Long Winded with Gabby Windey – Episode: Dylan Efron (October 16, 2025)
Main Theme & Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into competitive dance reality shows, specifically “Dancing with the Stars,” with special guest Dylan Efron. Hosted by Gabby Windey, who brings her own multifaceted TV, athletic, and nursing backgrounds to the table, the conversation is fast-paced, honest, and flooded with humor. Dylan shares his experience on “Dancing with the Stars,” comparing it to his time on “The Traitors,” talking backstage rituals, the intensity of performance, injury mishaps, cast camaraderie, and the vulnerable joy of learning a new skill on a huge stage. The discussion is loaded with relatable anxieties, love for the process, and tons of behind-the-scenes color.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Dance Training is Harder Than Expected
- Dylan confesses he underestimated how physically and mentally taxing dance training would be.
- “Way harder. Yeah, I like going in, I was like, oh, I need to like, work out and stuff… That first week was such a wake up call.” – Dylan (02:18)
- Gabby relates, sharing her own pseudo-advantage as a former pro cheerleader, but agrees the real training is on another level.
- “The dumbbells are not working the same muscles.” – Gabby (02:36)
- Both discuss the challenge of mental choreography and muscle memory.
- “I do still think I’m becoming a dancer, as David says, but I still feel like I’m faking it in a way…” – Dylan (06:07)
Teacher-Student Dynamics & The Role of Pros
- Dylan is partnered with pro dancer Dani, whom he calls magical and extremely dedicated. She pushes him to excel, often skipping “days off” in favor of double sessions.
- “She works me. Like, I know some people are like, ‘Oh, we’re taking the day off.’ … If anything, we do double sessions.” – Dylan (05:25)
- Humorous exchanges about trusting Dani during risky lifts, and failing spectacularly before finally succeeding.
- “I have something to tell you. I don't think I can bench press a full human while I'm standing.” – Gabby (07:27, joking)
- “And then, of course, the next day we show up… and we did it.” – Dylan (07:48)
Injuries & Physical Therapy
- Lifts and difficult choreography bring frequent injuries, from sore feet and shoulders to almost breaking a dance partner’s neck.
- “Val and I didn’t do that many [lifts] ‘cause we’re like, the same height. But… I literally broke his cervical vertebrae.” – Gabby (09:29)
Comparing “Dancing with the Stars” to “The Traitors”
- The two realities are contrasted: DTWS is more physically grueling, while “The Traitors” was harder mentally.
- “Mentally, no, but physically, yeah.” – Gabby (05:47)
- Both miss the camaraderie of constant cast interaction on “The Traitors.”
Backstage, Camaraderie & Cast Gossip
- Hair and makeup rooms function as gossip hubs—something both love.
- “People would—We’d have to keep the door closed because people would watch and be like, we were just talking about you.” – Gabby (13:12)
- Dylan laments less off-stage community on DTWS.
- “We’re all, like, at different times… I wish there was more community in it.” – Dylan (12:46)
Rituals, Superstitions & Coping with Nerves
- Dylan develops car-bottle superstitions, Gabby had pre-dance screaming rituals and tequila shots before samba.
- “There's like a place in my car where I have these bottles… I need a fourth bottle for the fourth week.” – Dylan (25:29)
- “Before our samba, I took a tequila shot… Oh my God, it was the best dance I’d ever done.” – Gabby (23:32)
- Both admit the nerves never entirely go away.
- “Did it ever get easier? – Dylan (11:54)
“No, no, it got worse.” – Gabby (11:56)
- “Did it ever get easier? – Dylan (11:54)
Critical Feedback & Self-Improvement
- Both appreciate constructive criticism, even as it stings.
- “I love when they give me something to work on because it helps me set a goal.” – Dylan (21:01)
- “I’m my own hardest critic.” – Gabby (21:27)
- Both discuss the physical transformation from dance training.
- “I had back muscles I never even recognized before.” – Gabby (22:28)
- “They were like, what happened? You lost, like, a whole size already.” – Dylan (22:47)
Performing, Authenticity & Reality TV vs. Acting
- Gabby and Dylan compare the authenticity demanded by reality TV to the “performance” of acting.
- “It’s one thing to play a character on screen. It’s another to put yourself out there… it’s hard to put yourself out there.” – Dylan (38:10)
- Both joke about the awkwardness of dancing and acting for over-the-top TV promos.
Family, Support Systems, and Special Episodes
- Dylan is thrilled for an upcoming performance with his five-year-old sister, Olivia.
