Overview of The Model Health Show with Shawn Stevenson
In this episode, Shawn Stevenson interviews Ashley Everett, the renowned dancer, performer, and longtime lead dancer/dance captain for Beyoncé, about how dance shaped her discipline, emotional resilience, leadership, and identity. The conversation explores dance as both an art form and a tool for fitness, mental strength, communication, and personal growth, while also highlighting Ashley’s new project, NDA (Next Destination Ahead), a platform for creative storytelling and inspiration.
Key Takeaways
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Dance built Ashley’s discipline
- She repeatedly emphasizes that dance taught her how to work hard, show up on time, take direction, stay focused, and keep pushing through challenges.
- Ballet served as her foundation and helped establish the precision and consistency that carried through her career.
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Leadership was learned through experience
- As Beyoncé’s dance captain, Ashley developed strong leadership skills by observing great leadership up close and managing a wide range of personalities.
- She learned to stay empathetic, not take things personally, and keep the mission moving forward even in chaotic environments.
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Dance became a tool for emotional and mental strength
- Ashley explains that the industry taught her how to compartmentalize, focus, and maintain composure under pressure.
- She acknowledges that some of those coping skills can lean toward emotional numbness, but they also helped her survive and excel in a demanding field.
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Physical literacy transfers across disciplines
- Shawn and Ashley discuss how a strong movement base makes it easier to learn new physical skills like basketball, strength training, tennis, pickleball, and volleyball.
- Ashley notes that dancers are athletes, even if they don’t always receive that recognition.
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Performance demands recovery and self-care
- She reflects on how, early in her career, she didn’t always take the best care of her body.
- Later, she began prioritizing physical therapy, stretching, bodywork, strength training, Pilates, hot yoga, and other recovery tools.
Ashley Everett’s Career Journey
Early beginnings
- Ashley started dancing at age 2, thanks to her mother, who saw her natural movement and enrolled her in dance.
- Growing up, she became increasingly aware of dance as a real career path and began seeing herself as a professional.
Training and major opportunities
- She moved to New York at 16 to train at Alvin Ailey, while still finishing high school.
- She later auditioned and was accepted into Juilliard, another major milestone in her dance education.
- Her break into Beyoncé’s world came after a meeting in the hallway at Alvin Ailey, followed by an open-call audition that led to future opportunities.
Career highlights
- Nearly two decades with Beyoncé as a key performer and dance captain
- Performances at:
- The Grammys
- The World Music Awards
- Three Super Bowl halftime shows
- Other performance credits include work with:
- Usher
- Jennifer Lopez
- Shania Twain
- Tina Turner
- She has also appeared as an actress on:
- Glee
- Hit the Floor
- Good Trouble
- The Sex Lives of College Girls
Health, Fitness, and Immune Support Segment
The episode opens with a sponsor segment focused on preparing for cold and flu season. Shawn highlights research supporting:
- Regular exercise for improved immune response
- Real food as the foundation of immune health
- Propolis as a natural support for reducing inflammatory markers
He recommends Beekeeper’s Naturals Propolis Immune Support Throat Spray as part of a proactive family immune routine.
Current Chapter: NDA — Next Destination Ahead
Ashley introduces her new show and creative platform, NDA, which stands for Next Destination Ahead.
Why she created it
- To give herself a voice beyond performance
- To give other creatives and dancers a voice
- To share lessons, stories, and inspiration about what comes next in life and career
What the show represents
- A reflection on past experiences
- A place for honest conversation and behind-the-scenes insight
- A platform that blends storytelling, style, wellness, and empowerment
Where to find it
- YouTube:
ThisIsAshleyEverett - Instagram/socials:
Next Destination Ahead - Ashley’s personal IG:
Ashley.C.M.Everett
Notable Insights and Quotes
- “Dance has taught me discipline.”
- “The show must go on.”
- “Be a sponge in the room.”
- Ashley’s view that success comes from:
- Determination
- Discipline
- Being a good person
- Leading with love
Final Message
Ashley’s main message is simple and powerful: if you want something in life, be willing to work hard, stay disciplined, stay determined, and remain a good person. The episode frames dance not just as entertainment, but as a meaningful path to physical health, emotional resilience, leadership, and self-expression.