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. 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 guided breathing exercise for confidence and positivity at the end of the episode. Tune in for actionable insights to create happier, more successful dancers.   Connect with Amber: @shiftwithamber https://shiftwithamber.com   Episode Breakdown: 00:11 Meet Amber Fahey: Meditation and High Performance Coach 05:53 Understanding Mindfulness vs. Meditation 11:27 Integrating Meditation into Dance Practice 17:08 Mindfulness Techniques for Competitions 25:15 The Power of Visualization in Dance 25:42 Guided Meditation for Competitions 29:12 The Importance of Mental Rehearsal 34:44 Breath Work Techniques for Dancers 39:48 Journaling for Personal Growth 42:06 Mindfulness Programs for Dance Teams 46:11 Confidence and Positivity Guided Meditation  

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: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/cheklist   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/207   Episode Breakdown: 00:46 Understanding Jealousy in Dance Teams 01:51 Common Causes of Jealousy 06:37 Strategies to Overcome Jealousy 09:41 Building Self-Esteem and Confidence 11:04 Conclusion and Call to Action    

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 cohesive teams. Tune in for actionable strategies and inspiring stories that can transform your dance team.   Get the Course: DANCE TEAM CATALYST   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/206   Episode Breakdown: 00:10 Building a Team with Purpose and Motivation 01:46 The Importance of Setting Team Values and Goals 03:35 Coach Ali's Journey and Experience 04:33 The Process of Setting Team Values 07:44 Implementing and Upholding Team Values 17:25 A Unique Season: The Story of 2 1 2 23:43 Team Values and Season Goals 24:58 Overcoming Challenges with Team Values 26:18 Resetting and Reinforcing Values 29:03 The Importance of Smaller Goals 34:24 Handling Different Athlete Needs 37:09 The Power of Repetition: Three is Key 41:14 Final Thoughts on Values and Goals  

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 team captain is changing, with a shift towards shared leadership models where multiple dancers contribute to leadership roles. Dr. Chelsea discusses five key trends in athlete leadership, emphasizing the importance of both formal and informal leaders. This episode is for coaches and studio teachers who will both gain valuable insights into fostering positive team culture and effective leadership among dancers.   Leadership Training Course: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/courses   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/205   Episode Breakdown: 00:40 The Role of Captains in Dance Culture 02:33 Evolving Leadership Models in Dance 03:14 Shared and Distributed Leadership 05:25 The Decline of Traditional Captains 07:24 The Rise of Informal Leaders 10:08 Leadership Training for Modern Athletes  

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 discuss holistic approaches to finding fulfilling careers, practical advice for overcoming limiting beliefs, and the importance of self-discovery and support systems. Cheryl offers insights into transitioning careers, setting life goals, and the unique challenges faced by those pursuing careers in the arts. Tune in for actionable strategies on discovering a career you love.   Share the Episode: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/204   Connect with Cheryl: https://excel-resumes.com https://www.instagram.com/usajobsearchcoach https://www.linkedin.com/in/careercoachcheryl   Episode Breakdown: 00:09 Choosing a Career in the Performing Arts 00:29 Meet Cheryl Polk: Life and Career Coach 02:14 Cheryl's Dance Journey 03:45 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs 04:45 The Role of a Career Coach 07:55 Finding a Career You Love 10:07 The Discovery Phase 15:23 Pursuing a Career in the Arts 25:03 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs in the Arts 28:08 Practical Advice for Aspiring Dancers 32:15 Midlife Career Transitions 35:00 Conclusion and Contact Information  

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 psychologist and coach with over 40 years of experience, they discuss handling emotions, building resilience, self-sabotage, and the fine line between pushing oneself and taking necessary breaks.  Together, they offer valuable insights on teaching dancers to manage negative emotions without letting them interfere with performance and the importance of labeling and processing feelings. They also highlight the dual role of dance as both a source of joy and potential pain, emphasizing the need for self-love and guided encouragement in the pursuit of success.   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/203 Connect with Dr Audrey: https://audreyschnell.com Episode Breakdown: 00:38 Meet Dr. Audrey Schnell: Expert in Personal Development 04:38 Handling Emotions in Dance 11:15 The Importance of Resilience 21:43 Overcoming Failure and Building Resilience 22:33 Understanding Adolescent Emotions 23:39 Self-Sabotage and Emotional Management 25:10 The Impact of Change and Fear of the Unknown 29:19 Labeling and Understanding Emotions 33:15 Perfectionism in Dancers 36:41 The Healing Power of Movement 41:20 Final Thoughts and Advice

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 achievements. Anabella, originally from Argentina and now a teacher in New York City, shares her perspectives on dance education shaped by her multicultural experiences. They explore the importance of incorporating emotional connection in dance training, and how cultural adaptation influences teaching methodologies. Anabella delves into her teaching philosophy, stressing the significance of meaningful gestures over rote repetition and the holistic development of dancers. The conversation also touches on the impact of social media on dance and the essence of performing for live audiences and not just TikTok. Anabella introduces her book 'Teaching and Learning Dance Through Meaningful Gestures,' which merges pedagogical principles with both technical and artistic guidance, making it an invaluable resource for dancers and educators.   Get Anabella’s Book: Teaching and Learning Dance Through Meaningful Gestures Connect with Anabella:  https://instagram.com/AnabellaLenzu https://facebook.com/AnabellaLenzu https://youtube.com/AnabellaLenzu   Other Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/202   Episode Breakdown 00:41 Meet Anabella Lenzu 02:52 Anabella's Dance Journey and Teaching Philosophy 04:31 The Importance of Cultural Adaptation in Dance 08:03 Challenges in Dance Education Across Different Countries 11:13 Balancing Technical Skill and Artistic Expression 14:49 Practical Exercises for Emotional Connection 18:58 Promoting Dance as an Art Form 22:13 The Importance of Meaningful Gestures in Dance 25:12 Comprehensive Training for Performers 28:11 Visualization Techniques in Dance 31:30 Emotional Connection in Performance 40:23 The Role of Books in Dance Education  

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 resilience, differentiating it from toxic positivity. Dr. Chelsea shares practical strategies for cultivating optimism, including self-awareness, positive self-talk, visualization, and gratitude. She also discusses the impact of an optimistic mindset on performance and recovery from setbacks, using real-life examples from her work. The episode encourages dancers to maintain a positive outlook to enhance their training and competition results.   Be sure to follow the show and check out episode resources at https://passionfordancepodcast.com/follow https://passionfordancepodcast.com/201   Episode Breakdown 00:08 The Importance of Optimism in Dance 01:51 Defining Realistic Optimism 02:44 A Story of Resilience and Optimism 03:50 Strategies to Cultivate Optimism 11:23 The Role of Self-Compassion  

In this milestone episode, host Dr. Chelsea reflects on 200 episodes of the Passion for Dance podcast, sharing key insights and lessons from the four pillars of the show: mindset, motivation, resilience, and community. She emphasizes the need for emotional regulation, the importance of balancing discipline with empathy, training resilience, and fostering a supportive dance community.  Join in to learn actionable strategies for building happier, more successful dancers.   Be a guest on the show! https://passionfordancepodcast.com/voicemail or email Dr Chelsea at [email protected] Take the Podcast Quiz: https://chelseapierotti.com/podcastquiz   Episode Breakdown 01:14 Celebrating 200 Episodes 01:41 The Four Pillars of the Podcast 04:48 Mindset: Emotional Intelligence and Confidence 07:02 Motivation: Leadership and Communication 08:54 Resilience: Building Mental Toughness 10:44 Community: The Power of Supportive Networks 11:49 Looking Forward: Connecting and Growing Together 13:16 Conclusion and Call to Action  

In this episode of Passion for Dance, host Dr. Chelsea is joined by professional dancer Nia Lonette. The two dive into Nia's journey from Maryland to becoming an acclaimed dancer in LA, featuring her work with prominent artists and appearances at major events like the Grammys. Nia shares valuable tips on handling nerves, staying present in auditions, managing negative thoughts in class, and preparing for a move to LA. They also discuss elements from Nia's new book, 'Industry Survival Guide,' which offers practical advice on creating resumes, taking headshots, and finding community in the dance world. This conversation provides both aspiring and seasoned dancers with actionable strategies to thrive in their careers while emphasizing the importance of mental resilience and continuous self-improvement.   Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/199   Connect with Nia Lonette: https://www.nialonette.com https://www.instagram.com/nialonette   Episode Breakdown 01:29 Meet Nia Lonette 02:37 Transitioning to the Professional Dance World in LA 04:57 Building Confidence and Overcoming Nerves 06:53 Early Lessons and Mentorship 13:13 Handling Nerves in Class and Auditions 23:02 The Importance of Being in the Moment 26:26 Resilience in the Professional Dance World 31:26 Insights from the Industry Survival Guide 34:54 A Day in the Life of a Professional Dancer 39:39 The Power of Emotions in Dance 41:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts