Passion for Dance
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.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 22 minutes
- Episodes
- 225
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
220. Building Confidence That Lasts: Strategies Every Dancer Needs
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…
219. 5 Trust Breakers Sabotaging Your Dance Team's Success and How to Fix Them
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 listenin…
218. Building Better Dancers: Cultivating Confidence and Individuality in Dance with Jason Pickett
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, t…
217. Beyond the Studio: 5 Life Skills You Learn 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, leaders…
216. Mental Traps Dancers Fall Into and How to Break Free
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 goa…
215. Season Reflections: How Dancers Get Mentally Stronger in the Off-Season
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 se…
214. Dancing with True Authenticity and Confidence with Choreographer Alexandra Beller
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 s…
213. A Professional Dance Company’s Whole Dancer Approach: Insights from Julie Opiel at Body Traffic
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 ove…
212. Embracing the Beginner's Mindset: Lesley Logan on Confidence, Imposter Syndrome, & Positive Habits
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 …
211. Addressing Favoritism in Dance Studios: Strategies for Teachers, Dancers, and Parents
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 dan…
210. Rhee Gold on Dance Education, Passion, Adaptability and Business Success
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 men…
209. When it Feels Like You're Not Getting Better and You Don't Know Why
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, a…
208. Using Meditation for Confidence and Competitive Success with Amber Fahey
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. …
207. When Jealousy Hits the Team: Understanding and Overcoming Teammate Tension
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…
206. Building a Successful Dance Team Culture
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 A…
205. Redefining Dance Team Leadership: From Captains to Collaborative Roles
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea explores the evolving landscape of leadership within dance teams in both school and studio settings. She highlights how the traditional role of a tea…
204. From Passion to Profession: Finding Your Career Path with Coach Cheryl Polk
In this episode of 'Passion for Dance,' host Dr. Chelsea explores the complexities of choosing a career in the performing arts. Joined by master certified life and career coach Cheryl Polk, they disc…
203. Should We Say “Leave It at the Door” in 2025? New Advice for Building Resilience with Dr Audrey Schnell
In this episode of Passion for Dance, host Dr. Chelsea explores the phrase "leave it at the door" in the dance industry and its relevance in 2025. Joined by guest expert Dr. Audrey Schnell, a psychol…
202. Blending Technical Excellence with Emotional Depth in Dance with Anabella Lenzu
In this episode, host Dr. Chelsea talks to distinguished dance educator Anabella Lenzu about the shifting focus in the dance community from artistic expression to technical perfection and competitive…
201. Cultivating Optimism as a Teenage Competitive Dancer
In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea addresses the growing pessimism among teenage competitive dancers. She emphasizes the importance of optimism for competitive success and mental resil…