Episodes

Join our host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS, with today’s guest, Terry Hyde! Our Guest: Terry Hyde This episode of Dance Med Spotlight features Terry Hyde, a UK-based psychotherapist and former professional dancer. Terry shares his journey from performing with top ballet companies to helping dancers with their mental health. Key topics include: Terry’s transition from dancer to psychotherapist and how his unique experiences shape his approach. The role of neurodiversity in dance and how it...

Join our host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS, with today’s guest, Caitlin Sloan! Our Guest: Caitlin Sloan Today, we’re joined by Caitlin Sloan, founder and CEO of The Brainy Ballerina. Caitlin is a former ballet dancer who now mentors dancers in building sustainable, fulfilling careers. Through The Brainy Ballerina, she helps dancers gain skills and confidence to define success on their own terms. Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: Caitlin’s Path – Caitlin shares her journey from profe...

Join our host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS, with today’s guest, Melissa Buffer, MSPT, CNPT! Our Guest: Melissa Buffer In this episode, we’re thrilled to sit down with Melissa Buffer, MSPT, CNPT ,a dual business owner and performing arts physical therapist with nearly 20 years of experience. Melissa runs a cash-based PT clinic and the Artistic Athlete Health Collective, working out of Cambridge, MA, and providing care onsite at studios, theaters, and schools. Her passion for supporting perfor...

On the latest episode of Dance Med Spotlight, guest Dr. Marisa Hentis, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS joins our host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS to discuss her work as a leader in performing arts physical therapy and faculty member at the University of Southern California (USC). Our Guest: Marisa Hentis Dr. Hentis leads the BFA Dance Medicine program at USC, offering wellness screenings, injury assessments, backstage care, and support for dancers during rehearsals, performances, and tours. She directs ...

On the latest episode of Dance Med Spotlight, guest Caitlin Thamm, BHMS, M.Couns. joins our host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS to discuss her work as a former dancer, mental health counsellor, and owner of Dance Care Australia. Our Guest: Caitlin Thamm Today we are excited to welcome Caitlin Thamm, a counselor who specializes in supporting dancers’ mental health and well-being. Caitlin has a unique perspective, having been a dancer herself earlier in her career. After facing some of the chall...

On the latest episode of Dance Med Spotlight, guest Dr. Kendall Alway, PT, DPT joins our host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS to discuss her work as a dance physical therapist, owner of SF performing Arts PT, and create of the PointeSafe program. Our Guest: Kendall Alway Dr. Kendall Alway, PT, DPT is a former ballet dancer turned dance physical therapist and the owner of SF Performing Arts Physical Therapy. Dr. Alway shares her experiences in treating dancers from various genres and skill level...

On the latest episode of Dance Med Spotlight, guest Jason Pickett joins our host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS to discuss his work and experience in the competition dance world. Our Guest: Jason Pickett Jason Pickett is an international adjudicator, choreographer & mentor. He helps dancers get to their next level by discovering what THEY’RE good at. Jason also aims to lessen dancers’ burdens by acknowledging them as full human beings with lives extending beyond the studio walls. A few of the...

On the latest episode of Dance Med Spotlight, guest Tashina King joins our host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS to discuss her work as a mindset coach for dancers. Our Guest: Tashina King Tashina Beckmann-King is an international West Coast Swing Professional paired with 12 years of experience coaching dancers from all over the world on mindset & confidence. ​ Tashina understands the demands of being a performer, coach and judge. Through her tours (including 13 countries) she has coached over...

On the latest episode of Dance Med Spotlight, guest Jason Harrison, CSCS joins our host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS to discuss his work as a strength coach and owner of Present Tense Fitness. Our Guest: Jason Harrison Jason Harrison, CSCS is a strength coach who uses a team sports approach to help prepare professional and preprofessional dancers for the rigors of their art and career. One of Jason’s key priorities is creating a supportive environment where dancers feel comfortable discussin...

On the latest episode of Dance Med Spotlight, guest Dr. Natasha Trujillo, PhD joins our host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS to discuss her work as a counselor and sports psychologist in Colorado. Our Guest: Natasha Trujillo Dr. Natasha Trujillo, PhD is a licensed counseling and sport psychologist who specializes in grief and loss, self-injury, and mental health services for athletes and performers. She has extensive training in individual and group support, mental health training, and performa...

On the latest episode of Dance Med Spotlight, guest Dr. Emily Becker, PT, DPT joins our host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS to discuss her work as a dance physical therapist and owner of Arts and Athletics Physical Therapy in Jacksonville, Florida. Our Guest: Emily Becker Former professional ballerina Dr. Emily Becker, PT, DPT discusses her career transition to becoming a physical therapist, specializing in dance medicine. She shares insights from her experiences dancing professionally and now...

Welcome to Dance Med Spotlight, where we talk about all things dance medicine. Today, our host, Alyssa Arms, is talking with guest Dr. Robert Tsai, PT, DPT. Our Guest: Rob Tsai, Dance|Prehab Rob is a physical therapist for dancers, primarily youth and adolescent dancers. He feels fortunate and privileged to say that life has allowed him to explore his own thing, which is DANCE|PREHAB Physical Therapy & Performance. They collaborate with local dance programs in the OC/LA area in physical therap...

