you a way to talk about this with your dancers and help them overcome perfectionism.

Resources:

Episode Website: https://chelseapierotti.com/98

Submit a question to be answered on the show: www.speakpipe.com/passionfordance

Join my email list here: www.chelseapierotti.com/email

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers

Word of mouth is still the best way the show can grow! If you have a dance friend out there who you think would benefit, please share this episode with them!

Summary: Disappointment is something we all have to go through, but we don't actually talk about how. We're just supposed to get over it and keep pushing forward. So how exactly do you deal with disappointment and continue pushing forward?

In today’s episode, I'll be speaking directly to the dancers, and we’ll be talking about how to deal with disappointment. Maybe you didn't get the role you wanted, you didn’t book the audition you were hoping for, or you're disappointed in how your solo scored last week. If you're a dancer, the likelihood is that you've had to wrestle with this negative emotion of being disappointed, so tune in to hear more about the six steps to dealing with disappointment. This way, the next time you need a little pick-me-up after a low score or you need help turning around a bad mood after a disappointing performance, you'll know exactly what to do!

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/143

Stay in Touch: https://chelseapierotti.com/email

Why do we compete? If you have dancers who take on big national championships every year, why? Have they lost track of why? Throughout my consulting career, I’ve had the privilege to travel to a few different national dance team championships, as a mental skills consultant or a judge, and sometimes as a spectator who simply loves watching dance competitions. On the way home from one such event recently I really started to think about what these trips to nationals mean to the dancers and coaches who compete. I know how much time and energy goes into competing, as well as the hard work on the backend from judges and companies who run the event. So, what is it all for?

I decided there were 5 lessons that really hit home for me this year, and I hope at least one resonates with you too.

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Join the Community of Dance Coaches: Relevé

https://chelseapierotti.com/membership

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/45

In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea addresses the common struggle dancers face with comparison. From defining why we compare ourselves to others to exploring its psychological impacts, Dr. Chelsea provides a deep dive into this common challenge. She discusses four main reasons we compare, how it affects dancers' confidence and mental health, and shares actionable strategies to shift from comparison to personal growth. Listeners can learn to identify their comparison triggers, set personal goals, and cultivate a more positive mindset.

New Listener Resource: https://passionfordancepodcast.com

Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/191

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:50 Welcome and Resources for New Listeners
• 01:53 Understanding the Psychology of Comparison
• 02:57 Why We Compare Ourselves: Four Psychological Reasons
• 06:17 The Negative Impact of Comparison on Dancers
• 06:43 Shifting Your Mindset
• 08:59 Tangible Exercises to Combat Comparison
• 11:56 Conclusion: Embrace Your Unique Journey
• 13:49 Final Thoughts and Resources

Do you have a young dancer in your life with big dreams of a professional ballet career? Knowing where to go for advice and how to choose the next step can be daunting for the young pre-professionals in our lives and I hope today’s interview helps you guide them.

I had the pleasure of working on a project with a woman who serves as a wonderful ballet mentor recently and I’m so excited to share her advice with you today. Caitlin Sloan is a former professional dancer and founder of the Brainy Ballerina. Here’s my interview with Caitlin about mindset and finding intention in your dance career.

Mentioned in Today’s Episode

Caitlin Sloan instagram @TheBrainyBallerina

The Brainy Ballerina Mailing List  ​​

Brought to You By:

Dancer-Fitness.com: https://dancer-fitness.com/membership

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/29

Time management can be hard for all of us, dancers and coaches included, and we often beat ourselves up when we can't do it well. My guest today taught me the time-management strategy I use every day, so I had to bring her on to share it with all of you because it's not just another app or a planner; it’s an amazing stress-reduction tool.

Today’s guest is Kelly Nolan. She's a former attorney, now a time management strategist who created a new system, The Bright Method. I am personally a walking five-star review, as you will hear in the show, because The Bright Method is the only way I survive two jobs I love plus life as a wife, a mother, and a woman with my own desires and goals. I’ve also taught pieces of this method to my college students, so if you're a teacher or a dancer, this will be right up your alley.

Do you want to know the best part about The Bright Method? I don't have a to-do list anymore. It's gone! I go to bed every night feeling accomplished and able to relax without feeling like I'm missing something. So what do you say we learn how to get rid of these to-do lists, shall we?

Connect with Kelly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/

Get The Free Five-Day Program: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh 

Connect with Kelly and The Bright Method: https://www.kellynolan.com/

Follow Passion for Dance: https://chelseapierotti.com/follow

All Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/171

Summary: Do you ever pause and reflect on your day or your week as a dance educator or a dancer? The truth is, sitting down with your favorite journal and truly reflecting on the current state of things is a bit of a luxury, but it’s one that’s more than worth your time because the return is both powerful and verified time and time again in psychological research. Reflection is essential for learning and growth. Taking the time to pause and reflect on what we’ve learned improves our performance and that includes us as teachers and coaches.

In this episode, we’re gonna dig into the mindset strategy of engaging in personal reflection. We’re reaching the end of 2022, and New Year’s planning and goals are the common theme this time of year, but I don't believe in planning or goal setting at all until you can get through the personal reflection part first. So, by the end of this episode, my hope is that you’ll understand why taking time to reflect is worth your precious time, how often to do it, and where to get started. 

As a reminder, there will be no episodes for the next two weeks during the holiday season. A large part of why I do that is for my own deep-dive reflection. So, while I’ll be gone for a couple of weeks, I hope you take the time for your own reflection and see what kind of growth you experience with it.

Resources:  https://chelseapierotti.com/91

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers

Word of mouth is still the best way the show can grow! If you have a dance friend out there who you think would benefit, please share this episode with them!

