The Dance Yourself Brave Show

In the heartfelt finale of Season 1, host Mariana Santos reflects on the journey of "Dance Yourself Brave." She shares gratitude for the inspiring guests and dedicated listeners who have been part of this transformative experience. Mariana delves into the essence of confidence, emphasizing it as a practice rather than a feeling, and encourages listeners to embrace movement as a path to s...

In this episode of the Dance Yourself Brave Show, host Mariana Santos interviews Alan Medina, a dynamic performer and dance instructor. Alan shares his journey into dance, starting later in life and overcoming challenges along the way. He emphasizes the importance of passion, commitment, and finding a supportive community. The conversation also touches on cultural influences in dance, teaching phi...

In this episode of the Dance Yourself Brave Show, host Mariana Santos interviews Maia Mahosky, a lifelong dancer and dance educator. They discuss Maia's journey in dance, the challenges of balancing a career with motherhood, and the importance of self-discovery in the dance world. Maia shares her experiences as a dance teacher, the impact she hopes to make in her students' lives, and the joy of mo...

In this episode of the Dance Yourself Brave Show, host Mariana Santos interviews dance teacher Josh Nitkin, who shares his journey in dance, the challenges he faced, and the importance of support systems. They discuss the impact of bullying on personal growth, the significance of understanding and compassion in today's world, and the joy of witnessing student success stories. Josh encourages a...

In this episode, Mariana Santos discusses the significance of gratitude, especially during the Thanksgiving season. She emphasizes how dance can be a powerful tool to cultivate gratitude and positivity in our lives. Mariana shares personal experiences and scientific insights on how focusing on gratitude can rewire our brains for resilience. She also provides practical steps for listeners to incorp...

In this episode of the Dance Yourself Brave Show, host Mariana Santos interviews Torin Ives, a passionate dance teacher and filmmaker. Torin shares her journey from a young dancer to a collegiate competitor and now a teacher who aims to create a positive and encouraging environment for her students. They discuss the struggles faced in the dance community, the importance of building confidence in s...

In this episode of the Dance Yourself Brave Show, host Mariana Santos interviews Charlotte Franklin, a Scottish dancer who has performed for major artists and is passionate about giving back to the dance community. They discuss Charlotte's journey into dance, the challenges she faced, including injuries and the impact of COVID-19, and how these experiences shaped her as a person. Charlotte sha...

In this episode of the Dance Yourself Brave Show, host Mariana Santos interviews Melanie Durham, a seasoned dance teacher and consultant. They discuss Melanie's journey in dance, the challenges she faced growing up, and how her early responsibilities shaped her into a mentor and teacher. Melanie shares her passion for teaching life skills through dance, the joy she finds in mentoring students,...

In this heartfelt episode, Mariana Santos explores the delicate balance between rest and resilience. Battling a cold, she shares personal insights on the importance of listening to our bodies and embracing the rhythm of life. Drawing from her Brazilian roots, Mariana reminds us that joy and struggle can coexist, and that true bravery lies in both bold and gentle moves. Tune in for a soothing remin...

In this conversation, Jessica shares her inspiring journey into the world of dance, starting later than most but finding her passion and confidence through perseverance. She discusses the challenges she faced, the importance of teaching and empowering the next generation of dancers, and her commitment to giving back to her community. Jessica emphasizes that it's never too late to start dancing...

In this episode of the Dance Yourself Brave Show, host Mariana Santos interviews multi-disciplinary performing artist Danielle Marie Fusco. They discuss Danielle's journey in dance, the struggles and triumphs she has faced, the importance of authenticity, and the financial aspects of being a dancer. Danielle shares her insights on teaching, the ripple effect of empowering students, and the sig...

In this episode of the Dance Yourself Brave Show, host Mariana Santos interviews Nerissa Westcott, a passionate dance director and founder of Artistic Edge Dance Company. Nerissa shares her journey from a young dancer to a dance educator, discussing the challenges she faced along the way, including the struggle for confidence and financial stability in the arts. She emphasizes the importance of co...

