The Grace & Form Podcast

• Chun Wai Chan: How I Learned to Dance Smarter, Not Harder

  From Guangzhou to New York, cramping on stage to commanding the spotlight, Chun Wai Chan shares the story of how grit, laughter, and letting go helped him become the first Chinese principal dancer at New York City Ballet. In this episode of Grace & Form, Chun opens up about the physical and mental battles behind the curtain: from writing a letter to his parents to convince them to let him dance, to redefining success across continents. We talk training, injury, cultural expectations, building a personal brand, and the infamous Swan Lake performance that almost ended in disaster (hint: cramps, chaos, and a lot of heart). This one’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. Take class with Chun or one of our incredible Grace & Form teachers, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Train with the best ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Try 7 Days Free and Download our App:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Launch the app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shop our Discount Dance edit here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DD EDIT⁠⁠

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• Sara Mearns: Dancing Beyond Expectation, through Burnout and Hearing Loss

  In this episode, Principal Dancer Sara Mearns joins us for a raw and wide-ranging conversation about how life onstage has shifted, and how she’s shifted with it. She shares the reality of living with hearing loss for over a decade, what it was like to finally hear her own solo again, and how that moment marked a turning point. We talk about burnout, boundaries, mental health, body maintenance, saying no, and unlearning perfectionism. She opens up about returning to roles like Swan Lake, navigating long-term creative partnerships, her cross-training routine, and the evolving pressure to choreograph in the age of social media. Through it all, Sara reflects on what it means to keep growing: as an artist, a collaborator, and a person, and why rediscovering your worth beyond ballet might be the most powerful performance of all. Take class with one of our incredible Grace & Form teachers, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Train with the best ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Try 7 Days Free and Download our App:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Launch the app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shop our Discount Dance edit here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DD EDIT

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• Unity Phelan: Resilience, Artistry, and Choosing Your Path

  Unity Phelan’s journey to becoming a principal with New York City Ballet wasn't linear, and in this episode, she opens up about the doubts, decisions, and quiet determination that got her there. From facing early rejection to finding her voice as both an artist and a person, Unity shares what it means to stay the course while still carving your own. We talk about building resilience and staying true to yourself in a competitive world. Take class with Saskia, Indiana or one of our incredible Grace & Form teachers, here: ⁠⁠Train with the best ⁠⁠ Try 7 Days Free and Download our App:⁠⁠⁠ Launch the app⁠⁠⁠ Shop our Discount Dance edit here: ⁠⁠⁠DD EDIT

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• Skylar Brandt: Owning Your Individuality

  In this episode, we sit down with Skylar Brandt, principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, to explore how she's forged a path that’s uniquely her own. Skylar opens up about the challenges and triumphs of embracing her individuality in a traditional art form, the lessons she's learned along the way, and how self-expression has shaped her career both on and off the stage. Whether you're a dancer, a dreamer, or simply someone seeking inspiration, Skylar’s story is a powerful reminder that the courage to be yourself is one of the greatest strengths you can have. Take class with Saskia, Indiana or one of our incredible Grace & Form teachers, here: ⁠⁠Train with the best ⁠⁠ Try 7 Days Free and Download our App:⁠⁠⁠ Launch the app⁠⁠⁠ Shop our Discount Dance edit here: ⁠⁠⁠DD EDIT

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• Payal Kadakia Pujji: Class Pass Founder on How She Danced Her Way to a Billion-Dollar Business

  In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Payal Kadakia Puiji, founder of ClassPass and Sa Dance Company, to trace the incredible path from basement dance classes to boardrooms, sold-out performances, and building a billion-dollar business. Payal shares how her love of dance helped her navigate the pressures of academia, corporate life, and entrepreneurship, while staying deeply connected to her culture and artistic spirit. We talk about the dual identity of dancer and businesswoman, the inner tug-of-war of choosing joy over expectations, and how Payal kept movement as her North Star, even while building one of the biggest wellness brands in the world. Whether you're dreaming of your own pivot, wrestling with self-doubt, or figuring out how to bring your whole self into your work, Payal’s story will remind you: you are allowed to change, and you can bring the dancer with you. Take class with Saskia, Indiana or one of our incredible Grace & Form teachers, here: ⁠Train with the best ⁠ Try 7 Days Free and Download our App:⁠⁠ Launch the app⁠⁠ Shop our Discount Dance edit here: ⁠⁠DD EDIT⁠

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