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Passion for Dance

Author: Dr Chelsea Pierotti

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You train extensively as a dancer, but what about mental training? Have you ever trained your mental skills like confidence, focus, or resilience? When you tune in to Passion for Dance, that mental training is precisely what you get. You can learn from a sport psychology expert who understands the dance industry and can teach you how to elevate your performance and truly thrive on and off stage.

Welcome to Passion for Dance, where your host, Dr. Chelsea, will bring the science of sport psychology into the dance studio. Each week, you will learn actionable strategies and new mindsets to build happier, more successful dancers.

Dance teaches us to push through the pain to reach our goals, and we are used to criticism, tears, bleeding toes, and sore muscles. But now, psychological research has taught us more about mental health and resilience than ever before, and it's time to change our industry for the better. Being a dancer teaches us critical life skills, but that doesn't mean we have to suffer before we can build ourselves back up. Dance can teach us self-discipline, teamwork, confidence, grit, and resilience without destroying our self-esteem.

The path to personal growth is full of joy, self-discovery, and challenging roadblocks, but we don't have to figure it out alone. This podcast is for all of us to connect, learn, and share our passion for dance with the world.
237 Episodes
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In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea speaks with Ashley Mowrey, a mindset coach, former dance teacher, and part of the Embody Dance Conference team. They discuss the mental and emotional challenges dancers face, such as perfectionism, body image issues, and performance anxiety. Ashley shares her journey from being a competitive dancer to becoming a mindset coach, and how her experiences fuel her passion for helping dancers thrive. She explains the unique approaches of the Embody Dance Conference, emphasizing mental health and whole-person training. Listeners will learn about practical strategies to improve self-awareness, emotional regulation, and self-compassion in dance.   Embody Dance Conference: https://www.embodydanceconference.com/   Connect with Ashley Mowrey:  https://www.ashleymowrey.com/   Other Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/232   Episode Breakdown: 00:22 Meet Ashley Mowrey: Mindset Coach and Dance Advocate 00:56 Diving into Perfectionism and Mental Health in Dance 02:20 Ashley Mowrey's Dance Journey and Mental Health Struggles 06:07 Addressing Perfectionism and Negative Self-Talk 12:06 Building Self-Awareness and Emotional Regulation 18:57 Supporting Younger Dancers and Body Image Issues 21:38 Embody Dance Conference: A New Approach to Conventions 36:16 Final Thoughts and Life Lessons from Dance 37:22 Conclusion and Contact Information  
In this episode of Passion for Dance, host Dr. Chelsea interviews former professional dancer and author Emily Sayre Smith. They delve into Emily's memoir 'Smart Ass Memoir of a Mouthy Girl,' discussing how ballet's lessons of resilience and perseverance profoundly shaped Emily's life. The conversation covers tough themes like overcoming addiction and personal hardships, as well as the transformative power of dance. Emily and Dr. Chelsea reflect on the complexities of ballet culture, the importance of speaking up, and the evolution of ballet's demands and expectations. Emily's journey illustrates how the challenges in ballet prepare dancers to handle life's adversities and underscores the need for the dance industry to continue to evolve.   Get Emily's Book - Smartass: Memoir of a Mouthy Girl   Other Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/231   Episode Breakdown:   00:20 Interview with Emily Sayer Smith: Ballet's Life Lessons   00:59 Emily's Personal Journey: Addiction and Resilience   02:02 The Impact of Ballet Culture   06:09 Navigating Challenges and Speaking Up   16:33 Emily's Memoir and Final Thoughts   37:16 Conclusion and Podcast Outro
In this episode, Dr. Chelsea explores the concept of mental toughness in dancers by breaking down the Four C's: Control, Commitment, Challenge, and Confidence. She provides practical strategies for developing these skills to help dancers stay resilient under pressure, maintain motivation, embrace challenges, and build self-belief. Dr. Chelsea also discusses the importance of balancing commitment to avoid burnout and shares exercises to improve emotional and mental control.    Competition Confidence Checklist: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/checklist   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/230   More on the 4Cs from the creators: https://aqrinternational.co.uk/   Episode Breakdown: 00:09 Defining Mental Toughness 01:11 The Four C's of Mental Toughness 02:40 Control: Mastering Your Emotions 06:12 Commitment: Staying the Course 09:08 Challenge: Embracing Growth 12:22 Confidence: Believing in Yourself 15:19 Putting It All Together 16:26 Conclusion and Resources