In this episode of the Dance Yourself Brave Show, host Mariana Santos speaks with Laura Armstrong, a mindset strategist and three-time world champion martial artist, about the importance of money mindset for dance instructors. They discuss how instructors can shift their perspectives on pricing, recognize the value they bring to their students, and overcome limiting beliefs about money. Laura emph...

In this episode of the Dance Yourself Brave Show, host Mariana Santos interviews Maurryn Sweeney, a dance instructor and makeup artist. They discuss Morin's journey into dance, the challenges she faced, and how these experiences shaped her as a teacher and person. Morin emphasizes the importance of connection, creativity, and community in dance, and shares her aspirations for the future, inclu...

Join host Mariana Santos as she interviews dancer and choreographer James MahKween about his journey from no formal dance training to studying at AMDA and building a career in Los Angeles. James shares insights on choreography, vulnerability, self-love, and the power of dance communities, plus advice for aspiring dancers navigating social media and the modern dance world. He also discusses his vis...

Bree Foerster takes us on her powerful journey from growing up in Germany to becoming an award-winning choreographer and respected contemporary dance teacher. She opens up about the struggles she faced along the way—including health challenges, imposter syndrome, and the pressure of pursuing excellence—while sharing how she transformed those obstacles into fuel for growth. Today, Bree is known not...

What if the key to better public health was as simple as more people dancing together? In this energizing episode of the Dance Yourself Brave Show , host Mariana Santos chats with Justin Tamsett—Australia’s most awarded fitness industry business consultant and international speaker—about why dance fitness is uniquely positioned to get people moving and feeling better. From breaking down industry s...

In this inspiring episode of the Dance Yourself Brave Show , host Mariana Santos sits down with dance instructor Kyrie Kowalik to explore her powerful journey from competitive gymnastics to rediscovering her true passion for dance. Kyrie opens up about the challenges she faced along the way, including overcoming setbacks and rebuilding her confidence. Together, they discuss the importance of trust...

In this inspiring episode of The Dance Yourself Brave Show , host Mariana Santos sits down with professional dancer and teacher Ornella Saliba to explore her remarkable journey from Lebanon to Canada and the diverse cultural influences that shaped her unique dance style. Ornella opens up about overcoming personal challenges, including body image struggles and the career setbacks brought on by COVI...

In this episode of the Dance Yourself Brave Show , host Mariana Santos sits down with professional dance educator and choreographer Jessica Wellington to explore the powerful role of dance in personal growth and empowerment. Jessica shares her inspiring journey into the world of dance—from early struggles to building a successful career as a dance teacher and choreographer. She opens up about the...

Ever wonder why it's so hard to stay consistent with your dance or fitness goals—even when you really want it? This solo session of The Dance Yourself Brave Show , we dive deep into the psychology of resistance and why your brain is designed to pull you back the moment you try to level up. Host Mariana Santos shares science-backed insights and mindset strategies every dance lover, instructor,...

Bree Jacobs, New Jersey choreographer and founder of Empire Dance Company, joins Mariana Santos to break down what it really takes to build an empowering space for adult dancers. From ditching perfectionism to redefining what a “real dancer” looks like, this episode is packed with heart, honesty, and hard-won lessons. If you're a dance teacher, choreographer, or just someone who found dance a...

What does it take to go from a fitness studio to leading one of the most respected fitness education companies in the world? In this episode of The Dance Yourself Brave Show , host Mariana Santos sits down with fitness icon Sarah Kooperman , CEO of SCW Fitness, to explore her powerful journey from professional dancer to trailblazing entrepreneur. They dive into the real challenges women face in bo...

Before launching the nationally recognized dance fitness brand Country Fusion® , Elizabeth Mooney was just a girl with big dreams and a fierce love for movement. In this raw and uplifting conversation, she joins host Mariana Santos to share the real story behind the brand—the highs, the heartbreaks, and the hustle it took to get here. From her early days as a performer to navigating burnout and bu...

Think once you find your purpose, everything just magically falls into place? Think again. 💥 In this real-talk solo episode of The Dance Yourself Brave Show , host Mariana Santos—founder of Brazily Fitness—gets vulnerable about the messy middle of chasing your dream. She opens up about what it’s really like to build a purpose-driven brand from scratch, even when you have total clarity on your mis...