The Ballroom Dance Diaries

Carole & Kim

The Ballroom Dance Diaries helps Pro-Am ballroom dancers overcome fear, anxiety, and doubt with expert tips, competition prep strategies, and inspiring stories from the dance community—so you can step onto the floor with confidence and joy.Join us because in the world of The Dance Diaries, every dance step is a chance to write a new page in your dance diary!

  1. 1d ago

    The Leaderboard Just Flipped! DWTS Week 3 Elimination & Full Review

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to The Ballroom Dance Diaries! In this episode, Carole and Kim break down Dancing with the Stars Season 35, Week 3, where the middle-of-the-pack couples made serious moves and completely shook up the leaderboard. From Amber and Pasha's breathtaking, syllabus-perfect Foxtrot tying them for first place with Harry and Jenna's explosive Jive, to Val and his partner sliding into triple sevens, we cover every angle of how the board flipped. We also share our honest, dancer-to-dancer reactions on Britt Stewart and Taylor Hanson's elimination, why posture and frame issues held back routines like Jackson and Emma's Paso Doble, how Ezra and Daniella navigate smooth choreography, and a simple metatarsal pad trick Kim uses to save your feet! ✨ FREE DOWNLOAD: PRE-COMPETITION CHECKLIST Stop second-guessing your competition prep. Grab our complete step-by-step checklist to dial in your mental focus, packing list, beauty timelines, and floor warm-up routine: 👉 Download via our Stan Store: https://stan.store/TheBallroomDanceDiaries DANCE SMARTER WITH OUR TOOLKITS & JOURNALS Explore our digital store for masterclasses, mental performance toolkits, and dancer mindset resources: The Ballroom Dance Diaries Stan Store: https://stan.store/TheBallroomDanceDiaries WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE: The Leaderboard Flip: How middle-of-the-pack couples surged to the top of the board in Week 3.Amber & Pasha's Standout Foxtrot: True syllabus footwork, continuous gliding movement, and what real judges look for.Harry & Jenna Holding #1: Their high-energy Jive and whether anyone can break their momentum.Britt Stewart & Taylor Hanson Out: Why this early Week 3 exit did not surprise us and where the connection and choreography fell short.Frame & Posture Reality Check: The posture and shoulder flaws that pull away the X-factor in routines like Jackson and Emma's Paso Doble.Ezra & Daniella in Smooth: How judging criteria, weight balance, and musicality shift when stepping away from Latin.Whitney & Mark's Quickstep: The clever choreography and judging math (7, 7, 8) that keep them hovering right behind the top.Dancer Feet Survival: The simple metatarsal pad trick to take pressure off the balls of your feet during long rehearsals and comps. LISTEN ON THE GO Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dance-diaries/id1848494274 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/04p0ABMhP0neZRTnsSy8im?si=76f2702875fd40a8 Buzzsprout: https://theballroomdancediaries.buzzsprout.com CONNECT WITH US YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBallroomDanceDiaries Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theballroomdancediaries TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theballroomdancediaries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBallroomDanceDiaries Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theballroomdancediaries Support the show Join us because in the world of The Dance Diaries, every dance step is a chance to write a new page in your dance diary!

  2. Oct 6

    DWTS Weeks 1 & 2: Early Frontrunners & Harsh Scores! (Honest Ballroom Reaction)

