Sydney Mesher on Disability Representation, Kicking Down Barriers, and Changing the Entertainment Industry

In this episode, trailblazing performer Sydney Mesher shares her journey as the first visibly disabled Radio City Rockette and her mission to transform representation in entertainment. Born without her left hand, Sydney reveals:

• Her transformative experience making history with the Radio City Rockettes and performing on iconic stages

• The often overlooked reality of navigating dance training and professional choreography with a disability, including the mental gymnastics of constantly adapting instructions and movement on the spot while never wanting to disrupt the creative process

• The profound importance of portraying disabled bodies as desirable and sexy in media—a taboo topic that Sydney addresses with remarkable candor—and how the absence of such representation affected her own self-image growing up

• Creating more examples of her in the world with her book “She Kept Dancing”

As a multi-disciplinary artist working across dance, modeling, and acting, Sydney exposes the stark contrast between being hired as a dancer versus being brought on as "inclusive talent," and her determination to change how the entertainment industry approaches disability. Whether you're a performer with a disability seeking representation or anyone passionate about creating more authentic and diverse art forms, this conversation offers both emotional honesty and inspiring insights for breaking boundaries and embracing your unique artistic voice.

Watch the full episode here!

Show Notes:

Connect with Sydney on IG

Buy Sydney’s book “She Kept Dancing”

Read Sydney’s ESPN article

Listen to Joe’s episode

Listen to the Seaweed Sisters episode

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

The Business of Dance: Revealing the 3 Paths to Income for Professional Dancers. This episode pulls back the curtain on the financial realities of dance careers through a fascinating analysis of booking patterns and relationship-building. Discover the surprising statistics that show how much work Dana has booked from established relationships rather than auditions. Learn why unpaid passion projects often fuel paid opportunities, and explore the universal value-creation formula that applies to dancers and entrepreneurs alike.

This episode will help you:

• Understand the three primary ways dancers secure paying work

• See the crucial connection between unpaid artistic projects and paid opportunities

• Recognize the "full-time job" of community relationship maintenance

• Apply a simple 6-step formula for creating and monetizing value

• Balance artistic passion with practical business strategy

• Transform your perspective on dance as both an art form and a viable career

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

Coach with Dana

Listen to our episode with the Seaweed Sisters

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

Erik Cavanaugh (Dicks: The Musical, SavageXFenty, Apple Billboard) joins us on Words That Move Me this week!

Breaking Barriers in Dance: Erik Cavanaugh on Body Representation, Big City Dreams, and Creating Inclusive Spaces

In this inspiring episode, groundbreaking dancer Erik Cavanaugh shares his journey of reshaping the dance world and challenging body stereotypes. Drawing on his experiences across fashion, television, film, and advertising, Erik reveals:

• His surreal moment seeing himself on billboards in major cities worldwide—from Times Square to Tokyo—and the emotional impact of representation in an industry that often excludes diverse body types

• Practical wisdom for dancers considering relocating to major entertainment hubs like LA and New York, including why building a strong foundation before making the leap can prevent burnout

• The frustrating reality of costume departments failing to accommodate plus-size performers, forcing dancers like Erik to bring their own wardrobe or make last-minute purchases out of pocket

As the creator of the movement "Dancers Come In All Sizes," Erik is committed to mentoring the next generation and creating spaces where all body types feel welcome in dance. Whether you're a performer facing body discrimination or someone passionate about creating more inclusive creative industries, this conversation offers both validation and actionable insights for breaking barriers and embracing your authentic artistic voice.

Watch the full episode here!

Show Notes:

Connect with Erik on IG

Watch Dicks the musical

Take Erik’s class in Nashville

Watch Holland

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on IG and

The Choreographer's Canvas: Jasmine JB Badie on Redefining Stage Direction

As both a performer and creator, JB knows the distinction between dance class choreography and effective stage direction. Whether you're a dancer looking to transition into choreography or a creative director developing your leadership style, this conversation offers loads of wisdom for crafting performances that serve the vision while preserving the humanity of everyone involved.

