408. From Rockette to Resilient: Kelly Etter’s Journey Through Dance, Loss & Purpose

04/23/25 • 35 min

Happiness Solved with Sandee Sgarlata. In this episode, Sandee interviews Kelly Etter. In this conversation, Kelly Etter shares her journey of resilience after losing her home and Pilates studio in a wildfire. She reflects on her experiences as a Rockette, the challenges of transitioning from dance to Pilates, and the importance of faith and community in overcoming adversity. Kelly emphasizes the significance of self-care and movement in healing, and how building resilience is akin to strengthening a muscle. The discussion highlights the power of asking the right questions during tough times and finding purpose in supporting others.

Guest Bio:

With a lifelong passion for movement, Kelly has dedicated herself to making a positive, healing, encouraging and empowering impact on the world. Her purpose is being a teacher and facilitator. From a childhood marked by physical challenges to a 20-year professional dance career—Kelly experienced firsthand the power of perseverance. Transitioning from the stage, she found her calling as a certified Pilates trainer. Kelly has spent the last 24 years helping others find strength, alignment, and relief from chronic pain to achieve their fitness goals. Movement has been her refuge, guiding her through personal challenges and empowering Kelly to teach and inspire others with compassion and humor. Always on a quest for growth and the ability to more effectively be of service to and in support of her clients and community, Kelly recently became a Lisa Nichols Transformational trainer. She is excited about combining her expertise in nervous system support, healthy body mechanics, and self-care practices to empower clients to transform their bodies and lives. Through practical habits and transformative programs, Kelly fosters deep, lasting change for body, mind, and soul. If it is too long feel free to cut & paste as best supports the theme of the show.

Takeaways:

Resilience is a muscle that can be built over time.
Transitioning careers can lead to new opportunities for growth.
Faith and trust play crucial roles in navigating adversity.
Movement and physical activity are essential for mental health.
Self-care is not selfish; it's essential for well-being.
Asking 'what now?' instead of 'why me?' can shift perspective.
Community support is vital during challenging times.
Finding purpose in helping others can aid personal recovery.
Adapting to change is a necessary skill in life.
Embracing challenges can lead to personal transformation.

Connect with Kelly:

Website: kellyetter.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.etterbeilfuss/

https://www.facebook.com/KellyEtterPilates/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyetterpilates/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-etter-62423633/

https://kellyettercertifiedpilatestrainer.vipmembervault.com/reclaim-your-body-reclaim-your-life-short-landing-page

Connect with Sandee:

Website: www.sandeesgarlata.com

Podcast: www.happinesssolved.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/coachsandeesgarlata

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sandeesgarlata

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachsandeesgarlata

Guest Bio:

Takeaways:

Resilience is a muscle that can be built over time.
Transitioning careers can lead to new opportunities for growth.
Faith and trust play crucial roles in navigating adversity.
Movement and physical activity are essential for mental health.
Self-care is not selfish; it's essential for well-being.
Asking 'what now?' instead of 'why me?' can shift perspective.
Community support is vital during challenging times.
Finding purpose in helping others can aid personal recovery.
Adapting to change is a necessary skill in life.
Embracing challenges can lead to personal transformation.

Connect with Kelly:

Website: kellyetter.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.etterbeilfuss/

https://www.facebook.com/KellyEtterPilates/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyetterpilates/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-etter-62423633/

https://kellyettercertifiedpilatestrainer.vipmembervault.com/reclaim-your-body-reclaim-your-life-short-landing-page

Connect with Sandee:

Website: www.sandeesgarlata.com

Podcast: www.happinesssolved.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/coachsandeesgarlata

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sandeesgarlata

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachsandeesgarlata

Previous Episode

407. Beyond the Mirror: Body Image, Athletics, and Healing with Whitney Otto

Happiness Solved with Sandee Sgarlata. In this episode, Sandee interviews Whitney Otto. In this conversation, Sandee Sgarlata interviews Whitney Otto, a US world rowing champion and therapist, about the complexities of body image, especially in the context of sports. Whitney shares her journey from being an athlete to a therapist, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing body image issues. They discuss how sports can shape personal development, the impact of societal standards on body image, and the necessity of compassion and support systems in overcoming negative perceptions. Whitney offers practical strategies for shifting perspectives on body image and highlights the importance of seeking professional help for those struggling with these issues.

Guest Bio:

Whitney Otto is a US world rowing champion and 2000 Olympic alternate who pivoted her skill and passion into helping individuals and teams achieve their goals through leadership development and clinical intervention. She holds a BA from Brown University, an MA in counseling psychology from Lesley University, and a Professional Coaching Certification from The Coaches Training Institute. Her clinical perspectives are informed by over a decade of experience treating eating disorders. Her inspiring and collaborative style was further honed through years of experience serving as a Master coach for physicians, elite athletes, entrepreneurs and C-Suite executives. Whitney serves as a Master Performance Coach and consultant at Valor Performance, and coach for R3 Continuum serving Senior level clients at Deloitte. Whitney also serves as Group Guide for CHIEF. She is the co-host of UNTRAINED, a podcast that launched in January of 2023 focusing on giving the tools and mindsets needed to help corporate executives “untrain” from toxic mindsets and perspectives that result in professional success at personal expense.

Takeaways:

Whitney Otto transitioned from athlete to therapist to help others.
Body image issues often stem from societal and familial pressures.
Compassion is crucial for high performers dealing with body image.
Negative body image can drain energy and affect performance.
Understanding body image is about perception, not just physicality.
Curiosity about feelings can lead to healthier body image.
Support systems are essential for athletes facing body image challenges.
Childhood experiences significantly influence adult body image.
It's important to shift from self-criticism to self-compassion.
Professional help can provide necessary support for body image issues.

Connect with Whitney:

Website: http://bodyimageinsideout.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodyimageinsideout/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneylpost/

Connect with Sandee:

Website: www.sandeesgarlata.com

Podcast: www.happinesssolved.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/coachsandeesgarlata

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sandeesgarlata

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachsandeesgarlata

Next Episode

409. Healing from the Inside Out: Lifestyle, Longevity, and Skin Health

Happiness Solved with Sandee Sgarlata. In this episode, Sandee interviews Dr. Sharad Paul. In this conversation, Dr. Sharad Paul discusses his expertise in skin health and cancer, the concept of super aging, and the importance of genetic profiling for personalized health. He emphasizes the connection between mental well-being and physical health, the limitations of the illness model in medicine, and the role of nutrition and lifestyle in optimizing health. The discussion also covers the significance of sunscreen and the power of positivity in healing.

Guest Bio:

Sharad P. Paul, doctor and professor, is the author of several notable nonfiction books for popular audiences in the field of skin, medicine, and genomics such as Skin, a Biography (4th Estate, 2012) and The Genetics of Health (Beyond Words/Atria Books, 2017). He also writes poetry and literary fiction. TIME magazine called him "open heart surgeon," and the NZ Medical Association noted that he has been described as "one of the most inspiring, intelligent, and compassionate men you are likely to meet." In 2015, at APAC, Asia-Pacific's largest health conference, he received the Ko Awatea International Excellence Award for "leading health improvement on a global scale" and for fostering patient-centered medicine across several countries.

Takeaways: