Passion for Dance

In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea interviews Monika Seigel, MS, RD, CEDS-C, CDN a registered dietician, nutritionist and certified eating disorder specialist with a background in professional ballet. Monika discusses her holistic approach to nutrition for dancers, emphasizing the importance of a healthy relationship with food and body image. The conversation covers important topics like the impact of social media misinformation, the signs of disordered eating, and the role of educators and parents in fostering a supportive environment. Monika also shares insights from her new book 'Nourishing Dance,' a resource aimed at improving dancer health and wellbeing.   Get Monika's Book: https://www.nourishingdance.com   Learn more about Monika's workshops: https://msnutrition.com/   Other Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/233   Episode Breakdown: 00:08 Meet Monika Seigel 00:31 The Role of Nutrition in a Dancer's Life 04:02 Healthy Eating and Relationship with Food 07:25 Challenges and Misinformation in Nutrition 13:55 Guidance for Teachers and Parents 20:48 Understanding Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating 22:15 Common Triggers and Influences 24:31 Early Signs and Intervention 26:21 Behavioral and Physical Indicators 28:57 Supporting a Friend or Peer 30:01 Creating a Supportive Dance Environment 35:07 Positive Changes and Future Goals 38:46 Resources and Final Thoughts  

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