December 5, 2024 • 42 mins
Imagine the thrill of a sold-out crowd all while supporting Empire Mental Health Support. Megan from the Sioux Falls Stars joins us to share her inspiring journey from childhood dancer to studio owner. From her first steps at age three to owning the Hip Hop Shop in Del Rapids, Megan's story is one of passion and perseverance. She opens up about the powerful, transformative nature of dance—how it can boost confidence and provide a liberating outlet for both students and performers. Together, we reminisce about our unforgettable experiences at the Dancing with the Stars event, filled with nerves, excitement, and a sense of accomplishment.
Dance opportunities aren't just for the young; we celebrate dance as an accessible form of fitness and well-being for all ages. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just starting out, discover how dance can be a unique form of exercise that enhances both physical and mental health.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We have an awesome episode planned for you today,
diving into my experience withdancing with the Sioux Falls
Stars, and I get to welcome mydance partner, megan, to the
show.
So let's dive in all aboutdancing dancing with the Stars,
and the experience that we had alittle behind the scenes.
Let's go.
Well, welcome to the show,megan, so excited to have you on
(00:43):
here.
Tell you what time flies.
True, we just got done doingDancing with the Stars, it feels
like, but now looking at it,it's like three weeks ago, four
weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Wow, really A month already.
That is crazy.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Yeah, so I wanted to take some time to chat with you.
You are the dancingprofessional.
I am apparently the star thecelebrity the celebrity, the
celeb, um, but what is it thatyou do?
What is your dancing Me?
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah, you're dancing every day.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Well, yeah, but first let's even talk about when did
you get into dancing?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Like when I was three .
I've been dancing since I wasthree.
I took classes all the way up.
I was probably 18 or 19 when Imet somebody that asked about me
teaching, and I've beenteaching ever since.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Really.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, so I have the studio that I started teaching
at at like 18, 19.
I took some time off because Ihad college.
I had you know some militarystuff and then I came back and
bought it from her and I've beenrunning it ever since.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Cool.
And what is that studio calledthe Cool?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
And what is that studio?
Speaker 1 (01:42):
called the Hip Hop Shop Hip Hop Shop, and it's in
yes, del Rapids, okay, delRapids.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
We just moved location.
So we've been in the samebuilding for 20 plus years and
we just moved into the RapidFitness building, which is on
Garfield.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Awesome, yeah, very cool.
So now your location is brandnew.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Brand new.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
And have you already started classes in the new we
did.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
We started October 15th and we're still not
completely put together yet.
So we still have sound panelspushed up against the wall.
They're not hung yet.
We watch.
I mean, I started classes whenthe mirrors were still just like
kind of leaning against thewall.
So little baby steps we'regetting there.
But yeah, brand new, it's beenfun.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Absolutely, and so you got into dancing when you
were three.
You've been dancing kind ofever since.
Um, in dancing, which I'm not adancer, well now you are.
I am now.
I am now.
I wasn't a dancer.
Yes, it's a lot of fun.
It's so much fun.
It is very fun.
It's very I don't knowtherapeutic if you will Freeing,
liberating, yeah, just beingable to listen to the music and
(02:36):
move your body.
And what was it, though, thatinspired you to want to make
this a career?
Speaker 2 (02:43):
You know, I don't know if I was inspired to make
it a career.
I think it just kind ofhappened.
Yeah, I just did what feltright.
I did what was fun.
The opportunities presentedthemselves kind of slowly over
time.
I didn't anticipate ithappening.
It just kind of it literallyfell into place, yeah, and it's
been, I feel, really luckybecause of it.
But yeah, it was never really aset out plan, it just kind of
(03:05):
happened.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Yeah, that's awesome.
What, what have you?
What would you say is somethingthat dance like?
Obviously, fitness for me is anoutlet and it's also a platform
for me to to prove to myselfthat I can do hard things.
Um, and that's definitely likewhat fitness does for me.
What would you say is somethingthat dance really does for you,
or that you've even seen it doin some of your students?
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Well, I think a big thing is confidence.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
I mean especially with.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
I have little girls that will start at three and
they'll dance.
You know, maybe they'll danceall the way through senior year,
maybe they'll stop in middleschool and pursue other sports
or whatever.
In the small town it's kind ofa.
My, my studio is very like Iwould say.
It's more recreational, lesscompetitive, so I have girls
that do everything.
But I think it just gives youthat confidence to to push
yourself to work within a teamdynamic, to do scary things,
(03:56):
getting out in front of a crowdto do something that you maybe
are you going to succeed at it.
There's a chance it's going towork.
Maybe, and I think that thatthat can be just part of life in
general and and carries overinto, like you said, even the
like physical fitness, and whichI completely agree, I'm right
there with you, but it's, it'sjust that confidence to push
your body to try, try something,literally in front of a crowd.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Yeah, absolutely.
I remember the night of thedance, uh, the night of the show
, if you will.
We were backstage and you'relike, you've been practicing,
but like are you good in frontof people?
Because, right, and we've beenpracticing just in front of
nobody, um and so, yeah, gettingout there in front of how many
people were there.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
You know, I don't know, I never, I don't know if I
ever heard an account which isinteresting, but it was like the
district was packed.
It was packed, it was a soldout show Every was packed.
It was packed.
It was a sold out show.
Every single seat was sold infull.
So I, on top of probably thevolunteers, that were there too.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
So yeah, I mean it was it was a big crowd, I was
nervous.
I mean, I do this all the timeand I was nervous.
So yeah, it was.
My wife did tell me she's likeyou looked a little stiff, babe.
I was like, hey, I'll, I'llwork on it.
But um, but no, it was so muchfun so I'd love to be able to
get into some of them watchingthis or listening to this.
They maybe have never heard ofDancing with the Stars, true,
(05:10):
which I never had until I gotasked how about you?
Had you heard of?
Speaker 2 (05:13):
this before I had heard about it.
I guess I didn't realize it wasstill happening.
I had heard about it years ago.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Yeah, when I think it used to be a benefit for a
different I'm not even sure, butI had heard about it.
Then I thought it kind ofdisappeared with 2020, so that
it had been going on.
I was excited, and I do thinkthat kind of during 2020, in
that COVID year, I think thatthere was like a break that was
taken, because it sounds likethat's when, after 2020, a
different charity kind of gotbehind it.
I think so, and so now for anyof you that are watching or
(05:42):
listening now, it is a benefitto support Empire Mental Health
Support here in town and in thesurrounding area, to help just
mental health and being able toraise awareness for it.
And I tell you what I thoughtit was an awesome event.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
It was amazing.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Yeah, I've been to so many fundraising events and so
many times you and they're allgreat you go, you hear their,
their mission, you hear the workthat they do and you hear why
they do it and it's veryinspiring.
But obviously theseorganizations need to raise
money and so at the, a normalcharity event, there's then a
component of of fundraising thatgoes with it, and this felt
(06:18):
like such for three hours.
Yeah, like you were engaged inwatching something and and like
just a fun night.
I would, I would and will gowatch for sure I'm actually
excited to go back.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
I honestly I hope I'm involved somehow next, year um
I I have said a thousand times,it's probably one of my favorite
nights of this entire year yeahand any, and again we're saying
it's three hours, but really itwasn't.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
It was like three months for us.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
I mean, we put in a lot of time.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
So it was an ongoing thing and it still is.
I mean, it brings peopletogether.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
It was what a great great cause, super fun, great
you know everything about it wasjust, it was a blast.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
Yeah, absolutely, and I tell you what, to that point,
you mentioned to bring peopletogether.
Just a bit ago, we had a funworkout with with some of the
other dancers.
You missed it, I know.
Rub it in.
We'll do it again, though.
We'll do it again, Um, but, andthen even to uh, my wife and I
were out the other night and weended up running into you and
Clayton and it just it is.
It's these connections andthese relationships that you
(07:13):
make that I don't know that wewould have ever made them
otherwise.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
I don't know how it would have happened Not not to
the easy level that it did yeah.
You know like not as I don'tknow, not as connected yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Yeah.
So let's talk about like whenyou?
How did you find out aboutDancing with the Stars?
When was the first time?
It's like, hey, you're going tobe involved or hey, would you
be involved.
How'd that look?
Speaker 2 (07:33):
So well, Raina.
Raina ropes me into, Raina Rasmthings.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Because you're part of Lyra, correct, I am yes.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Yes, I dance with Lyra.
And she had texted hey, isanybody available or interested
in being a professional?
We need more dancers.
And I thought well, let mecheck my schedule.
If it works, sure I'll do it.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
So I said yes, and then of course it wasn't too
long after of the gate was likeI can't do that.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Nope, nope and again.
Of course we won't ruin thesurprise.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
Everybody knows he ends up winning the whole thing.
I drug.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
a man forced him to do it and then he kicked me.
But yeah, I think Reina is theone that told me about it and
again I'd heard of it.
But I did do a little researchwhen she brought it up, just to
see, you know, kind of find outas much as I could.
Well, not really I found out asmuch as I needed.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
I should say yeah, sure, but yeah, what about you?
Yeah, to that point, kind ofsame thing.
I've got a good friend, tonyBartholomus.
He's a client at FitBody.
He helped us with our homemortgage and part of Lyra.
And he's also part of Lyra.
Yeah, from what I found out, Ithink that we get very ingrained
into our own little bubble.
(08:44):
Yes, and the world is huge.
Like the world is so big andthere's so many things going on
that we're just oblivious to,and so this dance world, I'm
oblivious to it at this point.
I didn't know anything about thedance world.
Of course, I've seen some ofthe different dance buildings
and obviously I know dance is athing Like my daughters danced
when they were young, and so Iknow dance is a thing Like my
(09:05):
daughters danced when they wereyoung, and so I knew Tony was a
dancer.
And all of a sudden, tony,after one of the workouts, he's
like CJ, I've got something foryou.
And I'm like what is it Like?
Tell me more.
And he's like well, I was on.
I don't even remember what hewas on, but he's like I was on
something where they weretalking about finding local
(09:26):
stars that would be willing toparticipate in a Dancing with
the Stars, and I told them thatthey need to reach out to you.
I'm like Tony, I don't dance.
And he's like no, you don'thave to dance.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
You'll learn that you will have to dance.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Right, but now, in this moment, you'll learn that.
But you can have fun in frontof people, and he's like I just
think you'd have a blast.
I'm like, well, hey, put myname.
He's like I already put yourname in, so I wasn't asking for
permission, I was more sotelling you that I did it.
I was like, oh, perfect.
So then I get this email andit's from the event company and
they're like hey, you've beennominated to be one of the stars
(10:03):
and dancing with the stars.
Please let us know, by whateverdate, if you're available and
willing to do this.
And first thought I was like,hmm, is this something like you
said, like on my schedule, allow, like will I be able to do it?
Also, too, a little bit ofthought that went through my
head is like my wife can be likecool with this, like just dance
(10:24):
.
Like I don't dance with her,you know, let alone like try to
yeah, I'm going to go dance withsomebody I've never met before,
um.
So I talked with her and she'slike, go for it, give it a shot,
and and so yeah.
