Hello, friends! It's been a while since I checked in. Hope you've been enjoying the first few months of 2026. How is it already almost April?!
I just returned from a week in France where I spent a few days in Val d'Isere snowboarding in the Alps (or at least attempting to snowboard...true confession, I am not good but think it's incredibly important to do things you "suck" at. More on that later) and then a few days in Paris exploring the city.
Why is this relevant to you? Because it all comes down to food and indulging in life...while still feeling confident in your body & not guilty for going off your exercise & diet plan.
If you've ever been to France, you know the food is GOOD! Even in the little ski village and slopeside mountain eateries they offered the most gourmet, delectable food. Instead of your average USA ski resort fare of hot dogs and chili...we are talking quiche, fresh pasta, rich roasted meats, thick hot chocolate, crème brûlée, & pastries galore. And that's not even getting into what Paris had to offer.
Now, I have major body goals - both aesthetically and athletically. I have a few photoshoots booked in the coming months that I need to feel confident in my body for and am performing for the first time with Tom Gold Dance (a dream-company of mine!) April 9 & 10 (come see the performance if you are in Manhattan!) that I need to be physically primed for.
A younger version of myself would have been terrified about taking a week off from my normal routine and diet, thinking I had two options for this vacation:
1) Let myself indulge in the delicious food I desired but come back feeling miserable and guilty for veering off my disciplined plan.
2) Resist temptations & deny myself the enjoyment of the experience, leaving me anxious, restricted, & miserable the entire vacation.
Neither option sounds fun.
Here's what actually happened with my current nutrition philosophy. I let myself eat whatever I desired and came back feeling better than ever. Without food-guilt. Fully satisfied and ready to attack my goals again.
We are talking croissants and pastries for breakfast. Multiple desserts throughout the day (I even had two desserts at a restaurant one evening! Best crème brûlée of my life!). French fries (duh!). Fresh bread and butter every single day. Lots of wine. Not worrying if I didn't have protein & veggies at every meal. Hot chocolate whenever I desired.
The secret to indulging in life like this without feeling guilty or terrified that you'll lose all your progress is knowing you have a nutrition plan to come back to...and that these indulgences are part of that plan. A way of eating that will help you quickly lose all the carb-bloat and ensure you get proper nutrients to maintain health and vitality. A plan that helps you understand how different foods nourish your body either for fat loss, performance power, or pleasure.
Then, when you eat for fat loss, you know how to get results. When you eat for performance power, you are confident in what foods will give you energy. And when you eat for pleasure, you can leave the food-guilt behind and simply enjoy your indulgences knowing they are nourishing you on a different level.
I get so sad when I hear people say they can't eat things they love on vacations or at special events for fear of getting fat. We're meant to enjoy this life. If you don't do it now, what are you waiting for? When you get to the end, you won't regret having that croissant. But you will regret not letting yourself have that experience of earthly pleasure.
Something to think about the next time you go on vacation. I hope you let yourself LIVE.
NEW Opportunity for Pro Dancers!
My friend is offering a summer intensive for professional dancers to hone their craft, work with high-level choreographers, and network with our peers! This is a brand new development (website coming soon!) but earlybird registration discounts are being offered. So, I wanted to get this to you as soon as possible. See the letter below from Courtney for more info, and simply email the link if you're interested!
Dear Dancers,
I’m so pleased to personally invite you to participate in The Workshop, a series of 5, week-long summer intensives created for professional dancers seeking deeper artistic growth, expanded versatility, and meaningful creative process, giving you agency to drive the trajectory of your career.
The Workshop is designed to provide the rare space of sustained, process-driven time centered on growth, without the stress of casting or a performance.
You’ll work with internationally recognized choreographers and répétiteurs as you explore movement more deeply, refine your partnering and improvisation skills, and strengthen your artistic voice, particularly when approaching contemporary work or new creations.
A series of 5, week-long intensives, The Workshop brings together an extraordinary roster of choreographic voices from ballet and contemporary dance:
Répétiteurs representing
Cindy Welik-Salgado: CRYSTAL PITE Répétiteur & KIDD PIVOT Improvisation Tools, & Choreographer
Jill Johnson: WILLIAM FORSYTHE Improvisational Technologies, & Choreographer
Glenn Edgerton: JIŘI KYLIÁN Répétiteur, & Choreographer
Jim Vincent: NACHO DUATO Répétiteur, & Choreographer
Courtney Richardson: DAVID DAWSON Répétiteur
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Choreographers:
Omar Román De Jesús • Sidra Bell • Houston Thomas • Babatunji • Keerati Jinakunwiphat
• Incentives to bring tuition as low as $400 per week including: Early-bird registration, referrals, attending multiple weeks, and ambassadorship opportunities. Standard rate tuition is $800/week.
• Only 25 spots available per week, early registration is strongly encouraged: Register by April 5th to access an early-bird discount. (Registration closes 45 days before the start of each session).
• 5, week-long sessions; Register for one or multiple sessions, weekly from June 22 through August 1, 2026. Session dates listed on poster above. Located at Ballet Idaho studios in Boise, Idaho.
• Daily ballet or warm up class offered. Rep and new creations will be danced in socks, barefoot, flats or pointe, per choreographer. Informal studio showing on the last day of each session.
• Optional: Pilates and yoga add-on classes available, access to Boise State University’s pool, hot tub, sauna and fitness facilities.
• Affordable housing options include walkable Boise State University housing & food program, dancer sublets, or downtown hotels with group rate discounts. Grocery stores and downtown shops/ restaurants within walking distance of studios.
• The Workshop is intended for dancers who have been employed in a company or have freelance experience for 2+ years. Advanced University dancers and Second Company / Trainees will also be considered. All dancers must be 18 or older by the start of the session. This is to provide a deeper professional environment for each participant.
With a river running through downtown Boise, and easy access to the bikeable greenbelt and hiking trails, you’ll be able to experience the natural beauty of Idaho. The Ballet Idaho studios are located directly downtown, making it easy to enjoy all the city has to offer.
If you’re looking for a summer experience centered on process, artistic expansion, and meaningful creative connection, I would love for you to join us.
Please email for more information and registration.
Warmly,
Courtney Anderson