Dance Med Spotlight

We dive into the world of dance medicine and science. Our goal is to provide valuable insights & practical knowledge to established professionals, individuals interested in working with dancers, and the dance community as a whole. Tune in to Dance Med Spotlight for amazing conversations with experts, dance industry professionals, & dance community members. Host: Alyssa Arms

67 episodes

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Episodes 67

Marisa Hollingsworth – Presenting Denver
2mo ago
In this episode of Dance Med Spotlight, Dr. Alyssa sits down with Marisa Hollingsworth, Executive and Artistic Director of Presenting Denver, to discuss her journey through the dance world and her work supporting artists and organizations throughout Colorado’s performing arts community. We explore her journey from professional dancer to arts leader and advocate for Colorado’s dance community. Marisa shares her experiences training and performing with companies including Ballethnic Dance Company and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, and how those formative years shaped her approach to leader
Bethany Shum – Flexibility Matters
3mo ago · 49:10
In this episode of Dance Med Spotlight, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS joined by London-based physiotherapist and performing arts medicine specialist Bethany Shum. Bethany is the founder of Flexibility Matters Physio and works with performers at the National Centre for Circus Arts. Her work spans circus artists, dancers, cheerleaders, and other high-level performers navigating the demands of flexibility, strength, and performance. In this conversation, we dive into: How to differentiate between training-related soreness and pain that may signal a problem The “no pain, no gain” mindset in perfor
Shane Wuerthner – Athletistry
5mo ago
This episode features a conversation with Shane Wuerthner, a former professional ballet dancer turned coach and educator who is passionate about bridging the gap between classical ballet and modern sports science. Hosted by Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS. After a 12-year international career, Shane now helps dancers train smarter and stay healthier. Instead of pushing harder or stretching more, he focuses on helping dancers understand how their bodies work. As the founder of Athletistry, he brings together ballet, strength training, anatomy, and mindset. In this episode, we talk about how dance
Kristen Schuyten – The Performing Arts PT
5mo ago · 44:01
On this episode of Dance Med Spotlight, host Dr. Alyssa Arms is joined by Dr. Kristen Schuyten, PT, DPT, MS, SCS, CSCS — board-certified sports physical therapist, strength and conditioning specialist, and educator. Dr. Schuyten serves as a Clinical Specialist at MedSport through Michigan Medicine, works with the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, sits on the University of Michigan Concussion Center Faculty Council, lectures in the Department of Dance, volunteers as a physiotherapist for the U.S. Figure Skating National Team, and is the owner of PerformWell PLLC. With 20
Dance Med Spotlight: Top Episodes of 2025 & All-Time Favorites
8mo ago · 23:28
As we close out 2025 and begin the new year, it’s time to reflect on the conversations that shaped 2025—and revisit the episodes that continue to resonate year after year. If you’re new here, Dance Med Spotlight is where we bridge the gap between dancers, teachers, healthcare providers, and anyone who supports dancers along the way. Hosted by Dr. Alyssa Arms, this podcast creates space for evidence-informed, dancer-centered conversations that matter. This year, we covered everything from trauma-informed teaching to systemic change, hypermobility, and sustainable strength training. Today’s post
Rosa Pasculli & Emma Faulkner – Dance/USA
8mo ago · 1:01:30
On this episode of Dance Med Spotlight, host Dr. Alyssa Arms is joined by Dr. Rosa Pasculli and Dr. Emma Faulkner for a conversation centered on the Dance/USA Task Force on Dancer Health and its growing impact on the dance community. In this conversation, they explain what Dance/USA is and why the Task Force was created. They also share how its resources support dancers, dance educators, and healthcare providers. In addition, they explore cross-training and strength training for dancers and address common myths that still exist in dance culture. Throughout the episode, Rosa and Emma emphasize
Ann Hunt – Colorado Dance Education Organization (CoDEO)
8mo ago · 36:51
In this episode of Dance Med Spotlight, host Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS, turns the focus to the Colorado Dance Education Organization (CoDEO). CoDEO President Ann Hunt joins the conversation to share how the organization supports dance educators, students, and programs across the state. CoDEO is a statewide nonprofit that focuses on advocacy, community-building, and accessible dance education. During the episode, Ann explains how CoDEO serves public schools, private studios, higher education programs, and community organizations. She also introduces the annual CoDEO conference, which brings
