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Published on:

5th Sep 2024

Empowering Individuals with Disabilities Through Dance: Sophia McLarnon’s with The Dancer Movement

In today’s episode, we are joined by Sophia McLarnon, the visionary founder of The Dancer Movement, a transformative organization focused on making dance accessible to individuals of all abilities. Sophia shares her journey from a trained ballet dancer to becoming a movement specialist who empowers people through dance, especially those with disabilities. The Dancer Movement focuses on adaptive dance, providing a safe and inclusive space for everyone to experience the joy of movement. In this episode, we explore the importance of dance as a form of self-expression, the challenges of running a purpose-driven business, and the impact Sophia is making in her community and beyond. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply interested in the power of movement, this episode is sure to inspire.

Key Timestamps:

  • (00:00:00) Introduction to Charge Forward Coaching and Sophia McLarnon’s journey
  • (00:01:15) The mission of The Dancer Movement: Making dance accessible to all ages and abilities
  • (00:03:00) Sophia’s transition from dancer to entrepreneur, and the inspiration behind starting the movement
  • (00:05:00) The creation of the Movement Deck: A tool for getting kids moving and engaged in dance
  • (00:07:00) How The Dancer Movement supports individuals with disabilities and breaks barriers in the dance world
  • (00:09:00) Parent and child feedback: What’s been most impactful for families involved in the program
  • (00:12:00) The power of dance as therapy and expression for people with disabilities
  • (00:14:30) The challenges of operating a socially impactful business and navigating financial sustainability
  • (00:16:00) Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and educators looking to make a difference in their communities
  • (00:18:30) Sophia’s vision for the future of The Dancer Movement and expanding its reach globally

Key Takeaways:

  • Movement is medicine—dance isn’t just about fitness; it’s a form of emotional, mental, and physical healing that everyone can benefit from.
  • Dance is for everyone—regardless of age, ability, or background, movement should be accessible to all, and creativity in adapting it can transform lives.
  • Building a purpose-driven business requires adapting your mission to meet practical needs. Whether it’s shifting to virtual classes or balancing finances, flexibility is key.
  • Community impact is deeply rewarding—there’s nothing more motivating than seeing the tangible, positive effects your work has on individuals and families.

Bio:

Sophia McLarnon is the founder and executive director of The Dancer Movement, an organization committed to making dance accessible to all individuals, regardless of ability. With a background in classical ballet and a passion for serving others, Sophia has developed a unique approach to dance education that focuses on adaptive and inclusive practices. Her work empowers individuals with disabilities, giving them a space to explore movement, self-expression, and joy. Sophia is also a movement specialist in early childhood education, blending her expertise in dance with a deep commitment to community service.

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James Blasco, Charge Forward Coaching, sports coaching, mental mindset, Mental Toughness, Growth Mindset, Athletes, The Dancer Movement, adaptive dance, entrepreneurship, movement is medicine, dance therapy, disability inclusion, accessible dance, dance education, childhood education, creative movement

Transcript
James Blasco: [:

the art of dance, creating a [:

And beyond whether you're an [:

Sofia McClarnon: Awesome. Thank you.

Sofia McClarnon: I'm excited to be here.

what the dancer movement is [:

ovement, essentially, I like [:

oing to help people do that. [:

nd I graduated in February of:

able, I don't feel safe, um, [:

ecause that's kind of crazy. [:

ething that folks needed and [:

hat would you say is the key [:

it as Oh, if I exercise, I'm [:

ery basic level, I just want [:

eople that will dance around [:

James Blasco: So how does that work?

at I designed and developed. [:

the kids wanted. And then I [:

, I was like, these are just [:

t is that like? What are the [:

Sofia McClarnon: The number one thing I hear parents say is she likes to dance, but she doesn't want anyone to tell her what to do.

was when I was a kid. I was [:

Clarnon: So the children are [:

James Blasco: And and what brings the parent or the child?

o: To decide to get involved [:

e there's not a lot of them. [:

Sofia McClarnon: Um, [:

iduals with disabilities And [:

giving back to the community [:

e life, I wasn't teaching at [:

en you can use your arms. Or [:

it's not even that difficult [:

and you're envisioning this [:

Sofia McClarnon: Um, and so that's really what a lot of my classes is kind of this. It's almost like this mind exercise that they get to do and it's, it's amazing.

