Nutcracker season is here - and it’s a doozy!

In this encore release of one of my most popular solo episodes, I’m sharing my practical tips and heartfelt advice for dancers to not just survive but thrive during this iconic ballet season. Whether you're a student navigating school and rehearsals, a seasoned professional, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you approach the season with joy, balance, and intention

And if you’ve been enjoying the podcast, please be sure to hit the 5-star review button and help me reach my goal of receiving 100 5-star reviews in 2025!

Links and Resources:

The Ultimate Audition Guide

Find a specialist on Doctors for Dancers

Rachel Fine's To The Pointe Nutrition article for a balanced Nutcracker meal plan

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call

Gift Guides:

2025 Holiday Gift Guide for Dancers

2025 Nutcracker Gift Guide for Dancers

Related Episodes:

Episode 16: Realistic Time Management Strategies for Dancers

Book Recommendation:

The Nutcracker Chronicles: A Fairy Tale Memoir by Janine Kovac (affiliate link)

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

A teenage ballerina with a sketch in a notebook had no idea it would one day spark a global franchise. In this episode, Genevieve Custer Weeks, former professional dancer and founder of Tutu School, shares the journey that took her from training at Ballet Chicago at just fifteen to leading 140 (and counting!) boutique ballet schools across the US, Canada, and the UK.

Genevieve reflects on the courage it took to move away from home so young, the gratitude she discovered for her family, and the setback of surgery that sidelined her just as she was preparing to audition professionally. After healing, she earned her first contract with Oakland Ballet and ultimately built a freelancing career that unexpectedly became the foundation for her future in entrepreneurship.

Teaching three-year-old baby ballerinas planted the earliest seeds of what would become Tutu School. Genevieve walks us through the early days of opening her first studio, what she wishes she had known, and how the idea of franchising evolved from an intimidating possibility into a defining part of her business model.

As a mom of three, Genevieve opens up about involving her kids in her business, navigating the give-and-take of entrepreneurial motherhood, and embracing flexibility even when it means rearranging everything to show up for the moments that matter.

Genevieve closes with the biggest lessons she’s learned in business, offering practical encouragement for anyone growing a brand, considering expansion, or dreaming up their next chapter.

Connect with Genevieve:

Follow Genevieve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tutugenevieve/

Follow Tutu School on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tutuschool/

Tutu Schools Website: https://tutuschool.com/

Links and Resources:

Etoile Dance Competition: 10% off registration with code “BRAINY10” - https://www.etoilecomp.com/

Get your copy of The Ultimate Audition Guide

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

In this inspiring episode I’m joined by Elizabeth Troxler - a ballet teacher, choreographer, performer with over 30 years of experience training dancers from beginners to professionals.

Elizabeth shares her journey from her first dance class at age five to a professional career spanning ballet and musical theater. She discusses how she transitioned from performer to choreographer and educator, the importance of versatility for dancers today, and how to cultivate confidence and self-awareness in the studio.

Elizabeth also introduces Ballet Boost, her innovative app designed to make ballet training more accessible - complete with classes, allegro vocabulary, and video demonstrations to support dancers and teachers around the world.

This conversation is full of wisdom, humor, and heart, offering dancers and teachers alike tangible tools to grow both artistically and personally.

Key Points in this Episode:

• Elizabeth’s early ballet training and career as a professional dancer
• Her transition from concert dance to musical theater and the biggest differences she found between the ballet and musical theater worlds
• How she transitioned into teaching and choreography (starting as an 11-year old choreographing for a local musical and teaching private lessons on her front porch)
• The opportunities that open up when you are a versatile dancer
• Elizabeth’s “non-negotiables” of dance training beyond technique
• How she is using technology to make ballet training more accessible

Connect with Elizabeth:

WEBSITES:

https://www.elizabethtroxler.com/

https://balletboost.passion.io/

https://chronicledance.com

https://www.allongefilms.com/

INSTAGRAM:

instagram.com/liztroxler

instagram.com/balletboostapp

instagram.com/chronicledance

instagram.com/allongefilms

Links and Resources:

Get 10% off registration for Étoile Dance Competition with code BRAINY10.

Get your copy of The Ultimate Audition Guide

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

1-1 CAREER MENTORING: book your complimentary career call

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by Katrena Cohea, the creator behind Your Body Image BFF, to explore how dance educators can reframe conversations around body image, teaching methods, and dancer wellness.

Katrena shares her journey from bunhead to flamenco dancer to teacher and studio owner, and how her experiences led her to create resources that help teachers integrate body neutrality and self-respect into dance training. Together, we discuss how early messages about body image begin forming in childhood, how pop culture reinforces harmful norms, and why the common “love your body” message can sometimes feel inaccessible to dancers.

We also unpack the importance of evolving beyond the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset in dance culture and finding a balance between discipline, accountability, and compassion in the studio. This episode is full of honest insights, practical teaching tools, and hope for a more supportive dance world.