Since it’s Thanksgiving week here in The States, I’ll be taking time off to be with family and away from screens and work, but I didn’t want to leave you without another episode to help improve your dancer's mental toughness. This is a re-release of episode 51 from way back in early 2022, where I talk all about the three things that we can do as teachers to encourage our dancers to work harder.

I think this topic has been so popular because we all want hard-working dancers, and there are a few simple things teachers can do to get a little more effort from your dancers. In this episode we’ll cover those three things dance educators can do to encourage hard-working and self-motivated dancers. I hope you enjoy this episode, and if you're celebrating this week, I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/137

The best performers in the world didn't get to where they are through magic, nor did they get there overnight. The best path to your personal best is to focus on those small, daily habits that add up to consistent growth. Psychological research has taught us that there are three of these daily key habits to focus on.

In today’s episode, I'll share the three daily habits of top-performing dancers that you can implement right away. I’ll be breaking them down and sharing how they all can all build upon each other. If you're a dancer with big goals, I encourage you to integrate these three practices in your daily life for better performance in class and onstage, greater confidence when you perform, and the resilience to bounce back quickly when things go wrong. Tune in to hear all about how creating daily habits supports successful dancers!

Take the podcast quiz to know where to start: https://chelseapierotti.com/podcastquiz

Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/184

This episode is part two of the Positive Coaching Framework Series where we’ll discuss how to be a dance coach who truly makes a lasting positive impact on your dancers.

If you’ve been teaching for a while, you might agree with me that today’s dancers are different. While there are some positives, being challenged and pushed outside of their comfort zone is more often met with shutting down and closing up rather than rising to the challenge. Being able to rise up to that challenge, though, is a skill of resilience.

In today’s episode, we take a look at the resilience pillar where we’ll focus on the power of resilience, why resilience is important, and how to build resilience in students and dancers. There are three skills to creating this foundation of emotional resilience that I’ll walk you through: learning about emotional strength, learning to respond (not react), and being comfortable with the uncomfortable. As dance educators, I believe we can focus on building resilience in our students by teaching our dancers how to lean into the discomfort of being scared.

I know these skills are easier said than done, and I want to help you help your dancers learn these skills. If you’d like to learn more about my Mental Skills Workshops, please visit www.chelseapierotti.com/workshop, and you’ll see more information on both in-person and virtual options.

Resources:

Episode Website: http://www.chelseapierotti.com/102

Coaching and teaching dance is hard, it’s really rewarding, but hard. It’s easy to feel beat down sometimes. When your dancers aren’t listening, when the parents are pushing every last button, when your hardworking dancers aren't seeing the competitive success you wish for them… it can feel so defeating.

So today I want to share a short message for you in the hopes it might help on those harder days when you feel like you don’t want to do this anymore. This is a simple mindset shift that might help you through… Never Regret a Day.

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Did you know Dr. Chelsea is available for speaking at your next event?

Learn more at: https://chelseapierotti.com/servies

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to follow me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more dance mindset tips!

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/58

Dancers, this one is directly for you! You can be a mentally healthy dancer who is ALSO mentally tough. Here's the difference between mental toughness and mental health and how you can build your mental toughness.

Learn more at: https://chelseapierotti.com/156

As you may know, one of the main themes of this show is resilience. I love talking with successful and talented dancers about their own resilience journey and to hear what they can teach us about perseverance and following your dreams. As for today’s guests specifically, they not only have multiple ballroom championship titles, but they have also coached and worked with some of your favorite dancers on shows like SYTYCD and DWTS. They even wrote a children’s book that I can attest my 6-year-old loved. There are some wonderful words of wisdom in this episode so listen in as Corky Ballas and Carolina Orlovsky share their inspiring stories of resilience and advice for following your dreams.

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Show Notes and Resources

https://chelseapierotti.com/74

ChloeBook.com

@corkyballas

@carolinaorlovsky

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

Dancers, how far is the gap between what you want and what you actually have right now? If you have big dreams, I hope there's a gap between where you are now and where you want to be. But how big is that gap, and do you have a real sense of the hill or mountain in front of you, and are you willing to do what it takes to close the gap?

I usually talk to dance coaches and teachers, but today’s episode is a short and important message for dancers. We’ll break down the four things getting in the way of dancers’ dreams and discuss how you have the power to turn these around. By the end of this episode, I hope to help you bridge that gap between where you are now and where you want to be!

Finish Strong Workshop: https://chelseapierotti.com/finishstrong

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/140

In this episode, I’m talking with New York City-based professional dancer, Courtney Ortiz. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to audition and perform in New York City, she shares some great advice on the mental aspects of being a professional adult performer and how to pick up choreography quickly. 

Courtney’s career spans from stage to screen with credits including the Broadway National Tour of Finding Neverland, Lin Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes, and so much more. Outside of performing, Courtney is an international dance educator and in-demand dance adjudicator as well. She’s been teaching on faculty with numerous dance conventions and is currently on guest faculty at the legendary Steps on Broadway.

Courtney has some great points about being able to pick up choreography quickly in an audition and adapt in a professional setting. Spoiler alert: you have to count! There’s even more to the conversation when we discuss teaching, judging, how you build your confidence as a judge, and if judges can really tell if you're nervous based on your walk on. Enjoy my conversation with New York City-based professional dancer, Courtney Ortiz!

