TuTu Thin: A Podcast for Dancers | Be a healthy dancer/athlete in mind, body and spirit.  

Dawn Smith-Theodore, MA, MFT, CEDS
  • 3.0 (2)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The TuTu Thin Podcast will explore the complex relationship between dancers, athletes, their body and eating disorders, explaining how eating disorders can too easily develop in this driven, perfectionistic yet vulnerable population. TuTu Thin also explores the relationship between the dancer/athlete and the drive for perfection. How can the dancer/athlete develop healthy eating patterns in a world where there is expectation to have a strong, yet thin body. How can the dance teacher, choreographers, coaches and parents identify who may be struggling with an eating disorder? Coaches and dance teachers can promote healthy body image, but what is their responsibility if a dancer/athlete is exhibiting signs of having an eating disorder? Both prevention and treatment of eating disorders for the dancer/athlete are examined as well as how to return them back to their passion for dance or their sport. There will also be interviews with dancers, athletes, and those who work with them to promote wellness in mind, body and spirit.

  1. 4D AGO

    Jacque Mular talks about her Journey from Runner to Dietitian to Psychotherapist

    Jacque Mular, LMFT, RDN, brings over 25 years of expertise in healing relationships with food, body and mind. With dual master's degrees in Nutrition and Psychology, she integrates science and compassion as both a therapist and dietitian. Grounded in Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size, Jacque empowers clients to rediscover trust and joy in eating. Her trauma-informed approach, enriched by being Level 2 trained in Sensorimotor Therapy, supports a somatic approach to healing. Jacque brings a wealth of experience working with depression, anxiety and PTSD. Jacque’s vibrant energy, deep empathy, and commitment to evidence-based care make her a trusted ally. Jacque Mular, LMFT, RDN, brings over 25 years of expertise in healing relationships with food, body and mind. With dual master's degrees in Nutrition and Psychology, she integrates science and compassion as both a therapist and dietitian. Grounded in Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size, Jacque empowers clients to rediscover trust and joy in eating. Her trauma-informed approach, enriched by being Level 2 trained in Sensorimotor Therapy, supports a somatic approach to healing. Jacque brings a wealth of experience working with depression, anxiety and PTSD. Jacque’s vibrant energy, deep empathy, and commitment to evidence-based care make her a trusted ally.  Thank you for listening to The TuTu thin Podcast Please contact us through www.dawntheodore.com www.tututhin.com IG @dawn.smith.theodore Facebook @Dawn Smith-Theodore Twitter @Dawnstheodore Thank you to Matt Miller @ Smacky Media Group

    25 min

  2. FEB 20

    The Discussion with Gus Bembery.......From Dancer for Shakira to Dance Educator Around the World

    I’ve been teaching in L.A. and around the world for more than 20 years. I began teaching at The Edge in Hollywood when I first arrived in California in 1993 (from Boston, where I was the first hip hop teacher ever!), and then moved on to teach in the other major studios in L.A. like: Millenium, and Debbie Reynolds.  My name spread and soon people were traveling overseas to take my Hip Hop dance classes.  My first invitation abroad was to Italy, and then to Japan, and soon I was flying around the world, teaching at all the major cities on the planet.  New York:  Broadway Dance Center Tokyo:  BDC London:  Pineapple Paris:  Studio Harmonic, Juste Debout Rome:  Ials  I’ve taught in every country in Europe and Scandinavia.  Also, Russia, Turkey, Israel, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Japan all over Canada and the United States. I performed with Shakira at the Grammy Awards,  and danced with some of the best dancers/teachers/performers/ choreographers such as: Jamie King, Tabitha and Napolean, Sean Evaristo, The Jabbawockeez and many more.But sharing my love for hip hop by teaching dance classes is my true passion. My class is all about power, becoming one with the music and telling a story through hip hop dance. The music I choose are the songs that inspire me to use my imagination and to dance to my fullest. At the end of class we should all be a sweaty wreck, having just danced for our LIVES. – Gus Bembery  Thank you for listening to The TuTu thin Podcast Please contact us through www.dawntheodore.com www.tututhin.com IG @dawn.smith.theodore Facebook @Dawn Smith-Theodore Twitter @Dawnstheodore Thank you to Matt Miller @ Smacky Media Group

    30 min

  3. FEB 6

    Frankie Tan tells her journey from Ballerina to Aerialist and Beyond

    Described as “resolutely incapable of being one dimensional” Frankie Tan’s is a fearsome artist and entertainer whose work explores the intersection of environment, body, joy, and grief. As the queer multicultural spawn of three worlds, they have performed nationwide, and been prominently featured as an aerial circus artist with Cirque Berzerk, Ultra Music Festival, Kaimera Wanderbeasts, and others, and as a principal aerialist with Madmann’s Playground. They have held performance residencies at legendary venues throughout Los Angeles and San Francisco, and are known for their magnetic, emotive performance style- described “as spellbinding as I have ever seen…powerful… beguiling, and totally believable” by Noho ArsDistrict (2023). Their aerial burlesque act was honorably mentioned at the Oregon Burlesque Festival 2019 & they were named a performer in not one but three of LA Weekly’s Best Burlesque Shows 2019, including as a soloist in Hollywood’s famed aerial burlesque show, Luxe Obscura. Frankie is a scholarship graduate of the Alonzo King Lines Ballet Training Program and adjacent pedagogy program, and their teaching philosophy is rooted in somatic wellness and thoughtful body mechanics. When not training, teaching, or wrangling performers, Frankie can be found authoring their next award-nominated book.  Thank you for listening to The TuTu thin Podcast Please contact us through www.dawntheodore.com www.tututhin.com IG @dawn.smith.theodore Facebook @Dawn Smith-Theodore Twitter @Dawnstheodore Thank you to Matt Miller @ Smacky Media Group

