Meg Talks - The MWM Irish Dance Podcast

This episode explores the emotional aftermath of dance competitions, focusing on the 'come down' experienced by dancers and parents after major events like Worlds. It offers insights into managing expectations, normalising feelings, and maintaining resilience in the dance community. Chapters: 00:00 - The Emotional Come Down After Competition02:42 - Navigating Parental Responsibilities and Emotional Load05:31 - Normalising Feelings and Emotional Expression08:23 - Transitioning Back to Dance After Competition11:13 -The Importance of Family Time Post-Competition14:10 - Dealing with Comparison and Pressure in Dance17:08 - Finding Balance and Understanding Dancer's Needs18:30 - Rekindling the Love for Dance20:43 - Navigating Disappointment in Dance23:36 - The Importance of Emotional Expression26:35 - Creating Positive Memories After Disappointment29:13 - The Impact of Social Media on Dancer's Emotions32:52 - Celebrating Success and Managing Expectations37:21 - Community and Connection in Dance   📱 Instagram: @movewithmeg 📸 Tik Tok: @movewithmegg 🎪 MWM Fest: Get your Early Bird Tickets Now

In this episode, Megan Kerrigan shares essential tips for dancers preparing for the final week before Worlds, focusing on protecting performance rather than making last-minute technical improvements. Whether you're heading to Worlds or any major competition, this episode offers valuable mindset and physical strategies to stay calm, confident, and ready.   Chapters: 00:00 - Final week focus: protect your performance, not improve technically 00:29 - Why the final week is about keeping your body and mind ready 01:25 - Adjusting training volume and intensity leading up to competition 02:25 - Recovery routines: stretching, mobility, sleep importance 03:49 - Travel preparation: managing stiffness, dehydration, jet lag 05:13 - Using the Wow at the Worlds package for travel and warm-up routines 07:33 - Managing nerves: reframing anxiety as caring and preparation 08:45 - Practical mindset tips: visualization and calm routines 09:45 - The power of trusting your routines and not making last-minute changes 11:06 - Common pitfalls: changing warm-up, nutrition, or routines on the day 12:25 - Trust your training, food, warm-ups — routine is your best guide 13:19 - Final prep: plan your food and routines in advance to feel in control 14:15 - Recap: focus on maintaining readiness, body and mindset care 14:42 - Wishing dancers good luck, trusting their preparation, and enjoying the moment   🌍 World Sprint - Grab Now 🧘‍♀️ Free Feis Prep Meditation ⭐ Join the Gold Club

In this episode, Megan Kerrigan explores the critical timing of training for major competitions like the World Championships. She emphasises the importance of shifting focus from intense training to refinement and protection in the final two weeks before the event. Meg shares practical tips on avoiding burnout, managing fatigue, and using mindset practices to enhance performance and confidence.   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Timing Your Peak00:31 - Shifting Focus to Refinement02:17 - Avoiding Burnout and Injury11:48 - Mindset and Visualisation Techniques   🧘‍♀️ Free Feis Prep Meditation 📱 The Free Parents Facebook Page - Reel Talk 🌍 World Sprint - Grab Now

In this episode, Megan Kerrigan and Annabelle explore the signs of burnout among dancers, especially before major competitions like Worlds. They share personal experiences, practical tips for managing stress, and the importance of self-awareness and self-care to prevent burnout.   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Context of Burnout05:53 - Identifying Burnout in Dancers11:31 - Individual Approaches to Training18:23 - Optimising Performance: Maintenance Over Intensity33:22 - The Importance of Rest and Communication   🧘‍♀️ Free Feis Prep Meditation 📱 The Free Parents Facebook Page - Reel Talk 🌍 World Sprint - Grab Now  

Megan Kerrigan shares practical mindset strategies for Irish dancers preparing for major competitions like the World Championships. The episode covers evidence-based confidence building, planning, and mental techniques to perform at your best.   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Mindset for Dancers02:38 - The Importance of Mental Preparation05:10 - Collecting Evidence of Improvement08:01 - Tracking Progress and Celebrating Wins10:52 - Planning for Success on Dance Day14:08 - Utilising Calming Techniques16:49 - Recap and Final Thoughts   ⭐ Join the Gold Club ✅ Calm the Nerves Meditation (FREE in the MWM App) 🏃‍♀️ World Sprint: Get Now

