PODCAST · sports
The Locker Room
by Amira Mourad
Want to know what happens in the locker room and beyond in the Pro Sports Dance Space? Amira Mourad the founder of The Cultivate Code and former NBA dancer and coach is giving you the inside scoop on what it takes to actually make it onto a pro dance team. And spoiler alert - it’s so much more than dance.
Episodes
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What Not to Do After Your Pro Dance Team Audition
You can cost yourself your next NFL or NBA dance team shot without ever stepping into another audition room. This one is for the dancer who got cut, wants answers, and is tempted to DM the judges or vent about it online. Amira walks through what that actually costs you, and what to do instead,...
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What to Do When You Didn't Make the Team
You made it to semifinals or finals, you didn't make the team, and taking a break until auditions get closer probably sounds like the sensible next move. Give this one a listen before you decide. In this episode I'm talking about why there is no off-season when you're training for a pro dance…
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What Gets You the Team, and What to Do When Your Body Says Stop, with former DCC Lisa
In this episode I'm talking with former DCC Lisa about what makes a dancer undeniable at auditions, and what happens when your body forces you to stop. Lisa danced for the Dallas Mavericks Dancers and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders before a spine injury ended her dancing career. She now mentors...
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How to Train Like a Pro Dancer While You're Still in College
You can be the most technically trained dancer in the room and still get cut before finals. The dancers who stood out at the Pro Action Combine weren't the ones with the most tricks. In this episode I'm talking about what changes when you go from a college dancer to an aspiring pro dancer. This…
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The Belief You Have to Break to Make a Pro Dance Team
You keep making finals and getting cut, and no one tells you the reason. The truth is the team is looking for more than a dancer. In this episode I'm talking about the belief you have to change to make it onto a pro dance team. This one's for the dancer who's been told she's talented her whole…
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Stop Waiting to Feel Confident Before You Audition
You keep admiring the dancers who get called out into the small group and wondering why it's never you. It isn't confidence they have that you don't. It's audacity. In this episode I'm talking about the difference between being confident and being audacious. This one is for the dancer who keeps...
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Choose your hard: why the right environment beats the easy one
We help aspiring pro dancers train to make it onto NFL and NBA dance teams, and the excuse I hear most is “I don’t want to train virtually.” In this episode, I’m talking about what’s really underneath that excuse, and why convenience has been the wrong filter for choosing where you train. This…
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Picking Your Training Program: Track Record, Accuracy, and What You Walk Away With
You've had the same three tabs open for weeks and you still haven't picked a training program. The comparing feels productive. It's the thing holding you back. In this episode, I'm talking about how to choose between pro dance training programs and the three filters I use before I invest in...
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The Difference Between Talented and Coachable
You can be the best dancer in the room and still not make the team. This episode is about the difference between talented and coachable, and why coachable is the thing that actually gets a dancer picked. If you've been cut without an explanation, if you noticed other dancers getting corrections…
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What Judges Are Actually Scoring You On at NFL and NBA Dance Auditions
Most dancers walk into auditions with no idea what they're actually being scored on. Not because the information doesn't exist, but because nobody in the dance world has ever handed them the rubric. In this episode, Amira breaks down what is objective and what is subjective on a pro dance...
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You're Not Dancing Full Out. Here's What That Actually Means.
Most dancers have been told to dance more full out. Almost none of them have been taught what that actually means in the body. In this episode, Amira breaks down the Three Ps: Polish, Power, and Presence. These are the specific, trainable skills that judges notice in the first eight counts and…
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The Real Reason You Freeze at Auditions (and How to Stop) | ft. Emily Judice
You've trained for months. You know the choreography. And then you get to the audition and your body just won't cooperate. You freeze, you shrink, you second-guess every move. It's not a talent problem. It's your nervous system. In this episode I sit down with Emily Judice, nervous system coach…
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College Dance Team Coaches Q+A: Audition Expectations and Team Schedules
In this coaches’ Q&A panel, head coaches Brianna (University of Houston), Maddie (Cal Berkeley), and Jonni Rogers (University of Miami Sunsations) introduce their programs, discuss technique and style expectations, and explain how pro dance experience influences game-day performance. They outline...
