Jocelyn Mehle at the Irish Dancing World Championships in 2024 in Scotland where she placed 46th. Only 1% of North American Irish dancers qualify for Worlds.
After seeing Lord of the Dance (a high-energy Irish dance show) at age 3, Jocelyn Mehle, now age 17, became fascinated with the athletic dance style that features minimal upper body movement and fast, frenetic footwork.
“Beginning at age 5 she used to accompany her older sister, Kayla, to Burke School of Irish Dance in Youngstown,” said Jocelyn’s mom, Vicki. “She has been exposed to Irish dancing most of her life, so it was no surprise when she wanted to try it.”
Her dedication to the art form led her to compete at high levels from a young age. However, with intense training came the risk of injuries. In 2019, at age 11, Jocelyn experienced her first significant injury.
She initially saw her general practitioner for ankle pain. When she wasn’t getting any relief, her family sought the advice of Dr. Christopher Liebig, sports medicine physician, who did an MRI and diagnosed Jocelyn with swelling around the ankle bone and recommended two months of physical therapy (PT).
Jocelyn, pictured with her siblings sightseeing around Scotland and Ireland, has overcome a number of dance related injuries through the years with the help of sports medicine physician Dr. Christopher Liebig.
“Dr. Liebig put her in a boot, and she wasn’t happy about it because it meant no dancing. She cried,” recalled Vicki. “He gave her a box of tissues. He was very compassionate and told her she had to give her body time to heal if she wanted to reach her goals.
“I think this early intervention taught Jocelyn the importance of proper recovery, ultimately making her a stronger dancer,” she added.
The same year, Jocelyn injured her big toe. Dr. Liebig once again provided the necessary care, prescribing foot exercises and another stint in a boot. Despite these challenges, Jocelyn qualified for the Irish Dancing World Championships.
Following a 2-year break due to COVID, Jocelyn suffered a bruised disk in her back in both 2022 and 2024. Her dedication and grit, alongside suggested innovative treatments, such as cupping and dry needling, played a crucial role in her recovery.
“She knows Dr. Liebig will get her fixed up,” said Vicki. “He changed up some of her PT exercises to help rehab the injury. He understands the intensity of the sport and the training involved.”
Jocelyn’s rigorous training regimen includes dancing two to three hours a day, five times a week, along with stretching and drills.
Thanks to her exceptional care and determination, Jocelyn was able to compete at the World Championships, placing 76th in Ireland in 2022 and 46th in Scotland in 2024.
“Only 1% of North American Irish dancers qualify for Worlds, so it was big deal to be able to go and compete,” said Jocelyn, who prepares 3 different routines to perform for the judges.
Jocelyn’s rigorous training regimen includes dancing 2-3 hours a day, 5 times a week, along with stretching and drills. She also attends Jump Stretch classes at the local YMCA, designed to help athletes prevent injuries. This holistic approach to training and recovery has been instrumental in her success.
“When I have an injury, I don’t try and power through it. I’ve learned to trust the process in order to get better,” Jocelyn explained. “This mindset, instilled by Dr. Liebig, has been key to my ability to bounce back from injuries and continue dancing.”
Looking ahead, Jocelyn plans to take all college courses next year through Youngstown State University during her senior year of high school at Austintown Finch. She hopes to pursue a career in physical therapy and exercise science, a path inspired by her own experiences.
“Although I don’t know if I will continue dancing beyond high school, I am forever grateful for Dr. Liebig’s dedication and innovative treatments,” said Jocelyn. “He not only helped me overcome my injuries but also empowered me to reach new heights in my dancing career.”
Do you know an athlete who could benefit from specialized injury care? Schedule a Sports Medicine appointment at the location near you.