Then all of a sudden, you know,some time went by and we end up
at PIN Studios and that was thefirst night that I had met you.
And that night, all of a sudden, we get paired.
(10:44):
Yes, and then we have to gotake photos with each other Like
up close and personal.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Hi, can we?
Yeah, that was definitely likehey, stranger yeah that was like
probably the most odd part ofthe whole experience.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
That was, yeah, that was like probably the most odd
part of the whole experience.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
I completely agree, it was exciting, it was fun but
at the same time, it was likejust diving right in.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
I don't even know you and yet I have to like hold you
for this.
I know that's full of intimacy.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Yeah, I'm like, uh, yeah, agree, totally agree.
So that was definitely odd.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
But from then, From there, we then got kind of like
the schedule of events and itwas like you need to start your
practices, and they gave us kindof like a so apparently
guidelines.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Yeah 20 hour rule was just a guideline.
Yeah, because Everybody cheated.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Let me, yeah, let me tell you I don't like.
Come on, clinton, were you 20?
Speaker 2 (11:30):
hours Way over.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Ah geez, boston, Boston.
But so we then laid out apractice schedule and we met at
Ballo.
Do you say Ballerina, ballerina, ballerina, and that is what
Raina owns?
Yes, correct, yes, okay.
What are the chances that Rainaowns Ballerina?
Speaker 2 (11:48):
You know, come on.
Clever, yeah, clever, I love it.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
I love it.
But so, yeah, we met there andwe start dancing.
And what was your?
What thoughts were goingthrough your head?
You're going to meet me for thefirst time at a dance practice.
Like, what's going through yourhead?
Does this guy know how to dance?
Like what are the things Ithink?
Speaker 2 (12:06):
I think I was handling it like I would any
sort of like first class OK.
You know, I don't know whatyou're capable of, I don't know
what you can do.
I had kind of like a fewguidelines that I'm like I'm
going to teach him this, butreally I'm going to be seeing
what you can handle and what youcan do, just because I had
ideas like what I wanted to doas far as choreo and that sort
of.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Thing.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
But I needed to know what you were capable of doing.
So I think I just literally Itreated it like you were a
toddler coming to your firstclass.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
I think I need to get treated like a toddler more
often.
You were fine, it was good andI think, to that point, one of
the things that I really learnedand I even mentioned this, like
in the little interview thingthat we did but all the time, as
it pertains to FitBody andhelping our team and helping our
clients, it's like making surethat they know when you need
help, you need to ask and youneed to make sure that you are
(12:52):
putting yourself out there andasking the questions so that you
can get better yeah.
And it wasn't easy Like I saythat all the time, but it wasn't
easy for me to say, hey, megan,how do I do this thing with my
feet or how, like I just wantedto get it.
I wanted to just be able to doit, um, and I didn't want to
show you or let you see that Icouldn't get it and so I had to
(13:14):
like.
So that thought process was like, man, I bet our clients or our
people that we're teaching, likethey're going through that same
mentality of like how do I howdo I ask and feel comfortable
and okay with, like I knowyou've shown me this every
practice, but explain the ballchange again and where my foot
is supposed to go, and it almostfelt like, almost like I know I
(13:36):
should know this, so why shouldI ask?
Speaker 2 (13:37):
But it would also.
I think what you're really goodat is imitating.
Like you can, in the moment,just imitate anything I do.
That doesn't mean, if I'mstanding there and I'm not doing
it with you, that you rememberhow to do it.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Right.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
And I didn't.
I didn't realize that I thinkright away because you'd get it.
I'm like oh and doing it.
I didn't get that quite rightat the beginning.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
So that was definitely a learning curve.
So, yeah, learning that style.
So I think you know, as itpertains to anyone that might be
, you know, listening to this,it is going to be uncomfortable
to ask for help, but if youtruly want to make progress in
whatever it is that you'retrying to achieve, it's going to
be more uncomfortable to remainthe same and to remain kind of
(14:18):
not fulfilling your goal.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
Yeah, or not having the clarity of what you're
supposed to be doing.
If you're not even doing itright.
What are you reallyaccomplishing, Right?
Exactly so ask for help.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Ask often, and that's how you'll be able to keep on
getting better.
So we had 20 hours to get thisdance dialed in and when you
came to me you already had thesong Cause you had you had like
messaged me like what do youthink about some of these
artists?
Speaker 2 (14:42):
The night, of the night that we met.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
I think I asked kind of your style, oh sure.
What kind of music you likedand kind of looked through after
that.
But yeah, yep.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
So we had the song what was it called?
The Way you Lie, yeah, the Wayyou Lie, yeah.
So there's two versions there'sone that's just an Eminem
version and there's one that'sEminem and Rihanna.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
There's actually, there's actually three versions
because, there's a part one anda part two and we technically
used part two.
Oh, gotcha, okay it's one ofthose complicated, yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Lots of Cool.
But so you put this songtogether.
How do you then choreograph adance?
Speaker 2 (15:19):
I don't know how to answer that question.
I've been asked this before.
How do you choreograph?
I don't know, Depending on thestyle.
Sometimes I have elements Iknow I already want in there.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
But sometimes I just visualize and kind of, I don't
know, I don't.
It's like I don't know how toanswer that question I'm not
really sure.
I just do it.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Yeah, Are there some?
Are there some dance teachersthat cannot choreograph, or like
?
Speaker 2 (15:46):
yeah, I think that there's a definite difference
between being a choreographerand a T a dance teacher.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Yeah, for sure.
Or being a dance coach, Like alot of um, a lot of teams
actually will hire otherchoreographers and then the
coaches will just do thecleaning and the perfecting, you
know.
But as far as core, yeah,Choreography is definitely a
separate, separate thing.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Yeah, do you enjoy that part of?
Speaker 2 (16:07):
it, I do, I, I like I've been asked that before too
Like what do you like better,doing choreography, doing the
dance, doing the teaching?
I would say, my favoriteclasses are when I'm teaching
choreography.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
I do definitely love doing the choreography because
it's new, it's something freshand exciting.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
And it's your thing, right?
Yeah, exactly, and I do yourbrain.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
And that's why I do love doing my own choreography.
I've never hired anyone to doanything and I coach cheer.
I've done musical theater, I'vedone all kinds of things.
I feel more attached and moreaccomplished and more part of it
when it's my own creationversus like paying or hiring
somebody else to do it.
So, and it helps me get.
I mean, I've definitely grownand changed as a choreographer.
It's still a skill I'mconstantly trying to grow and
(16:45):
get better at, because it's notwhat is something that you can
do to grow in that area?
So I for me, I've found,especially from like being part
of Lyra and having more justconnections with other dancers,
choreographers, it's inspiring.
You kind of end up when, I meanyou end up in your little
bubble and you I mean everychoreographer has a style, but
(17:05):
you don't want to fall into likea stagnant, just like obvious,
like oh look, that's Megan'schoreography again.
Yeah, you know you want tostill have new and exciting
things, so I think being astudent learning new dances-
helps me be inspired.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
It's almost like you do something.
It's like man.
I want to incorporate that.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
Or it'll just spark something else.
Oh, I never thought of that andmaybe I could try this too.
I mean, today you have constantaccess through social media,
TikTok, YouTube, the internet,everywhere Anytime you have a
roadblock like I would have back20 years ago, I'd just be,
doomed.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Now I'm like, okay, I'm just going to pull up a
YouTube video and that's thecool thing about that is, even
at one of our practices we weregoing through some of like the
saved videos that you had onsome of your socials and it's
like I seen this.
I seen this couple dancingdoing this thing.
Let's see if we could trysomething like that.
Yeah, exactly so and that's tothat point.
I do feel like that's somethingreally good for people to take
(17:58):
away from from.
Listening to this is like ifyou hit a roadblock and you
haven't Googled, like how, likejust use Google like step one,
google whatever problem you'rehaving and start there.
But so many people they they'relike how do I do this?
And then that's when they giveup because they don't even take
the first step of like justGoogle.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Seriously.
There's access to informationat your fingertips all the time.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
Look it up.
Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Yeah, very cool.
And so, yeah, we got this dancedown.
We had 20 hours.
We honestly really didn't getto meet the other dancers, not
really Until the night before,and that wasn't even part of the
thing.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
No, we planned it separately.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
We planned a little night just to get together with
some of the dancers.
Not everybody could make it,but then we met.
It was like 9 o'clock onSaturday and all day, and then
the performance started at what?
6?
.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
I think the social hour was like 6 to 7.
It started at 7.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
So it was like an all-day thing, but it was like
an all day thing, but it wassuch a fun day.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
It was a blast.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
Making connections.
And we practiced so hard anddid the best we could up until
the day, but then, once that dayhit, you only could do what you
could do.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
You're prepared, as prepared as you're going to be,
yep.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
And whoever won won.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
And it was so fun to do that.
But you will never executebetter than your level of
preparation.
Agree, right.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
I mean, I think sometimes, when it comes to
performing, an audience canbring out elements that weren't
already there, because you'rejust well, this is true.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
You know what I'm saying?
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Yeah, just because you're feeling that extra energy
and you know it might even justbe the showmanship part of it,
but it does for me anyways.
An audience brings out a littleextra in me, extra flair, and
actually I've learned a lotabout myself as a coach because
the things that I have coachedand preached to my kids I found
myself going okay, you're notdoing that.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
And you're trying to get the girls to do this for you
all the time and look at younot doing it.
So it's been it's beeneyeopening.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
It was a whole.
Oh, it was such a greatexperience, experience all the
way around, for every part of it, yeah, yeah, and so maybe next
year you'll be a dancer again Iwould, I know.
For me, I'll definitely attendthe event.
If there is somewhere to serveor volunteer or help, I would be
more than willing and wantingto do that because it was such a
good event.
Like you said, the connectionslet's dive in, though, a little
bit to just the hip hop shop,and let's dive in a little bit
(20:18):
Because, after we got done,something that I did even talk
with my wife was like, man, weshould find places we could go
take dance lessons, and there'sfrom, I believe, the Shrine
downtown has some things oncertain nights.
I also found and even anothercouple told me about this
there's some app and I show heroff.
Have you heard of this?
No, so online it's called ShowHer Off and it's some guy and
(20:43):
his wife and they createdat-home dance videos that you
can do.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
You got to pay for them.
Oh, I was going to say Wow.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
So you pay and you can subscribe to different
things.
And I was looking in my YouTubeand I actually looking in my
YouTube and I actually had,years ago, bought a at-home
program and never did it.
Oh, wow, but so and then I wentto look into it and I had lost
my login and whatnot.
But it said that they changeover to an actual app-based
platform.
Message us here.
So I messaged him and hemessaged me back and got me a
(21:12):
new login.
So now I can log in and I'vegot like a little platform that
it's like move your furnitureout of the way, turn it on the
YouTube.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
And what's it called?
Again, show her off, show heroff.
Okay, I have to remember that.
That's cool.
Show her off, cool.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Um, but so.
There's that, but so um the hiphop shop.
