215. Season Reflections: How Dancers Get Mentally Stronger in the Off-Season
Release Date: 06/26/2025
215. Season Reflections: How Dancers Get Mentally Stronger in the Off-Season
Passion for Dance
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...
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214. Dancing with True Authenticity and Confidence with Choreographer Alexandra Beller
Passion for Dance
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...
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213. A Professional Dance Company’s Whole Dancer Approach: Insights from Julie Opiel at Body Traffic
Passion for Dance
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: Other Episode Resources: ...
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212. Embracing the Beginner's Mindset: Lesley Logan on Confidence, Imposter Syndrome, & Positive Habits
Passion for Dance
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea speaks with Lesley Logan, a mindset and breathwork coach, and co-founder of onlinepilatesclasses.com. They discuss the connections between dance and Pilates, emphasizing the importance of mind-body connection, dealing with imposter syndrome, and embracing the beginner mindset. Lesley shares insights from her own journey and offers valuable teaching strategies for addressing varying skill levels in classes. This conversation provides practical advice for dancers seeking to build confidence and cultivate a supportive learning environment. ...
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211. Addressing Favoritism in Dance Studios: Strategies for Teachers, Dancers, and Parents
Passion for Dance
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea tackles the pervasive issue of favoritism in dance studios and teams. She explains what favoritism looks like, why it happens, and how it impacts dancers emotionally and socially. Dr. Chelsea also shares actionable strategies to mitigate favoritism, including advice for teachers on creating a fair and inclusive environment, tips for dancers on how to handle perceived favoritism and seek constructive feedback, and guidance for parents on supporting their children and empowering them to advocate for themselves. Tune in for a comprehensive guide...
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210. Rhee Gold on Dance Education, Passion, Adaptability and Business Success
Passion for Dance
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea interviews Rhee Gold, an esteemed dance professional with over four decades of experience. Rhee shares his journey, emphasizing the importance of mental toughness, resilience, and staying true to one’s values in the dance industry. He discusses the evolution of his career, the significance of community and passion, and offers practical advice for dance studio owners and teachers on building a successful dance business. The conversation also touches on the challenges and changes in today's dance world, the importance of adaptability, and...
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209. When it Feels Like You're Not Getting Better and You Don't Know Why
Passion for Dance
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea discusses the common issue of performance slumps in dancers. She explores the causes, including physical, environmental, and psychological factors, and provides evidence-based strategies for overcoming them. Dr. Chelsea emphasizes the importance of realistic goal setting, maintaining an optimistic mindset, utilizing social support, and employing mental skills like imagery and reflection. Listeners will learn actionable steps to bounce back from a drop in performance and continue their journey towards becoming happier, more successful dancers....
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208. Using Meditation for Confidence and Competitive Success with Amber Fahey
Passion for Dance
In this episode of 'Passion for Dance,' host Dr. Chelsea talks with high-performance coach Amber Fahey about the benefits of integrating meditation, breath work, and journaling into dance practices. Amber, who has worked with nationally ranked dance teams, shares practical strategies for dancers to maintain focus and confidence during high-pressure moments. They explore specific visualization techniques, breathing exercises, and journaling prompts that can transform a dancer's mental fitness. Amber also introduces accessible methods for competitive teams to adopt these practices and shares a...
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207. When Jealousy Hits the Team: Understanding and Overcoming Teammate Tension
Passion for Dance
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea addresses jealousy and teammate tension. She discusses the common causes of jealousy, including social relationship threats, competitive environments lacking emotional support, and low self-esteem among dancers. Dr. Chelsea offers three actionable strategies to manage jealousy: fostering deep friendships, creating a positive team culture, and building individual self-esteem. Tune in to learn how to shield yourself from jealous feelings, and handle it when they inevitably come up.. Grab the Confidence Checklist: Episode Resources:...
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206. Building a Successful Dance Team Culture
Passion for Dance
In this special episode of 'Passion for Dance,' host Dr. Chelsea reveals her proven process for cultivating a dance team with a strong sense of purpose and lasting motivation. Joined by guest Coach Ali James, they discuss setting team values and goals at the beginning of the season and how this practice fosters accountability and peak performance. Coach Ali shares her hands-on experiences in implementing these strategies, including the success of her team's unique 2-1-2 mantra. Dr. Chelsea also introduces her 'Dance Team Catalyst' course designed to guide coaches in building motivated and...
info_outlineIn 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.
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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