Guest: Sara Kercho
Hosted by: Kelli Woodruff

Great dance teams are built on more than technique, choreography, and clean routines. They’re built by developing the whole dancer.

In this episode, Kelli sits down with Sara Kercho, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate under the supervision of Laura Wright, LPC-S, and the founder of Mentally Here. We talk about the things happening beyond the eight counts—team connection, confidence, leadership, performance pressure, and preventing burnout.

With a background as a dancer, former dance team director, TCU Showgirl, and MA Dance staff member, Sara understands the unique demands of the dance and drill team world. She now brings that experience, along with her counseling background, to help dancers and teams grow from the inside out.

In this episode:

• Why developing the person behind the dancer matters
• Simple, tangible team-building activities directors can use
• Creating connection and a positive team culture
• Developing officers and social officers into stronger leaders
• Helping dancers navigate pressure, comparison, and self-doubt
• Practical tools for building confidence and handling mistakes
• Recognizing burnout in dancers—and directors
• Knowing when to push, when to mix things up, and when everyone may just need a break

Connect with Sara & Mentally Here

Website:mentallyherecommunity.com
Instagram: @mentallyherecommunity
Email: mentallyherecommunity@gmail.com

As a new season gets underway, there’s no better time to be intentional about the culture you’re creating and the dancers you’re developing—both on and off the floor.

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Instagram: @LightsLinesLeadershipPodcast

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