It's in Del Rapids.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
So I was going to say , speaking of that, I was just
talking to Clinton about this.
A couple of days ago I a coupleof classes that were for
partner dancing.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
And they were really a huge hit.
I would end up having to add aclass every time I'd advertise,
and I haven't done it becauseI've been so focused on the new
studio and other things.
But we were just talking abouttrying to do one before the new
year at the hip hop shop.
We would love it for you guysto come.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Yeah, that'd be great .
Yeah, I'd have a blast, and Iare available, we're there.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
Yeah, that would be awesome.
I will go according to yourschedule.
I'll make sure you can be there.
Sweet, I love it.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
I love it, see, and that also right.
There is the power ofconnection.
Yes, Because we are.
We're willing to help eachother out, and life is about
like Well, loser here's theother loser here's the losers of
Dancing with the Stars, youknow what I'm saying, Like
(22:22):
here's my partner.
Yeah, I think that would bereally fun.
That'd be a lot of fun.
Have you and Clinton evertaught anything together?
Speaker 2 (22:27):
Yeah, this partner dancing.
We did probably I don't knowfive or six of those classes.
Oh okay, a couple years ago wasit not?
Probably not lasting in season,but this season before okay,
and then, like I said, lastseason was just so busy with
this switch over and it's yeahkind of a crazy year.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
But so, at hip-hop shop, what is your like?
Who's the the target client orwho do you average?
Speaker 2 (22:49):
okay, so um, on a typical like, yeah, every weekly
base I my my season is octoberthrough may.
Okay um it's very recreational.
We I have one littlecompetitive team that is like 7
to 11.
And then I take my middleschool high schoolers 7 to 11,
like years old, years old, Okay,yep yep, and then I take my
middle school and high schooldance teams to like a couple
super local dance competitions,but otherwise it's extremely
(23:12):
recreational.
It's really low commitment, it'saccording to like age instead
of like dance ability, becausethen you're with your friends
and so they just come once aweek for a lesson.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
We learn a variety of styles of dance, and then, you
know, learn a couple.
What's the youngest?
You take Three, three, well,they can be almost three, so
they're like on the edge.
I think it's like a Decembercutoff or something.
So okay, and then what aboutthe oldest?
Speaker 2 (23:36):
Um, I well, the oldest, anybody that would want
to do a solo I'd take them on.
But, usually typically it'sseniors in high school.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Okay, so it is mainly like school age for the hip hop
shop.
Okay, and you have a couple ofdifferent dances or competitions
that you take them to.
Yes, and what styles of dance?
Speaker 2 (23:56):
I do Okay, so primarily all over the place.
But primarily I would say mystyle is a blend of there's some
ballet and lyrical Okay, jazzis a huge.
I love jazz Just kind of likesome modern contemporary.
Sometimes I do some I wouldcall it musical theater style
stuff a little bit here and whatwas speaking of style of dance?
Speaker 1 (24:14):
I've been asked a couple of times and I don't know
the answer style of dance.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
I've been asked a couple of times and I don't know
the answer.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
What style was our dance?
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Ooh, our dance Cause I feel like it was a mix.
It was a mix, it was my style.
I would call it.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
Megan style.
Speaker 2 (24:25):
Seriously, it kind of blends.
It blends those you knowlyrical.
There's some lyrical elements,there was some ballet elements,
there was definitely some jazzelements.
Um, I gave you a little bit ofhip hop elements, elements, just
kind of a blend.
Speaker 1 (24:40):
I don't know if you, if it could be really described
yeah but yeah okay, and is thatnormal for, like a dance, to
have multiple styles blendedinto one, or not really?
Speaker 2 (24:52):
I think so.
Yeah, I would say that,especially over the course of my
years teaching.
It used to be, you know, likeevery style was in a box, like
this is what made you be thiswas ballet, this was lyrical,
this was palm, this was hip, andI think they still do that in
some competition form.
But as far as when you'rewatching you know the world of
(25:13):
dance, or you're watching youknow Dancing with the Stars, I
typically see that it's a blendof styles.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Blend.
Yeah, okay.
So hip hop shop is going to bemainly your high school or
school age student.
But just now, dance in general.
Is there an age where it's likeyou're probably too old to
start dancing?
Absolutely not, absolutely not.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Absolutely not.
You could be 106.
You could start dancing, yeah,I think.
I mean, think of Dancing withthe Stars and how different all
of we, all of us were as far aspartners go.
Everybody had something tooffer in a completely different
way and we were I mean, our ageswere all over the place from
low twenties to sixties.
I mean it was all over theplace, yeah.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
Yeah, okay, and so where?
How did like for me the dancingworld?
Again, I said we live in theselittle bubbles.
So I lived in a bubble and itdid not include dancing.
Dancing wasn't part of mybubble, so I didn't know what.
Even well, number one I don'teven know if I wanted to even
look.
But if I wanted to look becausenow that I have experience in
(26:14):
dancing, it's like hey, I'minterested in like maybe doing a
class here or there, but maybenot like committing to signing
up for a whole program.
Where do people look for thisstuff?
So I would say well, I was aboutto say you should take your own
advice and Google it.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
But I mean, that's why I even told you, a really
great thing is like the Shrine.
I've done it before it's.
I mean, what is it?
Does it cost even to get in?
Speaker 1 (26:37):
I don't know, I don't think it might even be free.
Speaker 2 (26:39):
I don't even think there's a cover charge and
there's always a danceprofessional that's there, that
at the start of any style of aplay, a song, they'll have that
you know professional showingyou the basic step.
And then there will be couplesthere that are doing just the
basic step around the room andyou've got couples there that
clearly are pros at what they'redoing and they're thrown in all
kinds of tricks.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
So I mean, I think the biggest thing is to start
somewhere where you'recomfortable, but it is hard to
find.
I think 2020 did a number ondance studios around here, so it
is really actually hard to findstudios that teach just partner
style dancing.
They're out there.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
What about?
What about, like, even justgoing to dance shows?
What about even just going todance shows If you wanted to
just be a spectator and go watchdancing?
Because I've also found out nowwith Lyra and some of the
different stuff, you guys aredancing all over the place.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
So Lyra dances, we dance all over, I mean all
throughout the year.
They're doing at the Pavilion.
I think it's in I'm not evensure what month, gosh, I should
know this, but they are doing alive and local at the Pavilion.
This season We've danced ataward shows at the Pavilion.
They've grouped up with.
Well, there's like Headlights,theater Company or Dance.
(27:48):
I'm not even sure thatHeadlights is what I know
they're called.
They do like pop-up all over theplace.
I've seen them pop up at randomlike just festivals.
I mean it's constant.
There's things going on.
If you, I guess, check eventscalendars for Sioux Falls Um, a
lot of times it's intertwinedwith other events.
You know there's arts um awardshows, there's you know musical
(28:09):
theater.
Musical theater, I mean thepavilion and the Orpheum are two
really big spots.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
There's stuff going on there that has at least some
a lot of times to do with dancea lot of dances happening there.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
There's stuff going on there that has, at least a
lot of times to do with dance Alot I mean a lot of the time and
so I would check the pavilionswebsite.
There's so much happening thereDowntown Sioux Falls.
Like I said, they will havepop-ups at just even random
Hello High, where we ran intoeach other.
They've done a pop-up dance atthat location.
I mean, it's just random allover the place.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
So yeah, and so with that, it's like sometimes too,
we have to look for what we'relooking for.
You have to go out there andfind it.
It's not going to just be outthere, but I feel like so many
times I've heard it, I'm sureyou've heard it there's nothing
to do.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
There's so much to do .
Speaker 1 (28:52):
There's so much to do and so we've got to find it.
But I was telling my wife likeit would be so fun just to go,
you know, have dinner and thengo to watch a show of dancing,
and that's.
It's so available if you justlook for it.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
It's everywhere.
I will say I think that I havetickets to one show or another
almost every weekend.
Speaker 1 (29:11):
Really there is for people to say there's nothing to
do in Sioux Falls.
That's not true at all.
There is constant things to bedoing in Sioux Falls, so much so
that I have to say no,sometimes, like I need a day off
.
Yeah, it's it, there's so muchgoing on.
Yeah, absolutely, sometimescame to my mind I was thinking,
uh, with the hip-hop shop andyou had said that, like you
would uh, like sometimes you doone-on-one you do one-on-one
(29:31):
okay?
Speaker 2 (29:32):
yep, I do so is that any age?
Speaker 1 (29:34):
I would do any age.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
I have never had an adult ask.
I've put it out there, I'vesaid zero to 99, you can come
yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
But of course, what about the 106?
Well, yeah, I suppose I don'tknow a whole lot of 106.
Me either.
If they are interested, I wouldtake them.
Yes, yeah, but yeah, okay, andwhat does that look like?
Like, if I wanted to do thathow would I do that?
Speaker 2 (29:54):
Well, again I have, I mean I would.
Uh, well, you again I have, Imean I would just talk to you.
Yeah, I was gonna, well, youwould.
But I the best way to probablyget in touch with me, because I,
you know, I do, I'm my own pr,I'm my own web designer.
I'm my own everything, yeah umbut I am on facebook at hip-hop
shop and then I'm on instagramat dr, which is dell rapids.
But, doctor, hip-hop shop iswhat people you know what I
think it is.
Speaker 1 (30:14):
I've seen that, yeah, often and I thought it was
doctor.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
Yeah, but it's actually Del Rapids but it's
catchy because of the doctor, soit's fine.
But yeah, and on there there'sa link to my website that has
all the information that anybodywould want to know.
Sure Until we can submit, andthen you just like pay per
session type of thing.
Speaker 1 (30:31):
Yeah, very cool, that is awesome, and something that
maybe a lot of people don't knowabout you is that I believe
this to be true you also havecoached fitness or trained
fitness.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Oh, I do, I actually do, and you still do I do.
Yep, I teach fitness classesTuesdays and Fridays at the gym
in Del Rapids the same gym thatmy studio is in and that's Rapid
Fitness.
Speaker 1 (30:51):
Rapid Fitness Because that whole gym got a whole new,
like the whole gym is new.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
They just added on to an entire side that, well,
there's still the, the main areathat's been there, but they
just did an entire addition ohokay, and so that's like, so
they just added on, they didn'tmove.
Speaker 1 (31:03):
Oh okay, they just added on so yeah, it was kind of
an l-shaped building and nowit's a square.
Oh, okay, so they just filledit in.
Yep, filled it in and my studiois in one of the corners so, oh
, very cool.
I've seen some photos of it andit does seem so open, nice tall
ceilings.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
Brand new, yeah, so everything is really it's
awesome.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
And you were in Rapid Fitness before as well, or no?
Speaker 2 (31:21):
No, no, I was actually in a strip mall, like
across town.
Speaker 1 (31:24):
Oh, okay.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Which was nothing wrong with it.
It was perfectly fine, butthere's just some perks to being
at this location.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
So, yeah, very cool.
So what do you normally teachwhen it comes to fitness on
Tuesdays and Fridays?