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Commanders Auditions: Hip Hop in the NFL, inside Auditions with Head Coach Christie Horan
On today's episode, Amira interviews Christie Horan, Head Coach of the Washington Commanders Command Force. Christie breaks down their unique hip hop-focused style, the Beat Your Feet dance tradition, their two-round virtual audition process, and what makes the Command Force one of the most…
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Inside Bengals Cheerleader Auditions: What Director Charlotte Really Looks For
On today's episode, Amira interviews Charlotte Simons, Director of the Cincinnati Ben-Gals, who is going into her 32nd season. Charlotte breaks down what she really looks for beyond dance talent, the biggest mistakes dancers make at auditions, and the new changes to the Ben-Gals audition process...
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Ask Me Anything: Interview Tips, Building Confidence, and How to Stand Out at Auditions
I asked you on Instagram what questions you have, and I'm running through everything you wanted to know. Whether you're preparing for your first audition or you've made it to finals multiple times, this episode covers the real questions dancers are asking about what it takes to make a…
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Your NFL Cheerleader Audition Training Schedule
NFL cheerleader auditions are starting next month in February. Some teams like the Colts have their virtual submission on February 10th, which means you have less than a month to get in gear. Most teams will announce auditions in the next few weeks with dates between March and May, which gives…
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5 Qualities Judges Look for Outside of Dance Ability
You can be the best technical dancer in the room and still not make the team. Why? Because judges aren't just evaluating your dance ability. They're looking for qualities that show them you can handle being on a professional team. In this episode, we're breaking down the five non-dance qualities...
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You Can Execute the Routine, But Can You Last Through Auditions?
You can nail the routine in practice. But can you perform it full out after an hour of auditions when the judges are actually watching you? In this episode, we're breaking down why sidelines kill everyone in our program, what sidelines actually are and why they're so demanding, and how to build…
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The Missing Link: Why Judges Want to Be Entertained
Listen to me when I tell you this, and I say it in love: your dancing is boring. Actually, you're not boring. Your dancing isn't boring. Your performance is what's not captivating. In this episode, we're breaking down the difference between being a good dancer and being an entertainer, why…
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You're Interviewing for a Job, Not Just to Be a Dancer
You could be the most technically trained dancer in the room and still not make it past semifinals. Why? Because professional dance teams aren't just hiring dancers. They're hiring entertainers, brand ambassadors, and team members who can represent an organization in front of thousands of people....
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Rejection Is Data, Not Your Identity
In this episode, we're breaking down the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, why some dancers use rejection as fuel while others never come back, and how the way you talk to yourself after a mistake might be the only thing standing between you and your roster spot. If you're...
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30 Seconds to Stand Out: How to Introduce Yourself Like a Pro
In this episode, we're breaking down why your introduction matters more than you think, the three critical mistakes dancers make (lack of projection, generic details, and nervous fidgeting), and exactly how to craft an intro that makes judges remember you. Whether it's a virtual submission, a...
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The “No” That Changed My NBA Dance Career
In this episode, I share the story of the year I didn’t make the Phoenix Suns dance team, and why that “no” became the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I walk you through what really happens behind the scenes of a pro dance audition, the parts no one prepares you for, and how that...
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From Finals to Making the Team: How to Turn 'No' into 'Yes' in Pro Dance Auditions
In this episode, we discuss the critical steps and mindset shifts needed to go from being a finalist to making the pro dance team of your dreams. Learn the subtle differences between 'good' and 'great' dancers during semi-finals and finals, and understand the importance of preparation,...
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From Studio to Court: Insights with Sacramento Kings Head Dance Coach Sarah Schneeweis
In this episode of the Locker Room podcast, Amira welcomes Sarah Schneeweis, the current manager of performance teams and head coach of the Kings Dancers for the Sacramento Kings. Sarah shares her extensive dance background, from starting as a young dancer in Long Beach, California, to owning…
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The Secret to Faster Growth as an Aspiring Pro Dancer
Are you working hard but not seeing the results you want at auditions? In this episode, Amira breaks down why direct feedback from a coach is the fastest way to grow, and how it helps you avoid wasting time, repeating mistakes, or reinforcing habits that are holding you back. You’ll learn: What...
