Explore every episode of the podcast Dance Sport & Life
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32: Winson Tam - 10 Dance World Champion (WDSF, Adults & U21), World Cup Latin Winner, Foodie, Vlogger, Entrepreneur and Overall Funny Human Being | 27 Dec 2024 | 00:28:37 | |
I sat down with Winson in Rome after 10 hours of him training at Top Dance Real Camp (Organizers: Vanone & Soale) after recognising his and Anastasia’s unique dance style, but being able to place a name with the style. At that moment I realised a lot of times we see dancers on stage, performing and it’s hard to relate to them. They’re in make-up and costumes, fully focused and we’re cheering from the sidelines. I was a bit nervous approaching them for this reason, but Winson was super relaxed and agreed to sit down with me later that same day. We set up 2 cameras on a couch in the teacher’s lounge, in a poorly lit space because we just wanted to hang out and chat like 2 regular humans. Winson shared his life story, what made him fall in love with dance, his struggles early on with his body image and how we conquered it all, moved across the globe to pursue his dream. In the process he learned how to enjoy life, vacation and the pleasures life offers (food is life after all). Watch the full episode to hear his story from the first dinner dance to world champions to starting LOAD (Life of a Dancer) - their super cool street and dancer wear brand. Show Links: 1. Mondans Socials: Get better at ballroom and latin with our masterclasses, courses and camp lectures: Link Watch Beyond (A Dance TV Show): Link 2. Guest Links: | |||
| 31: Harry Korner - The Creator of The German Open Championship (GOC) - The Top Ballroom and Latin Competition, How He Was Kicked Out of GOC, Dance Changing Over Time and What We Can Do Better | 05 Dec 2024 | 00:24:23 | |
Harry started GOC in 1987 in Mannheim’s “Rosengarten”, wanting to create a better experience for dancers and started a revolution. We sat down with him to get an insight into what the future of ballroom and latin look like and how we can save it from the demise coming from within. Follow us Learn with us: Link Watch our TV Series: Link | |||
| Emanuel Valeri & Tania Kehlet: Respect In A Dance Couple & Connection With Your Teacher | 07 May 2019 | 00:31:02 | |
About our guests Emanuel Valeri & Tania Kehlet are one of the most loved standard dancers. Their long career has been filed with great results both in Amateur and Professional division. Among their best results are titles like Blackpool Amateur champions and WDSF World and European Professional Standard champions - WDC & WDSF. They retired the competitive world at the PD World championship in Aarhus, Denmark in November 2016. You can follow them on Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Dr. Jerry Lynch: Being Fearless & Focusing On What You Can Control | 25 Mar 2019 | 00:51:59 | |
About our guest Dr. Jerry Lynch is a coach, mentor, and teacher who guides and coaches athletes and parents to explore the meaning and purpose of sport. He has been recognized as one of the top five in his profession nationwide. He is the author of 13 books and amongst them is “Thinking Body, Dancing Mind”. You can follow him on Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Pasha Pashkov & Daniella Karagach: Guiding Your Partner, Improvising Movements and Maintaining Balance | 24 Jan 2019 | 00:39:17 | |
About our guests Pasha Pashkov & Daniella Karagach are one of the most popular dance couples at the moment, both for dancers and dance fans and they participated at the American show “World of Dance”. They are the winners of Blackpool (British Open) Rising Star Professional championship. They are smart, talented and charismatic, willing to share some of their secrets. You can follow them on Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Dr. Peter Lovatt: Communication, Self-esteem, Male Dancer Stigma & Scientific Benefits of Dancing | 13 Nov 2018 | 00:41:46 | |
