Happy New Year, and welcome to Episode 20 of Coffee with Kelsey!

This episode is the natural continuation of Episode 19, where we reflected on the lessons, challenges, and wins of the past year. Now it’s time to turn that reflection into clarity, structure, and action for 2026.

In this episode, I walk dancers and parents through how to:

• Close out the previous year with intention

• Set process-focused goals (not outcome-based ones like “winning”)

• Organize the year in a way that supports consistency and confidence

• Build weekly structure that actually leads to improvement

• Stay mentally grounded and motivated throughout the season

This is not about chasing medals — it’s about building habits, skills, and systems that create long-term success in DanceSport.

To support this episode, I’ve created a free Episode 20 Companion Worksheet designed to help you map out your goals, monthly focus, and weekly structure in a clear, manageable way.

You can download the worksheet here:
👉 www.BallroomDanceCoach.com

Use it while listening or revisit it throughout the year to stay aligned and organized.

I also offer goal-setting consultations for dancers and parents. These sessions help you:

• Clarify realistic, process-based goals

• Build a plan that fits your schedule and training level

• Create accountability and structure for the year ahead

Consultations are available via Zoom or in person in Pittsburgh.
Learn more and schedule at: ballroomdancecoach.com

Whether you’re a competitive dancer, a parent supporting a young athlete, or someone starting fresh in 2026, this episode is here to help you move forward with focus, intention, and confidence.

Thanks for spending part of your new year with me — let’s make 2026 a year of growth. ☕💪

☕️ COFFEE WITH KELSEY — Setting Goals for 2026

Ready to make 2026 your strongest, most focused year yet? In this episode, seven-time award-winning ballroom coach Kelsey Kizina breaks down how to set real, actionable goals—not vague resolutions that fade by February.

Whether you’re a dancer, a parent, or someone looking to build structure and momentum, you’ll learn:

• Why most goals fail (and how to fix it)

• How to honestly assess your current strengths, habits, and challenges

• The three types of goals every dancer needs

• How parents can support without controlling

• Step-by-step strategies to turn goals into action

• Your 2026 mindset shift for consistency, focus, and growth

Plus, Kelsey introduces Year-End Mini Sessions—30-minute one-on-one goal-setting consultations to help you map out a crystal-clear 2026 plan. Spots are limited!

🎯 Take action now: ballroomdancecoach.com

Start 2026 with clarity, confidence, and momentum. Your strongest year yet begins here.

☕️ Coffee with Kelsey — Episode 18: Chasing Perfect vs. Becoming Excellent

🎙️ Hosted by, Kelsey Kizina — 7-Time Award-Winning Professional Ballroom Coach
🎯 Topic: Breaking free from perfectionism and learning to train for excellence instead.

In this episode, I’m diving deep into one of the biggest challenges I see in dancers, parents, and even fellow professionals — perfectionism.

I’m talking about what perfectionism really is (and what it’s not), how it hides behind the idea of “discipline,” and how it quietly holds so many dancers back from growing, enjoying, and performing at their best.

I also share a personal story from my own professional journey — a time when I let perfectionism take over, and how it nearly cost me my love for the sport. It was a turning point that completely changed how I approach training, coaching, and mindset — and I want to help you make that same shift.

Whether you’re a young dancer pushing for progress, a parent trying to support your child, or a coach balancing high standards with compassion, this episode will help you trade pressure for purpose and fear for focus.

If this episode speaks to you, and you’re ready to start breaking free from perfectionism and building real, sustainable growth — I’d love to work with you.

I offer private coaching for all ages — from beginners just starting their journey to advanced competitors looking to sharpen their edge. We’ll focus on mindset, performance, and the technical details that make your dancing strong, confident, and consistent.

👉 You can learn more or book your next session at www.ballroomdancecoach.com

• Instagram: @KelseyKizina

• Website: www.ballroomdancecoach.com

• Subscribe to Coffee with Kelsey 

If this episode resonates with you, I’d love for you to leave a quick review — it helps more dancers and parents find this community and these conversations.

Thanks for listening, and remember — excellence isn’t about being flawless. It’s about showing up, learning, and growing forward every single day.