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How to Clean Up Your Social Media Before Pro Dance Auditions
Is Your Social Media Holding You Back from Making the Team? Episode Description: Your social media is more than just a highlight reel, it’s part of your audition. In this episode, Amira shares what every aspiring pro dancer needs to know about showing up online. From common mistakes to smart...
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Ask Me Anything!
🎙️ The Locker Room Podcast Episode Title: Ask Me Anything: Auditions, Performance Tips & Rookie Mistakes Host: Amira Mourad (@thecultivatecode) Episode Summary: In this special Ask Me Anything episode, Amira answers your most pressing questions about pro dance auditions, performance tips, and…
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How to Nail Your Facials for Pro Dance Auditions
Description: In this episode of The Locker Room, we’re diving deep into one of the most common challenges dancers face...facials. Whether you're preparing for an NFL or NBA dance team audition, or just working to bring more expression and intention to your performances, we’re breaking down…
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Your Mindset Shift That Could Change Everything
In this episode of The Locker Room, host Amira Mourad shares a powerful story from her early days auditioning for the Phoenix Suns dance team. What looked like a rejection turned out to be a pivotal moment, and a lesson in mindset that shaped her journey. Amira breaks down the Be-Do-Have model, a...
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Mock Auditions Recap: Feedback & Key Takeaways
In this episode of The Locker Room Podcast, we’re breaking down everything from our recent Mock Auditions, the feedback and key takeaways for dancers preparing for their dream teams. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to go through an audition dress rehearsal or want to sharpen your skills...
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Navigating Pro Auditions and Pro Cheer Prep with Oscar Hernandez
🎙 Title: Navigating Pro Auditions and Pro Cheer Prep with Oscar Hernandez 📢 Description: In this episode of The Locker Room, Amira and Oscar dive deep into the world of Pro Dance auditions and professional cheer preparation. Oscar shares his insider knowledge on what it takes to shine during...
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Game Time Dance Convention with Anna Parrish
In this episode of The Locker Room Podcast, Amira sits down with Anna Parrish, former NFL and NHL dancer turned coach and co-founder of the Game Time Dance Convention. They discuss how this convention is changing the game for dancers, teams, and coaches by offering not only high-level…
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Mastering Freestyle for Pro Dance Auditions
Episode Summary: Do you dread the freestyle portion of auditions, or do you thrive in the moment? In this episode, we break down how to get comfortable with freestyle and improv, so you can show up confidently at NFL or NBA auditions. Learn how to showcase your musicality, style, and personality...
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Pro Dance Auditions: Insider Tips to Stand Out & Succeed
The Locker Room Podcast –Pro Dance Auditions: Insider Tips to Stand Out & Succeed 🎙 Episode Summary: In this episode of The Locker Room Podcast, Amira dives into frequently asked questions about the pro dance audition process. She shares invaluable insights from her experience as both an NBA...
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From Interest to Action: The Mindset Shift You Need
Episode Summary: Are you interested in making your pro dance dreams a reality, or are you committed? In this episode, we break down the crucial difference between interest and commitment and why true success requires unwavering dedication. Commitment isn’t just about wanting something—it’s about...
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Positive Self-Talk & The Power of Mindset
Episode Summary: In this episode, we dive into the power of positive self-talk and how it directly impacts your confidence, performance, and success in auditions. If you've ever doubted yourself or felt stuck in negative thinking, this episode will help you reframe your mindset and step into...
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Mastering Muscle Memory & Fundamentals for Pro Dance Success
🎙️ Episode Overview: Did you know that repetition of fundamental elements allows you to store movement patterns in your muscle memory? In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the importance of muscle memory in pro dance, especially in high-pressure moments like auditions. You’ll learn how...
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The Power of Getting Ready as an Aspiring Pro dancer
The Locker Room Podcast – Episode 19: The Power of Getting Ready 🎙 Host: Amira Mourad (@amiramourad_) 💄 Why Getting Ready Matters: In this episode, we dive into the importance of getting ready and how it impacts your confidence, performance, and mindset as a professional dancer.We break down…
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Your Personal Brand: Elevating Your Pro Dance Career
Episode Summary In this episode, your host Amira dives deep into the importance of your personal brand and how it can impact your dance career and auditions. Learn the three key elements that define your brand—consistency, social media presence, and your pro look—and discover actionable tips to...
