Dancer's Circle Natalie Thais

The relaunch of Dancer's Circle podcast could not have started better! 
This episode I got to talk to the gorgeous Lauren Turner, an Aussie dancer from the Moulin Rouge and not only! With Showgirl Experience throughout Paris and Germany, as well as the stages of Australia and the stages out at sea, Lauren knows a thing or two about what it takes, and what it means, to be a working professional. But that is not why I adore this human. It is the way her feet are firmly planted in the ground, whilst her heart speaks loud and clear! Her declaration against bullies and being unkind is speaking my language and it gets me standing right alongside her pledging my allegiance to the cause! We spend a first half of the episode talking Industry and Paris theatre and Moulin and some tips on how to get there, and stay there, tangents and all. We then had a series of internet drop outs  which I've cut out to save you hearing a whole lot of "can you hear me, I can see you but. . . oh no lost you bla bla bla "! Hahaha, it got wild. Then finally we finish the second half with some deeper, really valuable human talk that you are going to want to drop yourself all into, roll around at least 20 times in, and come back up feeling seen, understood and ready to go go go in this crazy, but totally worth it,  career that we choose over and over and over again. 
It is real, it is honest, it is human. Just. Like. Dancer's. Circle. 
Human First dancing souls. Repeat after me.
Now get dropping and rolling. Marinate yourselves for a good hour. 
Bisous! 
PS -  Want to find Lauren's sustainable and ethical activewear? Its called PTL. Physique The Label and a little birdy told me they are having a little give-away right now! Follow on Instagram and feel confident in who you are - exactly as you are. Love Nat xxx 
PPS- Lauren and I are going to rendezvous in Paris later this year if anyone wants to join  us, kind hearts and strong spirits all welcome. 

What a beautiful,  powerful human.
What a talented, epic dancer. 

There is so much in this episode, I am not even sure where to start. 

But I will try. 

If your soul says HELLO to things like following your dancer dreams , like random spontaneous exploring , like living in awe and gratitude and standing in presence, like wholehearted living embracing the highs and lows and everything in between, like tree hugging and sea breathing, like belly laughs, like not giving up and being oh so damn real real real in all. the. feels.... then this is your episode.

It is ALSO your episode if you want a glimpse into the life and career of a spectacular human and dancer who has worked for Artistic legends such as JLO, Kylie Minogue, Taylor Swift, Ricky Martin, Rita Ora, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Derulo, and Paula Abdul. This Los Angeles based Australian dancer with less than 10 years in the Industry has managed to work in jobs, shows, spaces and places that are truly exceptional in such a short amount of time.
Not only commercially, she has also worked her Soul Magic and artistry in Musical Theatre (Wicked, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Peter Pan) and a string of impressive TV and theatre credits seriously too extensive to name here. Not to mention who she has assisted in her role as choreographer, the CV is nothing short of golden.

Dancer's Circle IS all about #humanfirstdancersecond and so, with that said, this human brings so much truth to the forefront of what it means to be a human who dances, and brilliantly. We speak of resilience, of reframing, of trust and faith, of voice, of the importance of allowing yourself to be the non dancer, of travel, of time out, of overcoming obstacles, of navigating through anxiety spirals and self doubt, of connection, of the inner voice, of authenticity, of working with your body, of grit, of awe, of spirit, of magic, of dreams and of 360 degree dancer human care. 

Tash is a special Soul and I really want to celebrate someone who is using her influence and social media presence to serve a larger mission, to help the next woman, the next dancer. To keep it real in the best kinds of ways. Thank you Tash. Keep taking up the space in the way that you are.  It is light warrior work. You shine in it so powerfully. I also can not wait to see you dance live one day!

*Side note - In the lead up to this episode, and the prepping for it, this 80's baby host got the Paula Abdul album on full volume, body rolling through my house, leaping over the kitchen table, gyrating to Vibeology, rapping to Opposites Attract and feeling the feels with a dramatic lyrical to Run Run as 10 year old me came to mind, crying into a pillow about a boy and suffering my first dose of unrequitted love. It got intense. When you know, you know. Not born in the 80's? You missed out ;) 

Enjoy this one ;) So much in it. SO SO much. 
Let us do the real work dancing Souls. 
It is where the magic is.

All things Showgirl!!! 

From a truly amazing Australian Showgirl with stories of international Showgirling and what it has meant for her. 

She shares her stories of seeing the world, of cruising, of Paris theatre and of not taking no for an answer from Janet. AKA never giving up on a dream!

We talk transitions, training, live theatre and the many lessons to learn at every stage of a professional dancer's career. 

Aussie grind culture comes up as well as the stresses that can place on a human, and the sometimes non glamorous life of a working dancer and business owner. 

We finish the conversation with a beautiful description of what is Showgirl and how magnetic it is as a genre so much so I get tears in my eyes and literally feel my heart expand with every ON POINT word Jane says.

