The Brainy Ballerina Podcast is a podcast for aspiring professional ballet dancers who want to learn what it really takes to build a smart and sustainable career in the dance industry.
Former professional ballerina turned Dance Educator and Career Mentor Caitlin Sloan peels back the curtain of the professional dance world with open and honest conversations about the realities of becoming a professional dancer.
Along with sharing her industry knowledge, Caitlin interviews top dancers, educators and experts in the dance industry who share their stories to inform, motivate and inspire you to pursue your dance career with confidence.
Tune in each week for actionable tips and advice to empower you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in a professional dance career on your terms.
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The Brainy Ballerina Podcast is a podcast for aspiring professional ballet dancers who want to learn what it really takes to build a smart and sustainable career in the dance industry.
Former professional ballerina turned Dance Educator and Career Mentor Caitlin Sloan peels back the curtain of the professional dance world with open and honest conversations about the realities of becoming a professional dancer.
Along with sharing her industry knowledge, Caitlin interviews top dancers, educators and experts in the dance industry who share their stories to inform, motivate and inspire you to pursue your dance career with confidence.
Tune in each week for actionable tips and advice to empower you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in a professional dance career on your terms.
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 [http://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 [https://www.etoilecomp.com/] with code BRAINY10.
Get your copy of The Ultimate Audition Guide [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/theultimateauditionguide]
Let's connect!
My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com [http://thebrainyballerina.com/]
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina [http://instagram.com/thebrainyballerina]
1-1 CAREER MENTORING: book your complimentary career call [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring]
Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com
The Brainy Ballerina Podcast
The Brainy Ballerina Podcast is a podcast for aspiring professional ballet dancers who want to learn what it really takes to build a smart and sustainable career in the dance industry.
Former professional ballerina turned Dance Educator and Career Mentor Caitlin Sloan peels back the curtain of the professional dance world with open and honest conversations about the realities of becoming a professional dancer.
Along with sharing her industry knowledge, Caitlin interviews top dancers, educators and experts in the dance industry who share their stories to inform, motivate and inspire you to pursue your dance career with confidence.
Tune in each week for actionable tips and advice to empower you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in a professional dance career on your terms.