    35 min

  4. JAN 23

    The Author of the book "Intuitive Eating" is Candid about Eating Disorders, Fertility and Much More

    Elyse Resch, MS, RDN, CEDS-C, Fiaedp, FADA, FAND, is a nutrition therapist in private practice with forty-three years of experience, specializing in eating disorders, Intuitive Eating, and Health at Every Size®. She is the co-creator and co-author of Intuitive Eating, now in its 4th edition (5th edition in process), the Intuitive Eating Workbook (now in its 2nd edition) and The Intuitive Eating Card Deck—50 Bite-Sized Ways to Make Peace with Food.  Elyse is also the author of The Intuitive Eating Workbook for Teens and The Intuitive Eating Journal—Your Guided Journey for Nourishing a Healthy Relationship with Foodand a chapter contributor to both The Handbook of Positive Body Image and Embodiment and Weight and Wisdom: Reflections on Decades of Working for Body Liberation. In addition, she is the co-creator of the only official Intuitive Eating app—Intue. Elyse has published journal articles, print articles, and blog posts and does regular speaking engagements, podcast interviews, and extensive media interviews. Her work has been profiled on ABC, NPR, CNN, KABC, NBC, KTTV, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, KFI Radio, USA Today, and the Huffington Post, among others. Elyse is nationally known for her work in helping patients break free from diet culture through the Intuitive Eating process. Her philosophy embraces the goal of reconnecting with one’s internal wisdom about eating and developing body liberation, with the belief that all bodies deserve dignity and respect.  She is a social justice advocate, a member of the Healer’s Circle of Project Heal—Help to Eat, Accept, and Live, and consults with and trains health professionals. Elyse is also a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Consultant, on the Advisory Board of Within Health, a Fellow of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, and a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.         Thank you for listening to The TuTu thin Podcast Please contact us through www.dawntheodore.com www.tututhin.com IG @dawn.smith.theodore Facebook @Dawn Smith-Theodore Twitter @Dawnstheodore Thank you to Matt Miller @ Smacky Media Group

    45 min

  5. 12/31/2025

    Anneliese Discusses her Journey Through Dance to Dew Drop with Nashville Ballet

    Anneliese Guerin originally started dancing in her hometown of Spokane, WA. She started her professional ballet training at Pacific Northwest Ballet School in 2014. After training for two years at PNBS, she was accepted to San Francisco Ballet School. She trained in the school for two years and was then promoted to the San Francisco Ballet School Trainee Program.  During that time, she choreographed her first piece on her fellow trainees. After her year as an SFBS Trainee, she went to Pacific Northwest Ballet School as a Professional Division Student. Anneliese auditioned for Nashville Ballet’s Second Company and spent two years with Nashville Ballet 2. She has choreographed several pieces on Nashville Ballet’s Second Company Members. She was awarded as an Emerging Choreographer for DM.Connect’s choreography competition. Anneliese was promoted to Nashville Ballet Apprentice for two years before being promoted to full company dancer in 2023. Thank you for listening to The TuTu thin Podcast Please contact us through www.dawntheodore.com www.tututhin.com IG @dawn.smith.theodore Facebook @Dawn Smith-Theodore Twitter @Dawnstheodore Thank you to Matt Miller @ Smacky Media Group

    28 min

  6. 12/12/2025

    Nia Lonette Discusses her work as a Dancer, Model, and Choreographer

    Nia Lonette, a talented dancer, model, and choreographer originally from Temple Hill, has been working in the entertainment industry for 10+ years. Nia has had the gift of shifting between working not only in front of the camera but also behind. As the talent she has had the privilege of collaborating with artists such as Usher, Beyonce, Kali Uchis, Kem, and prestigious brands like Tiffany & Co, 7/11, OneSize and More .  Nia not only showcases her skills as a dancer but also as a model and choreographer. Through her artist training and performance group Muse in Motion she has been able to assist artist with perfecting their performance quality though movement coaching, choreographing pieces for live showcases, and even creative direct music videos.  Nia’s goal is to create art that tells impactful stories and resonates with audiences on a deep emotional level as well as help build confidence in artist through movement.  Nia's mantra is for both her art and the artist to always "Be The Moment."   Thank you for listening to The TuTu thin Podcast Please contact us through www.dawntheodore.com www.tututhin.com IG @dawn.smith.theodore Facebook @Dawn Smith-Theodore Twitter @Dawnstheodore Thank you to Matt Miller @ Smacky Media Group

