Conversations for the Moving Self
Megan, a lifelong movement artist and facilitator, hosts honest conversations with inspiring movement and wellbeing practitioners. Each week, they unpack the rollercoaster of pursuing a lifestyle built around movement and wellbeing. The podcast reflects on moments where movement lights the soul on fire, as well as situations that lead to questioning everything.
Episodes
Episode 31 - More Than a Side Hustle: How Massage Therapy and Musical Theater Shaped Bethany Wynn
In this episode, Megan sits down with Bethany Wynn, a Level 5 advanced clinical massage therapist based in London with a background in musical theatre. Bethany shares her journey from performing on cruise ships and UK tours to building a thriving massage practice rooted in compassion rather than the "no pain, no gain" mentality she grew up with in performing arts.They dig into what it really means
Episode 30 - Laurent Roure on Somatic Practice and Yoga, Encouraging Invitations, and Liberation
This episode features Laurent, a yoga and somatic teacher whose approach blends Scaravelli Yoga with Feldenkrais-based somatic work. Laurent has been practicing yoga for over three decades, starting in the disciplined world of Ashtanga in the 90s before discovering a more receptive, listening-based approach through Scaravelli and years of one-to-one study with teachers including osteopath John Sti
Episode 29 - "No Other Choice" - Olia Poliakova on building a dance career when there was no roadmap
In this episode, host Megan sits down with Olia Polyakova — Ukrainian-born, London-based movement artist — recorded live in Mauritius, where the two former London Contemporary Dance School classmates have been spending time together. The conversation is warm, candid, and deeply personal, touching on what it really means to build a life around dance.Olia opens up about why she chose to spend holida
Episode 28 - Priya Khan on Practical Mindful Moments, Guilt, and Working from Alignment
Megan sits down with Priya Khan, a certified life coach and mindfulness expert, to explore how mindfulness can be a powerful tool for women navigating demanding, passion-driven careers.Priya shares her personal journey from the corporate world to coaching — a path sparked by motherhood and her own experience of feeling overwhelmed. She introduces a three-layered framework for self-awareness, tunin
Episode 27 - Jasmin Rothwell on Movement, Authenticity, & Making Space for New Teachers
In this episode, Megan sits down with Jasmin Rothwell, yoga teacher and somatic coach based in London, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build a life around movement and well-being.Jasmin opens up about her path from corporate recruitment to the yoga mat — from burning out building a yoga community in Manchester, to relocating to London for a fresh start and a much-needed pe
Episode 26 - Paloma Perez-Rojas on The Winding Path to Freelance Careers, Putting in the Work, and The Importance of Community
What does it take to build a dance career on your own terms? In this episode, Megan sits down with Paloma Perez Rojas — American dancer, mentor, and founder of The Dancing Business — to trace her journey from a shy seven-year-old doing cartwheels to a working artist and entrepreneur based in Madrid, Spain.Paloma opens up about the winding road that brought her to dance: switching from visual art t
Episode 25 - Gerard Hawley on the Taoist Principle, Wu Wei, and the Rich Tension between Martial Roots and Meditative Qualities
In this episode, Megan sits down with Gerard Hawley — Tai Chi practitioner, teacher, and founder of a thriving school of around 100 students — to explore a practice that is as much a philosophy as it is a physical discipline. Gerard shares how Tai Chi began as a personal tool for managing stress before growing into a deeply fulfilling teaching career spanning six years, and he takes us into the te
Episode 24 - Steph Mattiussi Holisitic Approach to Movement and Health, Conditioning the Body versus Caring for it, and Treating the Human First
In this episode, Megan sits down with Stephanie Mattiussi — dance scientist, educator, and head of dance science and health at London Contemporary Dance School — for a conversation that feels both personal and deeply professional. Stephanie traces her journey from early ballet and tap training through to discovering dance science at university, sharing how combining her love of movement with her c
Episode 23 - Paula Nacif on Unrestrictive Approaches to Health, the Power of Nature, and Finding Wholeness
In this episode, Megan sits down with Paula Nacif — massage therapist, herbalist, and naturopath — to talk about her journey from the arts world into holistic health. Paula opens up honestly about how her own movement practice took a back seat when she opened her studio, and shares her philosophy that well-being doesn't need to be restrictive or overwhelming — it can start with something as simple
Welcome to Conversations for the Moving Self
If you're new here, start with this one.Conversations for the Moving Self is a podcast and community for movement and wellbeing practitioners navigating what it really means to build a sustainable life in this career. In this intro episode, host Megan shares why she created this space, what you can expect, and where she's at right now — because she's not coming to you from the other si
Episode 22 - BONUS Episode with Host, Megan Bader on Caring for the Human, Injury, and Being Informed by Different Movement Practices
Our host, Megan Bader, jumps on a special bonus episode today to answer some of the questions she normally asks her guests as well as unpacks overcoming injury and how it can shape your journey as a movement artist, and does not have to be the end of the story.
Episode 21 - Emily Bufferd on Employing Curiousity in Training Spaces, Spaces Built Around Humanity, and Navigating Pressure
In this episode, Megan sits down with NYC-based dancer, choreographer, educator, and producer Emily Bufferd for a wide-ranging conversation on dance education, artistic practice, and the realities of sustaining a life in the field.Together they explore the relationship between teaching and performing, the importance of practicing what we ask of our students, and how curiosity and explanation can d
Episode 20 - Kelly Lynch on Curiosity, Listening, and Balance
In this episode, Megan welcomed American professional dancer and movement educator Kelly Lynch to discuss her journey in dance and her approach to teaching and recovery. Kelly shared her experiences transitioning from a classical ballet background to exploring modern dance and performance art, including her time with companies like Streb Extreme Action and her work as a health coach. They discusse
Episode 19 - Shelley Kyne on Memory within the Body, Sharing Movement Values with Children, Trust, and Energy Exchange
In this episode, Megan sits down with Shelley Kyne, British movement and wellbeing practitioner, former professional dancer, personal trainer and Level 5 sports massage therapist, for an open and honest conversation about sustaining a life in movement.Together, they reflect on Shelley’s journey from a 15-year professional dance career into personal training and massage therapy, and how her relatio
Episode 18 - Ricardo Ludgero Souza on Prioritising Joy and Care within Freelancing and Social Structures Today
In this episode, Megan is joined by Ricardo, a professional dancer and creative working across stage, film and commercial performance, for an honest conversation about sustainability, authenticity and care within a demanding freelance dance career.Ricardo shares his journey into dance, from early training and time on the Centre of Advanced Training Programme at The Place to performing in Wicked an
Episode 17 - Alethia Antonia on Balancing Rigor and Care, Different Seasons of Life, and Creating Spaces that Support Growth
In this episode, Megan is joined by Alethia, a British Caribbean choreographer, performer, teacher and researcher based in the UK, for a wide-ranging conversation on sustainability, authorship and care within contemporary dance practice.Together, they reflect on their respective journeys into movement, from early training to their current work across choreography, teaching and research. The conver
Episode 16 - Rose Aida Sall Sao On Training, Touring, and Devotion
In this episode, Megan is joined by Rose, a Dutch–Senegalese independent dance artist based in London, for a rich conversation on training, creativity, and navigating constant change as a freelance artist.Rose shares how practices such as Kalaripayattu and other movement forms have shaped her relationship to discipline, devotion, and artistic freedom, and how she balances rigorous technique with p
Episode 15 - Megan Castro on Commitment to Practice, Choreographic Processes, and Barriers to Continuing a Personal Movement Practice
In this episode, our host Megan, is joined by Megan Castro, a freelance dancer originally from South Carolina and currently based in Utah. Megan shares an intimate reflection on improvisation as both a creative practice and a way of listening to the body through sharing insight into a daily movement journal practice that she began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together they explore how the practic
Episode 14 - Emma Poyer on Current Life Lessons, Transient Practice, Facilitation, and Freelancing
In this episode, Megan is joined by dear friend Emma Poyer, a Réunionese multidisciplinary dance performer and choreographer based in the UK. Emma’s practice weaves contemporary dance, ballet, global forms, improvisation, ritual, and storytelling, drawing from her multicultural roots and a deep commitment to co-creation, collective rhythm, and embodied leadership.Together, they explore what it mea
Episode 13 - JJ James on COPTERS AND HEARSES, Self Care in a Capitalistic Structure and Collaboration Spaces
In this episode, Megan is joined by contemporary dance artist and choreographer JJ for a reflective conversation on queerness, care, and making work within systems that often resist softness. Beginning with a gentle catch-up, they speak about daily rituals, studio time, and the small structures that help sustain a freelance artistic life.JJ shares the ideas behind Copters and Hearses, a work that
Episode 12 - Kevin Keogh on Necessary Rest Periods, Questioning Hierarchical Structures, and All the Additional Movement Involved in Creative Process
In this episode, Megan is joined by Irish theatre maker Kevin Keough for a thoughtful conversation on movement, sustainability, and care across an artist’s career. Speaking from a period of creative dormancy after completing a three-year project, Kevin reflects on rest as an active and necessary part of artistic practice, sharing how slowing down and engaging in quieter, hands-on projects has help
Episode 11 - Megan Bader BONUS Episode - Season One Reflections
