Booty Kicking Ballerina Podcast

Hope in the Healing - with Amanda Soukoulis

What if those mystery symptoms you’re feeling as a dancer aren’t “just part of the job,” but clues your body is asking you to look deeper? This week, I’m joined by fellow dancer and certified functional medicine health coach Amanda Soukoulis. Amanda shares her own story — how her body simply shut down, forcing her to search for answers when illness and unexplained symptoms took over her life. We get practical about where to even begin if your body feels off, what functional medicine and nutrition can offer dancers, and why living with “mystery symptoms” doesn’t mean you’re broken. If you’ve ever wondered whether your symptoms have a deeper cause — or if hope and real healing are actually possible — this conversation is for you. Let’s connect! Instagram: @bootykickingballerina [https://instagram.com/bootykickingballerina] Connect with Amanda: @amandasouks [https://instagram.com/amandasouks]

Helping Dancers Understand Their Own Anatomy - Part 1, with Maria Haralambis

What happens when dancers stop trying to fit one “perfect” mold and start understanding their own unique anatomy? In this episode, The Dance Scientist, Maria Haralambis, joins me to unpack how dance teachers can help young dancers tune into their bodies in ways that are safe, smart, and even fun. From reducing injury risk to making technique more memorable, this shift can change the way your dancers move and learn. This episode is Part One — Maria will be back soon for more!Let's connect!: https://instagram.com/bootykickingballerina [https://instagram.com/bootykickingballerina] Connect with Maria: https://www.instagram.com/the.dancescientist [https://www.instagram.com/the.dancescientist]

Confidence Keys for Dancers (and Humans) - with Audra Queen

Ever feel like you’re “not enough” or even "too much" — in class, on stage, or in life? 💜 This week, I sit down with my friend Audra Queen — dancer, educator, extraordinary human, and The Dance CEO coach — to talk about following the dance of life, freeing the process from the outcome, and staying human before dancer. Plus, we close the episode with 4 practical keys to conquer imposter syndrome in the moment — tips you can use today to step into your confidence and move forward. Let's connect! https://www.instagram.com/bootykickingballerina [https://www.instagram.com/bootykickingballerina] Connect with Audra: https://www.instagram.com/thedanceceocoach [https://www.instagram.com/thedanceceocoach]

Permission to Dance Mom Differently

What if being a dance mom didn’t have to look like everyone else’s version? In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Jenny Taylor — accomplished multi-passionate entrepreneur and incredible dance mom to a rising competitive hip hop champion. Listen in as Jenny shares her story of what it really means to give yourself permission to dance mom differently — for you and your dancer. Let's connect!: https://www.instagram.com/bootykickingballerina [https://www.instagram.com/bootykickingballerina] Connect with Jenny:https://www.instagram.com/jennydoesgrace [https://www.instagram.com/jennydoesgrace]

Dancing with Hypothyroid

What happens when your body can’t keep up with your passion — and no one can tell you why? I’ve been there — and I know I’m not alone. Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s are way more common in the dance world than we realize, but no one’s really talking about it. In this episode, I’m joined by Functional Nutrition Practitioner, hypothyroid expert, and former dancer Kat Spangler, who shares her personal journey through years of mystery symptoms, missed diagnoses, and finally finding answers. We talk about what standard tests often miss, the toll thyroid issues take on dancers’ bodies, and how to actually support your health without giving up what you love. Get ready to take some notes, because Kat also shares simple, practical strategies you can start using right now to keep dancing AND keep your thyroid happy and healthy.  Listen in!  Let’s Connect!: https://www.instagram.com/bootykickingballerina [https://www.instagram.com/bootykickingballerina] Connect with Kat: https://www.instagram.com/follow.your.gut.nutrition [https://www.instagram.com/follow.your.gut.nutrition]