The Dance Physio Podcast

Erika Mayall
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  • Performing Arts
  • Updated weekly

A podcast designed to explore ideas and foster discussion around dancer health and wellness. The Dance Physio Podcast aims to challenge the status quo, bridge the gap between dance science and the studio, and help change the landscape of the dance industry for the better. 

  1. 3 days ago

    Episode 144: Thinking Beyond RED-S for Dancer Health with Dr Stephanie Potreck

    In this week's podcast episode, I am fortunate to sit down with Dr Stephanie Potreck from AusDancersOverseas. Dr. Potreck is a sports nutritionist and expert in the field of low energy availability and especially how it affects dancers health and performance. In this conversation, we discuss her journey in the dance world and transition into medicine, how the field is rapidly changing, and whether RED-S/RED-D exists as a separate entity or whether it is tied to the larger picture of stress physiology/allostatic load.  *disclaimer: please be aware that this episode discusses topics including eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image. Some of the discussions may be triggering for individuals currently struggling with or in recovery* About Stephanie: Dr. Stephanie Potreck is a medical doctor, sports nutritionist, researcher and former dancer whose work challenges the idea that complex health problems have simple explanations.   Her clinical and research interests include low energy availability, eating disorders, stress physiology, female athlete health and the unique demands of dance. She is particularly interested in the overlap between REDs, allostatic load and the broader neuroendocrine adaptations seen in athletes under chronic physical and psychological stress.   Stephanie is passionate about translating science into practical conversations that empower dancers, clinicians and educators to ask better questions; not just arrive at faster answers  Connect with Stephanie: Substack: Life of a Dance Nutrition Doctor Instagram: @AusDancersOverseas Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: hello@allegroperformance.comSupport the show

    Episode 144: Thinking Beyond RED-S for Dancer Health with Dr Stephanie Potreck

  2. 4 Aug

    Episode 143: Balance Training for Dancers

    Balance is a complex task that requires skilled practice, especially at the level required by dancers. Simply standing on one leg in a static passé or relevé position is often not enough to see the improvements most dancers are looking for. In this episode, I break down the 3 major components of balance, and why understanding what is affecting our balance is the key to training it effectively. Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: hello@allegroperformance.com Support the show

    Episode 143: Balance Training for Dancers

  3. 28 Jul

    Episode 142: 5 Things That Could Be Limiting Your Dancer's Flexibility

    It’s no secret that the demands for flexibility have increased in the dance world in recent years. But what about those students who seem to hit a flexibility plateau so matter how much stretching they do? In this episode, I discuss 5 things that could be limiting your dancer's flexibility progress, despite them working hard and stretching regularly. Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 11: Flexibility for Dancers Part 1 - Flexibility vs Mobility Episode 12: Flexibility for Dancers Part 2 -  The Truth About Overstretching Episode 13: Flexibility for Dancers Part 3 - The Nervous System's Role in Mobility Episode 14: Flexibility for Dancers Part 4 - Active Mobility Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: hello@allegroperformance.comSupport the show

    Episode 142: 5 Things That Could Be Limiting Your Dancer's Flexibility

  4. 21 Jul

    Episode 141: Can You Change Your Pointe Range?

    A common goal amongst dancers is wanting to improve their pointe range or their arch. But is this actually possible? In this episode, we dive into the factors that are involved in pointe range, figuring out where the limitations might be coming from, and whether we can change them through exercise and training. Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 57: The Truth About Foot Stretchers Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: hello@allegroperformance.comSupport the show

    Episode 141: Can You Change Your Pointe Range?