Speaker 2 (31:35):
Yep Tuesdays and Fridays, my class I would call
it like a Pilates yoga meetslike some strength, so I do like
some light weights and it's youknow, that sort of thing.
Speaker 1 (31:46):
Yeah, okay, and how long have you done that?
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Well, I actually I took a huge hiatus, but I
started doing that probably 15years ago, Okay, and I did that
for a few years, took a breakwhen I took over the dance
studio.
I cut out the workout portionto focus on the dance portion,
yeah, and I just never put itback in there.
But now I've been teaching atRapid Fitness, for I'm not even
sure, a year, maybe not thatlong.
(32:10):
No, it's not too long A year,maybe a little more than a year.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
Very cool.
And so with Rapid Fitness doyou have to have like uh,
membership add-on to go to theclasses, or like if you're a
member there you can just attend.
How does?
That work do you know or youdon't really know?
Speaker 2 (32:24):
I don't, because I think I've always well, and now
I just don't worry about that,but yeah I.
I think it might have an admight be an add-on, but okay
there's probably like you canpay a lesser rate just to have
the 24-hour access and then, ifyou, want to take the classes.
It's probably additional sure.
Speaker 1 (32:41):
Okay, I would say maybe yeah, but you don't handle
any of that, you just I knowthat's I just, I just teach yep,
matt does all of that, but I doknow they're doing a.
All classes are free innovember, oh, very cool, if
anyone's interested in hearingthis in bell rapids yeah, yeah,
okay, very cool tuesday morning,friday morning, yeah, come hang
out at 6 am.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
6 am, and how long is it?
It's a 45 minute, 45 minuteokay, very cool.
Speaker 1 (33:01):
I do feel like we will oftentimes at fit body um,
especially in the summer.
We'll do like special saturdayswhere we bring different types
of stuff, whether it be we'vehad like revolution, revolution
revolution um, we had them comeand do some yoga stuff.
Um, we do pound, we had um coolhip-hop.
Uh there's.
Uh, janelle was a gal that Imet and she does hip-hop fitness
cool.
Um, she teaches that in a galthat I met and she does hip-hop
(33:23):
fitness cool.
Um, she teaches that in brandon.
Um, I think it's at the rapidfitness in brandon.
Okay, yeah, because there's arapid fitness in brandon there
is yeah, yeah, and matt stillowns that also right okay, very
cool.
Um, so we'll bring all thedifferent things.
Maybe at some point we'll haveto bring in, yeah, a megan
workout into fit body.
Count me in.
Yeah, cool.
But I think it is just fun toto know that, like the working
(33:47):
that not working out, thedancing it was, it was a workout
.
Also, like it is a workout, andI think that so many times I've
heard people say like workingout isn't for me.
But I feel like they just needto try something different.
Speaker 2 (34:02):
They just haven't found the right workout.
Yeah, I think, yeah.
Speaker 1 (34:04):
Because that is moving your body, releasing your
stress and really beingcomfortable in your own body
Like for me, like that's whatworking out does.
Is helps you build confidencein who you are, and, um, dancing
is something that definitelyeven helped me with.
That is like, oh, I can learn awhole new thing, and I think a
(34:26):
lot of times we don't allowourself to enter into the
unknown or enter into somethingnew.
Speaker 2 (34:30):
We stay in our comfort zone.
Yeah, stay in our comfort zone,yeah.
Speaker 1 (34:33):
And that's how we grow is when we push that
comfort zone, lean out of it.
I totally agree, yes.
Speaker 2 (34:37):
And I think I hear that a lot too with with people
wanting to join the gym or joinclasses like oh, what if I?
What if I?
Well, who cares?
You don't know, unless you try,just give it a go, and maybe it
isn't for you.
But you don't know, unless youtry it.
Speaker 1 (34:48):
Yeah, absolutely.
Well, this is awesome and Ijust feel like it opens up
people's awareness to to thatdance is out there, Cause, like,
again, if you're like me andyou lived in my little bubble
where dance wasn't part of it, Ijust didn't even know about all
the awesome dance opportunitiesthat are out there, from from
participating in dance toviewing dance, to just the
(35:10):
connections through dance, um,and it can become a lifestyle.
Um, like, totally agree, youlive it.
Speaker 2 (35:17):
Well, even for me I'm constantly finding out about
new dance related like not onlyopportunities, but, like you
said, shows things that I can doas a participant, things I can
do as a spectator.
It I'm I'm still learning allthe time about it.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (35:30):
So it's just like you said it's a matter of
connections.
One connection leads to thenext, to the next, and you're
like oh wow, that's happeningtoo.
Speaker 1 (35:46):
So I love life and it's just about finding what
fills your cup and tryingdifferent things, because maybe
maybe someone out there will trydance and it won't be for them,
that's okay.
Maybe someone out there willtry my style of workouts and
that's not for them, that's okay.
But it doesn't mean stop.
It doesn't mean don't tryanother thing.
It means keep looking until youfind that thing that is for you
(36:06):
, because that's where you'regoing to find joy and that's
what life's about is having joyand having fun doing the things
that you like.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
I agree, and and we've talked, we've talked about
this before Physical activityis not just about having
physical wellness.
It is we just talked about theDancing with the Stars it is
mental wellness too.
It's to me almost more mentalhealth related than it is
physical health, Like.
I it's such a mental release.
For me it's a meditation, it'sjust a way to get outside of all
(36:39):
of my thoughts and focus onsomething that's productive and
I just think it's so beneficialfor anybody and everybody.
Speaker 1 (36:43):
Yeah, you know, and I didn't really think about this
as we were going through leadingup to Dancing with the Stars,
but kind of just even like rightnow, as we were even talking
about it for me, when we wouldgo to our practice, they were
usually an hour-ish long, andwhen I was trying to learn the
moves or the dance that you wereteaching me, or trying to
figure out what it is we weredoing, I could not and did not
(37:04):
think of anything else.
Like all I thought about for onehour was dancing and was
learning new footwork.
And so, literally, I could bedriving to our practice and I'm
thinking about the, thestressors of life, whatever they
are, um, thinking about that.
And then we get to dance andyou have to turn that off and
(37:27):
focus on this dance, and Ireally do think that it was very
therapeutic to to turn off life.
So many of us live in this ratrace of life where it's just go,
go, go, one thing to the nextthing, to the next thing, and we
never have moments where we canjust you know what turn off and
focus on whatever the simpletask is, it actually reminds me
(37:50):
this is silly, but it reminds meof yesterday and I was with my
little two-year-old niece andsitting down and coloring and I
was coloring and I actually saidthat to her.
Speaker 2 (38:00):
I said this is like meditation, Like it's just any
way that you can get out outsideof your actual like busy brain
and focus on something else is.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
Yeah and again.
Maybe it's coloring, maybe it'snot working out, maybe it's
coloring, but find somethingyeah, and it does and it allows
you to break away from the busyand just be in the now.
And I think one of the biggestthings that I've really been and
I've been telling some of mycoaches this even too, as we're
talking because I always havebeen one to set like big goals,
I would set big goals, but thenwhere I have really found that
(38:30):
my downfall was is I wouldn'tcelebrate myself or be excited
about until I hit a big goal.
And so what I've reallyrealized, especially over this
last little period I don't thinkit was all to do with,
obviously, dancing with thestars, but just really going
through life is realizing thathey, set a big goal and strive
for a big goal, but if you wantto try and find true happiness,
(38:54):
celebrate every day and even ifit's just one step, one tiny
step in any direction towardsthat goal.
Because if you only celebrateonce you hit that big goal, like
it's not, you're not going toget there because you're going
to be defeated.
Speaker 2 (39:08):
You can find joy and success in every day.
You just have to look for it.
Speaker 1 (39:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (39:12):
I'm a huge to-do list maker, so I'm I do.
And I'm like, oh, there's that,it's such a satisfaction.
Yep, every day I feel like I'vebeen successful somewhere or
another.
Speaker 1 (39:22):
So yeah, yeah, and sometimes you've got to put
things on there that you knowyou're going to get done.
You know that I'm going to putthis thing on there.
Speaker 2 (39:31):
I might put shower on there, check that off.
It still feels good to close itoff it still feels good to win.
Speaker 1 (39:36):
I put on my daily task list today drink all my
water.
I daily task list today drinkall my water.
I live in the health andfitness world.
I'm a.
I'm a health and fitness, I owna gym.
But I put on my daily task listfor today drink all my water.
And when I get my last bottleof water in, I'm going to check
that off and I'm going to feelgood.
Exactly, and I'm going to feelgood about feeling good.
Speaker 2 (39:58):
Yes, and and that's, and a workout can be that too
though because that's anotherthing on your to-do list that
when you're done with it, itfeels good, you accomplished a
goal.
Speaker 1 (40:05):
Yeah, you know something super goofy and I I
think it was actually just lastnight Um, I was going to go work
out yesterday and I and Ididn't.
The kids had the day off fromschool, and so I didn't go to my
normal workout time.
And then my wife and I werelike, well, let's go to a later
one.
And then it got to be too lateand we ended up, well, yeah,
let's go on a walk.
And we didn't go on a walk, andso finally, my wife and I were
like you know what let's just do.
(40:25):
I think we ended up doing 50squats, 10 pushups and 25
sit-ups.
It was the simplest thing, butwe did it and we got done.
And it was so good to move yourbody a little bit.
(40:48):
It was like seven or eighto'clock at night and just move
your body before you go to bedand you sleep a great.
So, yeah, find the little winsin life.
Speaker 2 (40:55):
Little wins, agree yeah.
Speaker 1 (40:57):
I love that Well, hey , thank you so much for taking
the time, megan.
This is awesome.
You guys, we will put in thedescription of the show links to
.
I'll try to find a link of ourdance.
I'm sure we have that.
Speaker 2 (41:09):
We have it in video somewhere.
Speaker 1 (41:10):
So we'll put a link to our whole dance so you can
watch the whole dance.
In the description I'll alsoput a link to the hip hop shop
so that you can find out moreabout Megan with her social
medias and the different stuff.
You want to follow that andI'll tell you you do a good job
on your social media.
Speaker 2 (41:24):
Thank you.
This is a new endeavor, so Iappreciate that it's fun.
Speaker 1 (41:28):
It's fun just to see because, like, obviously I got
to know you through Dancing withthe Stars, but I didn't really
know what it is that youactually do, and it is so fun to
see the kids dancing or thedifferent things that are
happening in your studio.
Speaker 2 (41:46):
And so it is fun to follow along.
So I will tell you Good.
Thank you, I really you have noidea.
Thank you, I appreciate that alot.
Keep going.
Did you hear that?
Speaker 1 (41:48):
Matt, I'm going to make sure.
Yeah, yeah, there you go.
Let them know, matt.
Matt, if you watch this, I wantyou to watch this specific part
Scroll to.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
He gave me such a hard time.
He hey, there you go, celebratethe small wins.
There you go, I'm loving it, Ilove it.
Speaker 1 (42:04):
So, yeah, I'll make sure to put a description or a
link in the description of thatso that you guys can follow
along with that, but otherwise,you guys, that is what we have
for you.