Welcome to Dance Med Spotlight, where we talk about all things dance medicine. Today, our host, Alyssa Arms, is talking with guest Dr. Robert Tsai, PT, DPT. Our Guest: Rob Tsai Rob is a physical therapist for dancers, primarily youth and adolescent dancers. He feels fortunate and privileged to say that life has allowed him to explore his own thing, which is DANCE|PREHAB Physical Therapy & Performance. They collaborate with local dance programs in the OC/LA area in physical therapy support, but...

On the latest episode of Dance Med Spotlight, guest Kirsten Kemp, BFA joins our host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS to discuss her work as the Founder of The Confident Dancer. Our Guest: Kirsten Kemp Mindset coach and former professional dancer Kirsten Kemp discusses how dancers can cultivate self-belief, resilience, and a passion for self-improvement. Her specialty as a coach is helping dancers (especially competitive, pre-pro, or professional dancers) overcome the mental blocks that are nega...

On the latest episode of Dance Med Spotlight, guests Kristin Deiss, MFA and Michelle Loucadoux, MBA join our host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS to discuss their mission to transform dance culture and better support dancer wellbeing through their organization, Dancend. Our Guest: Danscend After struggling to find mental health resources tailored to the dance community during the pandemic, Deiss and Loucadoux saw a need for more accessible tools to help dance educators nurture their students’ e...

Welcome to Dance Med Spotlight, where we talk about all things dance medicine. Today, our host, Alyssa Arms, is talking with guest Dr. Mandy Blackmon, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT/DN. Our Guest: Mandy Blackmon She is head PT at the Atlanta Ballet, co-owner of Atlanta Dance Medicine, and a Senior Instructor for Myopain Seminars, teaching dry needling to a variety of healthcare professionals. Our Topic In this episode, we talk about: Mandy’s background, leading up to what she’s doing in her career now...

Welcome to Dance Med Spotlight, where we talk about all things dance medicine. Today, our host, Alyssa Arms, is talking with guest Dr. Emily Scherb, PT, DPT. Our Guest: Emily Scherb Dr. Emily Scherb, PT, DPT is a physical therapist and owner of The Circus Doc. She is also an educator, author, & researcher. She is a specialist working with circus performers & has been a performer herself. Our Topic In this episode, we talk about: Circus includes more than you might think! Common circus inju...

Welcome to Dance Med Spotlight, where we talk about all things dance medicine. Today, our host, Alyssa Arms, is talking with guest Jasmine Challis, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist. Our Guest: Jasmine Challis She is a freelance Registered Dietitian & Nutritionist, based 40 miles west of London, UK. She’s worked with dancers for many years & wrote to book to help them, along wtih dance teachers & dance scientists. Our Topic In this episode, we talk about: Tips for supporting energy & pe...

Welcome to Dance Med Spotlight, where we talk about all things dance medicine. Today, our host, Alyssa Arms, is talking with guest Leah Bueno, DOMP, COMT, MMP. Our Guest: Leah Bueno Leah Bueno, DOMP, COMT, MMP is an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, Clinical Pilates Instructor and former professional ballet dancer. She specializes in treating dancers with complex overuse/repetitive stress injuries as well as helps dancers understand how they can reach there performance goals safely. In addition...

Welcome to Dance Med Spotlight, where we talk about all things dance medicine. Today, our host, Alyssa Arms, is talking with our amazing guest Jennifer Milner. Our Guest: Jennifer Milner Jennifer is a former ballet and Broadway dancer and current movement specialist and ballet coach. She is a certified Pilates trainer who specializes in working with dancers. After an injury ended her career as a performer, Jennifer turned to Pilates and dance rehabilitation. She works with dancers all over th...

Welcome to Dance Med Spotlight, where we talk about all things dance medicine. Today, our host, Alyssa Arms, is talking with guest Dr. Catherine Vargo, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS. Our Guest: Catherine Vargo Dr. Catherine Vargo, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS is a physical therapist who has made a career of working with dancers across the spectrum of training & genre. She grew up as a dancer & specifically became a PT to be able to take care of fellow dancers. Dr. Vargo is a senior PT at UPMC Sports Medicine, Physic...

Welcome to Dance Med Spotlight, where we talk about all things dance medicine. Today, our host, Alyssa Arms, is talking with guest Kevin Brown, ATC. Our Guest: Kevin Brown In this episode, Alyssa Arms hosts Kevin Brown, ATC, an experienced athletic trainer working with the Louisville Ballet, Louisville Ballet School, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and The Vision Dance Center. Kevin also serves as the President of the Performing Arts Athletic Trainers’ Society (PAATS). With over 20 years in ath...

Welcome to Dance Med Spotlight, where we talk about all things dance medicine. Today, our host, Alyssa Arms, is talking with guest Dr. Sarah Troicky, PT, DPT, ATC. Our Guest: Sarah Troicky Dr. Sarah Troicky is a physical therapist AND athletic trainer, owner of Trinity Physical Therapy and Wellness. She grew up as a competitive dancer and now specializes in working with them in her practice, including on-site or backstage. Our Topic In this episode, we talk about: How dancers can advocate f...

Welcome to Dance Med Spotlight, where we talk about all things dance medicine. Today, we get to learn more about the show’s host, Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS. Our Guest: Alyssa Arms Alyssa Arms is the owner of Back in Step Physical Therapy in Colorado and the creator of the Dance Med Spotlight podcast. She has over 35 years of dance training across a wide variety of styles and still takes classes. She is also a national circuit competitor in West Coast Swing. Outside of her practice working ...