About our guest: Dr. Peter Lovatt is a Dance Psychologist. He set up the Dance Psychology Lab at the University of Hertfordshire and is currently a lecturer on Performance (Dance) Psychology at the Royal Ballet School. With his passion for dancing and psychology, he is making an impact in this industry by touching taboo subjects such as self-esteem on dancers and stereotypes of male dancers. Follow him on: Topics discussed in this episode:
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Costin Glavan: Body Posture and Nutrition, the Secrets of High Performance | 02 Jul 2018 | 00:38:26 | |
About our guest: Costin Glavan is a Romanian physical trainer and nutritionist, certified by the C.H.E.K. Institute. He started karate when he was 17 years old, now reaching the high level of black belt - 3 dan. Costin is specialized in training people and athletes in how to have a good posture and perform better. His knowledge can be easily applied to the world of dancesport if you want to improve your performance and outlast any competition. Find out more about Costin Glavan and his course on his website. You can contact him here. Topics discussed in this episode:
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Espen Salberg - Togetherness, Beauty and Fashion | 28 Jun 2018 | 00:21:22 | |
About our guest: Espen Salberg is a former ballroom and latin champion. As one of the best teachers in the world of dancesport he produced no less than 17 world champions. For Espen, the true value of a dance couple stands in the dialog and the togetherness between them. For the ladies it is important to have beautiful leg-action and for the men to be in control. You can see the interview on YouTube. Follow him on Instagram Topics discussed in this episode:
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Paul Moldovan & Cristina Tatar: Two Bodies, One Vision, One Mindset | 26 Jun 2018 | 01:10:57 | |
About our guests: Hugely talented and hard-working Paul Moldovan and Cristina Tatar were the first Romanians to ever win a world champion title (Beijing, 2012). Since then they always aimed for the top of WDSF Latin ranking. For both of them, dancing is a way of life and they wouldn’t see themselves doing something else. In this podcast, they walked us through the best moments and the biggest challenges of their dance career. You can follow them on:
Topics discussed in this episode:
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Marius Balan and Khrystyna Moshenska: Insights Into a Champion’s Mindset and Weekly Schedule | 21 Jun 2018 | 00:36:31 | |
About our guests: Charismatic, fresh and ready to deliver high-standard performances every time. No description does justice to the greatness achieved by Marius Balan and Khrystyna Moshenska in the dancesport world. Constantly conquering the top of WDSF Adult Latin ranking, Marius and Khrystyna seek to continue working hard and to set high-quality standards for Latin routines. Through lots of traveling, training, trying to keep up with healthy behaviors, what keeps them going is the aspiration to put on a first-class act. Dancing as both body & soul experience.
Topics discussed in this episode:
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Jay Olson: Psychology, Magic and The Power of Suggestion | 14 Jun 2018 | 00:48:46 | |
About our guest: Jay Olson, M.Sc. is a doctoral researcher at McGill University. He has also been a magician since he was 7 years old. Jay is known for his work as a consultant to reduce fatigue and improve the performance of business travelers and elite athletes. Jay Olson is interested in how psychology and magic can be combined and overlapped. In the podcast, you can find how the placebo effect and the power of suggestion can help you enhance your performance and reduce jet lag, along with tip and tricks concerning light exposure. Find out more about Jay Olson on https://www.jayolson.org/. Topics discussed in this episode:
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Madis Abel & Aleksandra Galkina: Partnership Secrets and Connection with Your Trainer | 07 Jun 2018 | 00:12:20 | |