Cara Dixon – Relative Motion Dance
9mo ago · 54:05
In this episode of Dance Med Spotlight, host Dr. Alyssa Arms talks with Cara Dixon, co-founder and director of Relative Motion. Cara is a dance educator, adjudicator, and choreographer who blends movement, anatomy, and artistry in her teaching. Relative Motion was created to bridge the gap between dance and anatomy. Cara shares how her team helps dancers build strength, alignment, and longevity through better body awareness. Their approach makes anatomy easy to see and understand — not just something to memorize. In this conversation, Cara explains how anatomical concepts are woven into dance
Marissa Schaeffer – FlySpace Physical Therapy
10mo ago · 50:55
In this episode of Dance Med Spotlight, host Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS sits down with Dr. Marissa Schaeffer, a physical therapist, educator, and founder of FlySpace Physical Therapy in New York City. Marissa blends clinical expertise, business acumen, and deep understanding of the performing arts to create sustainable systems that support both performers and performing arts clinicians. A graduate of SUNY Purchase College Conservatory of Dance, Marissa combines her dance background with her expertise as a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), Certified Strength and Condition
Sarah Needham-Beck – The Science of Dance
11mo ago · 51:42
In this episode of Dance Med Spotlight, host Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS is joined by Dr. Sarah Needham-Beck, PhD, FIADMS—a lecturer and researcher in Dance Science and Applied Physiology at the University of Chichester, freelance consultant, and board member for IADMS. Dr. Beck brings her expertise in applied physiology and quantitative research to the conversation, focusing on how dancers, educators, and companies can use data to support training and performance. Rather than viewing research as restrictive, she encourages embracing it as a supportive tool that enhances both health and arti
Alexandra Beller – Somatic Awareness in Dance
12mo ago · 1:05:54
The post Alexandra Beller – Somatic Awareness in Dance appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Sarah Tyndall – Restore Reform PT
1y ago · 57:13
The post Sarah Tyndall – Restore Reform PT appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Chelsea Pierotti – Passion for Dance
1y ago · 49:28
The post Chelsea Pierotti – Passion for Dance appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Linda Bluestein – Hypermobility MD
1y ago · 56:55
The post Linda Bluestein – Hypermobility MD appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Maria Haralambis – The Dance Scientist
1y ago · 50:53
The post Maria Haralambis – The Dance Scientist appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Kendall Baab – Train with Kendall
1y ago · 51:22
The post Kendall Baab – Train with Kendall appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Jeffrey A. Russell – Dance Medicine & Injury Care
1y ago · 52:02
The post Jeffrey A. Russell – Dance Medicine & Injury Care appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Matthew Wyon – The Science of Dance Performance
1y ago · 52:58
The post Matthew Wyon – The Science of Dance Performance appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Galit Friedlander – Pro Dancer & Personal Trainer
1y ago · 1:00:48
The post Galit Friedlander – Pro Dancer & Personal Trainer appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Courtney Adair – Trauma-Informed Dance Instruction
1y ago · 1:02:24
The post Courtney Adair – Trauma-Informed Dance Instruction appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Rachel Hennin – Headliners Dance Championship
1y ago · 37:28
The post Rachel Hennin – Headliners Dance Championship appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Sheyi Ojofeitimi – Alvin Ailey & Dance Ready Project
1y ago · 53:55
The post Sheyi Ojofeitimi – Alvin Ailey & Dance Ready Project appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Top Podcast Episodes of 2024 & All Time
1y ago · 38:49
The post Top Podcast Episodes of 2024 & All Time appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Monika Saigal – Nourishing Dance
1y ago · 55:55
The post Monika Saigal – Nourishing Dance appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.
Terry Hyde – Counselling for Dancers
1y ago · 1:00:53
The post Terry Hyde – Counselling for Dancers appeared first on Back In Step Physical Therapy.

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Dance Med Spotlight

Episodes 67

Marisa Hollingsworth – Presenting Denver

Bethany Shum – Flexibility Matters

Shane Wuerthner – Athletistry

Kristen Schuyten – The Performing Arts PT