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to The Ballroom Dance Diaries! In this episode, Carole and Kim sit down for an honest, candid chat about their first impressions of Dancing with the Stars Season 35, Weeks 1 and 2. We are talking about everything that caught our eye: who looks like an early frontrunner, the mental and physical pressure pros navigate with brand-new partners, the harsh reality of early eliminations, and what really goes on behind the scenes on the ballroom floor! ✨ FREE DOWNLOAD: PRE-COMPETITION CHECKLIST Stop second-guessing your competition prep. Grab our complete step-by-step checklist to dial in your mental focus, packing list, beauty timelines, and floor warm-up routine: 👉 Download via our Stan Store: https://stan.store/TheBallroomDanceDi... DANCE SMARTER WITH OUR TOOLKITS & JOURNALS Explore our digital store for masterclasses, mental performance toolkits, and dancer mindset resources: The Ballroom Dance Diaries Stan Store: https://stan.store/TheBallroomDanceDi... WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE: First Impressions & Early Frontrunners: Who captured our attention right out of the gate in Weeks 1 & 2?What the Pros Really Go Through: Managing nerves, ego, choreography physics, and building a partnership from scratch in days.Early Heartbreak & Eliminations: Our honest reactions to the first couples voted off and why connection makes or breaks a run.Costumes & Floor Impact: The good, the questionable fabrics, and how stage presentation changes the vibe of a dance.The Mirrorball Recipe: What actually takes a couple to the finals—is it pure talent, likability, or social media hype?LISTEN ON THE GO Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/04p0ABM... Buzzsprout: https://theballroomdancediaries.buzzs... JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Who stood out to you most in Weeks 1 and 2? Do you agree with our early frontrunners, and did the right couples go home? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 👇 Subscribe to The Ballroom Dance Diaries for weekly DWTS chats, dancer mindset tips, and unfiltered conversations about life on the dance floor! #DWTS #DancingWithTheStars #TheBallroomDanceDiaries #BallroomDancing #DanceSport #DWTSSeason35 #ProAmDance #BallroomDancers Support the show Join us because in the world of The Dance Diaries, every dance step is a chance to write a new page in your dance diary!

  3. Sep 29

    The Shirley Standard: What It Actually Takes to Be a DWTS Pro

    Send us Fan Mail The Shirley Standard: What It Actually Takes to Be a DWTS Pro 🪩✨ What does it REALLY take to be a pro on Dancing with the Stars? Is world-class technique enough, or does television demand an entirely different skill set?  In this episode of The Ballroom Dance Diaries, Carole and Kim break down the high-stakes world of DWTS Season 35, the intense competition on The Next Pro, and why head judge Shirley Ballas sets the gold standard for ballroom excellence.   From mastering camera blocking to managing a celebrity’s inner critic, we pull back the curtain on what separates a great competitor from an unforgettable pro.  ⏱️TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Remote Catch-Up & Welcome to Season 35 2:00 - Why We Love DWTS & Celebrating the Pros 3:45 - The Shirley Ballas Standard: Strictly vs. The Next Pro 6:20 - More Than Steps: The Psychology of Partnering Amateurs 8:15 - The Rotating Pro Judges & Ballroom Chemistry 9:55 - The Adele & Connor Debate: Showcasing vs. Self-Spotlight 11:30 - Final Thoughts: What It Truly Takes to Win  💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Did Adele focus too much on her own dancing, or did Connor get a fair shot? What do you think of Shirley Ballas’s tough-love judging? Let us know your thoughts     ✨ CONNECT WITH THE BALLROOM DANCE DIARIES: 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/theballroomdancediaries  🎙️Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-ballroom-dance-diaries 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/theballroomdancediaries ✨ FREE RESOURCES & DIGITAL DANCE JOURNAL 📥 FREE 2-Week Pre-Competition Checklist: 👉 Download for free: https://stan.store/TheBallroomDanceDiaries If you loved this ballroom breakdown, make sure to hit LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔, and SHARE this episode with your dance family!   #DWTS #DancingWithTheStars #ShirleyBallas #TheNextPro #DWTSSeason35 #BallroomDance #TheBallroomDanceDiaries #DancePodcast Support the show Join us because in the world of The Dance Diaries, every dance step is a chance to write a new page in your dance diary!