In this episode, Megan and Annabelle explore practical strategies for handling disappointment after setbacks in Irish dance competitions. They share personal stories, reflection techniques, and mindset shifts to help dancers and parents navigate tough moments and come back stronger.   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to the episode's focus on recovery after setbacks 02:21 - Personal stories of disappointment: Annabelle’s first major disappointment 06:58 - Megan shares her trip-up at World Championships and lessons learned 22:05 - The importance of reframing to turn setbacks into growth opportunities 36:54 - Reflection prompts for dancers and parents to understand what influenced the outcome 37:37 - How to help dancers reframe their experiences with positive language 40:37 - Practical tools: action plans, evidence, small steps for recovery 43:01 - Final encouragement to share and support fellow dancers   ⭐ Join the Gold Club 🧠 Join the wait list for Mindset 1-1 With Annabelle  

In this episode of 'Move with Meg', host Olivia Graydon interviews Megan Kerrigan, a three-time world champion dancer and the creator of Broga, a revolutionary new Irish dance shoe. Megan shares the inspiration behind Broga, which stemmed from her observations of injuries among dancers, particularly stress fractures. She discusses her journey from identifying a problem in the dance community to developing a solution that combines comfort and performance. The conversation delves into the challenges of entering the footwear industry, including sourcing materials, working with manufacturers, and the importance of feedback from dancers to refine the product. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Megan Kerrigan00:56 - The Birth of Broga06:43 - Researching Dance Injuries09:39 - Designing the Broga Shoe18:00 - Feedback and Iteration Process26:12 - The All Islands Event and Community Engagement31:40 - Future Plans for Broga   ✅ Calm the Nerves Meditation (FREE in the MWM App) 👟 Bróga Irish Dance Shoes - Try them on in person at the All Irelands   ⭐ Join the Gold Club

In this episode of Meg Talks, Megan Kerrigan discusses the essential preparations for Irish dancers leading up to the World Championships. She emphasises the importance of mental readiness, clarity in focus, and personal corrections rather than overwhelming oneself with too many changes. Megan also introduces the World Sprint program, designed to support dancers through goal setting, correction clinics, and planning for competition day, ensuring they feel confident and prepared.   Chapters:00:00 - Welcome to Meg Talks: The Irish Dance Podcast01:50 - Preparing for the World Championships04:58 - The Importance of Focus and Clarity09:39 - Building Confidence and Personal Corrections12:22 - Mental Preparation for Competition Day16:27 - The World Sprint Program and Resources   ✅ Calm the Nerves Meditation (FREE in the MWM App) 🎓 All Irelands Masterclass – £17 👟 Bróga Irish Dance Shoes - Try them on in person at the All Irelands 🧠 Mindset Masterclass: Book Now 🏃‍♀️ Movement Masterclass: Book Now ⭐ Join the Gold Club  

In this episode of Meg Talks, Megan Kerrigan and Annabelle discuss the emotional and mental preparation required for dancers participating in the All-Ireland Championships. They explore the common feelings of anxiety and self-doubt that arise before competitions, the importance of recognising these emotions, and strategies to manage them effectively. The conversation also covers the significance of solo recalls, how to navigate expectations, and the support needed from parents and coaches. The episode concludes with encouragement for dancers to focus on their preparation and enjoy the experience. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Mindset Matters and All-Ireland Championships02:50 - Emotional Preparation for Competitions05:40 - Managing Pre-Competition Anxiety09:28 - The Day of the Competition: Last-Minute Nerves14:12 - Understanding Solo Recalls and Their Impact18:59 - Navigating Expectations and Reactions23:55 - Post-Competition Reflections and Support28:55 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts   ✅ Calm the Nerves Meditation (FREE in the MWM App) 🎓 All Irelands Masterclass – £17 👟 Bróga Irish Dance Shoes - Try them on in person at the All Irelands 🧠 Mindset Masterclass: Book Now 🏃‍♀️ Movement Masterclass: Book Now ⭐ Join the Gold Club    

In this episode of Meg Talks, Megan Kerrigan discusses the significance of the All Island Irish Dance Championships, emphasising the unique aspects of the competition, including the solo recall system and its impact on dancers' mindsets. She shares personal experiences and offers insights for dancers, parents, and teachers on how to prepare mentally and physically for the event. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the competition structure and maintaining a positive mindset throughout the day.   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to the All Irelands Irish Dance Championships05:45 - Understanding the Unique Aspects of the All Irelands15:46 - Navigating Solo Recalls and Mindset Preparation     🎓 All Irelands Masterclass – £17 👟 Bróga Irish Dance Shoes - Try them on in person at the All Irelands 🧠 Mindset Masterclass: Book Now 🏃‍♀️ Movement Masterclass: Book Now      

