In honor of Autism Awareness Day, this episode explores how dance can be a powerful tool for social connection, focus, and self-expression for individuals with autism. I share my journey of developing a dance program that helped children on the spectrum improve social skills, reduce repetitive behaviors, and engage in meaningful movement. Plus, hear how our dancers competed on a global stage—representing the USA and taking 2nd place at the World Latin Dance Cup!

What You’ll Learn:

• Shift focus on how you view dance
• How dance supports social and behavioral development in individuals with autism
• The connection between movement and focus
• The power of structured dance programs in behavioral therapy

Join the Conversation:

Have thoughts on today’s episode? Let’s connect on Instagram [@fulloutaubs] or aubreyares.com, and keep the discussion going! 🎙️💙

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a personal perspective on the growing influence of technical dance elements—like turns, leaps, and acrobatic tricks—within the Latin dance competition scene.

We’ll dive into:

• Infusing Technical Abilities – How styles like ballet, jazz, and contemporary are being incorporated into salsa and bachata, and the challenges that come with it.
• The Execution vs. Crowd Reaction Debate – Are we rewarding difficulty over proper technique?
• Acrobatics in Latin Dance – The rise of tricks like front handsprings and why proper training is essential.
• A Call to Dancers & Promoters – Encouraging dancers to seek technical training and urging competition organizers to bring in well-rounded adjudicators.

This episode isn’t about giving definitive answers—it’s about sparking thought and discussion. How do we maintain the integrity of our Latin styles while embracing technical evolution? Let’s talk about it!

Today’s episode is extra special because I’m taking you behind the scenes of something deeply personal—the story of how I built my company, EMDC.

If you had told 23-year-old me that I’d be here today—leading a company that has impacted many dancers, won championships, and built a dance family that keeps growing—I probably wouldn’t have believed you.

Because the truth is? EMDC wasn’t part of some grand master plan.

It started with a leap of faith, a team of dancers who believed in me, and an unshakable passion for creating a space where dancers could train, grow, and be empowered through movement.

But this journey hasn’t been easy. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve faced burnout. I even stepped away from the company at one point, unsure if I’d ever come back.

Yet, through every challenge, EMDC has evolved. And today, we’re not just still standing—we’re thriving.

In this episode, I want to share my origin story—the wins, the struggles, the lessons—and most importantly, why I believe you can do this too.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How EMDC started as a two-month project that turned into a thriving company
• The pivotal moment that pushed me to take a leap of faith
• The core values that have shaped EMDC’s culture and success
• The struggles of leadership, burnout, and stepping away
• How EMDC continued to grow—even in my absence
• Why believing in your vision (even when it feels uncertain) is key to long-term success