This one's a big conversation.

Bec sits down with Cara Dixon from Relative Motion to talk about something we're all feeling… but maybe not saying out loud.

The tricks.
The extremes.
The Instagram pressure.
The comp cycle that just keeps escalating.

We love seeing dancers achieve incredible things. We love excellence. But at what point are we pushing bodies beyond what's safe… for a trophy that won't even make it onto a resume?

Cara shares her journey from professional performer and faculty teacher to creating Relative Motion — a colour-based strength and alignment system that helps dancers actually understand their technique (instead of just forcing their bodies into shapes).

And wow… this conversation goes deep.

If you've ever felt stuck between:

Wanting your dancers to win

Wanting parents to be happy

Wanting to protect growing bodies

And wanting to prepare kids for real careers…

This episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.

💛 Inside this episode:

• Why just because a dancer can do a trick… doesn't mean they should
• The long-term damage that can happen when alignment is off (even by an inch)
• What judges really struggle with when it comes to choreography vs technique
• Why competition wins don't equal career preparation
• The importance of pelvic alignment (yes, we go there!)
• How to break bad muscle memory — even in older dancers
• Why teacher training is the real game-changer in studio growth
• How to lead with boundaries in a highly competitive environment

There's so much honesty in this one. And so much permission to think differently.

If you've been feeling the pressure of "more tricks, younger, higher, faster" — this conversation will ground you again.

And if you're coming to Expo this year, Cara will be there teaching — and you'll definitely want to experience Relative Motion in person.

Have a listen and let us know what lands for you 💛

https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/

School holidays are done, the kids are back at school… and if you're anything like us, you're equal parts relieved and READY.

In this episode, Amanda and Nath chat about how to squeeze a bit more magic out of that January/Feb enrolment momentum, even if you feel like you've "missed the window" (spoiler: you haven't).

If you've got inquiries sitting in your inbox, ex-students in your database, or a few classes that are looking a bit… empty, this one's your gentle kick up the bum to do a quick enrolment push that actually works.

Episode Highlights:

• Your database is a pot of gold. Cold leads, warm leads, ex-students - don't waste it.
• Keep emails short + punchy. Parents are time-poor and skimming everything.
• Use "you're not too late" messaging to remove that big mental barrier.
• Make the call-to-action frictionless: "Reply YES" beats "fill in this 12-step form."
• Follow up more than once (like… 5–6 times) and across different channels.
• Pick up the phone! Calls + texts can convert fast when parents finally have headspace.
• Check your basics: website timetable, contact links, IG bio links (no "2024 timetable" please 😭).
• Use your community + ask for referrals (personal 1:1 convos work best).
• Bonus: Google reviews can be an easy "quiet enrolment booster" too.

🎧 Listen in and choose just ONE thing to implement this week, then give it an hour and watch what happens!

https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/

What do you get when you mix a cyclone, a lost hot pink suitcase, and two powerhouse studio owners in outback Queensland? One heck of a podcast episode!

This week, Bec travels (via bumpy plane and shed-sized airport) to Moranbah to visit the amazing duo behind Pulse Performing Arts - Bek and Kat. What started as a prize visit for their Open Week success turns into a hilarious and heartfelt deep dive into regional studio life.

They talk about...

• Getting stuck in a literal cyclone (with no clothes!)
• What it's really like living and running a studio in a rural town
• Why they were ready to close their doors - and what changed everything
• The challenges of staffing, student retention, and community perception
• How they tripled class numbers with zero local dance competition
• The power of community (and how they built one beyond their postcode)
• Mindset shifts that turned them from teachers into business owners

If you've ever felt isolated in your studio journey, this one's for you. Regional or not, you'll walk away with fresh perspective, a good giggle, and maybe even a new plan.

🎁 Special Offer: Love what you're hearing? Podcast listeners get 2 weeks free in the Dance Principles United Tribe: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/

In this episode of the Dance Principles United podcast, Amanda and Nathan sit down with some epic studio owners - Nicky, Chelsea, & Maree - for a heart-to-heart about the turning points that shaped them.

We're talking court dates, financial messes, syllabus overhauls, and ego checks... with a whole lot of laughter and love sprinkled in.

This episode is a warm hug for anyone who's ever cried behind the desk or questioned if they're cut out for studio life. Because guess what? You are.

In this chatty, feel-good ep:

• Why being a little bit vulnerable with your studio families can actually build trust
• The rock-bottom moments that sparked massive growth (yes, even court appearances 😳)
• Chelsea's big syllabus shake-up—and how it led to less stress and more joy
• How knowing your studio values helps attract the right families
• Letting go of perfection and embracing your real strengths
• A beautiful reminder that students often return... when they've felt safe and seen by you
• Maree's $49 turning point (hello, full-circle moment!)
• A sneak peek into everyone's 2026 studio dreams 🌈

This is one of those episodes where you'll laugh, nod, and maybe tear up a little. It's real. It's raw. And it's just what you might need today.

🎁 Special offer for our podcast fam Get 1 week FREE inside our Dance Principles United Tribe. Just hit the link: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/

Oh boy, have we got a treat for you this week! Amanda & Nathan are joined on the couch (literally!) by three fabulous studio owner friends - Nicky, Chelsea and Maree - for a heart-filled, hilarious and totally unfiltered chat about the real life of running a dance studio.

From vomit mid-speech to fireworks triggering sprinklers, this episode is packed with the kind of chaos only a dance studio owner would understand. It's messy, it's honest, and it'll make you feel oh-so-seen.

In this episode:

• Nicky's nightmare concert moment with a rogue phone charger (!)
• Chelsea's on-the-grass karaoke school fete save
• Maree's indoor firework fail (yes, water sprinklers included)
• Amanda's flashbacks to fire alarm chaos at Nationals
• The vulnerable truth about burnout and breakdowns
• Studio-owner fails we still cringe over (and what we learned)

✨ PSA: You are not alone in the madness. Tune in for the laughs, stay for the therapy.

🎉 Special Offer: Get 1 week FREE in the Dance Principles United Tribe! Join our amazing community of studio owners: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/

Amanda and Bec are keeping it real: their studios finally hit that $1 million‑a‑year milestone: not by doing more, but by doing less. In this episode, they dive into the six surprising habits they had to quit so their businesses could flourish, and you can too. Think ditching the endless "wishlist" requests, pushing past word‑of‑mouth, and choosing vision over people‑pleasing.

What you'll take away:

• Stop being everything to everyone - Clarity over chaos is the name of the game.
• Word‑of‑mouth isn't enough - Invest in marketing, ads, and systems that scale.
• Coaching isn't optional - Business skills don't come from passion alone.
• Don't sweat small stuff - Quick action saves time, headspace, and sanity.
• Stop playing small - Believe you are a business, not "just a dance teacher."
• Love your littles (not just your elites) - Make your preschoolers the future, not an afterthought.

If you'd love to join a community that lifts you while building your business, go grab two free weeks in Dance Principles United Tribe: https://www.danceprincipalsunited.com/offers/4znu2MFP/checkout

Let's be honest: concerts these days need to do more than dazzle on stage. In this episode, Amanda and Bec are diving into how your end-of-year concert can (and should!) be a retention powerhouse, a marketing machine, and a profitable part of your studio year - all without sending your parents into meltdown mode.

They unpack what today's parents actually want (hint: it's not 15 makeup changes and a Pinterest-worthy updo), and how you can make your concert experience smoother, simpler, and more joyful for everyone.

If you've ever found yourself juggling costume chaos, payment overloads, or concerts that run longer than a Lord of the Rings marathon… this one's for you.

What we cover:

• Why concerts should be built for marketing, retention, and profit (not just your creative flair)
• The reason parents don't want six tiny costume payments spread out over months
• How to simplify your concert offerings and make parents breathe a sigh of relief
• The power of the opt-out model to boost participation
• How to ditch complicated makeup and shoe requirements (please!)
• A practical new approach to costume pricing (that still looks fab on stage)
• Why studio owners should go and watch other concerts for fresh eyes
• Real talk about the TikTok-attention-span reality we're all facing

🎧 Pop in your earbuds, grab that cold coffee, and let's reimagine your concert season, minus the overwhelm.

👉 Got concert chaos? Let's sort it inside The Tribe! https://www.danceprincipalsunited.com/offers/4znu2MFP/checkout

In this week's episode, Bec sits down with Robyn Parras - founder of Prodigy Performing Arts and Dance Apprentice - to unpack her studio journey from a boutique brand to a thriving hub of dance, confidence, and culture. They dive into rebranding, insane growth (from ~250 students to nearly 800!), building a purpose‑driven space, and why teacher training is one of the biggest studio game changers out there.

Robyn's Origin Story

• How her studio transformed from Rock the Block to Prodigy - and why the name matters

• Why she constantly reminds herself of her "why" (especially when selling her studio in her head )

Growth, Mindset & Marketing

• The real formula behind sustainable studio growth

• Why mindset + strategic marketing made all the difference for Robyn

Rebranding & Renovation

• How Robyn built a brand‑new studio in four weeks (yes, really)

• Why first impressions matter - and how environment impacts enrolments

Teacher Training That Works

• Why assistant teachers can make or break your studio

• How Dance Apprentice trains teachers properly - not just "putting them in a room"

• Real talk about culture, care, and classroom confidence

Key Takeaways:

1. Your brand story has power - tell it!

2. Growth isn't accidental - it's strategic and intentional.

3. A beautiful studio space = confidence from families.

4. Teachers are culture. Invest in them early and often.

5. Training isn't a "nice‑to‑have" - it's essential.

6. Assistant teachers can lift so much off your plate.

7. Don't underestimate ongoing professional development.

Special Offer: Podcast listeners get ONE WEEK FREE of the Dance Principles United Tribe! Head to the link in these show notes to join us: https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/