In this special episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea discusses strategies for fostering accountability and work ethic in dance teams with three distinguished coaches—Arianna from Washington, Jenna from Nebraska, and Edwina from New York. Each coach shares her approach to setting high expectations, maintaining motivation, and building a supportive culture where athletes take ownership of their goals. This episode will feel relatable to any dance coach, and will give you actionable strategies you can implement in your next practice.   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/229   Releve: Dance Coach Membership: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/membership   Episode Breakdown: 00:17 Meet the Coaches 02:09 Defining Work Ethic 09:41 Establishing Expectations 16:24 Maintaining Motivation 23:30 Accountability Strategies 30:50 Reframing Fun and Goals in Dance 31:32 Coaching Philosophy and Personal Growth 32:52 Demerit and Merit Systems 34:01 Empowering Leadership and Accountability 40:05 Balancing Mental Toughness and Care 42:29 Building Team Culture and Legacy 50:01 Effective Coaching Strategies 57:37 Final Thoughts and Reflections  
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea talks about self-compassion in dancers who are usually very hard on themselves. Inspired by a listener's question, the episode explores how treating oneself with kindness can improve performance, enhance resilience, and bolster overall mental health. Dr. Chelsea breaks down the concept of self-compassion into three key areas: self-kindness, mindfulness, and common humanity. She offers actionable strategies like reflective journaling, mindfulness, and visualization to help dancers develop this crucial skill. The episode emphasizes that self-compassion doesn't mean lowering standards but rather supporting oneself through challenges to foster continuous growth and motivation. Coaches and dance educators are also given tips on how to model and integrate self-compassion into their feedback.   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/228   Got an Episode Idea?! Send Dr. Chelsea a message: Voicenote: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/voicemail Written message: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/question   Episode Breakdown: 00:59 The Importance of Self-Compassion 02:18 Defining Self-Compassion 02:47 Key Ideas of Self-Compassion 05:00 Why Self-Compassion Matters in Dance 08:23 Developing Self-Compassion 11:06 Tools for Coaches and Teachers 12:32 Conclusion and Takeaways  
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea shares a team-building exercise inspired by the children's book 'Have You Filled a Bucket Today?' The activity focuses on fostering connection and kindness among dancers by teaching them to recognize and appreciate positive actions from others. Dr. Chelsea explains the three-step process: identifying what fills their own buckets, acknowledging those who fill their buckets, and learning ways to fill others' buckets. She also provides a free, customizable bucket filling worksheet available at passionfordancepodcast.com/bucket. This exercise is designed to enhance team morale and emotional awareness, promoting a healthier and more supportive dance team culture.   Filling Buckets Worksheet: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/bucket   Other Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/227   Episode Breakdown: 00:22 Today's Topic: Bucket Filling 00:38 Understanding the Bucket Concept 02:15 Step-by-Step Guide to Bucket Filling 05:11 The Benefits of Bucket Filling 06:02 Conclusion and Call to Action
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea discusses the negative impacts of cliques within dance teams and offers strategies to foster a more inclusive team culture. She shares 5 practical strategies with real tools you can implement today. Dance coaches, you can establish a culture where every dancer feels respected, valued, and included, ultimately leading to a more motivated and cohesive team that's a lot more fun dance with.   Dance Coach Mental Skills Bundle: ​​https://passionfordancepodcast.com/mentalskills   Please Leave a Review! https://passionfordancepodcast.com/rate   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/226   Episode Breakdown: 00:45 Understanding Cliques in Dance Teams 02:18 Building a Team-First Mindset 04:29 Mixing Up Groups to Prevent Cliques 07:23 Fostering Cross-Skill Interactions 09:20 Structured Conversations to Prevent Misunderstandings 10:58 Setting Clear Norms and Rewarding Inclusion 15:02 Conclusion and Additional Resources  