About our guests: Young and highly determined to leave a mark in the dancesport world. Madis Abel and Aleksandra Galkina partnered up in 2012 and ever since they’ve been working hard and aiming for the stars in WDSF Standard division. Madis is a mountain of calmness and sharpness, while Aleksandra’s exuberant energy completes it perfectly and makes it a perfect pair. They get their inspiration from their trainer, Aleksander Makarov and together they brought Estonia on the #6 place in the world ranking. You can follow them on: Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| 30: Andreea Matei: Becoming a Ballroom Champion and Choosing Dance Daily, 8-time Romanian Ballroom Champion, Silver Medalist World WDSF Standard | 14 Nov 2024 | 00:13:56 | |
Andreea Matei is an 8-time Romanian Ballroom Champion and recent Silver Medalist at the World Championship in Leipzig (Germany), alongside her partner Rares Cojoc. As they're fighting their way up to become #1 in the world, you'll hear what it takes to perform at this level, what Ada's life is like, her passion and love for dance and what makes her stand out from all other women in ballroom dance today. If you enjoyed this episode, come to Mondans.com, where we have educational content, podcasts, tv shows and a beautiful dance community. Follow us: Andreea Matei on Instagram | |||
| Anastasia Novikova and Winson Tam: Handling 10 dances, Doing the hard-work, Finding sources of inspiration | 30 Mar 2018 | 00:47:38 | |
About our guests: Young, fresh and up for great things. Those words describe Anastasia Novikova and Winson Tam, winners of the World Open Latin in Belgrade in 2017. They both started at an early age are working hard ever since. Winson is easy going and catches the moves fast. Anastasia is analytical and thinks every move through. A complementary pair. You can follow them on:
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Barbara Ambroz: Dancing as a Way of Life and the Cuban Experience | 23 Mar 2018 | 00:23:14 | |
About our guest: Born in Slovenia, Barbara already started to teach at the age of 18. Now, with more than 30 years of experience as an adjudicator and trainer, she has an open eye for every student and believes that dance is an opportunity to express life's values. Her educational project Cuban Experience in Havana, in cooperation with leading Cuban experts from Instituto Superior del Arte, was translated in the form of a short documentary called Back to the roots and in a book with the same name. Find more about the Cuban experience here.
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Maximiliaan Winkelhuis: From Building Charisma to Dealing With Stress with Performance Coaching | 08 Feb 2018 | 01:05:33 | |
About the guest: In 1998 after giving some lectures convinced by his close friend Ruth Vermeij, Maximilian let go of his commercial years in advertising. Soon from a communication specialist in advertising, he turns to be a communication specialist in dance, a performance coach who loves finding the strengths that lie in the couples he works with. He decided to take his experience and put his knowledge in books to help dancers communicate better and find ways of relieving the stress and coping with it during tense times. You can find more on his workshops by following Team Amsterdam: http://www.dutchdancelab.com/workshops-2018 . Website: http://www.yourmaximum.com/team/maximilliaan/
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Peter Townsend: Teacher at 20, Team Amsterdam and the Importance of Planning | 05 Jan 2018 | 00:48:38 | |
About the guest: Dance has been in the life of Peter Townsend since he was 7. For many years he danced competitively and he became a Professional at the age of 21. He studied not only ballroom and latin but also classical, contemporary and jazz ballet and contact improvisation. He was a founding member of Team Amsterdam and he finds that one can be highly motivated by different thoughts and ideas. His approach to teaching is quite unique as he believes dancers need to have conversations from within themselves and from within the partnership. Peter has worked with amateur and professional World Champions in Ballroom, Latin and Showdance.
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Pietro Braga: Musicality, Biomechanics and Why Knowledge is Experience | 21 Dec 2017 | 00:15:13 | |
About our guest: Pietro Braga is a master of the art of dance. Starting from the early age of 16 years old, he teaches social dance and finishes working for the WDSF. He believes that although precise technique is an essential element of the aesthetics of the dancesport performance, the musicality of the movement must be met with the same diligence. Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| William Pino: An Early Connection to Dance, Musicality and the Importance of Being Real as a Couple | 14 Dec 2017 | 00:13:46 | |
About the guest: William Pino found himself in a studio at a very young age. That was the start of a relatively short but intense and strong career. His dance partner, Alessandra Bucciarelli, was the one he'd marry. By 20 they were the only couple in the world that won all major competitions under 21: International, Blackpool, German Open etc. At 21 they were top 6 in the world, at 26 world champions, at 27 already professionals. And that's how you do it Italian style! Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Siscu Perez: Coffee Machines, Freedom Above All and the Playfulness in Dancing | 09 Dec 2017 | 00:16:41 | |
About our guest: Life has a strange way of playing out, and it is very unpredictable. Watching a tango lesson touched Siscu Perez so much that it put him on a career path very different from the one he imagined. From a shy reclusive child who wanted to grow to be a history teacher, he came to be one of the greatest teachers in dancesport and an adjudicator in competitions all over the world. Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Colin James: The Complexity of Becoming Great - Practice, Partnership, Motivation and More | 24 Nov 2017 | 01:18:28 | |
Colin James is one of the world's most distinguished coaches holding the prestigious award "Teacher of the year". His name stands behind many champions and finalists around the globe. You might also know him from his long-lasting collaboration with Dancing with the Stars in Poland. Colin James is a Blackpool and UK Open Amateur Champion, and a second-time Grand Slam winner. He has been a finalist in every major international Professional Latin competition, including the World Professional Latin and European Professional Latin Championships from 1985 through 1990. We were honored to have Colin James on our podcast and discuss the hottest topics in dancesport: from having a healthy relationship with your dance partner to the preparation before the competition. Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Dekatra Lapaeva: Full-on artistry and walking the line between performance and technique | 16 Nov 2017 | 00:45:10 | |
About our guest: Dekatra Lapaeva was a professional Latin-American dancer who has been a finalist in most major competitions and championships all around the World. Dekatra writes, creates, and innovates all the time. She is a multi-dimensional artist with 25 years of experience who weaves an imaginary bridge among movement and dance, visual arts and writing poetry. With a background in psychology and philosophy, Dekatra teaches her students not only to be amazing dancers but to be great people, who dance from a truly genuine and authentic place. Her teaching style allows dancers to strengthen their technique and dance ability while feeling completely supported and encouraged along the way. Our time spent talking with her was a blast. Dekatra has an ongoing art exhibition at Corza cafe:111 High Street, West Wickham BR4 0LT. Find more about her art on her Facebook Page and her Instagram. Topics discussed in this episode:
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Pierre Dulaine: Social dance to a whole new level with the Dulaine teaching method | 08 Nov 2017 | 00:33:44 | |
About our guest He received the Americans for the Arts Award, the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Carl Alan Award or the United Nations nomination as a Goodwill Ambassador for promoting peace. The Dulaine teaching method combines the love for humankind with the love for dance to give birth to a wonderful synergy between the two in projects such as Dancing Classrooms. He does more than teaching steps, he teaches touching a human being with grace and respect in face of segregation and prejudice. One small step in a dance class, one giant step for humanity. You can find more about Dancing Classrooms here. His official website is http://www.pierredulaine.org.
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| 29: Rares Cojoc: The Ballroom Comeback Kid, #1 ranked WDSF Ballroom, 22x Romanian Champion, 2nd in the World Championship on work ethic, 5am club, dancing for joy not results | 10 Oct 2024 | 00:46:42 | |
Alex sits down with Rares Cojoc, the #1 Ranked WDSF Ballroom Dancer, 22x Romanian Champion to dig deep into what was the catalyst that started his dance career, the teachers who "found" him and nurtured him (Catia and Giordano Vanone), what it feels like to quit the thing that brings you so much joy in life and more. Alex spent a long weekend with Rares and his partner Andreea Matei (next episode) in Bucharest looking at their practice routine, family life, balancing dance, family and business in a healthy way. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to dancesportlife.com to start a FREE 7-day trial and enjoy dance content, over 50 courses in ballroom and latin dance, fashion, makeup and contest preparation. | |||
| Aleksander Makarov: Back To Basics And The Role of The Teacher In Dancers' Mindset | 19 Oct 2017 | 00:46:37 | |
About the guest Aleksander Makarov became an iconic figure in dancesport, teaching champions like Madis Abel and Aleksandra Galkina. His last partner is also his actual wife and he had been dancing with her in the last 4-5 years of his dance career, which were the most successful. They won International Championships U21 and they’re second and third in Blackpool U21. Though he decided to stop dancing at a young age, for him this moment was the strongest push to start teaching because he wanted to prove everyone that he still wanted to achieve great things as a teacher, not only as a dancer. Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Dirk Heidemann: A lifetime of passion for dancesport | 30 Sep 2017 | 00:58:51 | |
Former professional ballroom dancer, fashion model, now author, dancesport teacher and choreographer - Dirk Heidemann is the personification of Latin dancing: colorful, passionate and raw. After more than 30 years of training and preparing 40 champions of Germany, Europe, World Champions, Blackpool and German Open, he is considered one of the best ballroom dance coaches in the world. Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform - Dancesportlife Academy - offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Massimo Arcolin & Laura Zmajkovicova: Practice & Having The Same Goal | 01 Jul 2020 | 00:22:09 | |
About our guests Massimo and Laura are finalists in Professional Latin at the WDC European Championship and semifinalists in all the top competitions from the WDC World such as Blackpool or the International Championship.
You can follow them on
Topics discussed in this episode
You can watch our interview on YouTube.
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details, and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices.
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| Pavel Zvychaynyy & Oxana Lebedew: Showdance, Connection & Family | 27 May 2020 | 00:24:21 | |
About our guests Pavel & Oxana are currently finalists in the WDC World Professional Latin and in the WDC European Professional Latin Championships. They grace us with their style of dance and in this interview, they share their story with us. You can follow them on Instagram Pavel Instagram Oxana Topics discussed in this episode
You can watch our interview on YouTube. Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details, and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Malthe Brinch Rohde & Sandra Sorensen: Interaction, Michael Jackson & Schedule | 02 May 2020 | 00:18:50 | |
About our guests Malthe & Sandra are semifinalists in all the big competitions from the WDSF Latin world and Danish Champions.
You can follow them on
Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details, and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Peter & Kristina Stokkebroe: Sharing the Artistry, Intensity and Summer Dancecamp | 01 Apr 2020 | 00:35:06 | |
About our guests Peter & Kristina Stokkebroe are one of the biggest names in the world of Latin-American dancing. They are multiple times Danish Champions, British Open Champions, European & World Champions. You can follow them on Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Marco Cavacini: Team Diablo & The Importance of Personalized Training for Dancers | 02 Aug 2019 | 00:23:23 | |
About our guest Marco Cavacini is the personal trainer of Team Diablo - one of the most well-known names in the WDSF world. He prepares personalized training sessions for champions like Gabriele Goffredo & Anna Matus and many others. You can follow him on Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| Andrea Silvestri & Martina Varadi: Passion Expressed Through Music & Cuba As Inspiration | 14 Jun 2019 | 00:33:51 | |
About our guests Andrea Silvestri & Martina Varadi are one of the top WDSF Amateur Latin couples. They are finalists in all the major events such as Grand Slams and World Championships. Andrea & Martina are very passionate and they tell us all you need to know about what inspires them. You can follow them on Topics discussed in this episode
Would you love to learn choreographies, technical details and different methods for improving your posture, style, and overall performance from the comfort of your home studio? Our online platform – Dancesportlife Academy – offers you a vast library of courses and high-quality recordings of dance camps from all over the world at highly discounted prices. | |||
| 36: Valentin Voronov - 9x Pro Canadian National Champion, U21 World Champion, Revolution TV, Growing Up in Russia, Challenges, Optimism and Wellness | 14 Feb 2025 | 00:38:28 | |
Valentin became a dear friend since we met. I haven’t met anyone in the dance world that’s as open to collaboration, trusts in the vision of a better dance world as him. I spent a few days with him and Anna in Columbus at Ohio Star Ball, where he was competing in ProAM with a student of his to bring joy to her performance. There was a balance between the love and respect everyone had for them and how silly they could get (we filmed an APT Reel with Reagan To and Daniil). In this episode you’ll hear an unfiltered, raw Valentin talking about growing up dancing in Russia in the 90s, moving to Canada into his 30s and building a life with Anna and John Snow (their puppy). I hope you enjoy this episode! The episode was made possible by our sponsor, Gymdesk. If you are like Valentin and Anna and run a studio, you understand the stress that comes with all the admin, while trying to add new customers. Our friends at Gymdesk are giving you a 30 day free trial (no credit card needed) plus they’ll help you migrate from your old system [or no system yikes]. Streamline your billing, automate your marketing, manage memberships and bookings - all in one system. Our Sponsor: Gymdesk (Gymdesk.com for a 30 day free trial) Show Links: Valentin’s YouTube Dance Sport & Life + Mondans Socials: Instagram & Podcast instagram Get better at ballroom and latin with our masterclasses, courses and camp lectures: Link Watch Beyond (A Dance TV Show): Link | |||
| 35: Anton Belyayev: How to Become a World Professional 10 Dance World Champion, 29x Canadian Champion, Run a Dancesport Studio and His Health & Wellness Routine | 31 Jan 2025 | 00:52:33 | |
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Anton in his studio, Kirova Dance, in Hallandale Beach, Florida. He’s got one of the most impressive resumes: World Professional 10 Dance Champion, and 29-time Canadian National Champion. Immigrating to Toronto from a small Ukrainian town, Anton rose through the ranks with determination, training under Oleg Yedlin at OLSI DanceSport and learning from the world’s top Latin and Standard experts. With his partner Antoaneta Popova, he dominated the amateur circuit, winning multiple World titles before transitioning to the professional WDSF field, where he continued to excel. Now he is in Florida, transforming a traditional dance studio into a competitive ballroom and latin studio while filming engaging social content and staying in the best shape of his life (listen to hear about his morning routine, 5 mile+ runs and secret protein smoothie recipe) Tune in to hear his whole life story, learn what it takes to become the best in the world, how to evaluate your team of teachers, your relationships with your partner and so much more… Show Links: DanceSportLife & Mondans Socials: Instagram & Podcast instagram Get better at ballroom and latin with our masterclasses, courses and camp lectures: Link Watch Beyond (A Dance TV Show): Link | |||
| 34: Reagan To, Squid Games Red Light Green Light Voice, Ballroom and Latin Champion, Balancing School, Acting, Dancing and Life as a Teen | 17 Jan 2025 | 00:27:12 | |
Reagan's schedule is jam packed. I coordinated with Julianna, her mom our podcast session months before out trip to Columbus, OH (USA) for Ohio Star Ball and even on the day of the shoot, she was booked back to back. This is what it takes to be a fast growing actress, model and dancer. Any one of those are impossibly hard to achieve, but somehow Reagan was full of energy and smiles when we sat down even though she had a dress fitting before, partnership meetings, training with her partner Daniil Babenko and content shoots after. She goes to school, acting lessons, auditions, dance lessons, competition, photoshoots... it's impressive. You may have seen Reagan on Squid Games (Season 1&2), Disney Pixar's Elementals (Ember), Jane the Virgin, Young Sheldon, in Target ads or at one of the buggest dance competitions in the world. It was an absolute pleasure connecting with Reagan and I can't wait to see what the world brings to her and the changes she's already creating for young ballroom and latin dancers in the US. 1. Mondans Socials: Get better at ballroom and latin with our masterclasses, courses and camp lectures: Link Watch Beyond (A Dance TV Show): Link 2. Guest Links: | |||
| 33: Anna Pelypenko, 5x Pro Canadian Champion, DWTS Ukraine Champion, U21 World Latin Champion, Toronto Studio Owner, Growing up Dancing in Ukraine, Learning Basics Late | 12 Jan 2025 | 00:57:46 | |
I sat down with Anna in Columbus, OH, USA the weekend of Ohio Star Ball, after long hours of driving from Toronto. Anna was there to support Valentin who was competing in Pro-AM and their students. We spent the weekend together and I got to hear about the intensity of being a young female dancer in Ukraine, talking about her teachers and how at 27 she started working with Vibeke and Donnie Burns and understood the important of learning the basics. Anna and Valentin have won the Pro Canadian Latin Couple 5 times before moving into teaching and competing in television shows like Revolution in Canada. Anna cares most about listening to your body, taking care of your mental health and happiness. They have a new dance studio in Toronto called “Casita” to build a home to dancers to flourish and reach their potential. I hope you enjoy our episode! Show Links: 1. Mondans Socials: Get better at ballroom and latin with our masterclasses, courses and camp lectures: Link Watch Beyond (A Dance TV Show): Link 2. Guest Links: | |||
