Episodes

A Note from Dr. Chelsea & the Future of the Show
Jan. 29, 2026

A Note from Dr. Chelsea & the Future of the Show

While the show is on hold, you can check out all past 200+ episodes with all of the support and advice you expect from Dr. Chelsea. https://passionfordancepodcast.com If you have any questions or thoughts to share, you can al...

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234: Feeling STUCK as a Coach and Navigating Career Transitions
Jan. 22, 2026

234: Feeling STUCK as a Coach and Navigating Career Transitions

In this episode of 'Passion for Dance,' Dr. Chelsea delves into career transitions… when do you know it’s time for something new? She breaks down five key strategies to help navigate these pivotal decisions, including underst...

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233. Nourishing Dance: Conversations on Food, Body Image, and Wellness with Monika Saigal
Dec. 18, 2025

233. Nourishing Dance: Conversations on Food, Body Image, and Wellnes…

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 di...

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232. A More Positive Convention Experience: Perfectionism, Confidence & Body Image with Ashley Mowrey
Dec. 11, 2025

232. A More Positive Convention Experience: Perfectionism, Confidence…

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, ...

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231. Ballet’s Harsh Beauty and the Life Lessons we Learn, with Emily Sayre Smith
Dec. 4, 2025

231. Ballet’s Harsh Beauty and the Life Lessons we Learn, with Emily …

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...

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230. How to Be a Mentally Tough Dancer Using The Power of the Four Cs
Nov. 20, 2025

230. How to Be a Mentally Tough Dancer Using The Power of the Four Cs

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 ...

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229. Cultivating Accountability and Work Ethic in Dance Teams: Insights from 3 Coaches
Nov. 13, 2025

229. Cultivating Accountability and Work Ethic in Dance Teams: Insigh…

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 Edwi...

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228. Self-Compassion in Dance: How to Balance Ambition with Kindness
Nov. 6, 2025

228. Self-Compassion in Dance: How to Balance Ambition with Kindness

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 ...

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227. Filling Buckets: A Simple Team Exercise for Connection and Kindness
Oct. 23, 2025

227. Filling Buckets: A Simple Team Exercise for Connection and Kindn…

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 te...

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226. Why Your Dance Team Has Cliques and 5 Ways to Handle It
Oct. 16, 2025

226. Why Your Dance Team Has Cliques and 5 Ways to Handle It

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 y...

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225. Building Lasting Confidence in Dance: It Takes More than Affirmations
Oct. 9, 2025

225. Building Lasting Confidence in Dance: It Takes More than Affirma…

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 ...

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224. Motivation Vs. Discipline: Winning the Battle Against Procrastination
Oct. 2, 2025

224. Motivation Vs. Discipline: Winning the Battle Against Procrastin…

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 an...

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223. What High-Achieving Dancers Do Differently
Sept. 25, 2025

223. What High-Achieving Dancers Do Differently

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...

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222. Navigating College Dance Team Recruitment with Abbey Nugent
Sept. 18, 2025

222. Navigating College Dance Team Recruitment with Abbey Nugent

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 p...

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221. How to Create a Goal-Driven Culture Without Burning Out Your Dancers
Sept. 11, 2025

221. How to Create a Goal-Driven Culture Without Burning Out Your Dan…

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...

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220. Building Confidence That Lasts: Strategies Every Dancer Needs
Sept. 4, 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 why confidence isn’t some...

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219. 5 Trust Breakers Sabotaging Your Dance Team's Success and How to Fix Them
Aug. 28, 2025

219. 5 Trust Breakers Sabotaging Your Dance Team's Success and How to…

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, competin...

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218. Building Better Dancers: Cultivating Confidence and Individuality in Dance with Jason Pickett
Aug. 21, 2025

218. Building Better Dancers: Cultivating Confidence and Individualit…

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 c...

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217. Beyond the Studio: 5 Life Skills You Learn from Dance
Aug. 14, 2025

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, leadership and self-control, grit...

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216. Mental Traps Dancers Fall Into and How to Break Free
Aug. 7, 2025

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 goals, and injury identity, s...

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215. Season Reflections: How Dancers Get Mentally Stronger in the Off-Season
June 26, 2025

215. Season Reflections: How Dancers Get Mentally Stronger in the Off…

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 tough...

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214. Dancing with True Authenticity and Confidence with Choreographer Alexandra Beller
June 19, 2025

214. Dancing with True Authenticity and Confidence with Choreographer…

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 aw...

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213. A Professional Dance Company’s Whole Dancer Approach: Insights from Julie Opiel at Body Traffic
June 12, 2025

213. A Professional Dance Company’s Whole Dancer Approach: Insights f…

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,...

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212. Embracing the Beginner's Mindset: Lesley Logan on Confidence, Imposter Syndrome, & Positive Habits
June 5, 2025

212. Embracing the Beginner's Mindset: Lesley Logan on Confidence, Im…

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 i...

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