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea discusses the importance of building real, durable confidence in dancers. She explains that true confidence doesn't come from simply repeating affirmations but is grounded in the consistent practice of growth mindset principles through actionable habits. Dr. Chelsea addresses common challenges dancers face, such as overthinking and stage nerves, and offers practical tools to help dancers build confidence.    Rate and Review the Podcast! https://passionfordancepodcast.com/rate   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/225   Episode Breakdown: 00:31 The Truth About Confidence 01:33 From Mindset to Action 04:51 Cognitive Behavioral Tools for Dancers 08:10 Building Confidence Through Failure 09:43 The Role of Environment in Confidence 11:12 Framework for Building Confidence  
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea discusses the common issue of procrastination among dancers and offers practical strategies to overcome it. She highlights the importance of self-discipline over motivation and introduces 2 practical tools to help you stop procrastinating and see real progress. By following these strategies, dancers can build consistency, confidence, and self-trust.  Thank you to our sponsor Apolla Performance: https://apollaperformance.com   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/223   Episode Breakdown: 00:30 Welcome to Passion for Dance 00:37 Understanding Procrastination 02:42 The Importance of Discipline 05:02 Practical Tools to Overcome Procrastination 08:45 WOOP: A Strategy for Success 09:45 Building Habits to Combat Procrastination 10:56 Taking Action Today 12:37 Final Thoughts and Challenge    
In this episode of 'Passion for Dance,' Dr. Chelsea explores the science behind peak performance for dancers, and shares the science-backed tools that help you reach your personal best. Dr. Chelsea shares 5 tools for training, recovery, and of course, mindset, to help you be the best possible dancer. These 5 things are what high achieving dancers do differently!    Check out our sponsor Apolla Performance: https://apollaperformance.com   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/223   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:31 Welcome to Passion for Dance 00:40 Understanding Peak Performance 02:13 Mental Skills for Peak Performance 04:06 Training Smarter, Not Harder 05:58 The Importance of Sleep 09:04 Balancing Academics and Dance 11:22 Holistic Approach to Peak Performance 11:45 Recap and Final Thoughts    
In this episode of Passion for Dance, host Dr. Chelsea discusses the college dance team recruiting process with Abbey Nugent, founder of Studio 2 Stadium. Abbey, a seasoned dance teacher and coach, offers valuable advice on preparing recruitment videos, effective communication with coaches, choosing the right program, and more. The episode also emphasizes the importance of transparency and resilience in the recruitment process, providing listeners with actionable insights to achieve their college dance team dreams.   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/222   Connect with Abbey and Studio 2 Stadium! https://studio2stadium.com/ https://www.instagram.com/studio2stadium_/ https://www.tiktok.com/@studio2stadium   Episode Breakdown: 00:15 Introducing Abbey Nugent and Studio 2 Stadium 01:42 Abbey's Dance Journey and the Birth of Studio 2 Stadium 02:34 How Studio 2 Stadium Works 05:52 The Changing Landscape of College Dance Recruitment 08:14 Finding the Right College Dance Program 12:29 The Importance of Clinics and Combines 15:52 Effective Communication with Coaches 22:23 The Common Recruiting Video Explained 28:57 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring College Dancers 32:17 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea discusses the delicate balance coaches need to create a goal-driven culture that promotes success without causing stress and burnout. She covers pitfalls of an outcome-focused culture, the importance of the type of goal you set, and advice for preventing burnout. Dr. Chelsea offers five practical strategies to maintain dancer motivation and wellbeing, including balancing outcome and process goals, prioritizing autonomy, celebrating small wins, normalizing rest, and modeling healthy ambition. She also highlights red flags that indicate a team might be slipping towards burnout and offers actionable steps to shift the culture towards a more positive and sustainable environment.   New to the show? Check out the Podcast Quiz to find out which episodes would be most helpful for you to listen to right now.   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/221   Episode Breakdown: 01:19 The Challenge of Balancing Goals and Wellbeing 03:00 Understanding Goal-Driven Culture 04:37 Types of Goals and Their Impact 06:45 Strategies for Healthy Goal-Driven Culture 10:41 Recognizing Burnout and Perfectionism 12:47 Practical Takeaways for Coaches  
