If Jim could still Fix It For Me, I would ask to be a contestant on Strictly Ballroom.

Preferably, the fabulously talented Brendan Cole would be my partner and I’d get to learn all those dances and wear the sparkly sequinned costumes. Oh, yes.

Or perhaps I could be the resident hypnotherapist on the show. I’ve been giving this some serious consideration and I think that there can’t be that many hypnotherapists trained in ballet and contemporary dance, so maybe I have a niche here?

Because it seems that Brendan’s current dance partner, Jo Wood, has been using the services of a hypnotherapist to help her to let go of her nerves.

This article in The Telegraph states:

“Jo Wood, former wife of rocker Ronnie, is reported to have had a hypnotherapy session on Friday in an attempt to build her confidence ahead of her next dance with partner Brendan Cole.

The programme source said: “Jo and Brendan are doing the paso doble and he wants more aggression in the dance. But Jo is finding it hard to be feisty and even if the hypnosis session cures her nerves, it won’t change her style. Only large amounts of practice will help that.”

Well, that is certainly true. Hypnotherapy can help people to feel confident and give their very best performance. However, as I’ve discussed before on this blog, hypnotherapy cannot magically give people a wonderful singing voice or physical fitness.

To give of your best, you also have to take action: practise your skills, train and keep training.

It seems that Jo Wood did just that because I was watching on Saturday and I think she had really upped her performance. Hypnotherapy and practise are a powerful combination.

So, good for you, Jo. Jo Woods is 54, has four children, six granchildren and is a highly
successful ethical-business woman, campaigning for fair trade and organic clothing. She is also currently going through a very public divorce with husband Ronnie. How brilliant that she’s decided to get out there on the dancefloor and challenge herself in this way.

This article in the Mail Online quotes her as saying:

‘I took it on as a challenge, really. That, and the fact I love dancing. For me to be able to learn how to dance is like a dream come true. I want my kids to be proud of me. I’m saying, “Yeah, this is me.”

I love that.

Linda Bellingham is another favourite of mine. She may not have the most natural talent but, my goodness, doesn’t she give it her all?

I know from personal experience that it can be enormously challenging to go out there and dance in front of a huge audience. Anyone who is prepared to do that after only a couple of weeks of training gets my vote for their sheer courage and attitude. Inspiring.