Thank you, guys, for joining us.
Is that your phone?
What's going on?
Something's home oh well,that's good If you hear a little
bit of background music.
Speaker 2 (42:20):
That's our closeout music.
Speaker 1 (42:22):
Time to go.
You guys, thank you for joiningus today.
Have an awesome day and makesure to catch us on the next
episode of the Fit and HealthySioux Falls Show.
Bye, guys.
We have an awesome episode planned for you today,
diving into my experience withdancing with the Sioux Falls
Stars, and I get to welcome mydance partner, megan, to the
show.
So let's dive in all aboutdancing dancing with the Stars,
and the experience that we had alittle behind the scenes.
Let's go.
Well, welcome to the show,megan, so excited to have you on
(00:43):
here.
Tell you what time flies.
True, we just got done doingDancing with the Stars, it feels
like, but now looking at it,it's like three weeks ago, four
weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Wow, really A month already.
That is crazy.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Yeah, so I wanted to take some time to chat with you.
You are the dancingprofessional.
I am apparently the star thecelebrity the celebrity, the
celeb, um, but what is it thatyou do?
What is your dancing Me?
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah, you're dancing every day.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Well, yeah, but first let's even talk about when did
you get into dancing?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Like when I was three .
I've been dancing since I wasthree.
I took classes all the way up.
I was probably 18 or 19 when Imet somebody that asked about me
teaching, and I've beenteaching ever since.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Really.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, so I have the studio that I started teaching
at at like 18, 19.
I took some time off because Ihad college.
I had you know some militarystuff and then I came back and
bought it from her and I've beenrunning it ever since.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Cool.
And what is that studio calledthe Cool?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
And what is that studio?
Speaker 1 (01:42):
called the Hip Hop Shop Hip Hop Shop, and it's in
yes, del Rapids, okay, delRapids.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
We just moved location.
So we've been in the samebuilding for 20 plus years and
we just moved into the RapidFitness building, which is on
Garfield.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Awesome, yeah, very cool.
So now your location is brandnew.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Brand new.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
And have you already started classes in the new we
did.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
We started October 15th and we're still not
completely put together yet.
So we still have sound panelspushed up against the wall.
They're not hung yet.
We watch.
I mean, I started classes whenthe mirrors were still just like
kind of leaning against thewall.
So little baby steps we'regetting there.
But yeah, brand new, it's beenfun.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Absolutely, and so you got into dancing when you
were three.
You've been dancing kind ofever since.
Um, in dancing, which I'm not adancer, well now you are.
I am now.
I am now.
I wasn't a dancer.
Yes, it's a lot of fun.
It's so much fun.
It is very fun.
It's very I don't knowtherapeutic if you will Freeing,
liberating, yeah, just beingable to listen to the music and
(02:36):
move your body.
And what was it, though, thatinspired you to want to make
this a career?
Speaker 2 (02:43):
You know, I don't know if I was inspired to make
it a career.
I think it just kind ofhappened.
Yeah, I just did what feltright.
I did what was fun.
The opportunities presentedthemselves kind of slowly over
time.
I didn't anticipate ithappening.
It just kind of it literallyfell into place, yeah, and it's
been, I feel, really luckybecause of it.
But yeah, it was never really aset out plan, it just kind of
(03:05):
happened.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Yeah, that's awesome.
What, what have you?
What would you say is somethingthat dance like?
Obviously, fitness for me is anoutlet and it's also a platform
for me to to prove to myselfthat I can do hard things.
Um, and that's definitely likewhat fitness does for me.
What would you say is somethingthat dance really does for you,
or that you've even seen it doin some of your students?
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Well, I think a big thing is confidence.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
I mean especially with.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
I have little girls that will start at three and
they'll dance.
You know, maybe they'll danceall the way through senior year,
maybe they'll stop in middleschool and pursue other sports
or whatever.
In the small town it's kind ofa.
My, my studio is very like Iwould say.
It's more recreational, lesscompetitive, so I have girls
that do everything.
But I think it just gives youthat confidence to to push
yourself to work within a teamdynamic, to do scary things,
(03:56):
getting out in front of a crowdto do something that you maybe
are you going to succeed at it.
There's a chance it's going towork.
Maybe, and I think that thatthat can be just part of life in
general and and carries overinto, like you said, even the
like physical fitness, and whichI completely agree, I'm right
there with you, but it's, it'sjust that confidence to push
your body to try, try something,literally in front of a crowd.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Yeah, absolutely.
I remember the night of thedance, uh, the night of the show
, if you will.
We were backstage and you'relike, you've been practicing,
but like are you good in frontof people?
Because, right, and we've beenpracticing just in front of
nobody, um and so, yeah, gettingout there in front of how many
people were there.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
You know, I don't know, I never, I don't know if I
ever heard an account which isinteresting, but it was like the
district was packed.
It was packed, it was a soldout show Every was packed.
It was packed.
It was a sold out show.
Every single seat was sold infull.
So I, on top of probably thevolunteers, that were there too.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
So yeah, I mean it was it was a big crowd, I was
nervous.
I mean, I do this all the timeand I was nervous.
So yeah, it was.
My wife did tell me she's likeyou looked a little stiff, babe.
I was like, hey, I'll, I'llwork on it.
But um, but no, it was so muchfun so I'd love to be able to
get into some of them watchingthis or listening to this.
They maybe have never heard ofDancing with the Stars, true,
(05:10):
which I never had until I gotasked how about you?
Had you heard of?
Speaker 2 (05:13):
this before I had heard about it.
I guess I didn't realize it wasstill happening.
I had heard about it years ago.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Yeah, when I think it used to be a benefit for a
different I'm not even sure, butI had heard about it.
Then I thought it kind ofdisappeared with 2020, so that
it had been going on.
I was excited, and I do thinkthat kind of during 2020, in
that COVID year, I think thatthere was like a break that was
taken, because it sounds likethat's when, after 2020, a
different charity kind of gotbehind it.
I think so, and so now for anyof you that are watching or
(05:42):
listening now, it is a benefitto support Empire Mental Health
Support here in town and in thesurrounding area, to help just
mental health and being able toraise awareness for it.
And I tell you what I thoughtit was an awesome event.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
It was amazing.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Yeah, I've been to so many fundraising events and so
many times you and they're allgreat you go, you hear their,
their mission, you hear the workthat they do and you hear why
they do it and it's veryinspiring.
But obviously theseorganizations need to raise
money and so at the, a normalcharity event, there's then a
component of of fundraising thatgoes with it, and this felt
(06:18):
like such for three hours.
Yeah, like you were engaged inwatching something and and like
just a fun night.
I would, I would and will gowatch for sure I'm actually
excited to go back.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
I honestly I hope I'm involved somehow next, year um
I I have said a thousand times,it's probably one of my favorite
nights of this entire year yeahand any, and again we're saying
it's three hours, but really itwasn't.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
It was like three months for us.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
I mean, we put in a lot of time.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
So it was an ongoing thing and it still is.
I mean, it brings peopletogether.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
It was what a great great cause, super fun, great
you know everything about it wasjust, it was a blast.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
Yeah, absolutely, and I tell you what, to that point,
you mentioned to bring peopletogether.
Just a bit ago, we had a funworkout with with some of the
other dancers.
You missed it, I know.
Rub it in.
We'll do it again, though.
We'll do it again, Um, but, andthen even to uh, my wife and I
were out the other night and weended up running into you and
Clayton and it just it is.
It's these connections andthese relationships that you
(07:13):
make that I don't know that wewould have ever made them
otherwise.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
I don't know how it would have happened Not not to
the easy level that it did yeah.
You know like not as I don'tknow, not as connected yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Yeah.
So let's talk about like whenyou?
How did you find out aboutDancing with the Stars?
When was the first time?
It's like, hey, you're going tobe involved or hey, would you
be involved.
How'd that look?
Speaker 2 (07:33):
So well, Raina.
Raina ropes me into, Raina Rasmthings.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Because you're part of Lyra, correct, I am yes.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Yes, I dance with Lyra.
And she had texted hey, isanybody available or interested
in being a professional?
We need more dancers.
And I thought well, let mecheck my schedule.
If it works, sure I'll do it.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
So I said yes, and then of course it wasn't too
long after of the gate was likeI can't do that.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Nope, nope and again.
Of course we won't ruin thesurprise.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
Everybody knows he ends up winning the whole thing.
I drug.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
a man forced him to do it and then he kicked me.
But yeah, I think Reina is theone that told me about it and
again I'd heard of it.
But I did do a little researchwhen she brought it up, just to
see, you know, kind of find outas much as I could.
Well, not really I found out asmuch as I needed.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
I should say yeah, sure, but yeah, what about you?
Yeah, to that point, kind ofsame thing.
I've got a good friend, tonyBartholomus.
He's a client at FitBody.
He helped us with our homemortgage and part of Lyra.
And he's also part of Lyra.
Yeah, from what I found out, Ithink that we get very ingrained
into our own little bubble.
(08:44):
Yes, and the world is huge.
Like the world is so big andthere's so many things going on
that we're just oblivious to,and so this dance world, I'm
oblivious to it at this point.
I didn't know anything about thedance world.
Of course, I've seen some ofthe different dance buildings
and obviously I know dance is athing Like my daughters danced
when they were young, and so Iknow dance is a thing Like my
(09:05):
daughters danced when they wereyoung, and so I knew Tony was a
dancer.
And all of a sudden, tony,after one of the workouts, he's
like CJ, I've got something foryou.
And I'm like what is it Like?
Tell me more.
And he's like well, I was on.
I don't even remember what hewas on, but he's like I was on
something where they weretalking about finding local
(09:26):
stars that would be willing toparticipate in a Dancing with
the Stars, and I told them thatthey need to reach out to you.
I'm like Tony, I don't dance.
And he's like no, you don'thave to dance.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
You'll learn that you will have to dance.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Right, but now, in this moment, you'll learn that.
But you can have fun in frontof people, and he's like I just
think you'd have a blast.
I'm like, well, hey, put myname.
He's like I already put yourname in, so I wasn't asking for
permission, I was more sotelling you that I did it.
I was like, oh, perfect.
So then I get this email andit's from the event company and
they're like hey, you've beennominated to be one of the stars
(10:03):
and dancing with the stars.
Please let us know, by whateverdate, if you're available and
willing to do this.
And first thought I was like,hmm, is this something like you
said, like on my schedule, allow, like will I be able to do it?
Also, too, a little bit ofthought that went through my
head is like my wife can be likecool with this, like just dance
(10:24):
.
Like I don't dance with her,you know, let alone like try to
yeah, I'm going to go dance withsomebody I've never met before,
um.
So I talked with her and she'slike, go for it, give it a shot,
and and so yeah.
Then all of a sudden, you know,some time went by and we end up
at PIN Studios and that was thefirst night that I had met you.
And that night, all of a sudden, we get paired.
(10:44):
Yes, and then we have to gotake photos with each other Like
up close and personal.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Hi, can we?