  5. 14 Jul

    Episode 140: Gripping in Your Quads - What It Actually Means

    This past week there was a major dance media outlet that published an article and social media post with some problematic language around 'gripping in the quads'. In this week's podcast episode, I unpack what was so problematic and why it matters to dancers, as well as what gripping in the quads actually means and how we can address it in a productive way. Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: hello@allegroperformance.comSupport the show

    Episode 140: Gripping in Your Quads - What It Actually Means

  6. 7 Jul

    Episode 139: The Future of Ballet Education with Austin Crumley

    On this week's episode, I'm joined by ballet educator, mentor and founder of Ballet Reeducation - Austin Crumley. We discuss his journey from professional dancer to professional educator, his unique approach to teaching ballet for the 21st century, and how we can use what research and dance science tells us to inform and progress ballet education. About Austin: Austin Crumley is a ballet educator, pedagogy researcher, and the founder of Ballet Reeducation (BRe) — a professional development platform built at the intersection of pedagogy, psychology, and dance science. His work centers on one persistent tension in the field: the gap between what tradition tells us to teach and what research informs us to teach. BRe exists to close it. Austin holds a BFA in Ballet Pedagogy from The University of Oklahoma, home to one of the top dance programs in the country, where he trained under Mary Margaret Holt, Clara Cravey Stanley, Ilya Kozadayev, and Jeremy Lindberg. He went on to earn his M.Ed from Hope International University, bringing the rigor of formal education theory into a field that has long relied on oral tradition and intuition alone. Before transitioning into education full-time, Austin danced professionally with the Sacramento Ballet, performing leading and ensemble roles in works by George Balanchine, Gerald Arpino, Ma Cong, Jock Soto, and Darrell Moultrie. That experience as a working dancer informs everything about how he teaches. He understands what it actually costs to execute the things we ask dancers to do. Through Ballet Reeducation, Austin has worked directly with over 100 dance teachers through the Summer Training Lab (his signature annual program) alongside individual consultations and workshops. His approach is grounded in nervous-system science, neurodivergent-inclusive practice, and a commitment to teaching ballet as a physical discipline that deserves the same evidence-based rigor as any other. He is currently developing consulting partnerships with leading performing arts institutions and continues to shape what modernized ballet pedagogy can look like in real classrooms. Austin also teaches Biology and AP Biology at the California School of the Arts–San Gabriel Valley, where the overlap between biological science and movement education is less irony and more daily practice.” Connect with Austin: Website: Ballet Reeducation Instagram: @TheBalletEducator Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: hello@allegroperformance.comSupport the show

    Episode 139: The Future of Ballet Education with Austin Crumley

  7. 30 Jun

    Episode 138: Red Light Therapy for Healing and Recovery

    The concept of light as a healing element has been around for thousands of years, but it's only been recently that Red Light Therapy has become a popular modality for healing and wellness. In this week's podcast, I break down what Red Light Therapy is, how different types of wavelengths within the electromagnetic spectrum affect cellular function, the specific benefits of different types of bioactive light, and how dancers can use Red Light Therapy to promote healing and recovery. Check out my favourite source for trusted red light products - Fringe Heals. Summer Sale on July 6 - 12 - 20% sitewide, no code needed! Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: hello@allegroperformance.comSupport the show

    Episode 138: Red Light Therapy for Healing and Recovery

  8. 23 Jun

    Episode 137: The #1 Functional Task Most Dancers Struggle With

    Functional tasks, or fundamental movement patterns, are movements that lay the foundation for more complicated movement patterns. They are often considered essential movements for activities of daily living, and are some of the first movement patterns we develop as babies and toddlers when we're learning gross motor skills. Dancers spend endless hours training complex and highly skilled movement patterns, sometimes at the expense of these foundational movement patterns. In this week's podcast, I discuss the #1 functional task that I see dancers struggle with in the clinic and why it matters for more than just injury prevention. Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: hello@allegroperformance.com Support the show

    Episode 137: The #1 Functional Task Most Dancers Struggle With
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About

A podcast designed to explore ideas and foster discussion around dancer health and wellness. The Dance Physio Podcast aims to challenge the status quo, bridge the gap between dance science and the studio, and help change the landscape of the dance industry for the better. 

Information

  • Creator
    Erika Mayall
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Dance Physio Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Dance Physio Podcast

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