- “There was that real thing where I saw her in the stands and was like, oh, I’m her big brother out here.” – Dylan (30:11)
- “There’s something about it. You just are so proud of everybody else and yourself. Like it’s trivial because it’s dance, but it just gets to you.” – Gabby (30:45)
- Family in attendance is discussed as a major motivator.
Dance Styles, Favorite Moments, and Wardrobe Mishaps
- They enthusiastically compare samba, quickstep, and costume choices, including went-wrong makeup and hair stories.
- “I loved being the green bitch!” – Gabby on being Gamora for Disney Night (16:47)
- On the pros:
- “Val is, like, cool to a T. Mark is like, all right, watch this. He’s a performer, literally.” – Dylan (64:25)
- Favorite dance: Gabby votes samba, Dylan hasn’t picked yet, but both marvel at the technicality required for every style.
The Russian Dancer Monopoly & Behind-the-Scenes Humor
- Jokes abound about the many Russian dancers dominating the pro roster, their language quirks, and signature attitudes.
- “They breed dancers, the Utah people. And she went to BYU…” – Gabby (32:41)
- “He saw. He speaks Australian and Russian.” – Dylan about Sasha (58:43)
Personal Downtime & Mental Health
- After show nights, Dylan’s quiet routine is unglamorous: he unwinds alone with an audiobook.
- “I had like an hour left on my audiobook, and I was just like, something’s wrong with me. That, like… I need to finish this book.” – Dylan (57:05)
- Gabby emphasizes the benefit of breaking routine and pushing comfort zones.
Future Aspirations & What’s Next
- Both muse about other reality show formats and what skill they’d like to master next.
- “If I could do this same crash course in anything, I would love it.” – Dylan (52:29)
- Gabby jokes about wanting to do a singing version despite claiming she “would 100% do it” but “get kicked off the first week.” (53:05)
- Dylan reveals his love for audiobooks/fantasy (romantasy), suggesting future dance inspiration could draw from literary favorites.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Surviving the Intensity:
“I still feel like I’m faking it in a way, because… I don’t have that same musicality as the pros. It’s insane.” – Dylan (06:07) -
On Family Motivation:
“I saw her in the stands and was like, oh, I’m her big brother out here… I need to show up.” – Dylan (30:11) -
On Wardrobe & Character Nights:
“Val was kind of pissed too. ‘Should we redo the quickstep since you were a big green bitch?’ I’m like, I loved being the green bitch. What do you mean? I had so much confidence!” – Gabby (16:47) -
On Receiving Feedback:
“I love when they give me something to work on because it helps me set a goal. But ultimately, end of the day, I know if I did my best out there or if I messed up.” – Dylan (21:01) -
On Pre-show Nerves:
“Did it ever get easier? No, no, no, it got worse.” – Gabby (11:56) -
On Post-show Rituals:
“After this last show, we had the burgers. It was so fun. I got to get home to my book… I was so happy to lay in my bed and listen.” – Dylan (57:04) -
On Reality TV vs. Acting:
“It’s one thing to play a character on screen. It’s another to put yourself out there… it’s hard to put yourself out there.” – Dylan (38:10)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Dance is Tougher Than Expected — 02:18–04:08
- Comparing “Dancing with the Stars” to “The Traitors” — 05:38–06:30
- Dance Pros and Their Pedagogy — 05:13–07:48
- Lifts, Injuries, and Trust — 07:27–09:41
- Pre-performance Superstitions & Anxiety — 23:32–25:37
- Family Motives & Support — 29:24–30:20
- Cast Camaraderie (or Lack Thereof) — 12:46–13:20
- Costumes, Hair, Makeup, and Character Roles — 16:00–18:00; 64:32–66:00
- Russian Dancer Monopoly & Cast Language — 58:19–59:55
- Downtime After the Show / Audiobook Obsession — 57:04–58:00
- Authenticity & Reality TV — 38:02–38:53
- Performance Feedback & Growth — 21:01–22:14
Episode Mood & Closing Thoughts
In true “Long Winded” style, Gabby and Dylan’s banter is fast, vulnerable, and delightfully self-aware. They oscillate between poking fun at dance-world absurdities and revealing the genuine, often tender, hardships of high-pressure performance. The episode is a feel-good, real-life peek behind the “mirror ball” at the work, humility, and heart behind reality show dancing—all delivered in Gabby’s irreverent, relatable signature voice.
Where to find Dylan:
— "Instagram. Whatever it is." – Dylan (68:44)
For listeners, this episode offers a perfect blend of honest reality TV insight, human struggle and growth, and plenty of entertainment-industry gossip and giggles.