The Breakthrough Collective

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Traci Swain

12 episodes

1 week ago

What if the key to transformation isn't pushing harder—it's learning to listen? Leticia "Lety" Roman is a Brooklyn-born Nuyorican who went from professional dancer to pioneering the boutique fitness movement in Mexico City. As co-founder of Sersana, Mexico's leading functional fitness methodology, she's built a business around a radical idea: movement as medicine and sustainable wellness. But her journey wasn't always about balance. For years as a dancer, Lety ignored pain, chased perfection,...

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Episodes (12/12)

The Breakthrough Collective

Your Body Is Talking. Are You Listening? | Leticia Roman on Movement, Mindset & Sustainable Wellness

1 week ago

1 hour

The Breakthrough Collective

Lea Lachey: On Dance, Directing & Living Without Limits

From dancing in Missy Elliott's groundbreaking music video "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" to becoming assistant choreographer at Radio City Music Hall at just 22, to choreographing 98 Degrees' tours, and now co-creating the Off-Broadway show label•less, Lea Lachey has built a career defined by reinvention and bold creative choices. In this episode of The Breakthrough Collective, Lea shares how she transitioned from performer to creative visionary, revealing the breakthroughs, challenges, and less...

1 month ago

49 minutes

The Breakthrough Collective

From Japan to Step Up to Global Educator: Mari Koda on Never Giving Up

Mari Koda is best known as Jenny Kido from the Step Up films—but her journey runs much deeper. Born in Japan and orphaned at 11, Mari came to New York at 17 with nothing but a backpack and a dream. What she built is extraordinary: a career as a dancer, actress, and now global educator who's inspiring the next generation across 20+ countries. Her story is one of resilience, courage, and creativity—a reminder that breakthroughs happen when you refuse to give up, even when the odds are stacked a...

1 month ago

51 minutes

The Breakthrough Collective

From Mia Michaels’ Assistant at 15 to Tony-nominated Producer: Ioana Alfonso’s Journey

From assisting Mia Michaels at 15 to becoming a Tony Award-winning collaborator, Broadway performer, and multi-faceted director—Ioana Alfonso’s journey is a masterclass in embracing what makes you different, staying in service to the work, and building a career that defies boundaries. In this episode of The Breakthrough Collective, Io opens up about working with legends like Mia Michaels, Denzel Washington, and Jake Gyllenhaal, originating roles in Wicked and 9 to 5, and how she has become mo...

1 month ago

1 hour 6 minutes

The Breakthrough Collective

Ep. 7 – Drew Lachey: From 98° to Broadway & Beyond the Spotlight

What happens when the world knows your name… and you refuse to be defined by just one thing? In this episode, I'm joined by Drew Lachey — singer, Broadway performer, and co-founder of Lachey Arts. From topping charts with 98° to raising a family while running a community arts program, Drew shares the mindset shifts, personal lessons, and surprising pivots that shaped his journey. 👉 What You'll Discover: • How years of creative collaboration shaped his approach to partnership and success • Why...

2 months ago

50 minutes

The Breakthrough Collective

3 Entrepreneurs Reveal What Actually Sustains a 25-Year Career in Business

Sometimes the most powerful moments happen when you realize you're exactly where you're meant to be. In Part 2 of this special conversation, I dive deeper with Andrea Fairweather (mobile beauty pioneer & GMA’s go-to makeup artist), Charles Farruggio (interior designer & marathon runner), and Jennifer DeLuca (second-generation Pilates studio owner) into their individual breakthrough moments — the pivotal decisions, unexpected challenges, and those beautiful realizations when they knew ...

2 months ago

50 minutes

The Breakthrough Collective

Ep. 6 (Part 1) — How Dance Became Our Secret Superpower

What happens when lifelong friends share how the discipline of dance became the foundation for success in both business and life? In this special two-part episode, I sit down with Charles Farruggio, Andrea Fairweather, and Jennifer DeLuca to explore how structure, creativity, and lessons from our dance days carried into decades of achievement in completely different industries. From Jennifer's journey as a second-generation Pilates studio owner who built a thriving community space after leavi...

2 months ago

40 minutes

The Breakthrough Collective

Ep. 5 - The 3 Hidden Blocks That Almost Stopped My Podcast

What happens when you're in a recording studio, the clock is ticking, and your carefully planned lyrics just won't fit? When I stepped into the studio to record The Breakthrough Collective theme song, I thought it would be simple. Instead, I hit a wall — and discovered the same three blocks that stop so many of us from launching our big ideas. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:: 🌀 How perfection paralysis almost made me quit before I began 🌫️Why unclear next steps can t...

2 months ago

14 minutes

The Breakthrough Collective

Ep. 4 – Breaking Through: Dr. Bilal Polson on Music, Mentorship & Leading with Purpose

Dr. Bilal Polson is an award-winning principal of Northern Parkway Elementary and a champion for educational equity. His path has taken him from the music industry to the classroom, blending creativity, leadership, and cultural awareness in ways that continue to inspire his students and community. In this episode of The Breakthrough Collective, we explore the defining moments that shaped his leadership — from figuring out his identity in high school, to receiving the NCTE Advancement of POC L...

3 months ago

1 hour 13 minutes

The Breakthrough Collective

Dr. Razia Jayman-Aristide: Is It Hormones, Burnout, or Both?

Is it hormones… or just life? If you’re feeling off and don’t know why, you’re not alone. In this episode of The Breakthrough Collective, Dr. Razia Jayman-Aristide—Chief Medical Officer at NY Health and triple board-certified in internal medicine, obesity medicine, and menopause health—shares what most doctors miss about women’s wellness in your 30s, 40s, and beyond. We cover the real midlife health conversation: hormones, burnout, weight gain, stress, sex, identity shifts—and why wellness is...

3 months ago

1 hour 10 minutes

The Breakthrough Collective

Ep. 2 – Danielle Flora: Her Creative Breakthrough from SNL to Pop Stardom & Beyond

From choreographing for Saturday Night Live to producing hit TV shows like Lip Sync Battle, Danielle Flora's creative path is anything but traditional. In this episode of The Breakthrough Collective, host Traci Swain sits down with Danielle to talk about her evolution from self-taught dancer to trusted creative director — and how staying humble, curious, and ego-free helped her rise. Danielle also opens up about pivoting during the pandemic, launching two bridal businesses, and her days as ...

3 months ago

49 minutes

The Breakthrough Collective

Ep. 1 – The Breakthrough Collective: Why I Started This Podcast & What You’ll Find Here

Feeling called to start something, but waiting for the "perfect" time? In this solo launch episode of The Breakthrough Collective, host Traci Swain shares the origin story of the podcast and the deeper mission behind it. From personal pivots to career shake-ups, Traci opens up about embracing multiple interests, building community, and finding strength in uncertainty. This isn't just a podcast — it's a movement. A space for honest stories, courageous action, and breakthroughs that last. Wh...

3 months ago

12 minutes