Yeah, that was definitely likehey, stranger yeah that was like
probably the most odd part ofthe whole experience.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
That was, yeah, that was like probably the most odd
part of the whole experience.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
I completely agree, it was exciting, it was fun but
at the same time, it was likejust diving right in.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
I don't even know you and yet I have to like hold you
for this.
I know that's full of intimacy.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Yeah, I'm like, uh, yeah, agree, totally agree.
So that was definitely odd.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
But from then, From there, we then got kind of like
the schedule of events and itwas like you need to start your
practices, and they gave us kindof like a so apparently
guidelines.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Yeah 20 hour rule was just a guideline.
Yeah, because Everybody cheated.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Let me, yeah, let me tell you I don't like.
Come on, clinton, were you 20?
Speaker 2 (11:30):
hours Way over.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Ah geez, boston, Boston.
But so we then laid out apractice schedule and we met at
Ballo.
Do you say Ballerina, ballerina, ballerina, and that is what
Raina owns?
Yes, correct, yes, okay.
What are the chances that Rainaowns Ballerina?
Speaker 2 (11:48):
You know, come on.
Clever, yeah, clever, I love it.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
I love it.
But so, yeah, we met there andwe start dancing.
And what was your?
What thoughts were goingthrough your head?
You're going to meet me for thefirst time at a dance practice.
Like, what's going through yourhead?
Does this guy know how to dance?
Like what are the things Ithink?
Speaker 2 (12:06):
I think I was handling it like I would any
sort of like first class OK.
You know, I don't know whatyou're capable of, I don't know
what you can do.
I had kind of like a fewguidelines that I'm like I'm
going to teach him this, butreally I'm going to be seeing
what you can handle and what youcan do, just because I had
ideas like what I wanted to doas far as choreo and that sort
of.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Thing.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
But I needed to know what you were capable of doing.
So I think I just literally Itreated it like you were a
toddler coming to your firstclass.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
I think I need to get treated like a toddler more
often.
You were fine, it was good andI think, to that point, one of
the things that I really learnedand I even mentioned this, like
in the little interview thingthat we did but all the time, as
it pertains to FitBody andhelping our team and helping our
clients, it's like making surethat they know when you need
help, you need to ask and youneed to make sure that you are
(12:52):
putting yourself out there andasking the questions so that you
can get better yeah.
And it wasn't easy Like I saythat all the time, but it wasn't
easy for me to say, hey, megan,how do I do this thing with my
feet or how, like I just wantedto get it.
I wanted to just be able to doit, um, and I didn't want to
show you or let you see that Icouldn't get it and so I had to
(13:14):
like.
So that thought process was like, man, I bet our clients or our
people that we're teaching, likethey're going through that same
mentality of like how do I howdo I ask and feel comfortable
and okay with, like I knowyou've shown me this every
practice, but explain the ballchange again and where my foot
is supposed to go, and it almostfelt like, almost like I know I
(13:36):
should know this, so why shouldI ask?
Speaker 2 (13:37):
But it would also.
I think what you're really goodat is imitating.
Like you can, in the moment,just imitate anything I do.
That doesn't mean, if I'mstanding there and I'm not doing
it with you, that you rememberhow to do it.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Right.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
And I didn't.
I didn't realize that I thinkright away because you'd get it.
I'm like oh and doing it.
I didn't get that quite rightat the beginning.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
So that was definitely a learning curve.
So, yeah, learning that style.
So I think you know, as itpertains to anyone that might be
, you know, listening to this,it is going to be uncomfortable
to ask for help, but if youtruly want to make progress in
whatever it is that you'retrying to achieve, it's going to
be more uncomfortable to remainthe same and to remain kind of
(14:18):
not fulfilling your goal.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
Yeah, or not having the clarity of what you're
supposed to be doing.
If you're not even doing itright.
What are you reallyaccomplishing, Right?
Exactly so ask for help.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Ask often, and that's how you'll be able to keep on
getting better.
So we had 20 hours to get thisdance dialed in and when you
came to me you already had thesong Cause you had you had like
messaged me like what do youthink about some of these
artists?
Speaker 2 (14:42):
The night, of the night that we met.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
I think I asked kind of your style, oh sure.
What kind of music you likedand kind of looked through after
that.
But yeah, yep.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
So we had the song what was it called?
The Way you Lie, yeah, the Wayyou Lie, yeah.
So there's two versions there'sone that's just an Eminem
version and there's one that'sEminem and Rihanna.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
There's actually, there's actually three versions
because, there's a part one anda part two and we technically
used part two.
Oh, gotcha, okay it's one ofthose complicated, yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Lots of Cool.
But so you put this songtogether.
How do you then choreograph adance?
Speaker 2 (15:19):
I don't know how to answer that question.
I've been asked this before.
How do you choreograph?
I don't know, Depending on thestyle.
Sometimes I have elements Iknow I already want in there.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
But sometimes I just visualize and kind of, I don't
know, I don't.
It's like I don't know how toanswer that question I'm not
really sure.
I just do it.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Yeah, Are there some?
Are there some dance teachersthat cannot choreograph, or like
?
Speaker 2 (15:46):
yeah, I think that there's a definite difference
between being a choreographerand a T a dance teacher.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Yeah, for sure.
Or being a dance coach, Like alot of um, a lot of teams
actually will hire otherchoreographers and then the
coaches will just do thecleaning and the perfecting, you
know.
But as far as core, yeah,Choreography is definitely a
separate, separate thing.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Yeah, do you enjoy that part of?
Speaker 2 (16:07):
it, I do, I, I like I've been asked that before too
Like what do you like better,doing choreography, doing the
dance, doing the teaching?
I would say, my favoriteclasses are when I'm teaching
choreography.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
I do definitely love doing the choreography because
it's new, it's something freshand exciting.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
And it's your thing, right?
Yeah, exactly, and I do yourbrain.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
And that's why I do love doing my own choreography.
I've never hired anyone to doanything and I coach cheer.
I've done musical theater, I'vedone all kinds of things.
I feel more attached and moreaccomplished and more part of it
when it's my own creationversus like paying or hiring
somebody else to do it.
So, and it helps me get.
I mean, I've definitely grownand changed as a choreographer.
It's still a skill I'mconstantly trying to grow and
(16:45):
get better at, because it's notwhat is something that you can
do to grow in that area?
So I for me, I've found,especially from like being part
of Lyra and having more justconnections with other dancers,
choreographers, it's inspiring.
You kind of end up when, I meanyou end up in your little
bubble and you I mean everychoreographer has a style, but
(17:05):
you don't want to fall into likea stagnant, just like obvious,
like oh look, that's Megan'schoreography again.
Yeah, you know you want tostill have new and exciting
things, so I think being astudent learning new dances-
helps me be inspired.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
It's almost like you do something.
It's like man.
I want to incorporate that.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
Or it'll just spark something else.
Oh, I never thought of that andmaybe I could try this too.
I mean, today you have constantaccess through social media,
TikTok, YouTube, the internet,everywhere Anytime you have a
roadblock like I would have back20 years ago, I'd just be,
doomed.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Now I'm like, okay, I'm just going to pull up a
YouTube video and that's thecool thing about that is, even
at one of our practices we weregoing through some of like the
saved videos that you had onsome of your socials and it's
like I seen this.
I seen this couple dancingdoing this thing.
Let's see if we could trysomething like that.
Yeah, exactly so and that's tothat point.
I do feel like that's somethingreally good for people to take
(17:58):
away from from.
Listening to this is like ifyou hit a roadblock and you
haven't Googled, like how, likejust use Google like step one,
google whatever problem you'rehaving and start there.
But so many people they they'relike how do I do this?
And then that's when they giveup because they don't even take
the first step of like justGoogle.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Seriously.
There's access to informationat your fingertips all the time.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
Look it up.
Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Yeah, very cool.
And so, yeah, we got this dancedown.
We had 20 hours.
We honestly really didn't getto meet the other dancers, not
really Until the night before,and that wasn't even part of the
thing.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
No, we planned it separately.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
We planned a little night just to get together with
some of the dancers.
Not everybody could make it,but then we met.
It was like 9 o'clock onSaturday and all day, and then
the performance started at what?
6?
.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
I think the social hour was like 6 to 7.
It started at 7.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
So it was like an all-day thing, but it was like
an all day thing, but it wassuch a fun day.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
It was a blast.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
Making connections.
And we practiced so hard anddid the best we could up until
the day, but then, once that dayhit, you only could do what you
could do.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
You're prepared, as prepared as you're going to be,
yep.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
And whoever won won.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
And it was so fun to do that.
But you will never executebetter than your level of
preparation.
Agree, right.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
I mean, I think sometimes, when it comes to
performing, an audience canbring out elements that weren't
already there, because you'rejust well, this is true.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
You know what I'm saying?
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Yeah, just because you're feeling that extra energy
and you know it might even justbe the showmanship part of it,
but it does for me anyways.
An audience brings out a littleextra in me, extra flair, and
actually I've learned a lotabout myself as a coach because
the things that I have coachedand preached to my kids I found
myself going okay, you're notdoing that.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
And you're trying to get the girls to do this for you
all the time and look at younot doing it.
So it's been it's beeneyeopening.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
It was a whole.
Oh, it was such a greatexperience, experience all the
way around, for every part of it, yeah, yeah, and so maybe next
year you'll be a dancer again Iwould, I know.
For me, I'll definitely attendthe event.
If there is somewhere to serveor volunteer or help, I would be
more than willing and wantingto do that because it was such a
good event.
Like you said, the connectionslet's dive in, though, a little
bit to just the hip hop shop,and let's dive in a little bit
(20:18):
Because, after we got done,something that I did even talk
with my wife was like, man, weshould find places we could go
take dance lessons, and there'sfrom, I believe, the Shrine
downtown has some things oncertain nights.
I also found and even anothercouple told me about this
there's some app and I show heroff.
Have you heard of this?
No, so online it's called ShowHer Off and it's some guy and
(20:43):
his wife and they createdat-home dance videos that you
can do.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
You got to pay for them.
Oh, I was going to say Wow.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
So you pay and you can subscribe to different
things.
And I was looking in my YouTubeand I actually looking in my
YouTube and I actually had,years ago, bought a at-home
program and never did it.
Oh, wow, but so and then I wentto look into it and I had lost
my login and whatnot.
But it said that they changeover to an actual app-based
platform.
Message us here.
So I messaged him and hemessaged me back and got me a
(21:12):
new login.
So now I can log in and I'vegot like a little platform that
it's like move your furnitureout of the way, turn it on the
YouTube.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
And what's it called?
Again, show her off, show heroff.
Okay, I have to remember that.
That's cool.
Show her off, cool.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Um, but so.
There's that, but so um the hiphop shop.
It's in Del Rapids.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
So I was going to say , speaking of that, I was just
talking to Clinton about this.
A couple of days ago I a coupleof classes that were for
partner dancing.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
And they were really a huge hit.
I would end up having to add aclass every time I'd advertise,
and I haven't done it becauseI've been so focused on the new
studio and other things.
But we were just talking abouttrying to do one before the new
year at the hip hop shop.
We would love it for you guysto come.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Yeah, that'd be great .
