The Squeeze - Alan Bersten: The Power of Communication

Episode Date: November 26, 2025

In this week’s episode, Tay sits down with dancer, choreographer, and Dancing with the Stars pro Alan Bersten! Alan shares everything from how young he was when he first fell in love with dance to the moment he realized he wanted to pursue it professionally. He reflects on his early days on So You Think You Can Dance, how many years he’s now been part of Dancing with the Stars, and what it was like learning how to teach complete non-dancers. Alan also opens up about going public with his relationship with Emma Slater, navigating online opinions, and setting boundaries with social media — especially while working on a show with such a massive digital presence. He talks about partnering with Elaine Hendrix this season, the injury that kept her out of the Halloween episode, his favorite dance of the season, the styles he loves and least loves to teach, and the self-care rituals that help him reset after long rehearsal days. To close, we round out the episode with Lemon 7!Be sure to follow Alan https://instagram.com/alanbersten/!To email us your questions or share your story, you can reach out to [e-mail] sure to rate, review, and follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode! Plus, follow us on all of our socials:The SqueezeInstagram: https://instagram.com/thesqueeze/TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@thesqueezepodcastTay LautnerInstagram: https://instagram.com/taylautner/TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mrstaylautnerAmazon Storefront https://urlgeni.us/amazon/FDXj7 Taylor LautnerInstagram: https://instagram.com/taylorlautner/TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@taylorlautnerTo learn more from The Lemons Foundation, follow https://instagram.com/lemonsbytay/ and visit https://lemonsbytay.comEpisode Sponsors:How to claim your free Hydration Heroes Mini Kit: Go to CLEARSTEM.com, add the Hydration Heroes Mini Kit plus $75 of other CLEARSTEM products to your cart, and enter code SQUEEZEHH at checkout — the kit is yours for free! Offer ends December 2nd.Visit gruns.co and use code SQUEEZE at checkout for up to 52% off your first order.Let yourself run, lift, sculpt, push, and go. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+at onepeloton.com.For a limited time, our listeners are getting a huge 40% OFF their entire order at LolaBlankets.com by using code SQUEEZE at checkout.Get up to 52% off by going to hexclad.com/SQUEEZE #hexcladpartnerMB014GJJJKQV82RSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Production Prep did I saw these questions I wrote it down and I forgot. I think everyone that watched the show on Halloween was like, oh my God, he's so sad. I can't control my emotions at all. I started dancing when I was seven years old. 31 now. Basic math.

24 years. And so I think when like growing up, I was like, oh, I'll probably just teach at the studio and do things I never really expected to be on TV for it. You don't think, oh, I'm going to move to L.A. and dance for a living. Didn't get a real job. I started going to school. I went to the University of Minnesota. Dropped out twice.

Oh, wow. No, we tried, we tried twice. It's incredible. Like, Elaine is so special. Yeah. She works so hard. She brings so much joy and she cares so much. Quality of celebrities, like their dance ability, is so high.

Yeah. They're like, everyone's stepping up their game and the dances are better than ever. I hope so too, because I just ups my chances of me being on the show one day. Sweets up the time, like, because one year I'm like, I'm getting older. My hips hurt a little more. I say things abruptly. Tone wasn't a thing. Like, my intentions are always good, so I'm just going to say it.

Yeah. I grew up, like, if there's a problem, you address it. In my mind, everything can be solved with communication. I know a lot of people are like, oh, it's hard. It is hard, but like, I'm so lucky. I get to go with Emma. I bring my dog, Jeff, and I get a dance every day. To me, it's, like, the best thing ever.

Exactly. They can just, like, hook up a little trailer to your guys's RV. Exactly. RV, what is it called? Bus. Tour bus. Driving around with an RV. Alan, welcome to the squeeze.

Thank you, Taylor. Woo, woo, woo, woo. I'm excited because I've watched it on my TV for a long time. So I'm excited to sit and chat. And I know a lot of your friends that you dance with. Yeah, a lot of them have been here before. I know, I know. We're racking up to Dancing with the Stars roster here.

So this is fun. So we start each episode off this jar. It's a little game called Citrus Got Real. If you want to pull a little piece of paper out of there. Just the paper, not the citrus. Correct, yes. Okay. And read it?

Yes, please. They didn't tell me how to read. If you could watch one TV show for the rest of your life, what would it be? There's so many good ones. I feel like Seinfeld. Oh, okay. I feel like everyone says the office, because it's probably a good one. But I think Seinfeld.

