Dancers already know how intense class can be — but did you know dance outperforms most workouts when it comes to calorie burn?

Dance has countless physical and neurological benefits, but today, we're focusing on one specific metric: how learning choreography torches calories in ways other workouts don't.

We'll break down the science behind why dance class is the ultimate calorie-burning workout, the hidden HIIT factor, and how it stacks up against sports and traditional exercise.

Let's get into it!

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

PS. I used a new microphone in this episode and I'm still tweaking the settings. Hence, my speech sounds a little clipped and/or some of my "S" sounds may come through a bit off. Not sure it's THAT noticeable, but I had to mention it. :)

Studies mentioned in the show:

"Motor Learning and Caloric Expenditure" - Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (2019)

"Dance and Brain Function: Neuroplasticity in Motion" - Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (2017)

"Dance as Interval Training: Metabolic and Cardiorespiratory Responses" - Journal of Sports Sciences (2021)

"Cardiovascular Endurance in Dancers vs. Athletes" - Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2020)

"Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School" – Calories burned in 30 minutes for people of three different weights (updated 2021)

"The Role of Enjoyment in Exercise Adherence" - British Journal of Sports Medicine (2018)

He was the dancer Jerome Robbins trusted with his legacy… and the choreographer Mel Brooks turned to for some of the most outrageous, unforgettable dance sequences in Hollywood history.

From Broadway to the Oscars stage, from classic musical theatre to slapstick comedy — his influence shaped generations of dancers.

Yet somehow, his name faded into the background.

Until now.

Because today, we tell his story.

And by the end, you'll know his name.

Watch on YouTube for amazing footage of Alan Johnson's work!

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

Every dancer has said it: "I don't have time!" But what if that's not actually true?

In this episode, we dive into Einstein Time — a concept from The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks — that shifts how you think about time and helps you create more of it.

Whether you're a student juggling school and dance, a working pro balancing gigs and life, or someone returning to dance at any stage, this mindset shift will change how you experience time.

And while I gear this episode toward dancers, the principles apply to everyone — from teachers, choreographers, and studio owners to anyone who struggles with feeling like there's never enough time in the day!

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

Singin' in the Rain isn't just a classic — it's often ranked as one of the greatest movie musicals of all time.

But behind the effortless magic? The reality was anything but.

A sick dancer. A young star pushed to her limits. A comedian whose most famous scene may not have happened the way you think.

From dance secrets to Hollywood myths, we're uncovering what really went on behind the scenes of Singin' in the Rain — starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor.

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

This content complies with the provisions of Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, which allows for the use of copyrighted material for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. The materials presented in this video, including excerpts from TV shows, films, podcasts, and other media, are used to provide commentary, critique, and analysis in a transformative manner, consistent with Fair Use principles.

I do not claim ownership of any third-party material included in this video, such as music, footage, or audio clips. Their inclusion is strictly for the purpose of education, critique, and commentary and is not intended to infringe upon the rights of the copyright holders.

What happens when a reality competition show premieres with a concept eerily similar to my Return to Dance journey—and I end up auditioning for it?

How did I even find out about it in the first place? And what really went down behind the scenes?

In this episode, I take you through the audition process!

I'll also talk about weird casting confusion, why I've never been a fan of comparing talents on variety shows, the response to the show since its release, and why I walked away from the experience without letting it define me.

Check out my TV Dance Comp experience (I mentioned in this ep it was last week, but it was 2 weeks ago!).

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

Welcome to my weekly series "The Rest of the Story," right here on Hey, Dancer! Each episode, I delve into the lesser-known tales of dance legends and pivotal moments in dance history.

This week, I'm spotlighting Parris Goebel — a self-taught choreographer from Auckland who has taken the dance world by storm. Discover how her early passion for dance, sparked by watching countless music videos, propelled her from sharing her own dance clips on YouTube to choreographing world tours for global superstars by the time she was just 19.

We'll explore her formative years, her signature Polyswagg style, and how it has defined her influential work, including her latest high-profile project, the choreography for Lady Gaga's "Abracadabra."

Join me as we uncover how Parris Goebel continues to shape the world of dance with her innovative spirit and bold creativity.

I highly suggest watching this podcast on YouTube for amazing footage of Parris in her youth and more!

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

In this episode of "Hey, Dancer!", I'm spilling the details on a (not so typical) masterclass that didn't go as I hoped.

Picture this: I'm in a room with a legendary choreographer, ready to train, fight to keep up and dance my heart out — but instead, I end up on the sidelines.

It was ALL the emotions.

But, as with all challenging experiences, there were lessons. Plus, a surprise call from a dancer friend who helped put everything into perspective.

Join me as I share the raw, real emotions of facing setbacks and how a simple act of kindness can turn everything around.

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

Ballroom dancing wasn't always accessible to the masses, but Irene and Vernon Castle changed that.

In the early 1900s, this dynamic duo took the world by storm — popularizing new styles, blending influences, and making dance more modern, elegant, and socially acceptable.

But their impact extended far beyond the stage.

From breaking racial barriers in music to redefining fashion, their legacy shaped the way we see dance today.

Watch this episode on YouTube — with amazing archival footage of Irene and Vernon Castle!

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

Note: While this episode covers many of Irene and Vernon Castle's groundbreaking contributions, it's meant to be a quick (and hopefully compelling!) listen. That said, a few key aspects of their legacy deserve mention: they helped modernize social dance by making it more fluid, natural, and expressive — moving away from the rigid, formal styles of the past. They also popularized the Castle Walk, a signature step that became a ballroom sensation, and played a major role in shaping ballroom trends that carried into the Roaring Twenties.

In this episode of Hey, Dancer, I'm sharing a story I've never told publicly — my wild experience competing on a national TV dance reality show.

From landing the audition through Craigslist to making it to the 2-person finale of my episode, the journey was filled with unexpected twists, backstage drama, and a shocking outcome that left the live studio audience BOOING.

I'll take you behind the scenes, reveal what really happened, and why this defining moment stuck with me long after the cameras stopped rolling.

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

You've heard of jazz dance — but do you know the man who transformed how it's taught?

In this episode of The Rest of the Story, we dive into the extraordinary journey of Luigi, whose life took an unexpected turn after a tragic accident that left him partially paralyzed. Refusing to give up, he created the world's first codified jazz technique — one that dancers still use today.

Discover how his method wasn't just about steps but survival, healing, and redefining what's possible through dance. From Hollywood to Broadway, from injured bodies to thriving artists, Luigi's legacy reaches further than you can imagine.

Listen and hear the story you didn't know you needed.

Watch this episode on YouTube with archival footage!

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat