I’m writing this article because I was asked to contribute something for the program of the 2020 USA Dance National Collegiate Dancesport Championships. I’ve been out of the collegiate ballroom scene for several years now, but the time I spent there is still some of the most important and formative of my life. I learned …
Today I’m talking about books. It’s not because I want to brag (that’s just a nice side-effect) about the titles I’ve read, but because enough friends have asked me about what I’ve been reading this year that it seemed like a good idea to write it all out, both to make sure I wasn’t forgetting …
My newest project, Feather Three, has been an incredible undertaking, and I’m excited to begin sharing some of the lessons I’ve learned thus far!
For my next few posts, I’d like to explore some of the mantras (mental models, if you will) that I’ve been using to improve my performance as a Jack and Jill dancer over the past few months. This is not to say that I’m perfect at Jack and Jill’s – far from it! – but …
I often get asked why I started dancing. That question is fairly easy: My good friend Jack dragged me out of my dorm room to an intro event for the University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club during freshman year with the promise that “There will be girls there!” How could I say no? The rest …
Let me pose a scenario to you, and you tell me if you’ve ever experienced it before: You’ve contacted one of your favorite pros for a lesson. It’s going to be amazing, and you’ve got a list of questions and concepts that you’d like for them to go over. Your usual teacher is enthused that …
All Dance Lessons are Wrong, but Some are Useful Read More »
I’m always curious about how successful people get their edge. What habits and routines make them successful? I’m especially interested in morning routines, as these seem to be some of the most consistent across high-performers. After reading about many people’s habits in Tools of Titans and Tribe of Mentors (both by author Tim Ferriss) I …
Here’s a slice of truth pie: You’re probably not doing enough drills. To clarify, when I say ‘you,’ I’m talking to both the literal you, my reader, and the figurative you that I use when I’m trying to self-coach. Like, “Joel, get your sh-… stuff together and do what you need to do!” Drills = …
It’s almost 2018! All hail the new year’s lads and lasses. Or something like that. The mass purchasing of new calendars always seems to put people into hopeful and ambitious moods. Gym memberships balloon past actual service limits and lofty new resolutions are cheerily volleyed over beers as people anticipate the good fortunes of a …
I vividly remember the first time I ever tried to do a body roll: Positioning myself in front of the mirror at a 45 degree angle I put on my best cool face and prepared to unleash a sexy, fluid motion that would blow everyone’s mind. Totally prepared, I executed it perfectly! Except that I …
The Road to Awesome Goes Straight Through Awkward Read More »