I grew up watching that. It's a very particular sense of humor. Yeah. And it's my type of humor. I need to give it a go. Like, I feel like I watched it when I was younger because it would be on like late night. When like my parents were watching. Yeah.

Yeah. So I feel like I need to like give it a go. You were more of a friends kind of watcher, right? Yeah. Friends. I feel like you were either friends or Seinfeld. Yeah. Were they,

is that because they were like on at the same time? Yeah. Oh, then yeah. Yeah. And I was definitely a Seinfeld. And like the reruns. It's just so good. Yeah.

Are they making it? No. They're not making us. No. Okay. Scrubs though. Did you watch Scrubs? I just,

I didn't, but I actually just saw that. I worked as a nurse and all of these like little things that are like, coming back. I'm like excited. I need to give like medical shows a chance. I've never, I haven't done grays. Well, it's because you know it too well. Yeah. Yeah, I know. Well, apparently, have you seen the pit? Have you heard of that show? No, I've heard about it. I don't like when it's too real. I don't, I don't really like medical shows. Yeah. I mean, I don't take offense to that at all because I don't, I don't really know them. I get scared by like medical things. Yeah, I know.

So I'm, a lot of my nurse friends said that it's good because it's really accurate. but I had like not a fun experience. I worked as a COVID nurse and had a lot of like PTSD stuff from it. So I'm like, is this going to be like horrible or maybe it's like a form of like immersion therapy? Yeah. I'll see if like my EMDR therapy really worked if I watched that show or not. Okay.

Well, I'm excited to kind of learn more about you. I think a great place to start would kind of be, obviously we're going to talk a lot about dance today. But when, how old were you when you started dancing? I started dancing when I was seven years old. Okay. 31 now. So basic math, 24 years.

Was it in the family? Was it something that you wanted to do? How'd that come about? Yeah, no, my parents, I have an older brother and an older sister. And my parents put them into dance, and I just tagged along. Okay. Was it always ballroom or did you do? Yeah, it was only ballroom.

So I grew up in Minnesota. There wasn't many ballroom dance studios. Okay, yeah. So it was kind of rare to begin with. I'm a my parents are Russian and Jewish and so I feel like that Eastern European culture dance ballroom dancing is popular yeah and somehow they found one in Minnesota oh my gosh that's so funny so did you just you just always did that did you do other sports growing up or were you just like no loving dance I loved the dance and my parents

wouldn't let me do other sports because they're like he's going to get hurt oh so I never got to do like I feel like I would have been really good at football yeah Um, so I never got to play other sports. My older brother did play football when he was like 13. Yeah. And he got hurt. So my mom was like, no one's ever playing any sports ever. Yeah.

She was paranoid. Did they let you like ski and snowboard? No. Yeah. I mean, that's not, that's not surprising. To be fair, I don't love the cold. Yeah. But in Minnesota, like skiing and snowboarding is is a big thing.

I never really did it. Yeah. I snowboarded for like the first time like three years ago. It was fun. It was great. Yeah. So I feel like, again, I would have been great.

great at it. Yeah, that's so funny. Did, did you want to make a career out of dance? Or was that something that just kind of like happened? You know, I think, so my family owns a dance studio in Minnesota, and they still do. My brother mainly runs it with his wife. Yeah. And so I think when like growing up, I was like, oh, I'll probably just teach at the studio and, you know, do things I never really expected to be on TV for it or, you know, especially growing up in Minnesota, you don't think, oh, I'm going to move to L.A. and dance for a living. Yeah. So I thought I was like, oh, I love this.

I'll probably keep doing it as an adult, but like have a real job. Yeah. Then didn't get a real job. What do you think your job would have been if you didn't dance? I feel like I've always said like something in business. Okay. I like talking to people. Okay.

So maybe something in business. I don't know. I started going to school. I went to the University of Minnesota. Okay. Dropped out twice. Oh, wow. Yeah.

We tried to second time. So I did it before I did So You Thinking Dance. Okay. I went to the University of Minnesota. And I had to take, I had to leave to do So You Think You Dance. And then we went on tour. My mom was like, try doing online. Like, you're almost there.

I tried and failed. Yeah. Like, that was not for me. Yeah. So. Oh my gosh. That's fine. I mean, at least you tried.

Exactly. You never have to wonder what if, what could have happened. Exactly. If you didn't try again. But I liked, I liked, like, I remember, one class I remember is like persuasion theory. Like, I liked talking and then, and communicating. Are you like, when you have, like, a problem with in a relationship or, like, friendship, are you the person that, like, brings it up to the surface?

then if that's if he yeah you know I think that's just from my childhood I think I grew up as like if there's a problem you address it okay you don't let it linger yeah because like in my mind everything can be solved with communication yeah right like knock on wood I don't think there's ever a problem that's too big yeah that is not solved by candidly and openly and and thoughtfully talking about it yeah you know it's just when people are stubborn or don't want to yeah that's when it becomes an issue. Yeah. So to me,

I'm like, if there's a problem, it's better to address it instead of let it linger. Yeah, that's so good. I was not raised like that at all. And my husband is very good at communicating,

and he, like, is just, like, knows how he's feeling. And that was something, I mean, we've been together for almost eight years,

but that was something I had to learn was that when he was, like, just communicating with me, I was, would get, like, defense mode up and,

like, even still today, I'm like, he knows, like I need a minute to like process because my brain is like, how am I feeling? Like what is actually happening? But I had to learn that. That's just like, we just like need to talk about it.

I think my thing was I had to learn how to, I say things abruptly. Yeah. I used to. Like tone wasn't a thing. Like my intentions are always good. So I'm just, I'm just going to say it. Yeah. As opposed to like how it's going to make somebody feel.

So that's something I really learned is like words. Words can be words, but the tone. behind it is what really people feel about it. Yeah. So that was a big learning curve because like growing up, it was just like say whatever you, whatever you feel. Yeah.

And it's not offensive. Yeah. And that's not reality. Yeah. I feel like communication then, obviously that came natural with Dancing with the Stars and like having a partnership. Is that when you had to learn how to better say?

Yeah. Yeah, I think for sure. Yeah. I think, you know, on Dancing with the Stars, obviously you get so many different types of partners. Yeah. And every year it's a new relationship that you're thrown into. Yeah.

But it's also like my relationships romantically. Yeah. It's just everyone is different. And once you get on the same page, it's a lot easier. Yeah. To talk things through, obviously. And I think the big thing for me, and I think for everyone is like, just because you were raised one way doesn't mean that's the right way.

Yeah. Right. Everyone is different. there is no right way to communicate. Everyone has to find their own way. Yeah. So, like, to me, it wasn't like, we're going to do it my way because this is, you know, it's more of like, oh, what is the best course of action?

Yeah. Yeah. And I think that just took a lot of maturity for me to actually learn that as opposed to just like, hey, let's do this or say something that later regret. Yeah, no, for sure. That's good. The holidays are here, which means treats everywhere, busy schedules, late nights, and a whole lot of festive chaos. But here's the thing.

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And everyone reacted so lovingly. So it really solidified that decision that we made or like made us feel validated in it. Yeah. But it's been great. Yeah. I was going to ask how the, how the response was. Was it all positive? Was there people like trying to stir the pot with it?

Oh, for sure. I think I think in anything people are always going to try to stir the pot. And something that I've learned being on the show is, to just, you know, take everything with a grain of salt, the positivity and the negativity. Yeah. So really just there's going to be comments on both sides always. So just try not to focus on either one too much. Yeah.

Even the positives, sometimes that can make a false positive, you know, like just kind of take everything with a grain of salt. Yeah, I love that. Yeah. How has that been for you over the years? because how long have you been doing the show? I've been on the show. I feel like 11 years. I don't know exactly.

I have to check. I did so you think you can dance first. And I think that was in 2013. Okay. And then I think I joined the show in 2015 maybe. I don't know. Okay. I don't remember exactly.

But it was a learning curve for sure because like when I did so you think you can dance, they made me an Instagram. and TikTok. I didn't have social media. Yeah. You know, I don't think that was like a thing for, yeah. For me in Minnesota, it wasn't like a. Yeah.

I remember like when we were on, so you think you dance, we all got like 10,000 followers. And it was like the 10K. Yeah, yeah. I remember that. And it was like, you know, like it was such a fun big deal, but like none of us really had it. And we were just thrown into this. Yeah. And then the same thing with Dancing with the Star is like, once I got there, it was like, oh.

this social media becomes like a really cool way to connect with millions of people. Yeah. Do you feel like you are able to like kind of silence the noise, especially I feel like in the past few years like since the show has really started to like pick up and it is like I there's just when the show is running, I feel like I'm just every news article is the show. Yeah. It's there is something always there. How do you, do you feel like you have a good boundary?

set with that or how have you kind of like adjusted to that? I think I probably I've adjusted to it, but also like we're so busy during the weeks and during every day. And it's like we don't really have that much time to just scroll on our phones. Yeah. You know, because we're the rehearsing or we're trying to film our own content. And, you know,

there's just so much going on. But yeah, you definitely when I, I try not to scroll too much. Yeah. Just because I will get lost. I love TikTok. Like, yeah.

I can scroll for hours and like time just flies by and I, that's definitely not good. Yeah. But yeah, it's, it's funny seeing all the stuff about dancing on the stars. Yeah. You know, like it's my whole for you page. Yeah. No, literally. And it's so funny because my husband now, I finally got him to watch the show last year was the first one.

Yeah, I remember. I saw you guys at the finale. Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I finally got him to like watch it and be like in it. And now like, like yesterday, like came over. he's like, did you see what Max said? And I'm like, oh my gosh.

Like he's like in, he's in it. Like it's funny seeing all these videos online. There's a few of them like these guys that are like, okay, I'm going to compare the pros to football players. And it's like the quarterbacks. And it's like this person is Russell Wilson. This person is Patrick Mahomes. And it's just like which pro is the quarterback. Yeah.

But it's funny how like guys and girls obviously are watching it. but like they're not afraid to make videos about it now. Yeah. So now it's just become this like huge, huge thing on social media. Yeah. Like the reviews and ratings and what they think they should have done. It's wild. Yeah.

I know. I'm curious to see, because I feel like last season there was a lot of the internet more so was like upset with judges and how things were going. But I feel like this season, it's been like fine so far. I think, I mean, it's, again, I think the algorithm. Like my algorithm is great. So I can't, you know, I only see like positivity. Yeah. But it's, there's a lot.

Yeah. It's a lot. And so I think what's important is to, to again, like I said earlier, just don't be hyper focused on what everyone is saying. Kind of trust yourself. Yeah. And like, yeah, see the positives and take it. See the negatives and take it. But don't hold on to things.

Yeah. No. Because there's definitely so much of both. Yeah. No, there's, it's been, I feel like it's, I feel like I know enough of like the pros peripherally to like, I'm like kind of like watching everything like happen and I'm like so intrigued. Like how are they going to handle this? How is this going to happen? And I feel like it's been great this season. Yeah. So I don't, I feel like I've actually learned a lot this season about don't make me quote it. But like just like the different styles and like how like. you know, what's in frame, what's supposed to, like, it's, I feel like this season's, like, really technical. Yeah, I think the quality of celebrities, like, their dance ability.

Yeah. Is so high that, like, everyone's stepping up their game and the dances are better than ever. And it's a really hard season because of that, like, in a good way. Yeah. Like, everyone has to bring their absolute best every single week. Yeah. And they are. Yeah.

And that's why, like, every elimination is tough. And, like, you. Like, you just, you know, the season is, is exponentially getting better and better. And so you, the judges are more critical about, like, the actual dance styles. And then in turn, the audience learns more. Yeah. So it's good. Yeah.

No, it's been fun. And I feel like this season two, we've really seen, like, how important voting is. Like, it's blown my mind, like, how important that is. Yeah. I think, I think it truly is like a 50-50 thing. I was like, you got to do a good job with the judges, but you really have to appeal to the audience. And, you know, you can't just, you can't rely on just one.

Yeah. That's true. But it's, it's, it's wild. Like, it's, it's amazing. And they're breaking records every single week with voting. Yeah. And the viewership. It's amazing to see it.

Yeah. Because, again, I've been on it for 10 or 11 years. Yeah. And, you know, I was on it before. like Netflix and streaming became a huge thing. Yeah. And then so we would see like the, the ups and downs of it.

And right now it's, it's so popular. Yeah. Which is amazing. Yeah. I know. I can't, I can't even imagine how that feels for like you guys.

Because I grew up watching it with like my Nana. Like I've watched it for a long time. And it's so like fun to see everyone like so involved. And I danced growing up. So obviously like I love like I love watching dance. So, but it's like it's so fun to like see all of that now it is it and I think the best part about the show and I'm sure everyone has told you like the energy there is incredible yeah like everyone

is truly a family they're rooting for each other like everyone's helping each other everyone just wants the best it's so you know I don't know what people think of like what they think it is yeah like if it's so competitive or anything yeah everyone wants to win and be there and be there as long as you can yeah but at the same time everyone's so so supportive that like it's such a good environment. Yeah. I feel like you can feel that. Especially I went to my first live show last year. Like, I don't know. It was like week four or something like that. And I like it felt like I obviously had so much fun watching it. But you could just like feel how like loving and supportive everyone was of everyone and everyone. And everyone's like talking with

everyone. And it was it was really sweet to see. Were you on the show when they, when it was still two seasons a year? Yeah, I think in the very beginning. Okay. Do you want them to bring that back? I wish. Like, it's just another opportunity to, like, go on a journey again, you know? Yeah.

Yeah, it's fun dancing every week, but it's also, like, amazing to, like, meet this new person and connect with them on such a high level and deep level. Yeah. It's wild. I know. It's a lot of fun. So, yeah. If they brought back.

two seasons a year, I would not be opposed. I feel like it would be kind of done with them not to because of the hype that's going. I don't know. I'm thinking that this, I feel like this season will maybe be like the one to like push them over the edge. Yeah. I hope so. I hope so too because that just ups my chances of me being on the show one day. Sweets up the timeline.

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Let's talk about Elaine. Yes. How did you see in the parent trap? Of course. Okay, great. I just had to. I saw it when I was a kid. Yeah, yeah.

I actually just recently rewatched it, probably like the beginning of the year. And it's so good. I rewatched it as well when I found out I was her partner and it's still great. Yeah. How is your partnership with her been? Amazing. Honestly. Like, it's been, again, when you, before you meet somebody, like, I've been on so many seasons.

I'm like, okay, I know that this is, I know what this is. entails. Yeah. So like you don't know exactly what to expect with the individual person, but you're like, oh, I know what this can be. And it's, it's incredible. Like, Elaine is so special. Yeah. She works so hard. She brings so much joy and she cares so much. Yeah. And you can really see the passion in her when she dances. Yeah. So it's like I feel like I got so lucky being partnered with her. That's so sweet. Okay. So what happened on the Halloween show? Yes. Um, she's been struggling with rib injuries, I guess. Her rib hurt from Wicked Night.

And in the middle of the dance, it just, it seized up. And we don't, I don't know exactly what happened. Yeah. But it was, it was very traumatic. And obviously she went to the hospital and wasn't able to dance on Halloween night, which is scary. Yeah. Like, you don't, I didn't know what was going to happen.

Yeah. And, um, had the show done that before? Um, they have. I believe with Corey and Cheryl. Okay. During COVID. Okay. They had, I think, two weeks where one week they showed rehearsal package. Yeah.

And then one week they danced in separate homes. Oh, wow. Yeah. Oh, wow. And it was like, it was, it was interesting. They like filmed both live, but like they were in two different houses. Oh, wow. Because of COVID.

Okay. Okay, so when it happened, obviously, you were like, there's still hope. Yeah, I was like, you know, I think the rules state, like, if you have a good rehearsal, if you have a rehearsal footage of the full dance from start to finish, they'll judge that. Yeah. I didn't realize, I was kind of cool. I loved, like, the production side of things. And it was really cool to, like, I didn't realize they, like, full on, like, film camera blocking. Oh, yeah.

Like, I didn't. Well, that's the first time we're on stage. Okay. So like Mondays are when we try it and we get three times on stage. Yeah. And then on Tuesday, then you go, you rehearse more. So you get time to like perfect it. You find your cameras.

You find everything. Yeah. And then on Monday you do it again two times in the morning. Okay. And then you do a dress rehearsal. And then you do the show. Okay. So it's like that was one of our takes on Monday.

Oh, wow. Where, you know, we're still getting to know the stage and understanding where we are in it. Yeah. And so for her to do that. that well is just because she like it's a testament to her character like just going full out and like yeah really doing it yeah and and thankfully the audience voted us through and you know she killed it even in rehearsals yeah no it was great um i love that they were able to do that yeah um on the note of camera blocking like how how involved are like you in the pros when like you know when andy like

takes the camera and Smiths. Like how, like, involved are you guys? That was fully Emma's idea. So, like, we, we can request certain things. Okay. Yeah. Okay. I've always wondered that because I feel like sometimes I'm like, ooh, like,

because obviously, like, the cameraman are so good at their job, but also, like, the dancers know, like, the, like, you guys know the angle of, like, what's going to look good. Yeah. And our director is incredible. Yeah. And, like, so a lot of the things they help with. But, like, yeah, that was definitely Emma's idea.

certain things we can like pitch and if it's a good ideal they'll do it yeah but yeah the team is just incredible the camera operators the director just the creative team in general it's so it's so cool I loved that it's a huge production like it's crazy it's I was like there's this this and this and Taylor was like what do you mean I was like no it's like it's like a think like it's a full on it's it's so cool I it's so cool they need to do I mean they kind of show it on TikTok The behind the scenes of it. Yeah. I feel like that would be a cool like docu series.

