Athletic Artist - The Dance Podcast

Athletic Artist
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Welcome to Athletic Artist - The Dance Podcast! We believe dancers should be trained like athletes. That's why we're bringing you the strategies and principles that high-performing athletes and coaches use, because our dancers are ... well, Athletic Artists! Join us in looking beyond the 8 counts to building stronger athletes, not just dancing bodies!

  1. 1 MAY

    From Pressure to Passion: Falling Back in Love with Dance with Alexandra Pavone

    In this episode, I’m joined by Alex, one of the first graduates of the Certificate in Dance Injury Prevention, to chat about her journey from musical theatre training to building her own dance fitness business. We talk about rediscovering joy in dance after burnout, creating positive and safe class environments, the realities of teaching, boundaries, confidence, injury prevention, and why dancers deserve to be supported like athletes without losing the artistry of dance. This is such an honest conversation about teaching, growth, resilience, and redefining success beyond titles, status, and the highlight reel. Find Alex: INSTAGRAM Find us: INSTAGRAM

    48 min

  2. 26 APR

    Is it a choreo problem, or a tired-body problem?

    Rehearsal season can feel like chaos - weekend comps, extra rehearsals, tired dancers, and 'silent' injuries that don’t stop your dancers dancing… but can stop them reaching their full potential. In this episode, I’m breaking down a simple tool used in high-performance sport that you can use in the dance studio straight away: RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion). You’ll learn what it is, why it’s research-backed, and how to use it to manage training load, reduce burnout risk, and set healthier expectations for dancers during comp/show season. What You'll Learn The difference between a choreo problem and a tired-body problemWhy 'running it again' can create more mistakes, more stress, and more injury risk What silent injuries / yellow flags look like in classWhat RPE is (Rate of Perceived Exertion) and how it worksHow RPE helps you manage energy, reduce burnout risk, and protect performanceA simple 'do this next rehearsal' system for collecting and using RPEHow to use RPE to communicate with parents without the guilt or the pushback If you would like access to the Rehearsal Menu: our approach in navigating rehearsals based on RPE, then you can find it inside our online Studio Essentials membership. Click HERE for a 7-DAY FREE TRIAL. Instagram: ⁠ @nic._thomson⁠ ⁠@danceteacherstrainingacademy⁠ Website: ⁠www.theathleticartist.com

    19 min

  3. 13 APR

    Welcome back to Athletic Artist

    Wow, it's been a minute (2 years ...). There's so much that's changed inside our world, and with bringing the podcast back, I felt like we needed a re-introduction! At the Dance Teachers Training Academy, our ethos is about training dancers like athletes - using strategies and principles that high performing athletes and Olympic coaches use because ... well, our dancers are ATHLETIC ARTISTS. Over the coming months, expect useful resources, actionable content and cracking conversations with our guests as we look through the Athletic Artist lens ... Please subscribe to the podcast and tag @danceteacherstrainingacademy on socials ♥️ WEBSITE LINK HERE STUDIO ESSENTIALS MEMBERSHIP

    13 min

  4. 12/03/2025

    Scotland > London as a Dancer with Charlotte

    Join me as we chat with the incredible Charlotte, a Scottish dancer, now living in London! From performing with Ellie Goulding at the BRITS to performing in Fast & Furious, Charlotte shares how her secret is to keep being a beginner. We explore the transition from Scotland to London, both personally and professionally, uncovering the emotions and practical hurdles of this transition. Charlotte shares her insights on navigating the professional dance world, from building a support network to being represented by an agent. In this episode, we cover: Charlotte's Dance JourneyThe London TransitionQuick-Fire London Survival GuideLife as a Professional DancerAdvice for Aspiring Dancers Charlotte is keen to give back to the Scottish dance community with her commercial intensive, Break The Barrier. The next intensive taking place in Glasgow is on 9th-11th April 2025. You might even see a familiar face on the faculty line-up ... Email Btbintensive@gmail.com or visit Charlotte at @btb_intensive to find out more details and/or book a space. Speak to you in the next episode Nic

    47 min

  5. 11/02/2025

    The show must go on ... right? Understanding Pain in Dance

    Welcome to Athletic Artist: The Dancers Podcast! This week, we're diving deep into a topic that's all too familiar for dancers: pain. The phrase "the show must go on" is often thrown around, but what happens when pushing through pain becomes the norm? We're unpacking the complex relationship between dancers and pain, exploring the difference between good pain and bad pain, and giving you the tools to understand your body better. We'll start by differentiating between injury pain and performance pain. How do you know when you're pushing your limits versus putting yourself at risk? We'll discuss the common reasons why dancers experience pain, including: Body Awareness: Are you truly in tune with your body's signals?Achieving Physical Ideals: The pressure to conform to certain body types can lead to unhealthy practices.Doing Things Beyond Capability: Pushing too hard, too fast, can have serious consequences.Mechanical Misalignment: Proper alignment is crucial for injury prevention.Repetitive Movements: The nature of dance can put stress on certain joints and muscles.Overtraining: Rest and recovery are just as important as practice.But what should you be feeling in your body? We'll explore the sensations that indicate healthy muscle engagement and the difference between discomfort and true pain. Crucially, we'll discuss how to know your limits and when it's time to take a step back. Ignoring pain can lead to long-term injuries, so understanding your body's signals is paramount. Join us this week as we discuss how to prioritise your health and well-being whilst still pursuing your passion for dance. Don't forget to subscribe and share us on your instagram! Nic -@nicthomsonfit Tess - @tessdancescience

    40 min

  6. 03/02/2025

    Understanding the Dancer's Relationship with Food with Nadia

    In this episode, I'm joined by the wonderful Nadia, from Iris, to delve into the complex factors influencing a dancer's relationship with food, exploring societal pressures, the unique demands of the dance world, and the common themes that emerge among dancers struggling with nutrition and body image. We emphasize the importance of prioritizing health alongside performance success and offer actionable steps dancers can take to improve their relationship with food, ensuring they're properly fueled for training and performance. This episode is a must-listen for dancers, dance parents, and anyone interested in the intersection of performance, nutrition, and well-being. Key Takeaways: Introduction to Nadia's story and the creation of Iris. Discussion of the various influences on a dancer's relationship with food. Exploration of common challenges faced by dancers regarding nutrition and body image. The importance of balancing health and performance goals. Actionable steps dancers can implement to improve their food relationship and fuel their bodies effectively. Insights applicable to anyone interested in healthy eating habits, even outside the dance world. Iris stands for I Rise, I Soar. They're an online clinic helping dancers with their relationship with food, exercise and body image. I truly wish there was a clinic like Iris about when I was a younger dancer. Go check them out on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram @nicthomsonfit Follow Iris on Instagram @irisclinicuk

    45 min

  7. 21/01/2025

    Creating a versatile portfolio with Nathan McGregor

    In this episode, we are joined by photographer, Nathan McGregor, where we talk about how to create a versatile, diverse and employable portfolio. We chat about; - Communicating with your photographer - Finding individuality - Building confidence - Preparation and improvisation Let us know your thoughts and as always, share this episode if you found it helpful and tag us Nic - @nicthomsonfit Nathan - @nathanmcgregorphotography

    38 min

  8. 18/11/2024

    'suck your tummy in, i don't want to see what you had for breakfast' - How Your Teaching Impacts Your Students

    In this episode, Tess and I discuss how your teaching practices impact your students. We chat about: - The transition from dancer to teacher and the lack of teaching skills - Things our teachers said to us - How to prepare your students for the industry without breaking them - How to communicate better with your students - Finding a balance between being strict and being too soft - How to better cue feedback - Body image and feedback - Tools you can use within your teaching practice If you enjoyed this episode, pass it onto another teacher or dancer you think would enjoy or benefit from listening too! Nic - https://www.instagram.com/nicthomsonfit/ Tess - https://www.instagram.com/tessdancescience/

    41 min
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About

Welcome to Athletic Artist - The Dance Podcast! We believe dancers should be trained like athletes. That's why we're bringing you the strategies and principles that high-performing athletes and coaches use, because our dancers are ... well, Athletic Artists! Join us in looking beyond the 8 counts to building stronger athletes, not just dancing bodies!

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