Are you ready to break the cycle of self-doubt and build lasting confidence? In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea reveals the secret to building confidence: the Confidence Loop. Discover why confidence isn't something you're born with, but a skill you can build every day through consistent effort, preparation, and self-trust. Whether you're struggling with inconsistency or looking for actionable strategies to boost your confidence, this episode is packed with research-backed insights and practical tips you can use right away. Grab your Competition Confidence Checklist: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/checklist Other Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/220 Episode Breakdown: 00:00 – Introduction & why confidence matters 01:35 – The Confidence Loop explained 04:27 – Research-backed keys to building confidence 07:03 – How inconsistency affects your confidence 08:24 – Tangible ways to practice and grow your confidence 11:00 – Weekly challenge to fuel your confidence loop  
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea explores the importance of trust in building a positive dance team culture. She highlights five common trust breakers—playing favorites, not listening, inconsistency, competing instead of collaborating, and gossiping—that can undermine team dynamics. Offering actionable strategies, Dr. Chelsea emphasizes the importance of addressing trust issues promptly, revisiting team agreements, and fostering psychological safety. By identifying and mitigating these trust-destroying behaviors, dancers and coaches can cultivate a more cohesive and successful team. Additional resources, including a mental skills bundle, are available to help you get started.   Grab the Dance Coach Mental Skills Bundle: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/mentalskills   Other podcast resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/219   Episode Breakdown: 00:33 The Importance of Trust in Dance Teams 01:38 Identifying Trust Breakers 04:07 Common Trust Breakers in Dance Teams 08:14 Rebuilding Trust in Your Team 11:18 Final Thoughts and Resources
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea hosts Jason Pickett, a distinguished dance teacher, choreographer, and founder of No Starving Artists. They discuss their shared love for teaching, the evolving landscape of college dance, and the importance of individualism and improvisation in dancer development. Jason delves into the business side of dance, advocating for a collaborative and transparent approach to foster sustainable careers for artists. He also shares valuable insights on awareness, confidence, and the critical role of mental skills in a dancer's success. Listen in for  practical advice for dance educators and aspiring professionals to build confidence in the studio and on stage.   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/219   New Listener Resource: https://passionfordancepodcast.com   Connect with Jason Pickett:  https://www.instagram.com/heyitspickett/ https://nsadance.com/   Episode Breakdown 00:09 Introducing Jason Pickett 01:30 Jason's Dance Journey 03:00 The Role of Teaching in Dance 05:05 The Impact of Filming Dance Classes 10:35 Challenges in Modern Dance Education 16:33 The Importance of Individualism and Improvisation 19:46 Awareness and Adaptability in Dance 24:17 The Struggle with Comparison 25:54 Building Individuality and Confidence 30:37 Teaching Awareness 32:40 Career Advice for Young Dancers 33:43 Making Decisions and Embracing Failure 39:01 The No Starving Artists Ethos 44:14 Lessons Learned from Dance    
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea explores the top five life skills dancers develop and how these skills transfer to other areas of life. She delves into emotional regulation, leadership and self-control, grit, communication and respect, and responsibility and time management. Dr. Chelsea offers practical advice for dancers and coaches to implement these skills outside the dance studio. Tune in to learn actionable strategies for applying your dance-based skills to enhance your personal growth, relationships, and professional success.   Leave a message: Because of dance, I… https://passionfordancepodcast.com/voicemail   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/217   Time Management Episode with Kelly Noaln: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/171   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Welcome to Passion for Dance 00:52 Five Life Skills Learned Through Dance 02:58 Emotional Regulation: Staying Calm Under Pressure 05:15 Leadership and Self-Control: Influencing with Grace 07:10 Grit: The Power of Perseverance 08:50 Communication and Respect: Building Strong Teams 10:21 Responsibility and Time Management: Balancing It All 12:40 Recap and Reflection: Life Skills Beyond Dance 13:53 Closing Thoughts and Next Steps  