Key Points in this Episode:

• Katrena’s dance journey from ballet to flamenco and teaching
• How early body image messages shape young dancers
• Why “love your body” can feel vague - and what to say instead
• The creation of Love Your Body (or Don’t), Katrena’s five-day toolkit with Nicole Sabella
• Simple classroom practices that combine wellness and technique
• Rethinking traditional dance teaching methods and finding balance between rigor and empathy
• Encouraging curiosity, respect, and realistic self-awareness in dancers

Connect with Katrena:

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/yourbodyimagebff

LOVE YOUR BODY (OR DON’T): https://www.thenourisheddancer.com/love-your-body-or-dont

Links and Resources:

Get 10% off registration for Étoile Dance Competition with code BRAINY10.

Get your copy of The Ultimate Audition Guide

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

1-1 CAREER MENTORING: book your complimentary career call

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

In this heartfelt solo episode, I’m putting on my dance teacher hat to share the things every dance educator wishes their students understood, drawing from over 15 years of teaching experience.

You’ll hear practical insight and honest reminders that can completely shift the way you show up in class. From respecting the process to understanding feedback and showing up with positive energy, this episode is packed with wisdom for dancers at every stage of training.

Key points in this episode:

• Why your teacher’s corrections come from care, not criticism
• How your energy can change the entire atmosphere of a class
• The importance of learning choreography outside of rehearsal
• What teachers really mean when they say they “see your potential”
• Why effort matters more than perfection
• How professionalism and respect make you stand out
• A reminder that your teachers are human, too
• The life lessons you’re learning in dance that go far beyond the studio
• Why growth happens outside your comfort zone
• A reminder that your teachers have been exactly where you are now

Whether you’re a dancer who needs perspective, a teacher looking for words to share with your students, or a parent hoping to understand the studio dynamic better, this episode will leave you inspired and grounded in the shared humanity behind the art of dance.

Links and Resources:

Get 10% off registration for Étoile Dance Competition with code BRAINY10.

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

1-1 CAREER MENTORING: book your complimentary career call

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

Today’s conversation is one that every dancer - current or retired - needs to hear. I’m joined by Kaylee Randall, a former professional dancer who spent nearly a decade performing on cruise ships, in theme parks, and in Las Vegas. After an incredible performing career, Kaylee made a bold move to Australia in 2018, where she founded Pivot for Dancers, a platform dedicated to helping professional dancers find meaning off the stage and confidently step into their next chapter.

In this episode, Kaylee opens up about what it was really like to leave the professional dance world behind and how her own experience navigating that transition inspired the creation of Pivot for Dancers. We talk about the identity crisis and imposter syndrome so many dancers face after retiring, and how starting these conversations can help dancers connect on a deeply human level.

Kaylee also shares practical advice for performers who might be wondering what’s next. She encourages dancers to explore hobbies outside of dance, connect with non-dancers, and start side projects that might someday turn into a new career path. We also discuss how to identify and articulate the transferable skills dancers already have and how those skills can apply to surprising new fields (including coding!).

This episode is a must-listen for anyone standing at the edge of a career pivot or curious about what life after dance can look like. Kaylee’s perspective is empowering, grounded, and refreshingly real, reminding us all that the end of one chapter can be the beginning of something even more meaningful.

Connect with Kaylee:

pivotfordancers.com

@pivotfordancers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotfordancers/

Pivot for Dancers on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pivotfordancers

Links and Resources:

Etoile Dance Competition: 10% off registration with code “BRAINY10” - https://www.etoilecomp.com/

The Ultimate Audition Guide

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

In this week’s insightful episode, I am joined by Ali Block and Rachael Dailey Goodwin. Ali is a former professional ballerina. She studied psychology at Columbia University and currently works as a Clinical Research Coordinator and Lab Manager at Icahn School of Medicine. Rachael is a former dancer and is currently Assistant Professor of Management at Syracuse University Whitman School of Management.

Together with Lyndon Garrett, they recently published an incredible research paper titled: Under Pressure to Be Perfect: How Dehumanizing and Rehumanizing Social Cues Lead to Maladaptive and Adaptive Perfectionism in Professional Ballet.

In this episode, we dive deep into how environment and culture shape our perfectionist tendencies and explore the role we all play in thriving in our pursuit of excellence.

Key Points in this Episode:

• What first drew them to study perfectionism in the world of professional ballet
• How high-pressure environments (such as ballet) often employ excessively high standards that may evoke harmful experiences of perfectionism
• The difference between maladaptive and adaptive perfectionism, and why perfectionism in general is not always harmful
• The role environmental cues play to support dancers in shifting from maladaptive to adaptive perfectionism
• The specific forms of dehumanizing and rehumanizing social cues
• How artistic leaders can become more aware of some of the ways they are subtly fueling dancers’ perfectionistic tendencies

Connect with Ali:

WEBSITE:  http://alipaigeblock.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/ali_p_block

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-paige-block-b8798a112/

Connect with Rachael:

WEBSITE: https://www.rachaeldaileygoodwin.com/

FACULTY: https://whitman.syracuse.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-staff-directory/details/rdgoodwi

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachaeldaileygoodwin/

Links and Resources:

Get 10% off registration for Étoile Dance Competition with code BRAINY10.