Episode Resorces and Courtney's Info: https://chelseapierotti.com/130

I used to start every season with a mix of emotions. Excitement, nerves, doubts, plans, goals… there are a lot of moving parts! I talk a lot about self-talk with dancers. It’s a really important and challenging mental skill that doesn’t come easy to most of us. Today however, I want to focus on some of the negative self-talk that coaches and teachers may be experiencing at the beginning of the season. No matter how many years you’ve been at it, self-doubt trickles in. And I want to dispel the myth that there are dance educators out there who always have it all together and never doubt themselves. Because in my experience, those people don’t exist.  We all have some negative self-talk and doubts, that deosn’t make you a bad coach. So in today’s episode, I share 10  common self-doubts I see in coaches and teachers and what you can do about those doubts.

Mentioned in the Show

Other resources to help you start off on the right foot this season...

Practice Planner: the roadmap to organizing your schedule this year so you can achieve your goals without feeling rushed right before competition

How to Write a Coaching Philosophy – the best way to have a drama-free, focused, and motivated season is to make every decision from a foundational coaching philosophy. 

Captain Leadership Training – don’t just name the captains and let it be. Help them be the leaders you want!

Add some fun Team Building Games to your practices

Start a Journaling Practice with your team – bring everyone closer and set the tone of motivation and intention for the season

Project Management Tools:

Asana

Trello

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/20

Do you wish you had dancers who pushed themselves in class and held themselves accountable? This seems to be a common challenge for a lot of dance teachers: we wish our dancers would embrace a challenging class with a positive attitude and enjoy the process of training to be an excellent dancer.

In today’s episode, I'm going to tackle the concept of accountability in class and getting dancers to go full out with a friend of mine, the incredible dance teacher, Kelsey Nelson. Kelsey likes to dig into what developing artists need, and dancers who train with her are given tools to aid in both their mental and physical needs while also learning proper foundation and technique. She created her own cross-training and teaching method, and today we get to learn all about it.

Before she started her journey as an educator, Kelsey worked professionally on various major motion pictures and corporate work, and now she travels across the country working for national talent competitions and conventions. She is impacting the dance industry and is so sought after for her innovative and knowledgeable training and coaching, which is why I wanted to bring her here to you. She's a master at teaching challenging classes that help dancers find their own motivation and accountability, and she's going to share her little secrets with you today!

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/150

Follow Kelsey Nelson on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kjndance

Email Kelsey: kjndance@gmail.com

Connect with Kelsey: www.kelseynelson.com

Follow Passion for Dance: www.lovethepodcast.com/passionfordance

Dealing with an injury can be devastating to a dancer. And it’s not just the physical pain, but the mental load that we deal with during recovery is substantial. As dance educators, many of us have been through this ourselves, or we’ve had our students struggle with serious injuries that just break our hearts. But why does being injured hurt so much mentally as well as physically, and how do we help? In this episode, I share a case study of how I helped one dancer through a serious injury so you have some tools and ideas you can use the next time you have a dancer who needs support. 

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Show Notes and Resources

https://chelseapierotti.com/77

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

Recently I asked this wonderful village of dance coaches and teachers to submit questions that I could answer on the show. So in this episode, I have 3 questions about sport psychology and dance straight from the community. One of my favorite things about my job is getting to know and connect with fellow dance professionals and passionate coaches. So know that my inbox is always open, or send me a DM on Instagram and tell me what’s on your mind. 

In this episode we address:

1. How do I keep motivated towards the end of the season
2. How do I make my dancers believe in themselves the way I do
3. How to break the mindset barrier between being the dancer and now the  coach, i.e. teaching your dancers things you could never do with confidence

Mentioned in the show:

https://dancer-fitness.com/ and check out my conversation with Katie in Episode 10!

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/16

Welcome to the 100th episode of the Passion for Dance podcast! In honor of the 100th episode, I wanted to do something special. My passion has become a passion for so many of you who are listening, so thank you for continuing to tune in, listen, and send me all the messages about the podcast and how much it’s helped you. It's all about building relationships and I love this community so thank you for being a part of it!

Today’s episode is all about those small moments that shape who you are and the special people who are with you when you experience them. I asked a few different people who have been a part of my dance life at different stages to share a little story about a small moment they shared with me and what it meant to them. In the episode, I’ll play four messages from these four people and give my honest immediate reaction to them.

I hope you find this interesting, getting a little glimpse into me and the different phases of my life, and I hope this episode encourages you to pause and think about those small moments in your life that have really meant something to you and who was with you during those moments.

Resources:

Episode Website: http://www.chelseapierotti.com/100

Join the Relevé Membership here: www.chelseapierotti.com/membership

Submit a question to be answered on the show: www.speakpipe.com/passionfordance

Join my email list here: www.chelseapierotti.com/email

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers

Word of mouth is still the best way the show can grow! If you have a dance friend out there who you think would benefit, please share this episode with them!

As a coach or a teacher, we’ve all been through the challenges that come with the end of the season. You’ve been training your competition routine for months, it’s rounding to the end of the season and it’s time to push through those last few big events, planning a recital, or getting ready for nationals, however, you end your year. For me, there were years where this transition into that last big push went smoothly. The dancers were ready for the increased practices, motivated each other to keep fighting, and we had a great end of our competitive season. There were even years when I felt ready to handle it. But there were a lot of years where just the thought of getting through that last show was exhausting. So if you are feeling tired this year, maybe a little more irritable with your dancers, or maybe you’re even ready to give up… then this episode is for you. Let’s talk about burnout.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/12

Did you know I have virtual and in-person workshops for dancers, teams, studios, and teachers!? I love working with dancers and dance educators by creating a workshop that is custom to your dancers. We can talk about motivation, goals, resilience, confidence... any mental skill! Find out more about my workshop offers by going to https://chelseapierotti.com/servcies

Do you set New Year's resolutions or new goals this time of year, or are you like me and go through a reflection process to choose one word for the year that serves as a compass or a guide? While I do think goals can be very powerful when done correctly, I first have to know where my focus is. Because this focus will guide my mindset and help me course correct when I get off track, choosing my one word to focus on each year makes achieving my goals much more likely.