In this episode of Mindset Matters, Megan Kerrigan and Annabelle delve into the interconnected themes of perfectionism, procrastination, and pressure - collectively referred to as the 'three P's.' They discuss how these issues manifest in the lives of Irish dancers, especially as they prepare for competitions like the World Championships. The conversation highlights the emotional toll these pressures can take, including feelings of inadequacy and the fear of not meeting expectations. Megan shares her personal experiences with these challenges, emphasising the importance of recognising and addressing them to foster a healthier mindset and improve performance. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to the Three P's01:25 - Recognising Pressure in Dance05:28 - Understanding Perfectionism20:31 - Procrastination: The Fear Factor31:41 - Dealing with Pressure in Performance   ⭐ Join the Gold Club     

In this episode of Meg Talks, Megan Kerrigan discusses the importance of understanding flexibility and the common struggle of achieving straight knees in dance. She shares her personal experiences and emphasises the need for education on body mechanics. The episode outlines five key areas that dancers should focus on to improve their flexibility and achieve straight knees, including lower back flexibility, calf and hamstring tension, coordination of the posterior chain, quad activation, and ankle length.   Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome to Meg Talks 202600:30 - Understanding the Flexibility Fix02:48 - Five Key Areas for Straight Knees08:45 - Troubleshooting Your Flexibility Issues10:31 - Empowering Dancers and Parents   ⭐ Join the Gold Club  

In this episode, Megan Kerrigan and Annabelle dive into the connection between enjoyment and progress in Irish dance. They chat about how, when the fun starts to fade, dancers often find themselves making more mistakes, losing focus, and feeling mentally drained, not because they aren’t capable, but because they’re exhausted. Together, they explore why enjoyment is such an important part of learning, how pressure can quietly build over time, and why taking small mental breaks can make a huge difference.   Chapters: 00:36 – Why Christmas Rest Matters for Dancers 02:42 – Annabelle’s Christmas Training Habits 04:19 – The “More Is More” Mindset in Irish Dance 06:30 – Mental Fatigue & How It Shows Up in Dancing 09:17 – Gaining Perspective: Why Stepping Back Helps You Improve 11:12 – How Reflection Helps Dancers & Parents Reset for the New Year 15:16 – Resetting Habits & Breaking the “Always Training” Loop 18:02 – Letting Your Goals Breathe & Realigning What You Want 21:16 – Why Growth Happens When You Stop Forcing It 22:10 – Remembering You’re More Than Just a Dancer 23:50 – Inside the Gold Club Christmas Challenge 26:41 – Planning Your Christmas Break & Prioritising Rest 28:34 – Final Thoughts & What’s Coming in January   ⭐ Join the Gold Club    

The conversation explores the relationship between enjoyment and learning, particularly in the context of dance and school. It highlights how a lack of enjoyment can lead to mistakes and decreased focus, affecting both academic and performance outcomes. Meg and Annabelle emphasise the importance of mental breaks to combat fatigue and improve overall well-being.   Chapters:   00:41 – Annabelle’s Christmas training story 02:42 – Why dancers push through Christmas 03:49 – The problem with doing “more” 06:30 – Mental fatigue & burnout signs 08:02 – Why rest matters 09:17 – Gaining clarity from stepping back 11:12 – Reviewing performances with fresh eyes 14:04 – Seeing the bigger picture 15:16 – Resetting habits over Christmas 17:05 – Checking in on your goals 19:38 – Re-evaluating what you really want 21:11 – Growth that happens during rest 23:21 – Identity outside of dance 23:50 – Christmas Challenge inside Gold Club 25:16 – January goal setting 27:51 – Planning your Christmas break 28:34 – Final thoughts   🧘‍♀️ Free Feis Prep Meditation ⭐ Join the Gold Club 🧠 Join the wait list for Mindset 1-1 With Annabelle

In this episode of Meg Talks, Megan Kerrigan discusses the importance of not missing out on transformative Black Friday offers for dancers. She outlines a week-long event featuring various offers tailored to different needs, emphasising the significance of understanding the 'what, why, and how' of dance corrections. Each day presents a unique opportunity for dancers to enhance their skills and confidence, with a focus on personal growth and commitment to their craft.   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Black Friday Offers 03:08 - Understanding the Offers and Their Transformations 05:55 - Daily Breakdown of Offers: Monday to Friday 11:48 - Commitment and Consistency in Dance Training 14:26 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Dancers     🛒 Black Friday - Explore Deals 📩 Join our mailing list: Here   📱 Follow us on Instagram  📱 Follow us on Tik Tok 📱 Follow us on Facebook