Showgirl lover? This is the chat for you. 

She is my girl crush in the Showgirl world for sure! xox 

It isn't every dancer's story to get to their mid 40's and still be working as an Entertainer. 
But it IS Hayley's.
This is the Episode to drop in on if you want a refreshingly real chat from a professional dancer/aerialist/contortionist/acrobat/showgirl and everything in between with a career going on for 25 years and no sign of stopping. 
From the UK, this travelling, dancing, sun shine filled SOUL is someone everyone should come across at least once in their life. She is a gift. 
We talk about how dance is where we find ourselves, where we feel our belonging, our calling... WHO we are. We speak about THE ZONE and THAT feeling that we are able to reach on the stage doing what we were born to do.  Where we feel WHOLE.
Hayley opens up about the pressures of outside voices and social pressures surrounding "a real job" .... YES that old line we have heard over and over,  and we even share our experiences about pregnancy and motherhood and how that impact,  and is impacted by, our dance experience. 

*Trigger warning*
We raise our hands to body dysmorphia and disordered eating and speak a brief but honest truth around that. 

We also own our worthiness obstacles and healing around that, and I point out how important it is to challenge some of the trends/coping mechanisms in the Industry so that healthy, empowered dancers can be nourished, and nourishing, in their careers! As opposed to self condemning, self harming and self sabotaging behaviours and norms! Hint- It starts with accessing that beautiful wholeness we encounter in the dance zone, in our human- ness. 
#Humanfirstdancersecond.

We extend our empathy to young dancers today who are trying to get going during a Pandemic... hang in there babes!!! Stay golden and know this too shall pass and Hayley reminds dancers to stay true to their dreams and their soul's desires. She wisely highlights how crucial it is to let the inappropriate, discouraging voices of others wash over us and to just keep swimming! 

Disclaimer - We laugh ALOT. Hayley has that effect on most people. Her light and laugh jumps on you like a jar of razzle dazzle, until you find yourself immersed in it! 

We even get distracted by a few impromptu quasi show renditions as we teleport ourselves back the stage... and we discover how we uncannily keep having the same crazy dreams! If you are an ex dancer, you might even relate to this one!!! Let me know ;) 

Look my dancing soul friends, it is a mixed bag this one. Have a listen, have a laugh on us and take the encouragement if that is what you are needing. We love you.  Dazzle darlings! 

Nat and Hayley. 
xxx

 Oo la la here we are with the girls of the Moulin Rouge!!! BUT we don't talk only red feathers and rhinestones.... although it was tempting. We went to the real deal. We spoke about dance training and growing up in a ballet culture where perfection is the goal, and how damaging that can be for many young dancers.
We talk about how the idea that "once we get there" everything will feel amazing and arrived at is nothing but a myth. The journey, in fact, never ends and so the key is in staying in the present, practising self love and self compassion all the way through the journey. 
We speak about connecting to the joy of dance and having agency in choosing a dance career or walking away from it with empowerment. 
The girls open up about the pressures at the Moulin that sit side by side to the immense gratitude with being on that iconic Paris stage night after night. The magic of that curtain call, almost missing the curtain call and how it feels to be dancing side by side by your friends who inspire you and share your passion with you. 
They give us some insight into the rigorous audition process and just how stressful and challenging audition life in general is! 
We speak a little French, go to the Paris piazzas for a quick second, and I offer my short legs  to Janet in case she needs a stand in one night ;)
Honestly... there is so much in this episode it is more hectic than a 15 minute Can Can. 
Get it girls. xxx 

Bree reminds me of Little Miss Sunshine from the Mr. Men series!
She is GOLDEN. 

A background in Cruise ships, solid training out of Sydney and living in Brisbane Australia, she is a fierce dancer who has a long and strong career ahead of her. 

This conversation was light filled and highlights some really helpful ways that a human and a human dancer can navigate rougher seas from a more empowered and conscious space of being. The necessity of doing that too!

We spoke about dance, dance training and dance career. The challenges, the auto criticism, the break throughs, the adaptability, the celebration and the mission.

We also share a lockdown in Italy back in March, with Bree in the North and myself in the South and we dove into a chat about what that felt like, the surreality of it all, and the lessons we learnt through it. Hint*It is in the mud that we learn the biggest lessons.

Of course the convo went to all things Italy and the dolce vita :) We loved all over Italian coffee, the slower pace, the value of a family lunch, the connection, the presence, the priorities, the emphasis on LIVING and BEING and even Bree's amore.... Alex. 
Yes we love him too. 

What I love about Bree. well many things, but what shone through on this episode is the way she is standing in her duty to shine her light on those around her especially in her teaching. She is walking the talk, gifting other young dancers with a sense of worth and joy that we need in every studio space across the world. She sees every day as a blessing, and every day that we dance as even more. 

Stage note of the episode?
Make life living art.

Yes beautiful girl. You are so on point. Keep shining.