Drawing on her experiences with Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, and more, Jasmine breaks down:

• Why her "humane choreographer" approach prioritizes kindness and efficiency over intimidation, creating better results without the trauma

• The pivotal moment when mentor Gil texted that he and Janet Jackson wanted to attend her show, culminating in a full-circle career validation

• The importance of purpose-driven choreography—why she refuses to create exhausting "class routines" when they don't serve the artist or audience

• Her unique creative process focused on viewpoint and feeling rather than technical complexity

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

Connect with JB on Instagram

Watch the seaweed sisters at Vibe

Victoria Monet BET awards

Listen to the seaweed sisters episode

Listen to Mandy’s episode

Listen to Tony’s episode

Listen to Gary’s episode

Listen to Toni’s episode

Listen to Good Questions episode

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on IG and

In this eye-opening episode, dancer and registered dietitian Sherry Lin shares her holistic, non-diet approach to nutrition and wellness. Drawing on her thirteen years of experience specializing in eating disorders, gut health, and performance nutrition, Sherry breaks down:

• The three types of hunger we experience (physical, emotional, and mental) and how to identify each in your body

• Why restrictive approaches to eating often backfire and how an “affirmative voice” can transform your relationship with food

• The surprising truth about hormonal cycles and metabolism—including why we experience intense cravings during certain phases

As the founder of Rhythm and Nutrition and a professional dancer with an MFA from the University of Michigan, Sherry brings a unique perspective on body awareness and nutritional needs. Whether you’re struggling with disordered eating patterns or simply want to develop a healthier relationship with food, this conversation offers practical wisdom for anyone looking to nourish both body and soul.

Watch the episode here.

Show Notes:

Connect with Sherry on IG

Learn how to work with Sherry

Listen to my episode on Grit vs. Grace

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

Beyond Boundaries: The Multifaceted Journey of Samø Soto

Join us for a revealing conversation with Samø Soto, a professional who has masterfully navigated the transition from B-boy to Stuntman while challenging industry perceptions about artistic identity.

In this episode, Samø shares the emotional complexities of expanding beyond dance—the guilt, the external perceptions, and the struggle to be seen as multidimensional in an industry that prefers singular labels. Despite his passion for choreography and battling still burning bright, he’s determined to prove his commitment to stunts while advocating for a world that embraces versatility.

What you’ll discover:

• The internal conflict of pursuing multiple passions while fighting against binary job labels

• How dance fundamentally prepared him for stunt work through adaptability and quick choreographic thinking

• His journey from being the “weakest link” in crew battles to finding his unique contribution through dynamic movement

• Why dancers have the “biggest cheat code” in entertainment with unprecedented access across production departments

This conversation reveals how dancers occupy a position in the entertainment hierarchy not practiced often—a “hallway lined with doors” offering opportunities to explore lighting, wardrobe, stunts, and beyond. Samø’s story is a powerful testament to creative evolution and finding strength in versatility.

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

Connect with Samø on Instagram

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

Behind the Curtain: The Extraordinary Life and Art of Toni Basil

Featuring legendary Choreographer, Dancer, Director, Producer, Recording Artist, Historian, and “Hey Mickey” hitmaker Toni Basil in a rare, intimate conversation! We explore her remarkable career spanning decades in entertainment, from backstage memories as Vaudeville royalty to collaborating with icons like Elvis Presley, David Bowie, Bette Midler, and Tina Turner.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

– How Toni’s behind-the-scenes childhood at the Chicago Theater shaped her love for performance

– The creative process behind Elvis’ in “Viva Las Vegas” assisting David Winters

– Her unexpected journey to becoming co-director for David Bowie after connecting through their shared mime vocabulary

– Insights on working with superstars who “care about their legacy” and the work ethic behind true stardom

This conversation reveals how following your artistic intuition—even when it leads to unexpected places—can create a lifetime of extraordinary creative collaborations. Toni’s fascinating stories illuminate how being fully present in each moment helped her navigate a groundbreaking career across film, television, and music.

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

Follow Toni on:

IG: officialtonibasil

X:Toni_Basil

YouTube: ToniBasilsHouse

TikTok: officialtonibasil

Listen to Toni’s re-release of “Breakaway”

Watch Hey Mickey

Watch Toni in West Side Story

Watch Toni’s parents’ Vaudville Act

Watch Toni’s aunt and uncle in a silent film from 1919

Watch Toni’s judges’ demo from Street Beat 2024

Watch Street Beat

Watch Shopping A-Z

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on

Self-improvement is not about perfection, it’s about finding the right balance between pushing yourself and accepting yourself. When pursuing transformative change, there are two seemingly opposite approaches – “Grit” (hard work and critical coaching) and “Grace” (gentle and nurturing self-care). This episode is all about this “Personal Growth Paradox” and the tools and techniques for identifying and effectively balancing self-criticism and self-compassion.

This episode will help you:

• Reflect on your current self-talk patterns

• Recognize that transformation requires BOTH grit and grace

• Learn to discern when to apply each approach

• Create a balanced internal dialogue that supports growth

• Experiment with combining grit and grace in your personal development journey

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok