DanceFit Biz Builders

What happens when the dance style you’ve built your reputation on no longer excites you? In this episode, I sit down with Tirra, a SharQui instructor, dancer, and artist, to talk about the challenges of creative evolution. We discuss feeling torn between different dance styles, the pressure of expectations, teaching movement that students struggle to grasp, and what happens when your passion start...

If you’re spending hours every week memorizing choreography, building playlists, and stressing over transitions… this episode is for you. In this episode, I break down the math most dance and fitness instructors never actually do — and why so many talented instructors are burning out from unpaid prep work. We talk about: * the hidden labor behind choreography-heavy classes * why memorizing nonstop...

Your students might love your energy, your music, and your class… and still not come back. In this episode, we talk about the real reason student retention struggles in dance and dance fitness classes - and why it’s usually not a personality problem or motivation issue. It’s a confidence issue. I break down what actually keeps students coming back, how inconsistency and over-complication quietly d...

Have you ever explained something in class over and over… and your students still looked completely lost? In this episode, we’re talking about the real reason students struggle to follow in dance and dance fitness classes - and why explaining more often makes it worse. I break down the concept of cognitive overload , how over-cueing overwhelms students, and why layering movement step by step creat...

In this episode, I’m joined by Lindsey Passamonte - personal trainer, educator, and AI app developer - for a conversation about what it really means to grow and diversify as a fitness professional. We talk about building multiple income streams beyond teaching classes, adapting to technology and AI in the fitness industry, and why relying on one revenue stream can leave instructors burned out and...

If your classes feel choppy, stop-and-go, or like the energy never fully builds… this is for you. In this episode, I break down one of the biggest problems many dance and fitness instructors face: classes that don’t flow - even when the music and choreography are good. We talk about: * why choreography is not the same as structure * how random sequencing creates hesitation and confusion * why stud...

Thinking about opening your own studio? In this episode, I sit down with Najmah - a dancer and yoga instructor who turned that vision into reality by opening her own yoga and dance studio . We break down what it actually took to make it happen: * how she knew it was the right time to start * the first steps she took to bring the idea to life * the challenges she didn’t expect This isn’t the highli...

If your students always seem just a little behind in class… it may not be them. In this episode, I break down why so many dance and fitness instructors struggle with students keeping up — and what’s actually causing it. We talk about: * the real reason students fall behind (hint: it’s not coordination) * why teaching to the music instead of the beat creates confusion * how inconsistency in your cl...

What does it actually look like to build more than one business in the dance and fitness world? In this episode, I sit down with Debbie Despina — a dance costume and apparel designer and a instructor — to talk about what it really takes to diversify your talents and manage multiple income streams. We get into: * how she knew when to start her apparel business * how teaching and designing supported...

If you’re a dance or fitness instructor constantly teaching and giving value - but not seeing it turn into real income - this is for you. Many instructors believe that offering free classes or content will grow their business. But in reality, giving everything away for free often leads to burnout, low commitment from students, and inconsistent income. In this episode, I break down why free classes...

What if one training didn’t just improve one class…but changed everything about how you teach? In this episode, I sit down with Cynthia, a SharQui Instructor Academy graduate, to talk about what really shifted for her — not just in one format, but across all of her dance and fitness classes . We get into: * what her teaching looked like before the Academy * the moment things finally clicked * how...

If you’re a dance or fitness instructor and you’ve ever thought, “I have no idea what to charge…” you’re not alone. Pricing your classes and services can feel confusing, overwhelming, and honestly… a little uncomfortable. In this episode, I break down why so many instructors feel stuck when it comes to how to price their classes , and what’s actually causing that confusion. We talk about: * why “j...

In this episode, I’m joined again by Jessica of The Stage to talk about something a lot of dance and fitness instructors are confused about right now— Facebook . Is it dead? Is it worth your time? And how are some instructors still growing their business and getting clients from it? We break down what’s actually working on Facebook for dance and fitness instructors , including how to create conten...

A demo class with three instructors turned into a fascinating teaching experiment. One instructor brought huge energy. Another relied on full combos and follow-along choreography. And I approached it the way I always do — break it down, build it up, and bring the room together. Watching the class unfold made one thing crystal clear: There are three distinct types of dance fitness instructors . And...

This episode is a special one — it’s the 100th episode of the DanceFit Biz Builders podcast . Instead of me asking the questions, the tables are turned. Marisa Gusatella , Director of Professional Development for SharQui and someone I trust deeply in this work, is interviewing me. We talk about: * what I see now after 30 years in fitness that I couldn’t see in the beginning * people I’ve interview...

Fitness trends for 2026 are shifting — and constant novelty isn’t what’s driving growth anymore. In this episode, I break down why exercise-to-music (ETM) is no longer the leading growth model in fitness, and why structured, purpose-driven movement is rising instead. Using insights from the American College of Sports Medicine Worldwide Fitness Trends Report for 2026, we look at how beat and rhythm...

Social media is changing - and for dance & fitness instructors, the old advice isn’t working anymore. In this episode, I break down the social media trends for 2026 and what they actually mean for dance & fitness instructors who want to grow their classes, increase visibility, and attract real students - not just likes and engagement. We talk about: * Why authentic short-form video is outperformin...

I am honored to be interviewed by Jessica of The Stage. We talk about how many dance fitness and fitness instructors believe the answer to increasing income is teaching more classes. In reality, teaching more hours often leads to burnout, inconsistent income, and limited growth. In this episode, I break down why teaching more classes won’t make you more money, and what actually creates sustainable...

If you’re a dance fitness instructor or dance instructor wondering why your dance fitness classes aren’t growing, this episode breaks down what’s really happening. Class growth is rarely about social media or marketing—it’s about how you teach, how students experience your class, and whether they feel confident enough to return. In this episode, I explain why many fitness classes stall, how teachi...

Getting certified is exciting. What comes next can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I break down the very first thing you need to do after certification if you have little to no business experience. Before websites, logos, social media, or marketing plans—this is where new instructors actually need to start. We talk about focus, clarity, teaching in real rooms, and how to build confidence and m...

This episode is my response to my When Performance Replaced Teaching article that received over 130 shares, over 250 comments, and almost 700 likes. I read my reply in full - but this isn’t just a reaction. It’s a teaching moment. In this episode, I break down what happens when performance starts to overshadow pedagogy in the fitness industry, why this conversation struck a nerve, and how clarity...

There’s a belief floating around the dance world that experience alone is enough to teach. “I’ve been dancing for years. I know my body. I don’t need a fitness certification.” But if you’re teaching classes that raise heart rates, repeat movement week after week, and ask students to trust you with their bodies, a fitness certification is not optional . In this episode, I break down why dance exper...

Safety is the foundation. Always. But safety alone isn’t the goal. Once bodies are safe, the real responsibility begins: progression . In this episode, I talk about the difference between classes that feel good and classes that actually help students improve. Because fun, sweat, and great music don’t automatically lead to skill, confidence, or growth. We unpack a common belief in the dance world:...

Everyone’s been sold the same lie: “If your dance or fitness classes aren’t full, it’s because you’re not posting enough on social media.” Nope. That’s not the real issue. In this episode, I break down why you don’t need social media to fill your dance classes or fitness classes. We’re talking real, sustainable, off-line business strategies for dance and fitness instructors on how to grow your dan...

Most instructors are chasing the wrong thing. Likes. Comments. Engagement. And then wondering why their classes still aren’t filling. In this episode, I break down what actually grows your classes — without turning yourself into a content machine or performing for the algorithm. We’re talking about: * Why visibility matters more than engagement * The quiet ways people discover your classes (even w...