Since this is the first episode of 2023, I’ll share about my own reflection process and what happened with last year’s word. I’ll also share with you how I chose my word for this year and offer some guiding questions and things to consider so you can choose your own word for 2023. My word is what I need in my life right now, and your word will be very different and should reflect what you need. I hope listening to this episode will help you find your own compass for the year. If you take the process seriously, and it’s truly connected to you, the impact is incredible.

Once you have your one word for 2023, I’d love to hear about it! Send me a message on Instagram or email me to let me know what you’ve chosen and why it matters to you.

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/92

Revisit Episode 43 - My One Word for 2022 And Why You Should Set One Too

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers

Word of mouth is still the best way the show can grow! If you have a dance friend out there who you think would benefit, please share this episode with them!

Do your dancers struggle with face-to-face conversations or have a hard time handling their emotions? If you're like most dance educators I've talked to, having real, face-to-face conversations, that are productive but still kind and provide real benefit, is exceedingly challenging. Our dancers are used to communicating behind a screen. It's hurting their relationships, and I also think it's hurting their ability to perform well onstage. My guest today, Michelle Leagans, has found a solution to this problem!

Michelle is a former professional dancer from Texas who currently owns and teaches for Power Intensives, and she's a sought-after choreographer and master instructor. Michelle’s solution was to create a journal for dancers called “Hey Dancers… Let's Talk About It!” This journal is different, and the way she explains how it works and why it works will make you want to give it a try. 

In today’s conversation, Michelle talks about the power of journaling individually as well as in a team setting via groups. We also talked about addressing burnout and this wonderful idea of glimmers, which provides a much-needed dose of positivity when you need it. Trust me, you're going to want to try it. Tune in to learn how to help your dancers express themselves through journaling!

Connect with Michelle on Instagram: www.instagram.com/michelleleagans

Get “Hey Dancers… Let's Talk About It!”:  www.letstalkaboutdance.com

Follow Passion for Dance: https://followthepodcast.com/passionfordance

Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/169

Why do we take a good performance for granted and seem to spend way too much time thinking about mistakes and performances we regret? Why do we naturally tend to docs on the bad side of things? Well, today I’m going to talk about how your brain processes information in a way that makes it so easy to hold onto the negative experiences and harder to focus on the good things. But the more we can learn how to intentionally spend more time on the good things in our dance life, the more resilient we become to the hard times. In this episode, we’ll cover why our brains naturally focus on the negative and what we can do about it.

Mentioned in Today’s Episode

Dancer-Fitness.com: https://dancer-fitness.com/membership

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/32

If you’ve ever experienced a rehearsal where dancers aren’t giving full effort, there’s eye-rolling or disrespect, it’s incredibly frustrating and it could be a sign the dancers lack accountability. Accountability is when you do what you say you’re going to do to the best of your ability.  Accountability doesn't mean perfect or without mistakes, but if you promised you’d do something, you do it.  And it’s more than being accountable to the coach or teacher in the room.  We don’t want a group of dancers who only do what they’re told when someone is watching. We want them to do the right thing even if no one sees them. We want a group of dancers where everyone is accountable for themselves AND accountable to each other. 

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/37

Are you a flexible dancer or have easily hyperextended joints? Dancers with hypermobile joints might love the ability to show off tricks and skills as a dancer, but is it dangerous to be that hypermobile? I’ve been wanting to talk to a medical professional about hypermobile joints in dancers, so my guest today, a dancer turned doctor, is here to explain it all!

Dr. Linda Bluestein is renowned for her expertise in hypermobility disorders. As the founder of Hypermobility MD, she offers specialized medical care to individuals grappling with all these kinds of conditions. And Dr. Bluestein is the driving force behind Bendy Bodies, a worldwide coaching practice aimed at empowering and supporting individuals with hypermobility, many of whom are dancers. Dr. Bluestein is also the founder and host of a wonderful podcast, Bendy Bodies with Hypermobility MD, where she shares valuable insights and resources.

In this episode, I asked Linda all the questions I think dancers and dance teachers might ask. Dr. Bluestein clarifies the difference between hypermobility and flexibility, when hypermobility is concerning and when it's not, and when and how to get help. She also shared why gut health and flat feet are often related to hypermobility, which I found really interesting, and she has very practical, helpful advice for dance teachers as well. Listen into this crash course in hypermobility with Dr. Linda Bluestein!

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/174

Connect with Dr. Bluestein on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/

Hypermobility MD’s Website: http://www.hypermobilitymd.com

Listen to Bendy Bodies with Hypermobility MD Podcast: http://www.bendybodiespodcast.com

Follow the Bendy Bodies Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendy_bodies/

Connect with Linda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/

It’s the first guest interview episode of the Passion for Dance Podcast, with Katie Groven of Dancer-Fitness.com! Katie is an ACSM certified personal trainer, holistic health coach, and two-time world champion dancer. She is the creator of dancer-fitness.com  an online exercise database designed to optimize dancer’s skills with strength training. She has combined her 25 years of dance and her expertise in fitness to empower dancers of all ages to view themselves as athletes and give coaches and teachers the tools to increase their strength, endurance, injury prevention, and overall performance.

In this interview, we talk about the importance of strength training specific to dancer’s needs and goals, why it doesn’t take as much time as you think, our views on whether dancers are athletes, and so much more.

