Step by Step

"I don't like the way they dance in the Dominican Republic." That's what Gloria Meres said before she got on the plane. Then she landed — and everything changed.In this episode of Step by Step, we sit down with Gloria Meres — a dancer whose path wound from ballet and swimming as a kid, through salsa, fashion TV, and sensual bachata, all the way to living in the Dominican Republic to learn traditional bachata at its source. Gloria shares the random, almost accidental story of how a canceled flight led her to Santo Domingo, how the culture of bachata hit her the moment she stepped off the plane, and why she believes every teacher — sensual or traditional — should understand and honor where this dance truly comes from. We dig into her practice philosophy (slow motion, mirror work, consistency), the power of dancing in a team, stage fright, and her heartfelt take on why respecting bachata's roots matters, no matter what style you dance.

"Nobody ever told me to *feel* something before I moved — they just told me where to put my arm."Gatica reveals the emotional reality behind Bachata Influence, the pressure of life as a touring artist, and why protecting your boundaries matters more than any dance move.In this intimate at-home interview, Gatica — one half of Bachata Influence alongside Melvin — takes us through her remarkable journey from the Norwegian Opera and Ballet, through salsa and tango, and finally into the bachata world where she found her voice. We dive deep into the philosophy of storytelling and emotion in dance, the glamorous-yet-brutal reality of life as a touring social dancer, and the crucial conversation around boundaries, consent, and respect on the social dance floor. Gatica shares her honest views on Jack & Jill competitions, offers practical tools like her famous "left arm power" technique, and leaves us with a powerful message about curiosity over judgment. This is a must-watch for any bachata dancer who wants to understand the heart behind the art.

"We're just getting started" is more than a motto; it’s a growth mindset. It’s a daily reminder that making things better takes consistent effort.In this deeply honest conversation, we sit down with Jorge Burgos — better known as Ataca — one half of the legendary Ataca y La Alemana and co-founder of Island Touch. Ataca opens up about the true essence of bachata, why the "basic" is being lost, and how social media both built and blurred the dance world. He shares the mindset behind 20+ years of partnership, what genuine connection really means (even after separating from Tanja), where his musicality comes from, and the powerful lesson his father taught him about happiness. Whether you're a dancer, an artist, or just love a great story about legacy and staying true to yourself, this one delivers.💃 JOIN THE COMMUNITY:- Subscribe for more dance mindset tips and interviews with amazing people: @flowstepbystep - Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowstepbystep/

After 24 years of chasing perfection in ballet, one night at a tiny social in England changed everything. What if the secret to dancing (and living) better was learning to let go completely?In this deeply moving conversation, former ballerina turned bachata dancer Eva Maria Bredler shares how 24 years of ballet trained her into perfectionism, conformity, and chronic self-judgment, and how discovering bachata rewired her relationship with her body, her art, and her life. From the neuroscience of nervous system co-regulation to the spiritual experience of connection, Eva unpacks what it really means to dance (and live) from the inside out. We explore perfectionism, identity, creativity, the power of self-talk, and her beautiful new community projects like Inside Out and Bachata Sunrise in Barcelona. Whether you're a dancer who freezes when filmed or someone trapped in the pursuit of "good enough," this episode is your permission slip to let go.Connect with Eva Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eva.bachata/Inside Out: https://www.instagram.com/ins.de_out/ Bachata Sunrise: https://www.instagram.com/bachatasunrise/💃 JOIN THE COMMUNITY:- Subscribe for more dance mindset tips and interviews with amazing people: @flowstepbystep - Follow us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowstepbystep/- Follow us TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flowstepbystep

What if the thing keeping you from becoming a better dancer has nothing to do with your technique — and everything to do with how you see your body? Registered Dietitian and Bachata dancer Tiia Huuhka reveals the hidden body image crisis in the dance world that nobody is talking about.In this powerful conversation, registered Dietitian and Body Awareness Coach Tiia Huuhka opens up about the toxic body image standards she discovered after entering the bachata community. Drawing from her background in clinical nutrition, a 150-person survey, and weekly Instagram Lives with dancers around the world, Tiia exposes how narrow beauty standards, body commenting culture, and perfectionism are silently harming dancers of all sizes. She shares her own journey from obsessive "clean eating" to body liberation, offers practical strategies for showing up authentically on the dance floor — from choosing comfort over appearance expectations to sending yourself voice messages — and explains why true magnetism in dance comes not from how you look, but from how present you are. This episode is a must-watch for anyone who has ever felt "not enough" in a dance space.💃 JOIN THE COMMUNITY:- Subscribe for more dance mindset tips and interviews with amazing people: @flowstepbystep- Follow us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowstepbystep/- Follow us TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flowstepbystep