  4. Sep 10

    From Panic to Poise: How to Stop Spiraling on Deck Before Your Heat

    Send us Fan Mail What is the very first thing you say to yourself right before your heat is called? Whether you are dancing in an intimate ballroom at a local one-day comp or stepping onto the floor at a major multi-day championship, that holding area on deck is pure sensory overload. In this episode of The Ballroom Dance Diaries, Carole and Kim pull back the curtain on what it really feels like to stand on deck. We break down the stark contrast between small, medium, and large competitions—and address the exact moments fear hijacks your physical body: • The "On-Deck Spiral": Why looking at other competitors instantly tightens your neck and collapses your frame • The Comparison Trap: How watching the couples in the heat before yours tricks your brain into feeling unready • Small vs. Large Comps: How floor size, heat density, and room energy change the pressure on your nervous system • Real-Time Floor Resets: The grounding formula to stop the spiral, reset your poise, and protect your private coaching investment under pressure 🎟️ LIVE INTERACTIVE MASTERCLASS (Saturday, Sept 19, 2026 @9am EDT): "Thoughts Become Things Masterclass" Master your pre-round self-talk and command the floor.  👉 Register here: https://stan.store/TheBallroomDanceDiaries  (Includes 90-minute interactive live session, full replay access, and the free Thought Replacement Guide) ✨ FREE RESOURCES & DIGITAL DANCE JOURNAL  📥 FREE 2-Week Pre-Competition Checklist: 👉 Download for free: https://stan.store/TheBallroomDanceDiaries/p/get-my-2week-precomp-checklist-now 📚 MY BALLROOM DANCE DIARY (Guided Training & Mindset Log): 👉 Get your copy: https://stan.store/TheBallroomDanceDiaries/p/my-ballroom-dance-diary- 💃 CONNECT WITH US:  • YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theballroomdancediaries  • Instagram: @theballroomdancediaries  • Store & Resources: https://stan.store/TheBallroomDanceDiaries • Podcast Hub: https://theballroomdancediaries.buzzsprout.com Support the show Join us because in the world of The Dance Diaries, every dance step is a chance to write a new page in your dance diary!

  5. Mar 13

    Terrified to Compete But Did It Anyway | Stephanie Byrne's First Dancesport Competition

    Send us Fan Mail Stepping onto a competitive ballroom floor for the first time can feel overwhelming. In this episode of The Dance Diaries, we sit down with Stephanie Byrne, a new competitive ballroom dancer who shares her honest journey through fear, anxiety, and self-doubt and why she chose to compete anyway. Stephanie opens up about: 💜 The mental spiral before her first competition 💜 The pressure of performing as an adult beginner 💜How fear almost kept her off the floor Why community and mindset changed everything.  This conversation isn’t about perfect routines.  It’s about courage. If you’ve ever felt “not ready,” questioned whether you belong, or battled anxiety before stepping into something new then  this episode will speak directly to you. Because bravery doesn’t mean you’re fearlesst it means you show up anyway. Support the show Join us because in the world of The Dance Diaries, every dance step is a chance to write a new page in your dance diary!

  6. 10/05/2025

    Empire Open Dance Festival Results — Did the Practice Pay Off?

    Send us Fan Mail Empire Open Dance Festival Results 🎯 Download your free Pro-Am Ballroom Packing & Prep Checklist  ➡️  https://the-dance-diaries-2.kit.com/655ce963bd  to be 100% ready to shine on the dance floor! ********* Website https://thedancediaries.buzzsprout.com 💃 Petrosyan Designs ➡️ m.facebook.com/petrosyandesigns 📞 (323) 975-9512 Get your discount code below  👉🏻👉🏻 https://aidadance.us/discount/DanceDi... Bobby Tan  https://www.danzworldusa.com/collections/frontpage 📧 info@aidadance.us ➡️ www.aidadance.us ➡️   / aidadanceshoes   ➡️   / aidadanceusa   #BallroomDancing #DanceChampion #DanceLife #ProAmDance #DanceInspiration #ballroommindset #mindset #ballroomcompetition Support the show Join us because in the world of The Dance Diaries, every dance step is a chance to write a new page in your dance diary!

