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Welcome to Episode 196 of the Salsa Kings LIVE podcast
We have been featured as #1 in “Top 10 Salsa Podcasts” on FeedSpot.
Hey familia! Welcome to Episode 196 — “My First Time.” This one’s all about something we all go through: being nervous the first time we do something new. Especially dancing salsa. I (Pablo, aka Rico Rico) joined Andres to talk about why stepping onto the dance floor, even when you’re scared, is one of the best things you can do.
⭐️ Key Points:
🕺 Getting Your Crown Means You’re Ready
- In class, we give students a “crown” when they pass a dance test.
- The test is just dancing a full song without stopping your feet. That’s it!
- Once you do that, it means you’re ready to move up to intermediate and go out dancing at socials.
- Some students still feel nervous and say, “But I just started!” But we remind them: if you passed, you’re ready.
💃 You Learn Way More by Going Out
- In class, you only dance a few songs—maybe 15 minutes total.
- At a social? You can dance for an hour or more. That’s 4x the practice in one night!
- Plus, dancing with new people helps you grow faster and find your style.
🙋♂️ The Most Common Excuses
- “I want to find my style first.”
- “I’m not ready yet.”
But really, you find your style by going out and practicing. You’ll never feel ready if you wait.
🎓 Salsa Is Like Learning a Language
- It’s like taking an Italian class but never going to Italy or speaking it.
- Salsa is a language too—and socials are where you use it.
- You get to connect with people, no words needed. The dance speaks for you.
🥲 It’s Okay to Be Nervous
- Fear doesn’t go away—you just bring it with you.
- Like Layla Hormozi says, “Put it in a little purse and take it with you.”
- After 30 seconds on the dance floor, your fear melts away.
🎉 Social Dancing Is Fun and Wholesome
- It’s not a crazy club scene. People dress nice or even athletic to sweat and dance.
- You can connect with others in a healthy, friendly way.
- Watching others dance also teaches you a lot, even if you don’t dance every song.
👥 It Helps You Be More Social
- I wasn’t always outgoing. But salsa helped me practice talking to people.
- Being social is just about getting reps. The more you go out, the better you get.
- It’s a safe, warm environment where everyone shares the same love: salsa.
💭 Closing Thoughts:
Your first time dancing at a social might feel scary, but trust me—it’s where the real magic happens. You already proved you’re ready when you earned your crown. Now it’s time to go out and have fun. You’ll learn faster, meet amazing people, and grow way more than just in class.
Take your fear, put it in your little purse, and step onto the floor. You got this.
See you out there,
Pablo “Rico Rico” Peña-Garcia 🕺
P.S. Don’t forget about the Miami Salsa Cruise — Feb 22–28, 2026. If you’re a Salsa Kings member, your event ticket is FREE (and your guest’s too)! Go to MiamiSalsaCruise.com for more info. Let’s dance in Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Mexico! 🌴
Tune into this awesome interview! Never miss a beat and SUBSCRIBE to receive Salsa Kings LIVE notifications on right here on YouTube or via Text Message: Text the word JOIN to 69922 #SalsaKings#SalsaKingsLIVE