Katie Groven

Website: Dancer-Fitness.com

Email: katie@dancer-fitness.com

Instagram: @dancer_fitness.com_

Episode Sponsor: National Dance Coaches Association

Website and conference information: https://nationaldancecoaches.org 

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/10

Did you know I have virtual and in-person workshops for dancers, teams, studios, and teachers!? I love working with dancers and dance educators by creating a workshop that is custom to your dancers. We can talk about motivation, goals, resilience, confidence... any mental skill! Find out more about my workshop offers by going to https://chelseapierotti.com/servcies

Helping your dancers find the drive to work hard in class is a constant struggle for a lot of us. I think we all want to help our dancers show up with confidence and work hard every day and teach them to keep fighting when it gets hard. There are a lot of ways you can motivate your dancers, but today I’m gonna talk about one specific idea you can use to help motivate your athletes. It boils down to making them feel capable.

In today’s episode, we’ll take a deeper dive into motivation. We’ll discuss the basic psychological human need of feeling capable and go into five ways to help your dancers to believe they are capable. Listen in for many new easy to make your dancers feel capable in your next class!

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/127

Leave a Message for the show: https://chelseapierotti.com/message

At the end of every dance season, there comes a time to say goodbye. Every year, as both a teacher and a coach, I watch young men and women I've grown close to graduate and move on to the next phase of their life. Whether it's at banquets or graduations, watching a senior leave the program is usually heavy with some complex emotions. One mental skill I often focus on is resilience, and big life transitions like this usually need some extra resilience.

In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing my thoughts about saying goodbye to our dancers during this time of transition, because it can be hard. I’ve learned a lot over the years about saying goodbye and the mindset that helps you be resilient to this kind of change, so I’ll give you three things to remind yourself of when you find yourself navigating the inevitable emotions of saying goodbye. If you're having a hard time letting go of your dancers this year, I hope this episode is helpful to you!

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/159

Love the Show: https://lovethepodcast.com/passionfordance

This episode is a little heavier, but I’m learning to lean into the hard, so I hope you’ll join me. I’m grateful that there is a growing conversation around mental health, increasing awareness and hopefully supporting your dancers. However, I also think that can leave dance educators feeling like they should be doing more or that they don’t know enough to be responsible. Consider this episode an introduction to help you feel more comfortable with this challenging topic and know where to go next. I’m going to clarify the difference between mental health, mental illness, and mental toughness. I cover some current statistics on mental illness in athletes, and finally, what YOU can do to support your athlete’s mental health.

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All Resources Mentioned in Today’s Show:

https://chelseapierotti.com/66

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

In this episode, host Dr. Chelsea talks to distinguished dance educator Anabella Lenzu about the shifting focus in the dance community from artistic expression to technical perfection and competitive achievements. Anabella, originally from Argentina and now a teacher in New York City, shares her perspectives on dance education shaped by her multicultural experiences. They explore the importance of incorporating emotional connection in dance training, and how cultural adaptation influences teaching methodologies. Anabella delves into her teaching philosophy, stressing the significance of meaningful gestures over rote repetition and the holistic development of dancers. The conversation also touches on the impact of social media on dance and the essence of performing for live audiences and not just TikTok. Anabella introduces her book 'Teaching and Learning Dance Through Meaningful Gestures,' which merges pedagogical principles with both technical and artistic guidance, making it an invaluable resource for dancers and educators.

Get Anabella’s Book: Teaching and Learning Dance Through Meaningful Gestures

Connect with Anabella: 

https://instagram.com/AnabellaLenzu

https://facebook.com/AnabellaLenzu

https://youtube.com/AnabellaLenzu

Other Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/202

Episode Breakdown

00:41 Meet Anabella Lenzu

02:52 Anabella's Dance Journey and Teaching Philosophy

04:31 The Importance of Cultural Adaptation in Dance

08:03 Challenges in Dance Education Across Different Countries

11:13 Balancing Technical Skill and Artistic Expression

14:49 Practical Exercises for Emotional Connection

18:58 Promoting Dance as an Art Form

22:13 The Importance of Meaningful Gestures in Dance

25:12 Comprehensive Training for Performers

28:11 Visualization Techniques in Dance

31:30 Emotional Connection in Performance

40:23 The Role of Books in Dance Education

When I was dancing 20+ hours a week and basically living at the studio, I was always focused on improving my technique. All my energy went into getting stronger at the ballet barre, working flexibility, and trying to nail that hard across the floor combo in turns and leaps class. What I wasn’t thinking about, was my mindset. I wish I could say I “got it” intuitively and knew how to harness the power o

f sport psychology at an early age. But in reality, I was (am) a perfectionist who worries about what other people think ALL THE TIME. There were some tools in the sport psychology toolbox that I used regularly like visualization, but for the most part I was a typical studio kid who was desperate to keep my place in front of the jazz routine, get noticed by my ballet teacher, and win at competition. I thought the only way to accomplish those goals was to work harder and push my body further.

I wish I knew then, what I know now. I wish I knew the power of sport psychology, and in this episode, I share just that… how sport psychology can change your life as a dancer and a dance educator.

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This episode is brought to you by the membership:

Relevé: A Community for Dance Coaches on the Rise. Learn more at https://chelseapierotti.com/membership

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/13

Did you know I have virtual and in-person workshops for dancers, teams, studios, and teachers!? I love working with dancers and dance educators by creating a workshop that is custom to your dancers. We can talk about motivation, goals, resilience, confidence... any mental skill! Find out more about my workshop offers by going to https://chelseapierotti.com/servcies

This episode is a continuation of last week where I talked about 3 of the key qualities to look for in a captain. If you choose to have formal leaders, I believe choosing a captain is one of the first and sometimes more difficult decisions you make at the beginning of the season. But once the appointment is made, your work has just begun. Developing leadership skills is an ongoing process, every day, all season long.  You can’t assume they will automatically be a good leader. Even if you believe they have the right personality, they’re a talented athlete, or have already demonstrated skills as a ‘natural leader’. That doesn’t mean they actually know what to do if you give them a leadership role. 