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Time Management for Aspiring + Current Pro dancers
The Locker Room Podcast – Episode Title: Time Management for Dancers 🎙️ Episode Summary In this episode of The Locker Room Podcast, we dive deep into the essential topic of time management—especially for dancers navigating busy schedules. Learn how effective planning can help you balance work,...
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Unleashing Creativity and Confidence with Alli Fritz
Episode Summary: In this exciting episode of The Locker Room Podcast, host Amira Mourad sits down with Alli Fritz, a trailblazer in the pro dance world, to discuss her unique journey from a lifelong love of dance to choreographing for the NFL and NBA. Alli shares her story of turning her passion...
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The Importance of Fundamental Technique in your Pro Dance Audition
On Today's Episode Amira talks about the fundamental 3 of her technique recommendations and how you should approach these next few months before heading into audition season. LINKS: Unleash Your Inner Pro Program: Here TCC Website: The Cultivate Code FOLLOW: TCC: @thecultivatecode Amira Mourad:...
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How to transition from College to a Pro Dance Team with Jonni Rogers
On Today's Episode Amira talks to Former NFL Cheerleader and current College Dance Team coach about her experience as an NFL cheerleader and how her college dancers can transition to get ready for Pro Dance Teams. They talk about how social media plays a role in making in onto a team, what Jonni...
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Nutrition + Fitness In The Pro Dance Space
On Today's Episode Amira answers questions from our Instagram Broadcast Community on the Topic of Nutrition and Fitness and becoming a Pro Dancer. She dives into her experience navigating Nutrition and Fitness as a former NBA Dancer, and gives tips on where to start if you don't know where to…
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BTS of What It Takes to Become a DCC Cheerleader with Shelly Bramhall
On Today's Episode Amira chats with Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders Associate Choreographer Shelly Bramhall, about what it takes to make it on to the DCC Team, what they're looking for at auditions, and behind the scenes of how the team operates. LINKS: DCC Prep Class Info: Here TCC Website: The...
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An Inside Look at What It Takes To Make It Onto the Chicago Luvabulls with Head Coach Toya Ambrose
On Today's Episode Amira chats with Luvabulls Head Coach Toya Ambrose about what it takes to make it on to the Luvabulls & 312 Crew, what they're looking for at auditions, and behind the scenes of how she runs the dance team. The Luvabulls Virtual Auditions are NOW OPEN through May 9th. They are...
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Controlling the Controlables with Former Mavs Dancer, NYC Jets & DCC Cheerleader Tara
On Today's Episode Amira chats with former Mavs Dancer, NYC Jets Cheerleader and DCC Cheerleader on her experience in both the NBA and NFL. FOLLOW: TCC: @thecultivatecode Amira Mourad: @amiramourad_ Tara Szybillo: @taraszy LINKS: Website: The Cultivate Code
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3 Tips For Nailing Your Pro Dance Resume
On Today's Episode Amira is giving you her top 3 tips for nailing your NFL or NBA dance audition resume. Often overlooked, this element is a very important piece of the puzzle. FOLLOW: TCC: @thecultivatecode Amira Mourad: @amiramourad_ LINKS: Website: The Cultivate Code Your Resume template NFL...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Want to know what happens in the locker room and beyond in the Pro Sports Dance Space? Amira Mourad the founder of The Cultivate Code and former NBA dancer and coach is giving you the inside scoop on what it takes to actually make it onto a pro dance team. And spoiler alert - it’s so much more than dance.
HOSTED BY
Amira Mourad
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Locker Room have?
The Locker Room currently has 59 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Locker Room about?
Want to know what happens in the locker room and beyond in the Pro Sports Dance Space? Amira Mourad the founder of The Cultivate Code and former NBA dancer and coach is giving you the inside scoop on what it takes to actually make it onto a pro dance team. And spoiler alert - it’s so much more than...
How often does The Locker Room release new episodes?
The Locker Room has 59 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Locker Room?
You can listen to The Locker Room on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Locker Room?
The Locker Room is created and hosted by Amira Mourad.
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