  7. 08/30/2025

    Visualization for Ballroom Dancers: The Pre-Competition Habit That Works

    Send us Fan Mail This Habit Helps Your Achieve Your Ballroom Dance Goals Carole discusses her pre-comp habits and how she sets her mind to something, visualizes it, and therefore, it definitely happens. And she feels like this time at the competition, she already knew her outcome. #ballroomdance #proamdance #visualization #mindset  🎯 Download your free Pro-Am Ballroom Packing & Prep Checklist  ➡️  https://the-dance-diaries-2.kit.com/655ce963bd  to be 100% ready to shine on the dance floor! ********* Website https://thedancediaries.buzzsprout.com 💃 Petrosyan Designs ➡️ m.facebook.com/petrosyandesigns 📞 (323) 975-9512 Get your discount code below  👉🏻👉🏻 https://aidadance.us/discount/DanceDi... Bobby Tan  https://www.danzworldusa.com/collections/frontpage 📧 info@aidadance.us ➡️ www.aidadance.us ➡️   / aidadanceshoes   ➡️   / aidadanceusa   Click Here 👉🏻 AIDA Dance USA DiscountContact the AIDA team for a discount towards your next pair of custom made shoesDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Join us because in the world of The Dance Diaries, every dance step is a chance to write a new page in your dance diary!

  8. 08/16/2025

    Mindset of a Champion | Noel L'Esperence on the Mental Side of Competitive Dancing

    Send us Fan Mail Join National and Regional Pro Am Ballroom Champion Noel L’Esperence as she shares her inspiring journey of trading in the stables for the sparkle of the dance floor. In this candid conversation, Noel opens up about her love for fashion, the friendships she’s built in the ballroom community, and the deep connection with her dance partner that fuels her passion and performance. Discover how she stays focused on her goals while finding a creative space to break free from the demands of her profession in mental health—embracing dance as both an art form and a personal sanctuary. Whether you’re a dancer, dreamer, or love stories of transformation, Noel’s journey will leave you inspired to chase your own rhythm. 💃✨ Noel L’Esperance & Vladyslav Babenko From  FADS Green Bay South! https://www.facebook.com/fadsgreenbaysouth Wisconsin Fairy Hair- Third Coast Sparkles https://www.instagram.com/thirdcoastsparkles/?hl=en Video Credits: Panache Star https://www.facebook.com/PanacheStarVideo/ Photo Credits: Dancesport Photography https://dancesportphotography.com/ Noel's favorite Ballroom Dance Garment team: 💃 Petrosyan Designs ➡️ m.facebook.com/petrosyandesigns 📞 (323) 975-9512 🎯 Download your free Pro-Am Ballroom Packing & Prep Checklist  ➡️  https://the-dance-diaries-2.kit.com/655ce963bd  to be 100% ready to shine on the dance floor! ********* Website https://thedancediaries.buzzsprout.com 💃 Petrosyan Designs ➡️ m.facebook.com/petrosyandesigns 📞 (323) 975-9512 Get your discount code below  👉🏻👉🏻 https://aidadance.us/discount/DanceDi... Bobby Tan  https://www.danzworldusa.com/collections/frontpage 📧 info@aidadance.us ➡️ www.aidadance.us ➡️   / aidadanceshoes   ➡️   / aidadanceusa   #BallroomDancing #DanceChampion #NoelLEsperence #DanceLife #FromHorsesToBallroom #ProAmDance #DanceInspiration #podcast Click Here 👉🏻 AIDA Dance USA DiscountContact the AIDA team for a discount towards your next pair of custom made shoesDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Join us because in the world of The Dance Diaries, every dance step is a chance to write a new page in your dance diary!

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About

The Ballroom Dance Diaries helps Pro-Am ballroom dancers overcome fear, anxiety, and doubt with expert tips, competition prep strategies, and inspiring stories from the dance community—so you can step onto the floor with confidence and joy.Join us because in the world of The Dance Diaries, every dance step is a chance to write a new page in your dance diary!

Information

  • Creator
    Carole & Kim
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Ballroom Dance Diaries
  • Show Website
    The Ballroom Dance Diaries