🎙️ Episode Title: Lesssons from the P3 Convention

Podcast: Coffee with Kelsey

Host: Kelsey Kizina | Award-Winning Ballroom Coach

Episode Summary: This week, I’m sharing a full recap of my experience teaching at the 2025 P3 Convention in Kansas City — and what a weekend it was.

From the incredible energy of the dancers to the out-of-this-world excitement at the showcase and award ceremony, this event reminded me why I love teaching at conventions like this. The dancers brought everything — focus, discipline, and heart — and it showed in every single class.

In this episode, I talk about what made P3 so special, the lessons I hope every dancer takes home, and how to keep that same motivation alive after the event ends. Whether you were there in person or you’re just looking for a spark of inspiration in your own training, this one’s for you.

I also share a few reflections on the importance of composure, gratitude, and community — because events like this don’t just build dancers, they build people.

Thank you to the P3 organizers, the faculty, the ambassadors, and all the dancers who made this such an unforgettable experience.

To book a virtual or in-person private lesson, head to BallroomDanceCoach.com, and make sure you’re following along on Instagram @KelseyKizina for updates, training tips, and behind-the-scenes content.

🎙️ Episode Title: What to Expect From Your Ballroom Coach: Standards, Support, and Success
Podcast: Coffee with Kelsey
Host: Kelsey Kizina | Award-Winning Ballroom Coach

Episode Summary:
Whether you’re brand new to DanceSport or already competing, knowing what to expect from your ballroom coach can make all the difference in your growth, confidence, and results. In this episode, Kelsey pulls back the curtain on the student–coach relationship—sharing exactly what you should expect from a great coach… and what they should expect from you in return.

From creating a safe, respectful learning environment to delivering structured, goal-oriented lessons, Kelsey breaks down the five non-negotiables every coach should meet. You’ll also learn how to stay coachable, practice with purpose, and keep communication clear so you can get the most from your training.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your current coaching relationship is serving you—or if you’re looking for the right coach for you or your child—this episode will give you the clarity, confidence, and questions you need to move forward.

You’ll Learn:

• 5 things every student should expect from their ballroom coach

• How to be the kind of student your coach wants to invest in

• Why high standards don’t have to mean high pressure

• How to communicate when something isn’t working

• Signs it might be time to find a new coach

Who This Episode Is For:

• Parents looking for the right ballroom coach for their child

• Beginner and intermediate dancers wanting to improve faster

• Competitive students aiming for better results

• Anyone curious about the role of a coach in DanceSport

Resources & Links:
💛 Private coaching with Kelsey – All ages, no partner required: BallroomDanceCoach.com
📲 Follow Kelsey on Instagram: @KelseyKizina

Join the Conversation:
What do YOU expect from your ballroom coach? Share your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram @kelseykizina.

Coffee with Kelsey

No Ballroom Partner? No Problem! - Episode 15

🎙️ Hosted by: Kelsey Kizina
📍 Location: Pittsburgh-based | Private coaching available worldwide
🔗 Coaching Info: BallroomDanceCoach.com

In this powerful episode of Coffee with Kelsey, we’re busting the myth that ballroom requires a partner—and showing you how solo dancers are thriving around the world.

Whether you’re a kid just starting out or an adult rediscovering your love of dance, this episode proves you don’t need a partner to be a powerhouse. Kelsey breaks down the rise of solo divisions, the surge in Pro/Am opportunities for all ages, and the real reason why going solo builds stronger, more confident dancers.

You’ll walk away with a solo training plan, mindset tools, and—if you’re ready—an invitation to work directly with Kelsey in private lessons. No partner needed. Just purpose.

• ✅ Why solo ballroom is not a backup plan—it’s a training advantage

• ✅ The global growth of solo youth and adult divisions

• ✅ How Pro/Am events work (and how to get started)

• ✅ A weekly solo training plan you can implement today

• ✅ How to develop your presence, poise, and performance skills alone

• ✅ Mindset shifts to help you own your space on the floor

• ✅  How to start private coaching with Kelsey—at any age, no partner required

🚨 Ready to train like a powerhouse?
Book your private coaching session with Kelsey—available for solo dancers of all ages. No partner needed.