A captain’s influence is powerful. If you spend the time to specifically help your captains develop into the type of leader you want, you will be able to make sure their influence is in line with your vision and direction for the team. Let’s talk about 2 key actions you can take to develop strong leadership skills in your captains.

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Mentioned in the Show:

Free Download: Roadmap to Choosing the Right Captains

Journey to Elite Captain

Self-Paced online leadership course for dance team leaders: Journey to Elite Captain

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/57

What kind of dancer will make it in New York City? Do passionate dancers get taken advantage of in the professional world? Today’s episode is a conversation with Dr. Ruth Horowitz, a sociologist who specifically studied recent dancers. She interviewed over 80 professionals at various levels of their career and found some really interesting results about passion, how dancers create a career by piecing together different contracts, the grit and determination it takes to make it, and how the identity of a dancer never leaves you.

So if you want to know what it's like to move to New York and try to make it as a professional dancer and what kind of dancer is most likely to make it, Dr. Horowitz is here to tell you all about it with some great tools to help you reach your professional dreams. Tune in!

Get Ruth’s Book: Passionate Work: Choreographing a Dance Career on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble or at Stanford University Press

Connect with Ruth on her Website: https://dancerscareers.com

Follow Ruth on Instagram: www.instagram.com/horowitz.ruth 

Follow Passion for Dance: https://followthepodcast.com/passionfordance

Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/183

Many of us choose to teach our dancers with the same disciplinary approach we grew up with and that often includes punishment when dancers don't follow the rules. 

Why do we use punishment? Because it usually works and provides the desired short-term result. But is it the best thing for the long-term goals of your program and the psychological health of your dancers?

In this episode, I want to let you know about the research in psychology around punishment and performance, discipline, and mental health. Hopefully, you can take this information and use it to guide your own teaching style based on the age of your dancers and your overall approach to education.

Because punishment is necessary sometimes, but there are important guidelines to how you implement punishment that will help protect your dancers' mental health.

And if you have struggled with punishment and how to handle it in your specific dance context, send me DM on Instagram, I’d love to chat with you more about it!

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. Remember to use the hashtag #passionfordancepodcast so I can share it on my stories! 

Check out the full show notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/4

Did you know I have virtual workshops for dancers, teams, studios, and teachers!? I love working with dancers and dance educators by creating a workshop that is custom to your dancers. We can talk about motivation, goals, resilience, confidence... any mental skill! Find out more about my workshop offers by going to https://chelseapierotti.com/servcies

Would you want to know that your last time onstage was the last time? Would that knowledge bring closure or would it be too difficult to perform if you knew it was your last time? My guest in today’s episode was a professional dancer who battled serious injuries throughout her long career, and she's here today to share some incredible words of wisdom for dealing with injury, finding a purpose again, and how she handled it when it was suddenly her last chance to perform.

Hannah Teutscher, whose professional career brought her throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. She has taught workshops and masterclasses in dance, Pilates, and yoga worldwide, and currently teaches out of her studio in Nuremberg, Germany. She also runs a successful online teacher training, mentorships, and continuing education along with her wonderful podcast, The Pilates Exchange. She’s very open and vulnerable with us about her experience with injury and the journey of growth and recovery, and mental skills certainly pertain to dealing with injury and the end of a professional career, so tune into this episode to hear Hannah’s advice on the gift of injury!

Connect with Hannah on her Website: www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/

Listen to the Pilates Exchange Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pilates-exchange/id1704769014

Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/190

Summary:  The word “intention” is becoming a bit of a buzzword. There are so many influencers and psychologists alike who talk about all of the benefits setting your intention can have on your life, but what about setting an intention for a dance team practice or a ballet class? You can set an intention for the year like I do, or you can set intentions on a micro level for each day, each class, or each practice. These micro-level intentions help both dancers and teachers achieve more focus and structure within their classes. In this episode, I’ll cover why intention directs your focus, how it’s different from a goal, and how you can use it to have more present and attentive dancers.

I’d also love for you to join me inside the dance coach’s membership, Relevé. The community is designed to help you create a team of committed, hard-working dancers that are a pleasure to coach every day. There is a whole vault of all the mental skills resources I’ve ever made. I make new ones if anything ever comes up that people need, and, plus, the community of all the other coaches who are going through the same thing. I truly believe the community is something special that allows dance coaches like you to find joy and success in coaching. The community is open. We’d love to have you!

Resources -

Join my Relevé Membership Here: www.chelseapierotti.com/membership

Submit a question to be answered on the show: www.speakpipe.com/passionfordance

 Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers

Word of mouth is still the best way the show can grow! If you have a dance friend out there who you think would benefit, please share this episode with them!

I often hear from dancers they say some pretty mean things to themselves they’d never say out loud or to a friend. For some reason, it’s so easy for us to get caught in negative spirals where we berate ourselves for a mistake or convince ourselves we’re not good enough, and sometimes that little voice is not always so encouraging, and telling yourself, “I've got this,” and basically talking yourself into a good mood doesn't always work. Sometimes it feels disingenuous or fake, and you don't believe yourself. So what do you do when positive self-talk or saying those positive affirmations feels fake?

In today’s episode we’ll break down the three types of self-talk, focusing on instructional self-talk, and I’ll share about the impact of developing cues that speak to you, practicing regularly, and keeping it simple. Tune in to learn why speaking positively to yourself doesn't always work and what to do instead!