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea discusses common mental traps that hinder dancers' progress and success. Delving into traps like comparison, waiting for confidence, outcome-only goals, and injury identity, she provides actionable mental skills tools to help dancers shift their mindset and regain control. Learn how journaling, taking action, setting process goals, and rewriting your identity can foster confidence, growth, and joy in your dance journey.    Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/216   Download the Competition Confidence Checklist: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/checklist   Leave Dr. Chelsea a Voicenote: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/voicemail   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction to Mental Traps in Dance 01:48 Understanding the Comparison Trap 03:38 Overcoming the Confidence Barrier 05:31 Focusing Beyond Outcome Goals 08:12 Redefining Your Identity Post-Injury 09:51 Conclusion and Recap
In this episode of 'Passion for Dance,' Dr. Chelsea emphasizes the importance of reflection for dancers, especially during the off-season. She provides science-backed tools to help dancers develop self-awareness, mental toughness, and resilience. Dr. Chelsea introduces four practical reflection tools: post-event reflection, personal growth journaling, SWOT analysis, and collaborative reflection with coaches or peers. She also shares tips to make reflection a sustainable habit and invites listeners to share their progress. Challenge yourself this summer and try integrating reflection into your routine.   Grab your New Listener Resource Other Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/215   Episode Breakdown: 00:25 The Importance of Reflection for Dancers 01:52 Science-Backed Benefits of Reflection 03:35 Practical Tools for Personal Reflection 04:06 Post-Event Reflection Tool 06:52 Personal Growth Journal 07:57 SWOT Analysis for Dancers 10:38 Collaborative Reflection with Coaches and Peers 11:25 Tips for Maintaining a Reflection Practice 12:56 Final Thoughts and Encouragement  
In this episode of Passion for Dance, host Dr. Chelsea sits down with accomplished dancer, choreographer, and educator Alexandra Beller. Alexandra shares invaluable advice for dealing with negative self-talk, building body awareness, and fostering authenticity in your performances. She details her journey from being a young dancer to a world-touring professional and celebrated choreographer. Alexandra also discusses the importance of understanding one's creative process and offers practical strategies for dealing with inner critics and boosting confidence. Additionally, she gives a sneak peek into her upcoming book 'The Anatomy of Art: Unlocking the Creative Process for Theater and Dance.' This episode is packed with insights for dancers looking to cultivate a successful and authentic dance career.   Connect with Alexandra Beller and her book 'The Anatomy of Art: Unlocking the Creative Process for Theater and Dance' : https://www.alexandrabellerdances.org https://www.instagram.com/alexandrabellerdances/ Other Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/214   Episode Breakdown: 01:14 Meet Alexandra Bellar 03:22 Navigating Transitions and Choices in Your Dance Career  16:18 The Importance of Body Awareness and Authenticity 24:24 Handling the Inner Critic and Building Confidence 39:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In this episode of Passion for Dance, host Dr. Chelsea interviews Julie Opiel, Director of Education and Community Engagement at Body Traffic, an LA-based contemporary dance company. They discuss overcoming career challenges, the importance of community engagement, and the benefits of experienced teachers working with beginners. Julie shares insights on Body Traffic's whole dancer approach, which nurtures dancers as artists and humans, and talks about finding a balance between rigor and compassion in our training.   Learn More About Body Traffic: https://www.bodytraffic.com/   Other Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/213   Episode Breakdown 00:09 Introducing Julie Opiel and Body Traffic 01:36 Julie's Dance Journey 02:50 Overcoming Career Challenges 07:41 The Importance of Teaching Beginners 11:40 Finding Passion and Motivation 16:04 The Power of Community in Dance 17:33 Measuring Growth in Dance 19:34 Empowering Dancers with Leadership Opportunities 21:14 The Whole Dancer Concept 24:36 Balancing Rigor and Compassion in Dance 30:09 Practical Curriculum for Whole Dancer Approach 35:54 Advice for Dance Educators 38:16 Conclusion and Resources  
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