James Blasco: [:

your mind, right? Dancing or [:

James Blasco: What kind of conversations do you have with each individual, you know, while you're doing this or maybe after they've done it for some time?

arnon: I, the, our clients a [:

their lives are normal now, [:

art of it that I tell people [:

the beauty of it. That's the [:

sical, just general physical [:

g like this and they stretch [:

t of the things we do in the [:

g, they do the New York City [:

pening for me to kind of the [:

James Blasco: Right, let's run a marathon, and then we'll go to a dance party, and

like, can you teach an hour [:

a business and I know it's a [:

tbacks. What are some of the [:

s how much I want to do this [:

he first, like, three years, [:

Sofia McClarnon: Um, and [:

the events we did were for a [:

p positioning your business? [:

James Blasco: Right?

Sofia McClarnon: [:

ing to make it adaptive. And [:

h, do you have plans or have [:

James Blasco: You know, for the public that, you know, could involve all of these individuals.

I, I put together a virtual, [:

st really cool for people to [:

think it's good to show the [:

James Blasco: Yeah, absolutely. But you just brought up a good point, uh, from the business entrepreneurial side. You, you need to evolve, right?

rson and you need to be open [:

n: Completely. I mean, I, I, [:

body today at work about how [:

the thing. There's a script [:

s Blasco: Yeah So how do you [:

ou know, how do you keep the [:

ry defeated in this business [:

into the community and, and [:

James Blasco: Yeah. I, I could imagine.

James Blasco: And, [:

each other. He just said to [:

Sofia McClarnon: I say I'm doing and then To have other people rooting for you makes it amazing.

the dance community that you [:

, is, she's in Colorado now, [:

all the business questions. [:

y know what's happening, and [:

, [:

possible which I think would [:

Sofia McClarnon: So I really see it like reaching as many people as possible by kind of training people on how to approach movement and do it in a fun and safe way.

James Blasco: So [:

What does a typical day look [:

usiness proposal, doing work [:

l the boring stuff, which is [:

lities on zoom. I do it from [:

James Blasco: And so are people cool with the whole zoom thing? Do they get into it or just is it hard to? start to get I

to move away from it as soon [:

people who are non disabled [:

ey're already in. Um, and so [:

James Blasco: Yeah, that, that makes perfect sense.

s Blasco: And, uh, the COVID [:

. That makes me feel better. [:

when you look at successful [:

Sofia McClarnon: Yeah.

mes Blasco: Yeah, you have a [:

ng that you do. Uh, anything [:

Sofia McClarnon: Uh, just. I always sign off my emails, just keep dancing,

James Blasco: just keep dancing.

the charge forward podcast, [:

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About the Podcast

Charge Forward Coaching
What if the key to unlocking your athletic potential wasn’t just about improving your skills, but strengthening your mind? At Charge Forward Coaching, we believe that mental toughness is the secret weapon every elite athlete needs to excel. In this podcast, we explore how athletes can develop the focus, resilience, and mindset necessary to perform at their best, whether you're a high school athlete facing intense competition or a college athlete aiming for the next level.

We explore essential topics such as mental resilience, providing techniques for overcoming self-doubt and building mental endurance. We also tackle performance anxiety, offering strategies to manage stress and stay focused under pressure. Throughout the show, we focus on mindset mastery, sharing tools to stay motivated, handle setbacks, and maintain peak performance. James Blasco offers expert advice on cultivating a champion's mindset for long-term success, helping athletes gain the mental clarity needed to perform at their highest level.

With expert guidance from James Blasco, each episode empowers athletes with actionable strategies they can apply immediately, enabling them to sharpen their focus, handle adversity, and perform under pressure. James’s coaching approach fosters a supportive and empowering environment, where athletes are encouraged to push beyond their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and unlock their full potential. In the world of elite sports, success goes far beyond physical ability—it’s about mastering the mental challenges that arise during competition and ensuring they are prepared to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

In addition to James’s insights, each episode features interviews with top athletes, coaches, and mental performance experts. These guests share their own stories, experiences, and strategies for achieving success in highly competitive environments. Through these conversations, listeners will gain diverse perspectives on how mental toughness plays a pivotal role in their journeys to excellence. Whether it’s learning from a former professional athlete about overcoming personal obstacles, or hearing a coach’s tips for developing a high-performance team mindset, these interviews will offer valuable knowledge and inspiration for athletes of all levels.
Join us on this journey to improve your concentration, boost your confidence, and develop the mindset necessary to reach new heights in your athletic career. Start listening today and begin charging forward toward your goals with mental clarity and strength.

About the Host:
James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.
Having received coaching and mentoring throughout his personal and professional life, James recognizes the profound impact of genuine, constructive, and meaningful guidance. He understands the passion required to pursue a goal, as well as the challenges of doubt, fear, and the need for perseverance. James’s coaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and results, focusing on helping clients uncover their goals, develop actionable plans, and persist through obstacles.

Resources:
Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

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