By: Bay Miraflores

In professional dancing, where performers support megastars like Ariana Grande and Kim Petras on sold-out world tours, a hidden crisis has long festered beneath the spotlight. Elite dancers, despite sharing stages with artists earning millions, often struggle to afford rent, lack health insurance, and receive minimal support for their physical and mental well-being.

The physical demands are staggering. Dancers and choreographers rank among the most physically active professions in America, with activity levels comparable to fitness trainers and emergency responders. Yet unlike those professions, dancers lack institutional support systems, making the work of pioneers like Kristin Weitzel, founder of Wellpower, SHERPA Breath & Cold, and host of the WELLPOWER podcast, absolutely essential.

When World-Class Athletes Are Treated Like Disposable Bodies

In the dazzling world of professional dance, where performers collaborate with megastars like Ariana Grande and Kim Petras on sold-out world tours, a hidden, designed crisis has long festered beneath the spotlight. Elite dancers, despite sharing stages with artists earning millions, often struggle to afford rent, lack health insurance, and receive minimal support for their physical and mental well-being.

When Kristin Weitzel partnered with acclaimed creative directors and choreographers Brian (they/them) and Scott Nicholson (he/him), she was introduced to a community hungry for the tools that other professional athletes take for granted. Brian and Scott Nicholson are creative directors and choreographers for multiple World Tours with Ariana Grande, as well work with Kim Petras and Janet Jackson, bringing nearly two decades of industry experience to these intensive three-day workshops that combine elite choreography with cutting-edge performance science

What distinguishes WONDER Weekends is the intentional cultivation of genuine connection and community. “We’re not just bodies in a room, dancing. We’re actually connecting with each other in a way that’s that’s so rare and special. There hasn’t been anything like this before in the performance industry,” shared one participant.

Brian and Scott’s commitment to creating inclusive spaces where queer dancers, dancers of all body types, and artists at every career stage feel celebrated has been transformative. “From the guided breathwork journey curated safely enough to create some emotional release to the breath protocols applied to our current choreo and cold plunges that boost recovery and mindset, the 65-80 dancers in these WONDER Workshops continue to be blown away by how much Kristin cares about their success,” they explained.

The collaboration between Kristin Weitzel and Brian and Scott Nicholson represents proof that professional dancers deserve the same caliber of performance support given to athletes in other disciplines. In an industry that has long demanded everything while offering little, they are rewriting the rules, proving that supporting the artists that help push popular culture and seeing them as complete humans, amplifies rather than diminishes their art, and in turn, the world.

The Moment Everything Changed: Mouth Tape and Miracles

Kristin Weitzel, wellness coach, brings a unique perspective to this challenge. Through SHERPA Breath & Cold, she has developed a methodology that addresses the specific demands dancers face: managing stress during high-stakes auditions, maintaining form during extended performances, and recovering quickly between shows.

During one pivotal WONDER Weekend exercise, dancers learned current choreography from the Ariana Grande world tour, then performed it repeatedly while wearing mouth tape to restrict breathing to nasal-only. They created a controlled stressor that revealed how oxygen efficiency impacts both physical form and mental clarity.

“We’re going to bolster the understanding of how nasal breathing can support us as dancers by taping our mouths while we do this choreo,” Kristin explained. The response was transformative, with participants discovering that nasal breathing helped them maintain emotional regulation even under duress.

Brian Nicholson noted the impact: “From setting intentions to exploring the science of performance breathing, every session was a revelation, equipping dancers with the tools they need to thrive in their careers and beyond. Kristin was incredible, attentive, and one step ahead in her planning.”

From Bodies in a Room to Family: The WONDER Difference

What distinguishes WONDER Weekends is the intentional cultivation of genuine connection. “We’re not just bodies in a room, dancing. Like we’re actually connecting with each other. Like that’s so special. There isn’t anything like that,” shared one participant.

This philosophy of seeing dancers as complete humans aligns perfectly with Kristin Weitzel’s biohacking approach. “Wonder has helped me really dive in and explore who I am outside of who I think I am already,” shared another attendee.

Brian’s commitment to creating inclusive spaces where queer dancers, dancers of all body types, and artists at every career stage feel celebrated has been transformative. “From the guided breathwork journey curated safely enough to create some emotional release to the breath protocols applied to my current choreo, the 65 dancers were blown away by how much Kristin cared about their success,” he explained.

Ice Baths as Equalizers: When Vulnerability Becomes Strength

The weekend culminated in online ice bath coaching sessions. For many dancers, this was their first exposure to deliberate cold exposure training, even though they knew celebrities used ice baths for recovery.

“If we try to really trust our body, each other, we try and support each other, I think we’ll find that we’re way more miraculous and incredible than we think,” reflected one participant. “Our potential is just so limitless if we really have things to support our body and also our artists.”

This coach training breath and cold modalities provided tools for managing the chronic stress that plagues the dance community.

Training Mind, Body, and Soul

“When you are training in Wonder, you’re not only training your artistry or your talent. You’re training your mind, you’re training your body, you’re training your soul,” one dancer explained.

The WELLPOWER coach Kristin Weitzel’s approach creates ripple effects extending beyond individual dancers. “All of us came together, we chose to come here, we chose to be in this moment, and look what happens. We start to be aware of these modalities that can support us.”

The personal impact runs deep. “I think that if I could boil it down to one word, how I feel after every Wonder, it’s accomplished. I feel like I’ve blossomed so much, and I feel like a whole new person every single time.”

A Movement Rooted in Courage, Community, and Care

The collaboration between Kristin Weitzel and Brian Nicholson demonstrates that professional dancers deserve the same caliber of performance support as athletes in other disciplines. In an industry that has long demanded everything while offering little, they are rewriting the rules, proving that supporting artists as complete humans amplifies rather than diminishes their art.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and reflects the experiences of participants in the SHERPA Breath & Cold Performance Training. While breathwork and cold exposure have been explored in wellness circles, these methods may not be suitable for everyone. Always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new wellness or physical training program.