    37 min

  7. 11/28/2025

    Kari Brunson Wright, Josh Spell, & Rachel Coates Talk about their New Ilumn Collective App for Dancers

    Kari Brunson Wright, Josh Spell, and Rachel Coates talk about their new Ilumn Collective app that is defining how mental health and coaching can be accessible for dancers, dance educators and parents. Join the podcast as we talk about perfectionism, body image, compassion and resilience for the dancer.  Kari Brunson WrightAfter nearly a decade dancing with Pacific Northwest Ballet and thirteen years as a food entrepreneur and CEO, Kari discovered that her deepest joy and fulfillment came from helping others grow—personally, professionally, and spiritually. In 2022, she became a certified coach through the International Coaching Federation and launched an IFS-informed psycho-spiritual practice centered on the art of being well. Kari coaches founders, leaders, and creatives in values-based leadership, organizational clarity, and personal alignment. She lives in Seattle with her husband and two young children, and she loves cooking vegetables, listening to podcasts, reading fiction, and getting her hands dirty in the garden. Rachel Coates is a dancer turned licensed mental health therapist living in the state of Washington. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of Kansas and a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Western Washington University. She has experience working in community mental health and group practice and currently runs a private practice. Rachel has experience working with clients on a myriad of challenges including  anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, trauma, grief, parenting issues, and rites of passage. She has training in Internal Family Systems, Mindful Self-Compassion, and is an ongoing student in energy studies and somatics work. Drawing from her experience as a professional ballet dancer for 15 years, Rachel has a passion for helping dancers navigate their art form in expansive and healthy ways. She has extensive experience leading seminars for dancers, providing dancer-specific counseling, and writing course work to help dancers thrive.  Josh Spell is a licensed social worker in the state of Washington and currently works in private practice in Seattle. Before beginning his practice, Josh worked in the field of eating disorders and generalized behavioral health settings. He earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Washington and received his undergraduate degree from Seattle University. Josh was a dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet from 2001 to 2011 and danced with Kansas City Ballet for two seasons. He trained at the School of American Ballet and attended Summer Courses at Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Josh danced a range of repertory from George Balanchine to Twyla Tharp. Among his favorite roles were the second sailor in Jerome Robbin’s Fancy Free, Puck in George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Benvolio and Acolytes in Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette and roles in Jiri Kylián’s Sechs Tänze and Petite Mort. In 2020 Josh returned to PNB in a new role as consulting therapist. He works with professional dancers and students all over the country centering dance from a holistic perspective and offering a wide variety of mental health tools. He has given various seminars on performance anxiety, perfectionism, body image, self-compassion and identity. In addition to his therapist and dancer identities, Josh is a plant enthusiast, aesthete and lover of the arts. Thank you for listening to The TuTu thin Podcast Please contact us through www.dawntheodore.com www.tututhin.com IG @dawn.smith.theodore Facebook @Dawn Smith-Theodore Twitter @Dawnstheodore Thank you to Matt Miller @ Smacky Media Group

    51 min

  8. 11/14/2025

    Galit Friedlander Shares her Story from LaGuardia High School in NYC to Los Angeles Dancer, Dance Educator, and Choreographer

    Galit Friedlander is a Los Angeles-based choreographer, dance educator, and certified personal trainer with over 20 years of experience in the industry. She has worked on projects including PRINCE’s Welcome 2 America Tour, Pharrell’s Happy video, and served as the lead choreographer for the WNBA’s LA Sparks’ SparKids dance team for six seasons. As the creator and host of the DanceSpeak podcast, Galit has interviewed over 200 leaders from across the dance world, exploring the artistry, mindset, and humanity behind success in the industry. In addition to her creative work, Galit is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Dance Specialist with Doctors for Dancers. She is passionate about helping dancers build strength, confidence, and longevity through functional training that supports both physical and mental wellness. Her approach bridges movement and mindset, empowering dancers to thrive in their craft without compromising their health or self-worth. Thank you for listening to The TuTu thin Podcast Please contact us through www.dawntheodore.com www.tututhin.com IG @dawn.smith.theodore Facebook @Dawn Smith-Theodore Twitter @Dawnstheodore Thank you to Matt Miller @ Smacky Media Group

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The TuTu Thin Podcast will explore the complex relationship between dancers, athletes, their body and eating disorders, explaining how eating disorders can too easily develop in this driven, perfectionistic yet vulnerable population. TuTu Thin also explores the relationship between the dancer/athlete and the drive for perfection. How can the dancer/athlete develop healthy eating patterns in a world where there is expectation to have a strong, yet thin body. How can the dance teacher, choreographers, coaches and parents identify who may be struggling with an eating disorder? Coaches and dance teachers can promote healthy body image, but what is their responsibility if a dancer/athlete is exhibiting signs of having an eating disorder? Both prevention and treatment of eating disorders for the dancer/athlete are examined as well as how to return them back to their passion for dance or their sport. There will also be interviews with dancers, athletes, and those who work with them to promote wellness in mind, body and spirit.

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