Beyond the Marley

If you’re a dancer, coach, athlete, or leader trying to build something sustainable, this conversation offers a look at the ideas behind Weber State’s rise.

Erica Williams Jordan built Weber State into a championship program.

She values culture over hype, people over perfection, and believes the best teams are built by solution makers, not problem creators.

Erica opens up about losing for years before winning, recruiting for character, and creating a team environment where every athlete is expected to support others, speak up, and buy into the programs mission.

She shares how she evaluates recruits beyond skill, why her team practices three times a week, and how she helps protect athletes from burnout with rest, family time, and structure.

You’ll hear about the culture habits that keep Weber State connected and resilient, and how Erica supports freshmen navigating homesickness, pressure, and life away from home.

Erica also talks through Weber State’s jump from NDA to UDA, rebuilding choreography and responding to social media criticism after Nationals. This episode is full of insights on leadership, mindset, and competition.

This is episode is perfect for anyone who wants to build a winning culture without burning people out.

Two industry leaders reveal how championship culture is really built and why scaling too fast, chasing prestige, or ignoring brand fit can quietly damage what you’ve spent years creating.

Recorded live at the USASF Conference in Nashville, Dana Parsons of Dance Mania and Chad Wright of Cheer Athletics share the hard-earned decisions behind building programs that last. Dana explains how a one-location dream grew into a multi-location brand without sacrificing its values, while Chad breaks down the vetting, training, and legal guardrails that help protect quality across a large organization.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to grow sustainably, choose the right people, protect your brand reputation, build culture from the youngest age groups, and help parents better understand the all-star dance and cheer experience.

The conversation also tackles rising costs, athlete retention, social media pressure, smarter marketing, and the importance of building a legacy defined not only by trophies, but by the people your program helps shape.

If you’re a coach, studio owner, or program leader trying to grow without losing your identity, this conversation offers a practical playbook for building something that lasts.

Join us as we dive into the world of college admissions and dance team recruitment with author of The Recruitable Dancer Kathy Hain-de Jong.

Discover how Kathy's unique insights and personal experiences as a college counselor and mother of two Division I collegiate dancers can guide families through the complex process of finding the right college fit.

Learn about the importance of academics, the evolving landscape of dance recruitment, and how to prepare for success.

Connect with Kathy

Website: danceintocollege.com

Facebook/Instagram: @danceintocollege

YouTube: @danceintocollege

LinedIn: kathydejong

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Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Bre, a visionary in the dance world. From humble beginnings to leading a renowned choreography agency, Bre shares her insights on building a successful career, fostering a supportive community, and embracing an abundance mindset. Discover how passion and perseverance can transform dreams into reality, and learn valuable lessons on navigating challenges in the dance industry. Tune in for an episode filled with motivation, wisdom, and the power of dance.

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Ideas for the show: contact as at [email protected]

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Beyond the Marley co-host Natasha Leas, owner of Studio 360 and mindset specialist. Discover how she integrates emotional intelligence into dance training, helping young dancers build resilience and self-awareness. Natasha shares her journey through imposter syndrome and her mission to create a legacy of emotionally intelligent, elite dancers. Tune in to explore the transformative power of mindset in competitive dance.

0:00 - 5:00: Introduction to Natasha Leas and Studio 360

5:01 - 10:00: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

10:01 - 15:00: The Energy Bus and Mindset Training

15:01 - 20:00: Emotional Intelligence in Dance

20:01 - 25:00: Teaching Young Dancers Resilience 2

5:01 - 30:00: The Role of Meditation and Self-Care

30:01 - 35:00: Behind the Scenes of Top Performing Teams

35:01 - 40:00: Advice for Dancers and Coaches

40:01 - 45:00: Natasha's Legacy and Vision for the Future

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Have an idea for the show? Email us at [email protected]

In this engaging conversation, Troy and Marisa Corrales share their journey as dancers, choreographers, and studio owners. They discuss the challenges they faced, including imposter syndrome and the importance of building confidence in their students. The couple emphasizes the significance of consistency in their dance program and the value of cross-training. They also delve into the differences between All-Star and traditional studio dance, their vision for the future, and the legacy they hope to leave behind in the dance community.

Join hosts Natasha Leas and Bre Acosta for a special live audience recording of the Beyond the Marley Podcast from the USASF Dance and Cheer National Conference in Las Vegas at the Hilton Hotel Conference Center & Spa.

In this episode, Natasha and Bre sit down with two powerhouse leaders in the industry:
Becky Herrera, Founder of CheerForce in California, who grew her program from just 11 athletes in a park to multiple cheer gyms across several states.
Melissa Strong, Owner of 5678! Dance Studio in North Sioux City, South Dakota, whose dancers have earned both national and world recognition. Melissa shares how she has built a program that produces elite-level talent while keeping dance accessible to all.

This inspiring conversation dives into growth, leadership, and creating lasting impact in the dance and cheer community.

Special thank you to USASF Sarah Miller-Bates and the USASF Editing Team.

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Heading into nationals season or to that next competition and dread the warm up floor? We got you covered! In this episode Natasha shares her expert advice on how to win the warmups. From working with college, high school, and All Star teams, Natasha shares her insights on what creates the best warm up for your dancers to have their best performance when they hit the stage!

Tune in and make your next warm up a win! Like and follow us on Instagram adn YouTube at beyondthemarley.

This week, Bre breaks down the psychology behind a successful competition performance, In this episode, she explores how managing self-talk and staying calm under pressure can prevent "weird" mistakes on stage. With real-life examples and expert tips on peak performance, Bre shows how dancers can avoid the pitfalls of negative thinking and cultivate confidence instead. Whether you're a coach, dancer, or parent, you'll leave with practical strategies to help athletes shine and stay focused in high-stakes moments. Don't miss out on this valuable episode full of mental performance hacks for the dance floor!

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Today Bre and Natasha bring on one of the most recognized names in dance Maesi Caes! Get an inside look on what it's really like to be a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota and the sacrifices and mental mindset you must have to compete in the top 1% . Maesi opens up about past and current struggles that she has had to overcome and silence the voices of others to dance for herself, her team, and accomplish her dreams. Enjoy todays Episode!

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