3 things getting me through the spring season (as a dancer + nutritionist)

A personal peek at what’s grounding, fueling, and supporting me right now.

Spring is beautiful… and busy.

Between rehearsals, schedule changes, welcoming new clients, and those extra performances that tend to pop up this time of year, I know I’m not alone in feeling like the season shifts into high gear really fast.

And while I love the energy of spring, it also challenges my routines in new ways. That’s why I wanted to share three things that are truly helping me feel more supported—both in the studio and in everyday life—as a dancer and a licensed dietitian nutritionist. Some are simple, some are mindset-focused, but they’re all part of how I stay fueled, steady, and (mostly) sane this season.

1. snack pairings I don't have to think about

Some weeks, I’m all about meal prep. Other weeks, I’m just trying to make sure there’s something in my bag that CAN BE a snack.

This spring, I’ve been leaning on snack pairings that hit the carb + protein combo without much effort. A few I have on repeat:

• Nature Valley Almond Butter Sandwich Bars

• Quest Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Protein Bars

• Dates + Sunflower Seed Butter

• Overnight oats (+ berries, chia, ground flax+ nut butter)

• Hummus + Pretzels

• A banana + Nut Butter Packet

• Rice Cakes + Almond Butter (or, when I have time pancakes 🤤)

• Yogurt + Piece of Fruit (usually a banana)

Having these on hand—whether they’re prepped ahead or just easy to grab from the store or my fridge—has saved me more times than I can count. No perfection here, just consistent fueling to get me from one thing to the next while avoiding energy crashes.

2. releasing pressure to be "on" all the time

Let’s be honest: this time of year can come with a lot of pressure to perform—not just in dance, but in how we eat, how we look, and how “on top of it” we seem.

Lately, one mindset shift I’ve really been leaning into is this:

You don’t have to feel amazing to keep showing up—and you definitely don’t have to punish yourself for being tired.

Some days I feel confident and strong.

Other days, I feel off, low-energy, or uncomfortable in my body.

Both are valid. Both are human.

Fueling through those less-glamorous days has helped me build more trust in my body and more consistency in my habits—because I’m not waiting until I “feel better” to take care of myself.

3. strength training that matches my season

I’ve talked about this before, but strength training has been huge for me—not just physically, but mentally.

This spring, I’ve shifted my approach to being 'fit.'. Some weeks I'm in the studio more, others I'm in the clinic more. This means I have to scale back my gym sessions depending on my schedule—but I aim to not stop them.

Instead, I’ve focused on:

• Movement snacks on lower-energy days.

• Targeted sessions with lower volume and more intention, when needed.

• Exercises that support injury prevention and joint stability.

Even just 30 minutes of training twice a week helps me feel more grounded, more capable, and more confident—not just in performance, but in how I move through my busy (+ flexible) schedule.

a few time-savers I've been leaning on

Spring can feel fast-paced, so I’ve been leaning on a few simple tools that help me stay fueled without spending all weekend prepping food:

✅ Buying ready-to-go snack items.

✅ Ordering groceries online and scheduling delivery when I know my week’s packed.

✅ Meal planning that matches my schedule AND has space for flexibility as needed.

✅ I've swapped my morning IG scroll time with reading an old-fashioned book (and I actually find it helps my overall productivity for the day!).

✅ A consistent bedtime and morning wake time - this is CLUTCH for me because I find that when I've adequately rested I save time by staying more focused during the day.

There’s nothing wrong with keeping things simple when your season demands more from you. These aren’t “shortcuts”—they’re support systems.

final thoughts

This season doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.

Whether you’re in the thick of performance prep, taking more classes, or just trying to get through the week with fuel in your system and rest on the calendar, I hope something here helps you feel a little more supported.

These aren’t perfect routines—they’re real-life tools that are keeping me steady this spring.

Which one resonates most with you? Or better yet, what’s something that’s helping you stay grounded lately?

Squeezing self-care in between teaching classes because sometimes that's what we do. 🩰🥑