Yeah, I'd have a blast, and Iare available, we're there.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
Yeah, that would be awesome.
I will go according to yourschedule.
I'll make sure you can be there.
Sweet, I love it.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
I love it, see, and that also right.
There is the power ofconnection.
Yes, Because we are.
We're willing to help eachother out, and life is about
like Well, loser here's theother loser here's the losers of
Dancing with the Stars, youknow what I'm saying, Like
(22:22):
here's my partner.
Yeah, I think that would bereally fun.
That'd be a lot of fun.
Have you and Clinton evertaught anything together?
Speaker 2 (22:27):
Yeah, this partner dancing.
We did probably I don't knowfive or six of those classes.
Oh okay, a couple years ago wasit not?
Probably not lasting in season,but this season before okay,
and then, like I said, lastseason was just so busy with
this switch over and it's yeahkind of a crazy year.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
But so, at hip-hop shop, what is your like?
Who's the the target client orwho do you average?
Speaker 2 (22:49):
okay, so um, on a typical like, yeah, every weekly
base I my my season is octoberthrough may.
Okay um it's very recreational.
We I have one littlecompetitive team that is like 7
to 11.
And then I take my middleschool high schoolers 7 to 11,
like years old, years old, Okay,yep yep, and then I take my
middle school and high schooldance teams to like a couple
super local dance competitions,but otherwise it's extremely
(23:12):
recreational.
It's really low commitment, it'saccording to like age instead
of like dance ability, becausethen you're with your friends
and so they just come once aweek for a lesson.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
We learn a variety of styles of dance, and then, you
know, learn a couple.
What's the youngest?
You take Three, three, well,they can be almost three, so
they're like on the edge.
I think it's like a Decembercutoff or something.
So okay, and then what aboutthe oldest?
Speaker 2 (23:36):
Um, I well, the oldest, anybody that would want
to do a solo I'd take them on.
But, usually typically it'sseniors in high school.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Okay, so it is mainly like school age for the hip hop
shop.
Okay, and you have a couple ofdifferent dances or competitions
that you take them to.
Yes, and what styles of dance?
Speaker 2 (23:56):
I do Okay, so primarily all over the place.
But primarily I would say mystyle is a blend of there's some
ballet and lyrical Okay, jazzis a huge.
I love jazz Just kind of likesome modern contemporary.
Sometimes I do some I wouldcall it musical theater style
stuff a little bit here and whatwas speaking of style of dance?
Speaker 1 (24:14):
I've been asked a couple of times and I don't know
the answer style of dance.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
I've been asked a couple of times and I don't know
the answer.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
What style was our dance?
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Ooh, our dance Cause I feel like it was a mix.
It was a mix, it was my style.
I would call it.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
Megan style.
Speaker 2 (24:25):
Seriously, it kind of blends.
It blends those you knowlyrical.
There's some lyrical elements,there was some ballet elements,
there was definitely some jazzelements.
Um, I gave you a little bit ofhip hop elements, elements, just
kind of a blend.
Speaker 1 (24:40):
I don't know if you, if it could be really described
yeah but yeah okay, and is thatnormal for, like a dance, to
have multiple styles blendedinto one, or not really?
Speaker 2 (24:52):
I think so.
Yeah, I would say that,especially over the course of my
years teaching.
It used to be, you know, likeevery style was in a box, like
this is what made you be thiswas ballet, this was lyrical,
this was palm, this was hip, andI think they still do that in
some competition form.
But as far as when you'rewatching you know the world of
(25:13):
dance, or you're watching youknow Dancing with the Stars, I
typically see that it's a blendof styles.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Blend.
Yeah, okay.
So hip hop shop is going to bemainly your high school or
school age student.
But just now, dance in general.
Is there an age where it's likeyou're probably too old to
start dancing?
Absolutely not, absolutely not.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Absolutely not.
You could be 106.
You could start dancing, yeah,I think.
I mean, think of Dancing withthe Stars and how different all
of we, all of us were as far aspartners go.
Everybody had something tooffer in a completely different
way and we were I mean, our ageswere all over the place from
low twenties to sixties.
I mean it was all over theplace, yeah.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
Yeah, okay, and so where?
How did like for me the dancingworld?
Again, I said we live in theselittle bubbles.
So I lived in a bubble and itdid not include dancing.
Dancing wasn't part of mybubble, so I didn't know what.
Even well, number one I don'teven know if I wanted to even
look.
But if I wanted to look becausenow that I have experience in
(26:14):
dancing, it's like hey, I'minterested in like maybe doing a
class here or there, but maybenot like committing to signing
up for a whole program.
Where do people look for thisstuff?
So I would say well, I was aboutto say you should take your own
advice and Google it.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
But I mean, that's why I even told you, a really
great thing is like the Shrine.
I've done it before it's.
I mean, what is it?
Does it cost even to get in?
Speaker 1 (26:37):
I don't know, I don't think it might even be free.
Speaker 2 (26:39):
I don't even think there's a cover charge and
there's always a danceprofessional that's there, that
at the start of any style of aplay, a song, they'll have that
you know professional showingyou the basic step.
And then there will be couplesthere that are doing just the
basic step around the room andyou've got couples there that
clearly are pros at what they'redoing and they're thrown in all
kinds of tricks.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
So I mean, I think the biggest thing is to start
somewhere where you'recomfortable, but it is hard to
find.
I think 2020 did a number ondance studios around here, so it
is really actually hard to findstudios that teach just partner
style dancing.
They're out there.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
What about?
What about, like, even justgoing to dance shows?
What about even just going todance shows If you wanted to
just be a spectator and go watchdancing?
Because I've also found out nowwith Lyra and some of the
different stuff, you guys aredancing all over the place.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
So Lyra dances, we dance all over, I mean all
throughout the year.
They're doing at the Pavilion.
I think it's in I'm not evensure what month, gosh, I should
know this, but they are doing alive and local at the Pavilion.
This season We've danced ataward shows at the Pavilion.
They've grouped up with.
Well, there's like Headlights,theater Company or Dance.
(27:48):
I'm not even sure thatHeadlights is what I know
they're called.
They do like pop-up all over theplace.
I've seen them pop up at randomlike just festivals.
I mean it's constant.
There's things going on.
If you, I guess, check eventscalendars for Sioux Falls Um, a
lot of times it's intertwinedwith other events.
You know there's arts um awardshows, there's you know musical
(28:09):
theater.
Musical theater, I mean thepavilion and the Orpheum are two
really big spots.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
There's stuff going on there that has at least some
a lot of times to do with dancea lot of dances happening there.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
There's stuff going on there that has, at least a
lot of times to do with dance Alot I mean a lot of the time and
so I would check the pavilionswebsite.
There's so much happening thereDowntown Sioux Falls.
Like I said, they will havepop-ups at just even random
Hello High, where we ran intoeach other.
They've done a pop-up dance atthat location.
I mean, it's just random allover the place.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
So yeah, and so with that, it's like sometimes too,
we have to look for what we'relooking for.
You have to go out there andfind it.
It's not going to just be outthere, but I feel like so many
times I've heard it, I'm sureyou've heard it there's nothing
to do.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
There's so much to do .
Speaker 1 (28:52):
There's so much to do and so we've got to find it.
But I was telling my wife likeit would be so fun just to go,
you know, have dinner and thengo to watch a show of dancing,
and that's.
It's so available if you justlook for it.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
It's everywhere.
I will say I think that I havetickets to one show or another
almost every weekend.
Speaker 1 (29:11):
Really there is for people to say there's nothing to
do in Sioux Falls.
That's not true at all.
There is constant things to bedoing in Sioux Falls, so much so
that I have to say no,sometimes, like I need a day off
.
Yeah, it's it, there's so muchgoing on.
Yeah, absolutely, sometimescame to my mind I was thinking,
uh, with the hip-hop shop andyou had said that, like you
would uh, like sometimes you doone-on-one you do one-on-one
(29:31):
okay?
Speaker 2 (29:32):
yep, I do so is that any age?
Speaker 1 (29:34):
I would do any age.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
I have never had an adult ask.
I've put it out there, I'vesaid zero to 99, you can come
yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
But of course, what about the 106?
Well, yeah, I suppose I don'tknow a whole lot of 106.
Me either.
If they are interested, I wouldtake them.
Yes, yeah, but yeah, okay, andwhat does that look like?
Like, if I wanted to do thathow would I do that?
Speaker 2 (29:54):
Well, again I have, I mean I would.
Uh, well, you again I have, Imean I would just talk to you.
Yeah, I was gonna, well, youwould.
But I the best way to probablyget in touch with me, because I,
you know, I do, I'm my own pr,I'm my own web designer.
I'm my own everything, yeah umbut I am on facebook at hip-hop
shop and then I'm on instagramat dr, which is dell rapids.
But, doctor, hip-hop shop iswhat people you know what I
think it is.
Speaker 1 (30:14):
I've seen that, yeah, often and I thought it was
doctor.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
Yeah, but it's actually Del Rapids but it's
catchy because of the doctor, soit's fine.
But yeah, and on there there'sa link to my website that has
all the information that anybodywould want to know.
Sure Until we can submit, andthen you just like pay per
session type of thing.
Speaker 1 (30:31):
Yeah, very cool, that is awesome, and something that
maybe a lot of people don't knowabout you is that I believe
this to be true you also havecoached fitness or trained
fitness.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Oh, I do, I actually do, and you still do I do.
Yep, I teach fitness classesTuesdays and Fridays at the gym
in Del Rapids the same gym thatmy studio is in and that's Rapid
Fitness.
Speaker 1 (30:51):
Rapid Fitness Because that whole gym got a whole new,
like the whole gym is new.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
They just added on to an entire side that, well,
there's still the, the main areathat's been there, but they
just did an entire addition ohokay, and so that's like, so
they just added on, they didn'tmove.
Speaker 1 (31:03):
Oh okay, they just added on so yeah, it was kind of
an l-shaped building and nowit's a square.
Oh, okay, so they just filledit in.
Yep, filled it in and my studiois in one of the corners so, oh
, very cool.
I've seen some photos of it andit does seem so open, nice tall
ceilings.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
Brand new, yeah, so everything is really it's
awesome.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
And you were in Rapid Fitness before as well, or no?
Speaker 2 (31:21):
No, no, I was actually in a strip mall, like
across town.
Speaker 1 (31:24):
Oh, okay.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Which was nothing wrong with it.
It was perfectly fine, butthere's just some perks to being
at this location.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
So, yeah, very cool.
So what do you normally teachwhen it comes to fitness on
Tuesdays and Fridays?
Speaker 2 (31:35):
Yep Tuesdays and Fridays, my class I would call
it like a Pilates yoga meetslike some strength, so I do like
some light weights and it's youknow, that sort of thing.
Speaker 1 (31:46):
Yeah, okay, and how long have you done that?
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Well, I actually I took a huge hiatus, but I
started doing that probably 15years ago, Okay, and I did that
for a few years, took a breakwhen I took over the dance
studio.
