Dance has been a part of Blair Guillaume’s life since she was three years old, and still today, it holds a special place. From the football field to the dance studio, Blair has tapped into her creative side and her dietitian background through choreographing routines for young dancers and the Saintsations and even now through working with LSU’s Golden Girls and teaching them how to live healthier lives. Through every step of life, Blair serves as a bright guiding light to her dancers and her family.
What’s the greatest thing about being a mom?
B: Susu is a sweet girl so everything is great. I enjoy cooking for her and feeding her. She’s a good and adventurous eater.
What’s her personality like?
B: She’s friendly and happy, and she likes to dance. She’s not great at sleeping, but we’re getting better. She has a good vocabulary. Her first and second words were “Mama” and “Dada,” but she also says “apple,” “umbrella,” and “alligator.”
How has parenthood changed you?
B: I am less scheduled, more laidback, and more selfless. A little sleep deprived, but I laugh a lot more now. When you’re choreographing, you’re by yourself. Now I have this funny little sidekick with me 24/7.
What’s the best part of being the Golden Girls Instructor?
B: I feel as though I am more of a director. The captains are doing the choreography and I come in at the end to give everything a second look. I do try to help them live a healthy lifestyle while they are in college. Dancers have a body focus so I want to help prevent unhealthy food relationships.
What advice do you give them?
B: To enjoy it as much as they can and to take it all slowly. I’m a big proponent of helping them with healthy, realistic eating. I hope that if they learn this early, they will be able to pass it on.
How is it raising a little one with such a busy schedule?
B: It’s getting easier and easier. Before, it wasn’t so much the leaving her because I wasn’t gone very long. The hard part was the coordination and the scheduling. Luckily, everything comes one at a time, so it will be easier and less stressful now.
Favorite part of game day?
B: When I was a Golden Girl, I enjoyed the game and performing. Now, I get to help shape the girls’ experiences and make sure they are loving it as much as I did.
Best parenting advice you have received?
B: I’m very Type A. My husband would say that I am Type A+, but you have to let go and let things happen. Susu is teaching me to be less Type A.
Do you hope your daughter will love dance?
B: I do. I can’t imagine that she won’t because she is around it and will be around it. If she doesn’t, we will just have to find something else that has that physical and artistic component.
What has dancing taught you about yourself?
B: It has taught me dedication and that there’s always room to grow. It doesn’t come easy and it takes time to work on technique. It’s a long, growing process. I want to instill that same work ethic and passion within the girls.
What personality trait of yours do you hope your daughter gets?
B: I’m a very loyal friend, employee, and family member so I hope she develops that. I also hope she gets my healthy lifestyle.
Is there anything you learned through dance that you can apply to parenting?
B: To not give up and get discouraged. I didn’t make Golden Girls the first time I tried out and that could have been the end of dance for me, but if it’s something you want, keep at it.
What has been your favorite job so far?
B: Teaching at Tari’s. I get the same kids every time so I see the long term progression. I can get to know them better.
How can parents help their children live healthier lives?
B: Expose them to different flavors and reintroduce them to foods even if they didn’t like them before.
What’s your favorite dish to make for your family?
B: I make a lot of Asian-flavored food. Anything with ginger, soy sauce, and bok choy. My husband jokes that Susu is probably the only baby in America eating bok choy.
Do you have any advice for other parents?
B: From a food perspective, just setting them up with good health is so important. Giving them that healthy foundation is helpful longterm. ■
Quick Q&A
The parenting item I couldn’t live without… the noise machine in Susu’s room.
In my fridge, you will always find… a lot of vegetables and eggs.
Favorite movie growing up… The Sound of Music.
My guilty pleasure is… dark chocolate.
Music I’m loving… instrumental music, whatever I am choreographing, and “Elmo’s Song.”