• 🔗 Website: BallroomDanceCoach.com

  Instagram: ⁠@kelseykizina

🎙️ Coffee with Kelsey

Episode Title: Mind Over Movement: The Mental Game of DanceSport
Host: Kelsey Kizina

🌐 Website: ⁠BallroomDanceCoach.com⁠

📍 Based in Pittsburgh, PA | Virtual coaching available

In this deeply motivating and honest episode, Kelsey Kizina—award-winning ballroom coach and choreographer—tackles one of the most overlooked elements in competitive dance: the mental game.

We train for technique. We focus on choreography. We obsess over costumes and placement. But what about mindset? Confidence? Resilience under pressure?

Whether you're a kid preparing for your first competition, an adult rediscovering dance, or a seasoned athlete pushing to break through, this episode is for you.

Kelsey shares personal stories from the competition floor, practical mental training strategies, and tools she uses with her students every week to help dancers not only perform—but perform with confidence, clarity, and composure.

🧠 Why your mindset is your most important dance partner
🎯 What mental training actually looks like—and how to start
📖 A true story of falling mid-Samba in front of the judges (and what happened next)
💪 How to build confidence, not just wait for it
📝 Five practical tools to develop your mental strength
💬 How to reframe mistakes and train under pressure
🌱 Why progress—not perfection—is the goal
❤️ A heartfelt message for adult dancers managing life and nerves
🎯 How private coaching supports the full dancer—mind and body

“The most powerful part of your dancing isn’t your feet—it’s your mindset.”

“Confidence isn’t magic—it’s trained. Quietly. Steadily. Every time you show up.”

“The floor doesn’t define you. It reflects you.”

If you're ready to build not just your technique, but your total performance mindset, private coaching with Kelsey is available for dancers of all ages and levels. No partner needed. Just the willingness to grow.

🌐 Website: BallroomDanceCoach.com
📍 Based in Pittsburgh, PA | Virtual coaching available

🔗 Subscribe and never miss an episode of Coffee with Kelsey.

📸 Instagram: @kelseykizina
🌐 Website: BallroomDanceCoach.com

🎙 Coffee with Kelsey — Episode 13

Title: Raising Resilience: The Real Work of a DanceSport ParentHost: Kelsey Kizina | @kelseykizina

In this heartfelt and empowering episode, Kelsey Kizina, award-winning ballroom coach and professional finalist, pulls back the curtain to spotlight the real MVPs of the ballroom world—DanceSport parents.

Whether you're juggling snacks and shoes or sitting through endless rounds of competition, your role is more than supportive—it's foundational. This episode, “Raising Resilience: The Real Work of a DanceSport Parent,” dives deep into the emotional labor, mental strength, and day-to-day dedication it takes to raise a young athlete in the world of competitive ballroom dance.

Kelsey shares real strategies, mindset shifts, and heartfelt encouragement.

If today’s episode spoke to your heart, make sure to subscribe to Coffee with Kelsey and share this with another parent who’s walking the DanceSport journey too. Let’s grow this resilient, heart-first community—one dancer, one parent, one episode at a time.

Hosted by: Kelsey KizinaConnect: Instagram @kelseykizina Podcast Hashtag: #CoffeeWithKelsey

👉 Beginner DanceSport Classes for Ages 5–10 start this August!💬 No experience needed — just enthusiasm and a willingness to grow📍 Classes taught by Kelsey Kizina in a supportive, athletic-focused environment.

BallroomDanceCoach.com

Start Before You Feel Ready - Ep12

Welcome to a new season of Coffee with Kelsey! Thank you so much for joining me! Today, we’re chatting about taking the leap to start before you feel ready. Coffee with Kelsey, is hosted by professional finalist and 7 time award winning ballroom dance coach Kelsey Kizina. Be sure to follow the podcast for more episodes.

Join the conversation and follow Kelsey on Instagram ⁠@kelseykizina⁠

Schedule dance lessons, coaching, and join the email squad here ➡️ ⁠www.BallroomDanceCoach.com

Walking the Bridge to the Unknown - Ep11

Welcome to a new season of Coffee with Kelsey! Thank you so much for joining me! Today, we’re chatting about walking the bridge to the unknown. Coffee with Kelsey, is hosted by professional finalist and 7 time award winning ballroom dance coach Kelsey Kizina. Be sure to follow the podcast for more episodes.

Join the conversation and follow Kelsey on Instagram @kelseykizina

Schedule dance lessons, coaching, and join the email squad here ➡️ www.BallroomDanceCoach.com