I cut out the workout portionto focus on the dance portion,
yeah, and I just never put itback in there.
But now I've been teaching atRapid Fitness, for I'm not even
sure, a year, maybe not thatlong.
(32:10):
No, it's not too long A year,maybe a little more than a year.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
Very cool.
And so with Rapid Fitness doyou have to have like uh,
membership add-on to go to theclasses, or like if you're a
member there you can just attend.
How does?
That work do you know or youdon't really know?
Speaker 2 (32:24):
I don't, because I think I've always well, and now
I just don't worry about that,but yeah I.
I think it might have an admight be an add-on, but okay
there's probably like you canpay a lesser rate just to have
the 24-hour access and then, ifyou, want to take the classes.
It's probably additional sure.
Speaker 1 (32:41):
Okay, I would say maybe yeah, but you don't handle
any of that, you just I knowthat's I just, I just teach yep,
matt does all of that, but I doknow they're doing a.
All classes are free innovember, oh, very cool, if
anyone's interested in hearingthis in bell rapids yeah, yeah,
okay, very cool tuesday morning,friday morning, yeah, come hang
out at 6 am.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
6 am, and how long is it?
It's a 45 minute, 45 minuteokay, very cool.
Speaker 1 (33:01):
I do feel like we will oftentimes at fit body um,
especially in the summer.
We'll do like special saturdayswhere we bring different types
of stuff, whether it be we'vehad like revolution, revolution
revolution um, we had them comeand do some yoga stuff.
Um, we do pound, we had um coolhip-hop.
Uh there's.
Uh, janelle was a gal that Imet and she does hip-hop fitness
cool.
Um, she teaches that in a galthat I met and she does hip-hop
(33:23):
fitness cool.
Um, she teaches that in brandon.
Um, I think it's at the rapidfitness in brandon.
Okay, yeah, because there's arapid fitness in brandon there
is yeah, yeah, and matt stillowns that also right okay, very
cool.
Um, so we'll bring all thedifferent things.
Maybe at some point we'll haveto bring in, yeah, a megan
workout into fit body.
Count me in.
Yeah, cool.
But I think it is just fun toto know that, like the working
(33:47):
that not working out, thedancing it was, it was a workout
.
Also, like it is a workout, andI think that so many times I've
heard people say like workingout isn't for me.
But I feel like they just needto try something different.
Speaker 2 (34:02):
They just haven't found the right workout.
Yeah, I think, yeah.
Speaker 1 (34:04):
Because that is moving your body, releasing your
stress and really beingcomfortable in your own body
Like for me, like that's whatworking out does.
Is helps you build confidencein who you are, and, um, dancing
is something that definitelyeven helped me with.
That is like, oh, I can learn awhole new thing, and I think a
(34:26):
lot of times we don't allowourself to enter into the
unknown or enter into somethingnew.
Speaker 2 (34:30):
We stay in our comfort zone.
Yeah, stay in our comfort zone,yeah.
Speaker 1 (34:33):
And that's how we grow is when we push that
comfort zone, lean out of it.
I totally agree, yes.
Speaker 2 (34:37):
And I think I hear that a lot too with with people
wanting to join the gym or joinclasses like oh, what if I?
What if I?
Well, who cares?
You don't know, unless you try,just give it a go, and maybe it
isn't for you.
But you don't know, unless youtry it.
Speaker 1 (34:48):
Yeah, absolutely.
Well, this is awesome and Ijust feel like it opens up
people's awareness to to thatdance is out there, Cause, like,
again, if you're like me andyou lived in my little bubble
where dance wasn't part of it, Ijust didn't even know about all
the awesome dance opportunitiesthat are out there, from from
participating in dance toviewing dance, to just the
(35:10):
connections through dance, um,and it can become a lifestyle.
Um, like, totally agree, youlive it.
Speaker 2 (35:17):
Well, even for me I'm constantly finding out about
new dance related like not onlyopportunities, but, like you
said, shows things that I can doas a participant, things I can
do as a spectator.
It I'm I'm still learning allthe time about it.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (35:30):
So it's just like you said it's a matter of
connections.
One connection leads to thenext, to the next, and you're
like oh wow, that's happeningtoo.
Speaker 1 (35:46):
So I love life and it's just about finding what
fills your cup and tryingdifferent things, because maybe
maybe someone out there will trydance and it won't be for them,
that's okay.
Maybe someone out there willtry my style of workouts and
that's not for them, that's okay.
But it doesn't mean stop.
It doesn't mean don't tryanother thing.
It means keep looking until youfind that thing that is for you
(36:06):
, because that's where you'regoing to find joy and that's
what life's about is having joyand having fun doing the things
that you like.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
I agree, and and we've talked, we've talked about
this before Physical activityis not just about having
physical wellness.
It is we just talked about theDancing with the Stars it is
mental wellness too.
It's to me almost more mentalhealth related than it is
physical health, Like.
I it's such a mental release.
For me it's a meditation, it'sjust a way to get outside of all
(36:39):
of my thoughts and focus onsomething that's productive and
I just think it's so beneficialfor anybody and everybody.
Speaker 1 (36:43):
Yeah, you know, and I didn't really think about this
as we were going through leadingup to Dancing with the Stars,
but kind of just even like rightnow, as we were even talking
about it for me, when we wouldgo to our practice, they were
usually an hour-ish long, andwhen I was trying to learn the
moves or the dance that you wereteaching me, or trying to
figure out what it is we weredoing, I could not and did not
(37:04):
think of anything else.
Like all I thought about for onehour was dancing and was
learning new footwork.
And so, literally, I could bedriving to our practice and I'm
thinking about the, thestressors of life, whatever they
are, um, thinking about that.
And then we get to dance andyou have to turn that off and
(37:27):
focus on this dance, and Ireally do think that it was very
therapeutic to to turn off life.
So many of us live in this ratrace of life where it's just go,
go, go, one thing to the nextthing, to the next thing, and we
never have moments where we canjust you know what turn off and
focus on whatever the simpletask is, it actually reminds me
(37:50):
this is silly, but it reminds meof yesterday and I was with my
little two-year-old niece andsitting down and coloring and I
was coloring and I actually saidthat to her.
Speaker 2 (38:00):
I said this is like meditation, Like it's just any
way that you can get out outsideof your actual like busy brain
and focus on something else is.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
Yeah and again.
Maybe it's coloring, maybe it'snot working out, maybe it's
coloring, but find somethingyeah, and it does and it allows
you to break away from the busyand just be in the now.
And I think one of the biggestthings that I've really been and
I've been telling some of mycoaches this even too, as we're
talking because I always havebeen one to set like big goals,
I would set big goals, but thenwhere I have really found that
(38:30):
my downfall was is I wouldn'tcelebrate myself or be excited
about until I hit a big goal.
And so what I've reallyrealized, especially over this
last little period I don't thinkit was all to do with,
obviously, dancing with thestars, but just really going
through life is realizing thathey, set a big goal and strive
for a big goal, but if you wantto try and find true happiness,
(38:54):
celebrate every day and even ifit's just one step, one tiny
step in any direction towardsthat goal.
Because if you only celebrateonce you hit that big goal, like
it's not, you're not going toget there because you're going
to be defeated.
Speaker 2 (39:08):
You can find joy and success in every day.
You just have to look for it.
Speaker 1 (39:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (39:12):
I'm a huge to-do list maker, so I'm I do.
And I'm like, oh, there's that,it's such a satisfaction.
Yep, every day I feel like I'vebeen successful somewhere or
another.
Speaker 1 (39:22):
So yeah, yeah, and sometimes you've got to put
things on there that you knowyou're going to get done.
You know that I'm going to putthis thing on there.
Speaker 2 (39:31):
I might put shower on there, check that off.
It still feels good to close itoff it still feels good to win.
Speaker 1 (39:36):
I put on my daily task list today drink all my
water.
I daily task list today drinkall my water.
I live in the health andfitness world.
I'm a.
I'm a health and fitness, I owna gym.
But I put on my daily task listfor today drink all my water.
And when I get my last bottleof water in, I'm going to check
that off and I'm going to feelgood.
Exactly, and I'm going to feelgood about feeling good.
Speaker 2 (39:58):
Yes, and and that's, and a workout can be that too
though because that's anotherthing on your to-do list that
when you're done with it, itfeels good, you accomplished a
goal.
Speaker 1 (40:05):
Yeah, you know something super goofy and I I
think it was actually just lastnight Um, I was going to go work
out yesterday and I and Ididn't.
The kids had the day off fromschool, and so I didn't go to my
normal workout time.
And then my wife and I werelike, well, let's go to a later
one.
And then it got to be too lateand we ended up, well, yeah,
let's go on a walk.
And we didn't go on a walk, andso finally, my wife and I were
like you know what let's just do.
(40:25):
I think we ended up doing 50squats, 10 pushups and 25
sit-ups.
It was the simplest thing, butwe did it and we got done.
And it was so good to move yourbody a little bit.
(40:48):
It was like seven or eighto'clock at night and just move
your body before you go to bedand you sleep a great.
So, yeah, find the little winsin life.
Speaker 2 (40:55):
Little wins, agree yeah.
Speaker 1 (40:57):
I love that Well, hey , thank you so much for taking
the time, megan.
This is awesome.
You guys, we will put in thedescription of the show links to
.
I'll try to find a link of ourdance.
I'm sure we have that.
Speaker 2 (41:09):
We have it in video somewhere.
Speaker 1 (41:10):
So we'll put a link to our whole dance so you can
watch the whole dance.
In the description I'll alsoput a link to the hip hop shop
so that you can find out moreabout Megan with her social
medias and the different stuff.
You want to follow that andI'll tell you you do a good job
on your social media.
Speaker 2 (41:24):
Thank you.
This is a new endeavor, so Iappreciate that it's fun.
Speaker 1 (41:28):
It's fun just to see because, like, obviously I got
to know you through Dancing withthe Stars, but I didn't really
know what it is that youactually do, and it is so fun to
see the kids dancing or thedifferent things that are
happening in your studio.
Speaker 2 (41:46):
And so it is fun to follow along.
So I will tell you Good.
Thank you, I really you have noidea.
Thank you, I appreciate that alot.
Keep going.
Did you hear that?
Speaker 1 (41:48):
Matt, I'm going to make sure.
Yeah, yeah, there you go.
Let them know, matt.
Matt, if you watch this, I wantyou to watch this specific part
Scroll to.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
He gave me such a hard time.
He hey, there you go, celebratethe small wins.
There you go, I'm loving it, Ilove it.
Speaker 1 (42:04):
So, yeah, I'll make sure to put a description or a
link in the description of thatso that you guys can follow
along with that, but otherwise,you guys, that is what we have
for you.
Thank you, guys, for joining us.
Is that your phone?
What's going on?
Something's home oh well,that's good If you hear a little
bit of background music.
Speaker 2 (42:20):
That's our closeout music.
Speaker 1 (42:22):
Time to go.
You guys, thank you for joiningus today.
Have an awesome day and makesure to catch us on the next
episode of the Fit and HealthySioux Falls Show.
Bye, guys.
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