Get your copy of The Ultimate Audition Guide

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

1-1 CAREER MENTORING: book your complimentary career call

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

In this inspiring episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by former professional ballerina and performance psychology expert Lauren Ostrander McArdle. Lauren danced with companies including the National Ballet of Canada and as a soloist with Sarasota Ballet and now holds a Master’s Degree in Sport and Performance Psychology. She is the founder of Behind the Curtain, a platform dedicated to equipping dancers with the mental tools they need to thrive on and off the stage.

Lauren shares her unique dance journey, from her reluctant early ballet days, to leaving home at just 14 to pursue serious training, to eventually securing professional contracts. We dive into the highs and lows of a dance career, from dream contracts and devastating injuries to resilience, mental strength, and redefining success beyond the stage. Lauren shares her powerful comeback story, insights into ballet culture, and practical advice for dancers navigating both the physical and mental demands of the art form.

Key Points in this Episode:

• Why Lauren didn’t love ballet at first, and what changed her mind at age 10.
• The pivotal role of teachers and environment in shaping a dancer’s path.
• The challenges of balancing independence, schooling, and training as a teen dancer.
• Lauren’s transition from student to professional and how she navigated auditions.
• Lauren’s devastating early-career injury and the long road back to dancing.
• The pivotal moment she returned to the stage with the National Ballet of Canada.
• Behind-the-scenes stories of being thrown onstage last minute at San Francisco Ballet.
• The mental challenges dancers face especially fear of failure, comparison, and external validation.
• Why confidence is a trainable skill and how to start building it today.
  The unique cultural pressures of ballet compared to traditional sports.
• How teachers and mentors can balance high expectations with high support.

Connect with Lauren:

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/behindthecurtain.spp

PERSISTENCEPSYCH IG: instagram.com/Persistencepsych

PIVOT DANCER IG: instagram.com/pivotdancer

Links and Resources:

Get 10% off registration for Étoile Dance Competition with code BRAINY10

Get your copy of The Ultimate Audition Guide

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

1-1 CAREER MENTORING: book your complimentary career call

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

In this week’s podcast episode, I’m joined by my husband, THE Mr. Brainy Ballerina Steve Sloan, to reflect on our journey together - from his background as a college soccer player to supporting my career as a professional dancer, and now navigating life as parents. We share stories from our early days of dating, his first impressions of the ballet world, and the infamous “apple crisp incident” during tech week.

Steve also opens up about the sacrifices we’ve both made for each other’s careers, how his corporate work “selling robots to scientists” compares to the ballet world, and what lessons dancers can teach everyone about resilience and determination.

We also tackle some fun audience questions, including Steve’s hidden talent, his favorite roles he’s seen me perform, and his heartfelt advice for anyone in a relationship with a dancer.

This episode is full of laughter, honesty, and love. Enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at our marriage and the ways ballet has shaped our lives!

Key Points in this Episode:

• Steve’s background as a soccer player and how it connected him to ballet culture
• Our early relationship and the sacrifices we made for each other’s careers
• Steve’s first time seeing me perform (which was also his first time at a ballet ever!)
• Quirky realities of living with a dancer
• How the ballet industry and corporate America could learn from each other
• Reflections on supporting each other’s dreams through marriage and parenthood

Links and Resources:

Get 10% off registration for Étoile Dance Competition with code BRAINY10.

Get your copy of The Ultimate Audition Guide

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

1-1 CAREER MENTORING: book your complimentary career call

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

What does it take to go from Commonwealth Games rhythmic gymnast to professional ballerina with the Birmingham Royal Ballet? In this episode, Hannah Martin shares her remarkable journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and why she’s passionate about helping dancers dream big and make it happen.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Hannah’s early career as a rhythmic gymnast, including competing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and earning 22 national titles.
• The key differences between gymnastics training and ballet training—and why flexibility alone wasn’t enough.
• How competing on the BBC’s The Greatest Dancer became a turning point, ultimately leading to her acceptance at Elmhurst Ballet School, where she graduated with the Sir Peter Wright Award for Performance.
• The challenges and breakthroughs of transitioning into ballet at 16—and why learning the “in-between steps” became her biggest growth moment.
• How recovering from injury gave her a deeper appreciation for dance and helped unlock the “next level” of ballet.
• Why Hannah founded the Make It Happen Academy—an online platform empowering dancers to build strength, refine technique, and develop mental skills for long-term success.
• Her best advice for young dancers stepping into the professional world: find a life outside of ballet, avoid burnout, and protect your body.

Connect with Hannah:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahmartinrg

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@hannahmartinrg

Website: www.hannahmartin.info

Make it Happen Academy: https://make-it-happen-academy.teachery.co/make-it-happen-academy

Links and Resources:

The Ultimate Audition Guide

Ballet Help Desk Website

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.