Currated Podcast List - know where to start! https://chelseapierotti.com/podcastquiz

Other Episode Resoures: https://chelseapierotti.com/179

This is part 1 of a two-part series about improving confidence and for part 1, I focus on where confidence comes from because if we understand where it comes from, we are in a better position to change it. And to help explain this in the episode I share a story of one simple competition day that changed my coaching career. Then I cover the 3 sources of confidence and a takeaway for how you can use your everyday practice time to improve your dancers’ confidence.

Mentioned in Today’s Episode

The Confident Dancer Summit: https://confidentdancersummit.com

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/26

Do you use the cues to “pull up” or “point your toes”? Those are common cues teachers use in the dance world. One mental skill I talk about is attention and learning how to take a cue like “pull up” and translate that to a helpful action on your body. I know some dancers hear your cue and then nothing happens, but my guest today has some great insights to help us understand what dance teachers should know about dance science and how to use it in their curriculum.

Today’s guest is Maria Haralambis, an expert in dance kinesiology who currently works as both a ballet teacher and advisor for many dance education platforms. In this episode, we’ll discuss the importance of bringing dance science into curriculums and shifting the way we think about anatomy, along with balance and spotting tips and the language to use when cueing to ensure each dancer understands what you’re asking of them from an anatomy standpoint. Listen in while we talk dance anatomy and how to use that knowledge to train turns and balance and so many important skills!

Connect with Maria on Her Website: https://www.thedancescientist.com/

Listen to Maria’s Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5XcLTaJqxWtzIcEL0C4YiV?si=377bf7f0d3364451

Follow Maria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.dancescientist/

Follow Passion for Dance: https://followthepodcast.com/passionfordance

Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/178

Good leaders think about the legacy they want to leave behind, even if they are years away from leaving the helm of the ship. I had the extreme pleasure of watching the national tour of Hamilton when it first came to town, and I left the show inspired and thinking about legacy. How do you build a legacy that you're proud of? What does that even mean?

One of the parts that stuck with me was Alexander’s speech about his legacy: “Legacy. What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see. I wrote some notes at the beginning of a song someone will sing for me. America, you great unfinished symphony, you sent for me. You let me make a difference.”

Today’s episode is a stream-of-consciousness episode where I was inspired to share my thoughts around tradition and legacy as dance teachers and coaches. We’ll discuss creating a legacy in the professional dance team world, the mantra of “tradition never graduates,” and I’ll share how I’ve developed my own legacy as a teacher and coach. Here are my thoughts on building our own legacies because a teacher’s impact lasts long after we’ve left the classroom.

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/128

Email List: https://chelseapierotti.com/email

In this episode of Passion for Dance, host Dr. Chelsea is joined by professional dancer Nia Lonette. The two dive into Nia's journey from Maryland to becoming an acclaimed dancer in LA, featuring her work with prominent artists and appearances at major events like the Grammys. Nia shares valuable tips on handling nerves, staying present in auditions, managing negative thoughts in class, and preparing for a move to LA. They also discuss elements from Nia's new book, 'Industry Survival Guide,' which offers practical advice on creating resumes, taking headshots, and finding community in the dance world. This conversation provides both aspiring and seasoned dancers with actionable strategies to thrive in their careers while emphasizing the importance of mental resilience and continuous self-improvement.

Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/199

Connect with Nia Lonette:

https://www.nialonette.com

https://www.instagram.com/nialonette

Episode Breakdown

01:29 Meet Nia Lonette

02:37 Transitioning to the Professional Dance World in LA

04:57 Building Confidence and Overcoming Nerves

06:53 Early Lessons and Mentorship

13:13 Handling Nerves in Class and Auditions

23:02 The Importance of Being in the Moment

26:26 Resilience in the Professional Dance World

31:26 Insights from the Industry Survival Guide

34:54 A Day in the Life of a Professional Dancer

39:39 The Power of Emotions in Dance

41:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Summary: Each year I set a word of intention rather than a New Year’s resolution, and I usually stop and do a deep reflection on my intention at the end of the year. Like most of us, I’m always learning and growing, and I’ve learned if I don't do a deeper reflection in the summer, I usually get off track. That was one of my big reflections from last year.

Today’s episode is going to be a mid-year reflection on my word of the year, which is purpose. I’ll speak about my word of the year and how I set my vision for the year. I’ll also summarize the five ways I wanted to live with more purpose this year. I encourage you to take time to either set your own word for the remainder of the year, or if you already have a word for this year, do a deeper reflection on how this year’s word is going for you. I promise that you won't regret time spent in reflection!

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/119

Do you teach dancers under ten years old? Can you teach dancers that little about mental toughness, or is it better to wait? I'm often asked if mental skills training is appropriate for young dancers taking level one classes or in the mini competitive program. The answer is, yes, it is appropriate.

In this episode, I’ll share three key ideas to build mental toughness in young dancers. We’ll also discuss how mental training is just like physical training and the importance of exposing your young dancers to mental skills training at a young age. Talking about mental skills, mindset, resilience might seem like an advanced conversation or just too much for our youngest dancers, but I'm here to say you can talk to dancers about mental toughness at every age. If you teach young dancers, tune in to hear more about building mental toughness at any age!

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/154

Follow the show: https://followthepodcast.com/passionfordance

Summary:

You may or may not yet know that I do a lot of coaching the coaches in my business. This is where I work with dance teachers and coaches to help them discover how they can best support their dancers’ mental skills while improving their own skills. After doing this work for years, I’ve found that many people are struggling with similar situations, and I believe in the value of hearing how other people are dealing with these particular things.

Today, I am excited to share something new with all of you! We’ll be doing a one-on-one coaching for dance educators episode with Coach Erin, a high school coach in Missouri. In this episode, we discuss personal mindset tips for dance coaches, how to build up intensity and excitement earlier in the season, the benefit of discussing possible obstacles and reflecting on performances with dancers, and more. 

These episodes will function as a way to come together in the community to support other dance educators, and this is the first of many episodes like these to come. These types of episodes will allow us to see that we’re not alone and also help us gain insight into how things can improve when it comes to both our dancers’ mental skills and our own skills as coaches.

Resources -

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/83

To be a part of a future episode, visit: www.chelseapierotti.com/beontheshow

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

Work-life balance is a myth, and I have some thoughts on the idea that I want to share with you today. There are so many self-help books and podcasts, and influencers out there telling you how to balance in work and life so that you never feel overwhelmed or guilty. I argue that true balance is impossible.

But not because it’s impossible to balance, but because I don’t believe your life and your work should be in opposition to each other. The phrase “work-life balance” implies these two things are sitting on opposite sides of a scale. And in order to be happy, you have to figure out how to keep these two things balanced every minute of every day. When the scales slightly tip one way or the other, you feel guilt, shame, and a sense of failure. In this episode, I talk about the harm of that myth and what you can do about it.

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Mentioned in the episode: Time management and life organization expert Kelly Nolan

https://www.kellynolan.com/

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts!

Be sure to snap a screenshot and tag me on instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti as you’re listening to the episode. 

Check out the full Show Notes, including episode highlights, key takeaways, exclusive resources, and more: https://chelseapierotti.com/38

Imagine this, you’re lying in bed, exhausted from a long day. You start thinking about the email you need to send to that one parent. Then you start to fix the opening sequence to your jazz routine in your head because it isn’t reading the way you want it to. Then you start to calculate how long it will take you to rhinestone one costume and realize you have some late nights ahead of you. Have you ever had those sleepless nights where your head hits the pillow and the to-do list starts growing in your head? 

If you can relate, then this episode is for you. I share my own method for controlling the mind clutter before bed to ensure better sleep plus some science about how forgiveness may actually be the key.

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Show Notes and Resources

https://chelseapierotti.com/80

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers.

If you are of a certain age in this dance industry, like me, you probably had to run laps when you were late to practice or would be kicked out of ballet if you crossed your arms in class. For many of us, we grew up with coaches and directors who used physical punishment for bad behavior and mistakes. It was the norm. It's what many of us were used to.

If you're currently using any type of physical punishment on your team, even in the name of motivation, I want to challenge that practice today based on my time coaching and teaching as well as the science behind it and what psychology tells us about behavior change and motivation. In this episode, I’ll uncover the four reasons not to use physical conditioning as a form of punishment. I hope this episode encourages you to avoid punishing with pushups and instead try another approach!

Podcast Quiz: Get a curated list of the top 5 episodes that will help you right now!

https://chelseapierotti.com/quiz

Other Episode Resources:

https://chelseapierotti.com/170

Summary: Have you ever had to grieve the loss of your dream even if it was your choice to choose a different path in life? I know I’ve gone through that, and there were a lot of tears involved. My guest today, Natalie Orr, has been there too, but she turned her dance experience and passions into a coaching business that helps people understand those hard life transitions in a new way. Natalie is an ex-professional dancer, a teacher, and a dance and life coach with a background in dance anthropology. She works with dance teachers who want to break out of the restrictions of how things should be done, overcome perfectionism, and enjoy the dance journey.

 In this episode, Natalie breaks down what dance anthropology is and why music and dance connect us and create such a true sense of community. She also dives into how dance teachers and dancers alike shouldn't let ourselves lose sight of the origins of dance and music in our cultures.

Key Highlights -

[2m 26s] - Natalie’s Dance Journey

[11m 35s] - Embracing the New Journey

[16m 49s] - Taking the First Step of Action

[21m 14s] - Natalie’s Definition of Dance

[24m 14s] - Dance and Music as Part of Community

[28m 57s] - Natalie’s Practical Advice for Dance Educators

Resources -

• Episode webpage: https://chelseapierotti.com/89
• Follow Natalie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliedanza/
• Follow Natalie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NatalieOrr
• Natalie’s Website: https://www.natalieorr.com/

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Did you enjoy today’s episode? Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Be sure to visit me on Instagram @dr.chelsea.pierotti for more mental skills advice for dancers

Summary: Today’s episode is part three of a three-part series on team building. In the first two episodes of the series, we talked about the two different types of cohesion that your dancers are striving for, and we covered the four different factors that influence your ability to bond and be aware of those important factors you may not be able to change but are still impacting your dancers’ ability to form a strong connection.

In this episode, I’ll be covering five specific strategies you can use to increase cohesion. I hope hearing more about the different types of cohesion and different aspects of a team that influence cohesion is all helpful to set the stage, but I also know sometimes we just need the practical advice, so if you're looking for a more practical approach, this episode is all for you!

If you’d like more specifics on exactly the kinds of team building activities you can play to create a united team, I have a free download that’ll help with that. I know many of us are always looking for new and different ideas, so this download has 15 different team bonding games you can use with your dancers. If you’d like to see team bonding benefits play out with your dancers, go to www.chelseapierotti.com/110 to get your download.

Have you ever trained your dancers for a competition, drilling a dance routine over and over, only to have the dancers make a big mistake onstage that came out of nowhere? It feels so frustrating when you think you’ve done all you can to help your dancers prepare, and then something happens and the routine is just not up to par onstage. The good news is there’s a mental skill you can strengthen to increase your dancers’ chance for success onstage.

In this episode, we’ll discuss motor programs, habit brains, and why overlearning is an important skill for dancers to develop. Listen in as I explain how you can help your dancers use their habit brain to be more successful this competition season!

Weekly Mental Skills Advice: https://chelseapierotti.com/email

Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/132