Yeah, well, it's during the commercials. Yeah. Because like they, there's hundreds of the crew members that are just like everything is time to. Yeah. Yeah. You know, like even cleaning up the confetti in between dances. It's crazy. Yeah.

Like they have the leaf blowers and like it's crazy. Yeah. What has been your favorite dance this year? Oh, this year for sure wicked. Yeah. You know, I think that one was. just special. It really... Did you request the song? Were you luckily given this song? Yeah. So what happens is they were like, they sent out a questionnaire to everyone and they're like,

which ones do you want? Yeah. And at first I was like defying gravity. Yeah. And then like a few weeks later, I was like, that's a really big song. And like that's going to be really, I was like, and we didn't know which one we had yet. And I was like, oh, I feel like that's going to be like really hard to do a good dance too because it's so big. That's, You know, when the music is too big, you're like, how do you fill it? Yeah. And then they're like, you're doing Define Gravity. I was like, oh, shoot.

Like, I did ask for this, but at the same time, like, oh. And I don't think a lot of people ask for it for that reason. Yeah. I think maybe one other couple asked for it. Yeah. I didn't even think. I didn't even think about that. And then I got it and I was like, listening to it in my car.

And I was like, oh, my God, what do I do? I was like, but it turned out. Oh, it was amazing. Like, I honestly, one of my favorite dances I've ever choreographed. Oh, wow. I think it just really people connected to it. Elaine was amazing. The moment of her like getting lifted in the end.

Like it's yeah. It was cool. You're so right about that because I think I feel like people first thought like whoever had that song obviously it was going to be good. But you really had to like choreograph. Yeah. Good movement for that because that definitely could have gotten lost in the song. When a song is too big, it's you got to make sure you fill it.

Yeah. Otherwise, yeah, you get lost in the song. Yeah. What is, what would you say is like your favorite? Could you pick a favorite style? Or maybe like, what's your favorite? Yeah, what's your favorite or like least favorite to teach? Oh, I love Argentine tango.

So I'm really bummed that we didn't get to do it live on Halloween. Yeah. But it was like still the rehearsal package was great. Yeah. That one's fun because like there's dynamics. There's passion. There's tricks. Yeah.

Like there's so much in it. I don't have like a least favorite to teach. I think everyone will say like the hardest one is samba. Okay. Just because of like the rhythm and the bounce of it. Yeah. But again, every celebrity is different.

Some people, sambas easy for them. Yeah. And you know, some it's impossible. Yeah. So like it really depends on the celebrity. Yeah.

How was it for you in the beginning of like you're dancing with the star's career, learning how to like teach a nod? dancer. So I feel lucky because like when I was growing up, I was teaching at the studio. And so like even at like 15 years old, I was teaching people. And I think I really understood like how to do that. But then a bigger thing was when I joined the show, I was on troop. And when you're on troop, you, you, because on top of just being able to teach somebody, we choreograph the dances and like you got to know what works for camera, what works for your individual person. And then you have to know how to teach.

Yeah. Because, like, you can be the best choreographer, but you don't know how to teach somebody it. Then you're going to fall flat. Or you could be the best dancer. And if you don't understand how to teach it or choreograph it for camera, it's not going to work. So, like, you learn from experience.

It was nice being, it was nice being on troop and seeing the other pros. Yeah. At the time, like, what works well, what doesn't work well, how to do it. Like, that experience is what, really makes you better. Yeah. Well. Yeah.

So I feel like people kind of look at Troop as like a not a bad thing, but it's like, oh, like you're not a pro. You're on Troop. But I feel like that is like you really learn. Oh, yeah. I don't think it's interesting. I don't think like if somebody starts out on Troop, it's not a bad thing at all. Or even if they go down to troop, it's not a bad thing. It's just you get to experience it.

You get to build that experience, which is you don't get it in any other way. Yeah. You know, you either get it from being a pro or from being in the room. Yeah. And so in the British version of the show, strictly, they don't have like a troop per se. Yeah. They just have pros without partners. So that's essentially the same thing.

Yeah. And so like it's, you know, it's casting. There's so much that goes into it. Yeah. But yeah, I don't think it's like a bad thing for somebody to be on troop. Yeah. I mean, definitely not like lack of talent either. especially like Haley this season.

Yeah. I'm like so happy that she's incredible. She's on the show. I've been watching her on the internet for so long. And every time Jenna has posted her over the years, I'm like, I'm obsessed with her. I'm obsessed with her. So I'm so happy that she's on the show. Yeah.