Megan Kerrigan discusses the mission of Move with Meg, focusing on supporting dancers at all stages of their journey and enhancing their movement and technique. Chapters: 00:26 - The Importance of Community in Dance 01:00 - Myth Busting Around Who MWM Supports 02:00 - What MWM Offer to Support Dancers   ⭐ Join the Gold Club 🎪 MWM Fest 2026

In this conversation, Annabelle discusses the importance of language in shaping our mindset and the concept of necessity in life. She emphasises the need to eliminate absolute words like 'have to' and 'must' to foster a sense of freedom and choice. Annabelle argues that the only true necessities in life are basic human needs and socialisation, challenging the notion of obligatory achievements and qualifications.   Chapters:   00:00 - Welcome & Introduction 02:45 - The Emotional Weight of Qualifying Season 06:30 - “What If I Don’t Qualify?” – The Fear Behind the Goal 10:15 - Detaching Results from Self-Worth 14:20 - Why Growth Isn’t Always Linear 18:45 - The Power of Reflection 22:30 - Conversations You Need to Have with Yourself 26:10 - Supporting Dancers Through Disappointment 30:00 - Turning Setbacks into Strength 34:15 - Final Thoughts: What Truly Matters     🎧 Listen to the Mary Conway Podcast 🎧 Listen to the Olivia Graydon 🎧 Listen to the Annalise Carter Podcast 🎧 Listen to the How to Handle the Pressure of Qualifying Season   ⭐ Join the Gold Club 🧠 Book a Mindset 1-1 With Annabelle 💬 Parents Facebook Page: Reel Talk

In this conversation, Megan Kerrigan discusses the common frustrations dancers face when receiving repeated corrections from instructors. She emphasises the emotional toll this can take on both students and teachers, highlighting the importance of understanding the underlying issues that lead to these repeated corrections and the challenges in finding effective solutions.   Chapters: 00:00 - Understanding the Crossover Challenge 00:41 - Identifying the Root Causes of Crossover Issues     ⭐ Join the Gold Club  

In this episode of Meg Talks, Megan Kerrigan and Annabelle discuss the challenges dancers face when dealing with injuries. They share personal experiences, the importance of physiotherapy, and the difference between actual injuries and niggles. The conversation emphasises the significance of mindset, resilience, and community support during recovery. They provide strategies for dancers to stay engaged and accountable while injured, and highlight the potential for personal growth and improvement during the recovery process. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Injury Management00:56 - Personal Injury Experiences02:54 - The Importance of Proper Rehabilitation05:26 - Finding the Right Physio08:35 - Understanding Injuries vs. Niggles11:28 - Mindset During Recovery14:25 - The Power of Community Support17:19 - Creating a Recovery Plan19:55 - Strategies for Staying Engaged22:59 - Final Thoughts on Recovery and Growth   ⭐ Join the Gold Club 💬 Parents Facebook Page: Reel Talk 🎧 Listen to How to Handle the Pressure of Qualifying Season   

In this episode, Megan and Annabelle discuss the pressures faced by dancers during qualifying season, exploring the emotional and mental challenges that arise. They emphasise the importance of understanding and coping with pressure, the role of parents in supporting their dancers, and the significance of maintaining a positive mindset. The conversation also touches on how to deal with disappointment after not qualifying and the importance of finding joy in the dance process.   Chapters: 00:00 - Understanding Pressure in Dance05:39 - The Emotional Impact of Pressure11:21 - Recognising Symptoms of Pressure16:50 - Navigating External and Internal Pressures22:36 - Strategies for Managing Pressure26:16 - Understanding Pressure in Dance28:21 - The Importance of Focus and Control29:50 - Navigating Success and Pressure31:23 - Coping with Disappointment and Learning34:07 - The Role of Mindset in Performance36:57 - Evaluating Performance and Growth39:06 - Preparing for Future Opportunities42:16 - Resources for Dancers and Parents   🎧 Listen to the Social Media Episode 💬 Book a Mindset 1-1 🧠 Explore Mindset Monthly ⭐ Join the Gold Club