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