All the troop this season are incredible. Yeah. Haley's really, really talented. Yeah. I'm excited for her and what's to come for her. She's great. And she's so sweet. She's very sweet.

She's really sweet. Okay. During season, What does like mental health self-care time look like for you? It's probably not really existent. But when you feel yourself getting anxious or like run down, how do you kind of bring yourself back? My favorite thing is there's a place called Vodaspa.

And it's like a sauna and ice bath. Yeah. That's how I like wind down. Like it's a recovery for my body, but it's also like you don't have your phone. You're in the sauna. You're just relaxing. Yeah.

And that's kind of like the best for me, mental, like downtime. Yeah. Or going to the gym. Okay. Because it's like when I'm when I'm doing physical activity like dancing even or going or working out like my, it just makes my mind feel better as well. Yeah. So for me it's physical activity.

Yeah. I really want to get into cold plunging. It's I love it. I feel like I would like it, but I need to just like do it a couple times. Just it's cold. It's cold. It's cold. It's cold.

It's cold. I need to. I've been on this like red light sauna. Cool. Flip thing that I've been doing. I've been loving it. Yeah, no,

the sauna's great. I, yeah. To me it's like, you're in the sauna for 15 minutes, two minutes in the ice is just unbelievable. Yeah. And like you feel so relaxed after.

Yeah. What about on tour? Like how do you? We have ice baths. Like we have one that travels with us. Oh. Like a, and it's a nice one.

They, they balled out on it. It has like the chiller. So like there's no ice. Oh, yeah. Yeah. But I mean, we like, we use it every day.

Yeah. You know, and it's like my next thing is I want them to bring a sauna as well. Yeah. Like a one person sauna. Exactly. They can just like hook up a little trailer like to your guys's RV. Exactly. RV.

What is it called? Bus? Tour bus. We are the Millers. We're just like driving around with an RV. R.V. Tour bus. So sorry.

No, no. I'm teasing. R. RV would probably be nicer. Maybe. Are those beds like comfortable? I love it. It's pitch black and you're like rocking a little bit.

It's amazing. I really like in like a little kid. I really, yeah, I like it. I love tour. I know a lot of people are like, oh, it's hard. It is hard, but like I'm so lucky. I get to go with Emma. I bring my dog Jeff and I get a dance every day.

Like it's to me it's like the best thing ever. I love that. How do you guys like eat healthy? Like, how's food? They supply everything. Okay, great. Sorry. I guess I'm not even thinking about those words.

Yeah, they cater really. Like, like Brits gluten-free, like they make sure there's gluten-free options in every city. Oh, that's great. Yeah. So they take care of you guys. They take really good care of us. I went to the tour for the first time last year, and it was so fun. Yeah.

I loved it. Last year was a great show. Yeah. I feel like it's so cool and people, like, obviously we get to see the pros. Like, we get to see you guys dance, but, like, getting to see you guys, like, on stage for that long dancing together. Like, I was, like, just blown away. Like, I knew all of you could dance, but it's, like, it's so cool to, like,

really see you guys, like, dance. The tours, yeah, it's like, that's another thing is, like, A, you just go out and dance and have fun. No one gets eliminated. Like, you're doing, like, incredible dances. Yeah. It's just such a great experience. Yeah.

So, like, to me, that's one of the best parts. Yeah. I love that. Sweet. Um, okay. Well, I have a. a fun little segment for us to do. I'm ready. Maybe. Maybe I'm ready.

It's called Lemon 7. It's seven questions. You can rapid fire them or you can go into a monologue, whatever your heart desires. Love it. Okay. Question one is what movie or song title best describes your mental health today? I prepped it. I saw these questions. I wrote it down and I forgot. No. I think happier than ever. Golly Eilish. Oh, that's sweet. Just like in the middle of the season. It's so good and like I'm just so happy.

I love that. I love that. That or it's getting harder and harder to breathe. Literally. The body starts to ache more. Number two is how open are you with people in your life when you're struggling? Pretty open. I feel like I wear my heart on my sleeve.

Yeah. Like I think everyone that watched the show on Halloween was like, oh my God, he's so sad. And it's, I can't control my emotions at all. So like when I'm sad, I'm really sad, when I'm happy, I'm just a goofball. Like it's, so I can't, I don't know, I'm pretty open. Yeah. I've gathered that after your communication, this episode. Number three is if you could only follow three social media accounts, what would they be?

