TuTu Thin: A Podcast for Dancers | Be a healthy dancer/athlete in mind, body and spirit.

I am excited to welcome Kendall Alway PT, DPT to the TuTu Thin Podcast. She  is a former professional dancer with over 20 years of ballet training and 21 years of experience as a dance physical therapist.  In 2013 she founded SF Performing Arts PT in San Francisco, CA and in 2021, launched Pointe Safe, a continuing education program for ballet teachers. She is the former director of the ODC Health...

Our guest this week, Jacqueline Porter founded and directs The Dallas Conservatory, with 16 studios on three campuses and a faculty of three dozen top pros teaching Dance, Theater, Music, Voice, TV/Film and Fitness to 1,700 children and adults of every level from beginner to professional. A classically trained former professional dancer/singer on Broadway and National Tour, Jacqueline has guest-ta...

In honor of Eating Disorder Awareness Week,  I am so excited to welcome to the podcast,  Dr. Jennifer L. Gaudiani.  Jennifer L. Gaudiani, MD, CEDS-S, FAED, is the Founder and Medical Director of the Gaudiani Clinic. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, she completed her undergraduate degree at Harvard, medical school at Boston University School of Medicine, and her internal medicine residency and...

I am so pleased to welcome Nasira Burkholder-Cooley, R.D. and former dancer. Nasira is a registered dietitian, fitness expert, and nutrition educator. She was drawn to nutrition and public health as a result of her diverse background in science, fine arts, and fitness. Nasira was a classical ballet dancer and trained with Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle, WA, the University of Arizona School of...

I have had the pleasure of working with James Kinney and am so happy to have him on the podcast. James Kinney is a World Choreography Award -winning director, choreographer and creative producer whose celebrated artistic vision has established him as a respected voice in the world of dance entertainment across all mediums. Most recently, Kinney has conceived, directed, and choreographed five short...

We are pleased to welcome to the podcast, Dr. Martha B. Koo, M.D. She completed her undergraduate studies at Princeton University and her medical training at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She obtained her psychiatry residency training at the UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Institute and her subsequent psychoanalytic training at the New Center for Psychoanalysis. Dr. Koo is double Boar...

I am pleased to welcome Zippora Karz,  a former soloist ballerina with the New York City Ballet where she performed for 16 years on stage and in televised performances. She was featured in a variety of roles choreographed by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins as well as works choreographed for her by such choreographers as Peter Martins and Lynne Taylor Corbett. Today, as a repetiteur for the Ge...

I am so proud to welcome my colleague, Jessica Cignarelli to the Tutu Thin Podcast. Jessica is a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in working with individuals in high-profile environments. Synthesizing her clinical expertise with disordered eating and sport/performance, Jessica assists individuals with successfully balancing and navigating the demands and pressures that high-performance ath...

It is my pleasure to welcome Evan Schwarz to the TuTu Thin podcast.  He will discuss his journey as a male dancer, body image issues as a male dancer and his career in Europe as a dancer. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Evan Schwarz is a Swiss/Austrian/American freelance dance artist. He received his training from The Juilliard School in New York City, and has worked with various compa...

We are so excited to welcome Dr. Moreen Rubin to the podcast. From professional ballroom dancer to psychologist, Moreen shares her insights on her life as a ballroom dancer, competitions, body image and her transition to her career as a clinical therapist.  In her therapy practice, she specializes in treating food and body image issues, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, trauma and how to foster a...

As we begin the NBA season, I thought it would be apropos to introduce Lindsey Kovacevich Riley to the TuTu Thin Podcast.  She was a former NBA dancer for the Denver Nuggets.  Lindsey grew up in Southern California and started dancing at the age of four. Her dancing took her many places and provided experiences and memories that have lasted a lifetime. She’s danced on numerous cruise ships, venues...

It is my pleasure to welcome Charlotte Simons to the TuTu Thin Podcast.   Charlotte Simons is currently the Director of Cheerleading for the Cincinnati Bengals where she has held the position for 29 years. She manages 30 team members, referred to as Ben-Gals, also, 350 Junior Ben-Gals ages 5-18 years old, plus approximately 200 alumni Ben-Gal Cheerleaders.  Charlotte books their charity appearance...

Dana Stackpole Barbour talks about her career that spanned over 25 years as a ballet dancer with American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet and her transition to Broadway.  Dana shares about her initial meeting with Mikhail Baryshnikov when he invited her to join American Ballet Theatre.  Dana shares her advice about the care of their body for longevity in their dance career.  Dana currently te...

My interview with Renée Bunker touches on the highlights and challenges of her life as a D1 gymnast at Penn State and then as a competitive triathlete. Renée went on to become an Assistant United States Attorney and is currently a lawyer in Maine working with families in mediation as well as mentoring those struggling with eating disorders. It is my pleasure to welcome Renée as my first guest on t...

The dancer or athlete who is pursuing a high level performance in either dance or an athletic sport has different needs and will need support from their loved ones, friends, and family.  Be aware of the warning signs of an eating disorder.  Not everyone who is a dancer or an athlete will develop an eating disorder, but it is good to be aware of the signs and symptoms.  The athlete or dancer may st...

What is the language we use to push ourself to be the best dancer or athlete we can be.  What is the language that coaches, teachers, or choreographers use and how does that impact your performance. Language is important and we need to pay attention as to how we talk to ourselves as well as how we allow others to talk to us.  The more positive and constructive the critiques, the better dancer or a...

Trust is the end result of a dance between two people.  It is the foundation of  all relationships.  The dancer and athlete are no exception.  They must be able to trust their body that it will perform and also trust their coaches, teachers, team mates, partners, and other dancers.  This episode will explore how trust is is used to improve performance for both the dancer and the athlete.  Thank yo...

How to promote positive body image for dancers and athletes.  The body is their instrument and needs to be cared for and nourished.  Recognizing the importance of self care, which includes food, sleep, time off, and how to balance their life with dance or their sport.  Healing their relationship with their body from the inside out.   Thank you for listening to The TuTu thin Podcast Please contact...

Not every dancer or athlete will develop an eating disorder, but they are more likely than the general public.  There are many reasons that someone develops an eating disorder.  In this podcast, we explore the signs, symptoms and treatment for eating disorders as they relate to dancers and athletes.  Thank you for listening to The TuTu thin Podcast Please contact us through  www.dawntheodore.com w...

There are many positive benefits from exercise such as strengthening muscles, lowering blood pressure, stimulating bone growth, raising metabolism, and enhancing circulation to name a few.  So why would it ever be a problem, especially with a dancer or athlete?  Someone with an exercise addiction will depend on the exercise for their self worth, self identity and mood stabilization.  They will exe...

Dance breeds perfectionism..... Perfectionism can fuel the drive for the dancer to attend classes, auditions, rehearsals and balances their other activities. There is also a dark side of perfectionism, where the dancer begins to lose perspective.  Do not let the allure of perfectionism steal your passion for dance.   Thank you for listening to The TuTu thin Podcast Please contact us through  www.d...