| Episode 39: Anastasia Novikova - 2x world champion, latin champion and designer: the life of a dancer with constant moves, growth and finding the right partner | 16 Apr 2025 | 00:27:37 | |
I sat down with Anastasia (or Nastya as friends call her) right after breakfast and before a long day of private lessons, groups and rounds. We chatted about her start in dance and all the moves she had to make. In the process she found skills that led her to setup LOAD - a brand that creates unique dance pieces that you could wear off the dancefloor. We go into life in HK for a dancer, their routines to being in top shape to compete worldwide year round. | |||
| 38: Kim Kong - Ultra Angel, Fire Dancer, Aerial Performer teaching young dancers how to book jobs in Miami and worldwide, secrets of the festival and club industry and dancing for top DJs | 16 Mar 2025 | 00:44:20 | |
Kim was introduced to me by a dear friend who I asked “who’s the best dancer you know in Miami?”. I met Kim at her aerial gym, training for a new act for Art Basel Miami. She took time to share her path to getting booked internationally for the top festivals and parties; from training, to finding what moves you to actionable steps (that’s we’ll share soon as a full course) to getting booked and building a portfolio that gives you the ability to get booked daily if you wanted to. So many dancers today are looking for new ways to make money and performances are a great way to supplement your income, become better known and raise your stock, plus you meet a lot of amazing people in the meantime. And let’s be honest, dance is so beautiful that we need to share it with audiences. It was a pleasure talking to Kim, hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Show Links: MUVU's Instagram - Kim's Performance Course Dance Sport & Life + Mondans Socials: Instagram & Podcast instagram Get better at ballroom and latin with our masterclasses, courses and camp lectures: Link Watch Beyond (A Dance TV Show): Link | |||
| 37: Veronika Voskalchuk - World Showdance Champion (Barbie, Chardonnay, Hallelujah), Studio Owner, Improv Queen, Businesswoman and Argentine Tango Lover | 28 Feb 2025 | 00:37:35 | |
Veronika trained her whole life to become who she is today, and she’s only getting started. She started dancing as a child in St Petersburg, Russia, choosing dance over music and after graduating from college with degrees in dance and choreography she dove into competing, showdance and adding new styles to her repertoire. Today she runs Danceflow dance studio in Miami with her husband and partner, Alexander and they’re growing a community of dance lovers and professionals while falling in love with improv, showdance and lately Argentine tango. I loved this conversion and I hope you will too. The episode was made possible by our sponsor, Gymdesk. If you are like Veronika and run a studio, you understand the stress that comes with all the admin, while trying to add new customers. Our friends at Gymdesk are giving you a 30 day free trial (no credit card needed) plus they’ll help you migrate from your old system [or no system yikes]. Streamline your billing, automate your marketing, manage memberships and bookings - all in one system. Our Sponsor: Gymdesk (Gymdesk.com for a 30 day free trial) Show Links: Veronika and Alexander's Facebook Dance Sport & Life + Mondans Socials: Instagram & Podcast instagram Get better at ballroom and latin with our masterclasses, courses and camp lectures: Link Watch Beyond (A Dance TV Show): Link | |||