It would have to be dancing with the stars. Right. Emma, I have to. And I love it. I feel like, you know, tanks good news? You know, Tank Sinatra? He's like a, he's like a meme person. Uh-uh.

Anyways, he's like, it's like, just like positive stuff. Okay, great. Yeah. Look it up. Okay. Number four is what is your favorite form of self-care? What are the options? To me, it was like the sauna and the ice plunge.

Just like being able to like, zone out. Yeah. Oh, I actually remember. I was going to ask you this earlier. Yeah. How, because you have been dancing so long, do you feel like you've ever teetered with, like, your love for it because it is so much your job now? That's a good question.

Um, no. I feel really lucky in the sense that every day I wake up and I'm like, I genuinely feel grateful to do it. Like, even if it's like a hard day, I'm like, I still get to do what I love. I get to get paid to do it. Yeah. And like, I don't know. I'm just so grateful.

There's never a day we're like, oh, I hate this. Yeah. You know, it's all, I, and I might be alone in that or I might be the same as everyone else on the show. Like, I don't know. Yeah. I just feel so grateful that, like, for 10 years now, I've been on the show that I get to create awesome dances. I dance with incredible people. Yeah.

The pros are incredible dancers. The celebrities are just awesome. And, like, I just feel so lucky. Yeah. That's sweet. Sorry, I remember that. I wanted to ask. Number five is what is the most misunderstood thing about you?

I would probably say my tone. Back to that. I think it's better now, but in the back in the day, definitely my tone. Yeah. Like, I would just. Is that, was that, like, fun for you to, like, watch for the first time on TV? Like, did you know that it was there before it was on TV? No, no.

No. I only knew after. I'm just learning it like last month. No, it's like, Emma will tell me all the time like your tone. And I'm like, no, what do you mean? I'm saying something nice. Yeah, but like you're saying it like really just straightforward.

Yeah. I don't know. Yeah. You know, but it's, it's, I've realized in communication. Yeah. It's not just what you say. It's how the other person can take it. Yeah.

And so like I can say something and be like, oh, so nonchalant. Yeah. But like in reality, like, probably have to say it in a different way for that person to receive it. But yeah, it's my tone has probably been my biggest problem. That's so funny. Well, you know at least. I'm fixing it.

I'm fixing it. We're working on it. My intentions are good. I love that. Number six is who has had the most positive impact on your mental health? Oh, can I say my dog? Absolutely. Definitely my dog.

Also, I got to say Emma. She's really encouraged me to, you know, be vulnerable and, and share my feelings, especially with her. But, you know, there's strength and vulnerability. I don't think it's healthy to just keep everything inside. Yeah. And she's really advocated for that. Yeah.

Do you feel like it helps because you guys are both pros on the show and, like, you understand what's going on? Do you think that's, like, your time together? Do you think that's, like, benefited your relationship in the sense that you both know? the what like your life is going to look like yeah i think we both know it's hard because we're both going through the same thing yeah so like when you know if somebody's having a bad day it's like oh i understand i i truly exactly understand what you're going through yeah which is nice but sometimes you're both going through it yeah you know and then it's like figuring out how to

help each other yeah but i think it it helps you know if when when you know when you know know what you're both going through. I think knowing what people are going through helps. Yeah. Yeah. We've talked about that with Val and Jenna. And they like, I feel like it's, they said like the same thing. Like it's,

you understand like the work that the other person is putting in. Yeah. And so it's not like obviously like you miss them, but it's not like a, you know why they're doing it. Because you're like, I have been there and are also doing it. Okay.

Last question is if you could go back, to one moment in your life, what moment would that be? And what would you say to yourself? See, I saw this question. And I don't know. I think, I think there's no point in going back to a moment just because every moment that I've personally gone through, good or bad is why I am the way I am now. Yeah. So it's like everything is a learning experience.

And so I don't want to take away, even. even if there were really bad moments that, like, that really hurt, I wouldn't want to take that away because it helped me grow to who I am now. Yeah. So I don't know. I would just say in general, like, just keep going and be proud. But other than that, it's, you know, everything is a learning experience. Yeah.

And if you look at it that way, then you're, you're, you never fail at anything. It's just a learning experience or you've never really, you know. Yeah. That's great. I love it. Well, thanks for coming on and chatting. Of course. What's the number to text for a light? We'll put it in the description below. 215.23. 8 p.m. Eastern, 7 p.m. Central. 6 p.m. Mountain, 5 p.m. Pacific. Text Elaine. You heard it here first.

You've heard it everywhere now. Yeah, literally everywhere. But you have heard it here, too. That's so funny. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.