Episode 11 Summary — Season One ReflectionIn this solo reflection episode, Megan takes a moment to pause and look back on the conversations, themes, and questions that shaped Season One of CMS. She reflects on what emerged across the ten episodes — love as a creative practice, the value of presence and listening, and the courage it takes to stay connected to why we create. Megan shares how hosting
Episode 10 - Jiwon Oh on Creating from Love, Honoring the Humans, and Life-changing Movement Practices
In Episode 10, Megan speaks with Jiwon Oh, a Korean dance and multidisciplinary artist based in London, about how love, care, and human connection shape her creative practice, from self-filming in the studio to collaborating tenderly with her grandmother. They explore how Gaga opened a new sense of freedom for both of them, shifting their relationship with movement from discipline and expectation
Episode 9 - Laura Heywood on Teaching for Every Body: From Diverse Beginnings to Inclusive Movement Spaces
In this episode of Conversations for the Moving Self, Megan is joined by Laura, a dance artist, teacher, and Pilates instructor whose movement journey has stretched across dance, gymnastics, football, netball, running, and more.Together they trace how those early, wide-ranging experiences have shaped the way Laura moves and teaches today — a practice now rooted in dance, Pilates, and cross-trainin
Episode 8 - Summer Jupp on Injury, Inclusion, and the Politics of Movement Practice
In this episode of Conversations for the Moving Self, Megan and Summer Jupp - yoga teacher, yoga teacher trainer, cycle-conscious coach, and co-founder of Arkspace Wellbeing - explore the tenderness and honesty of practicing through injury, and how slowing down can deepen self-compassion. Together, they reflect on the quiet pressure to “perform wellness,” and the relief that comes when movement be
Episode 7 - Anna Smutny on New Choreographic Endeavors, The Power of Movement, and Daily Rituals
In this episode, Megan is joined by Anna, whose movement journey has carried her from ballet and hip-hop to choreography, yoga, and long-distance walking. Now based in Montreal, she weaves together life as a dancer, studio owner, and single mother of three, grounding her creative practice in daily rituals of yoga, meditation, and care.Together they trace how travel, performance, and a powerful sol
Episode 6 - Tina Afiyan Breiova on the Art of Facilitation, and How Challenge and Compassion Can Coexist
In this episode, Megan speaks with Tina Afiyan Breiova, an Armenian and Czech movement director, performer, and educator, about evolving her practice toward sustainability and balance. Tina shares how her “Axis of Action” approach emerged from a need to maintain physical and mental well-being during the demands of immersive performance work. She describes shifting from large, structured practices
Episode 5 - Mak Korda on Duality in Personal Practice, to Creativity versus Technique and so on...
In this episode, Megan and Mak reflect on the challenges of maintaining a consistent movement and well-being practice while moving frequently between locations. They discuss the balance between routine and spontaneity, and how adapting to new living and working environments can shape creative practice.The conversation expands into the dance industry—balancing technical skill with personal expressi
Episode 4 - Ella Mesma on Listening to the Wisdom Within, Fostering Creativity, and Tracing an Interdiscplinary Practice
Ella joins Megan to share her well-being practices, from recapitulation and journaling to the power of returning to a beginner’s mindset. They trace Ella’s movement journey—from discovering salsa at 14 to dancing professionally across salsa, samba, contemporary, circus, breakdance, and yoga—and her current studies in rolfing, exploring the connection between movement and emotional release.Together
Episode 3 - Steffi Aderemi Fashokun on Creativity, Cross Training, and Peaks and Troughs
In this episode, Megan and Steffi dive into the adaptability required in a freelance career and how creative work shifts alongside personal needs. Steffi shares about a design project she’s working on and reflects on the ways different outlets—movement, martial arts, cross-training, and personal practice—bring balance and perspective to her freelance life.She also opens up about her strategies for
Episode 2 - Stazia Ritch on Support Systems, Teaching versus Personal Practice, and Work-Life Balance
In Episode 2 of Conversations for the Moving Self, I’m joined by my childhood dance best friend, Stazia Ritch. We begin by reflecting on our friendship—how it’s grown across distance and through the many chapters of life.From there, our conversation moves into the dance between teaching and personal practice: how they intertwine, support each other, and yet remain distinctly separate. We also expl
Episode 1 - Charmaine Hiller on Navigating Freelance Movement Careers
In this episode of Conversations for the Moving Self, I’m joined by my close friend Charmaine Hiller. Charmaine is an interdisciplinary artist whose practice weaves together movement, dance, film, photography, visual art, and poetry. Her work is rooted in curiosity about the human condition and in creating spaces where people can connect, explore, and share vulnerability through art.We reconnect o
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