It is with tons of pride and pleasure that I introduce The Whole Dancer Ambassadors! These gorgeous women all have a huge passion for spreading the positivity they’ve experience through The Whole Dancer. I am so grateful to each of them for their kind words and feel so lucky to work with them in this new endeavor.
Suzy Halstead
Find Suzy on Instagram suzyhalstead
I’m 25, living in London after finishing 10 months in Stockholm, Sweden with Phantom of the Opera. I loved being out there, and previously I was on the World Tour of the show, but after 4 cities and 2 languages, I really want to try something else. The ultimate goal would be going back to a ballet company and learning lots of different rep. I really miss that.
Being an Ambassador for the Whole Dancer is such a privilege. I reached out to Jess when I really didn’t know what else to do. It honestly was hard at first. I thought if I was speaking to someone about diet I was admitting some sort of defeat.
But The Dancer’s Best Body Program has been the most informative, useful course and with Jess being available any time has just been so amazing. I feel I have support 24/7, Jess answers everything, and I feel I can quite honestly talk to her about anything.
I hope more people see how important it is to have knowledge about all things dietary, whatever route you go down and also see that so much of it isn’t actually the food we eat. There is so much more behind living healthily.
Sophie Richardson
Find Sophie on Instagram @dancingdreams25
My name is Sophie, I’m 19 and I am super excited to be an Ambassador for The Whole Dancer! I trained full-time at Ballet West UK over the past 2 years, where I was lucky enough to tour Scotland dancing Swan Lake and The Nutcracker with Ballet West company.
I eventually realized that my passion lies more in teaching ballet, rather than wanting to dance in a company. In September, I will be moving to London to study Ballet Education at the Royal Academy of Dance, in the hope of one day being able to teach ballet abroad, or own a ballet school. My goals revolve around sharing my passion for ballet, and helping other people to achieve their potential!
I first discovered The Whole Dancer in late 2016, when I participated in The Dancer’s Best Body Program. It really helped me to gain clarity in my career plans and goals, especially during an important transition time as I began to re-evaluate my goals within the dance industry.
The Dancers’ Best Body program was amazing in teaching me the skills needed to survive a long, challenging touring schedule, whilst also helping me to appreciate what my body is capable of, rather than constantly comparing myself to other people.
The mentoring from Jess was invaluable in giving me the courage to make important decisions regarding my career. Jess also helped me to achieve my potential in class by being totally equipped with the physical and psychological tools needed to perform at my best.
To me, being a ‘Whole Dancer’ means being in a mindset which allows me to feel liberated and empowered by ballet- rather than being trapped in the perfectionistic ‘bunhead mentality’, which had previously led to me feeling isolated and defeated by ballet.
I used to define my entire identity through my successes- or failures- as a dancer, but now I realize that I can be more than simply a dancer, I can be a teacher, choreographer, poet, cat-lover, bibliophile, and adventurer.
I have definitely learned how to holistically nurture myself as a person as well as an artistic athlete, so that I am as strong as possible not only physically but also psychologically, ready to embrace new challenges both in the studio and onstage, in my mission to make ballet accessible to, and enjoyable for, everyone!
Chantelle Meyers
Find Chantelle on Instagram @chantelle.may.meyers
Hi my name is Chantelle, I’m 20 years old. At the moment I am between seasons with a French touring ballet company, so I am just taking classes with various teachers in Sydney [Australia], and travelling to Brisbane for coaching with Claudia Dean. My career goals are to solidify my technique, develop finesse and artistry, lengthen and define my muscles, and get a job in a more permanent company.
I am excited to be an ambassador because Jess has been the only health professional who has actually helped me (I have had multiple bad experiences with other sports nutritionists and doctors). I feel as if I now have the tools to become a better dancer, both mentally and physically.
Now I’m working on trying to use those “tools” everyday, so that I can really achieve my goals. Because I am so grateful for what she has done for me, I am excited to represent her brand. To me, being a Whole Dancer is someone who is in a balanced state of mind and knows (and does) what is right for their body – I.e. They know how to eat to maintain a lean, healthy, energized body, take time to de stress, self care, etc., maintain a healthy balance with their dancing, cross- training, family, social, etc., and is committed to achieving their goals.
What I love about The Whole Dancer is that all of the programs are designed specifically for dancers, which is amazing!
Jessica Cobb
Find Jessica on Instagram @jessicaleighcobb
My name is Jessica Cobb, I am 22 years old and currently dancing with Columbia Classical Ballet. It is such an honor to be a Whole Dancer ambassador. Being able to spread The Whole Dancers’ positive, encouraging message with people is so exciting. I love the amazingly supportive community Jess has created, and it so incredible to be a part of it.
Finding The Whole Dancer has honestly changed my career. The knowledge and confidence that I gained in The Dancer’s Best Body Program was priceless. Any dancer looking for more information about themselves, whether it be how to fuel themselves, how to get more motivated, or how to give their body the respect it deserves, needs The Whole Dancer! I am clearly very passionate, but I think everyone that gets to work with Jess feels the exact same way.
To me being a “whole dancer” is taking care of every aspect of yourself: mind, body, and soul. We all know it’s important to stretch your feet and do your abs, but it’s also so important to take the time to experience life in other ways.
Some things I enjoy: going out for a walk on a beautiful day, reading a good book, or binge watching my favorite Netflix show (we all do it ;)). It’s also important to cultivate other activities that you enjoy outside of dance. Some of my favorites being painting classes, bowling and taking the time to explore cool places with my fiancé in every new city that we move to. When you are not a rounded person or a “whole dancer” you miss out on so many aspects of yourself that you could be bringing to your art.
