Our Story

In early 2023, Ashley and Octavia - who had become friends as young moms living in Silver Lake, Los Angeles - were talking on the phone one night.

While Ashley was aware that Octavia had a photography background, and Octavia knew that Ashley worked as a health and mindset coach helping women find freedom from depression naturally, on this particular night, they discovered that their interests and abilities dove-tailed beautifully, and the spark of an idea was born.

Ashley had been wanting to create a YouTube cooking show (and accompanying cookbook) since she had founded her health coaching company www.ashleymiershealth.com in 2019. And Octavia’s passion was food photography!

Ashley then approached her longtime songwriting partner Elizabeth Russo to tell her about the idea. Liz volunteered to be Ashley’s soux chef and co-host. She also volunteered her beautiful recently remodeled kitchen as the set of the show.

Now they needed a concept…

While Ashley was cooking in her own kitchen one night, she was dancing around as she worked listening to music. A song that she had been enjoying lately, aptly titled “Dancing in the Kitchen” by the band LANY came on.

That was when inspiration struck.

Ashley decided then and there to call the show “Dancing in the Kitchen” and to combine music and food to educate (and entertain!) viewers. The show would focus on the relationship between nutrition and mental heatlh, and it would be set to Ashley and Liz’s original songs to emotionally impact and uplift the audience while Ash and Liz shared mood-boosting recipes to optimize brain health and function.

Ashley recorded a cover of the song “Dancing in the Kitchen”, and with LANY’s gracious permission, the track became the theme song of the show.

Shooting commenced in February of 2023 and the show has been gaining traction and endearing itself to its audience ever since.

About Us

  • ASHLEY MIERS

    Co-Host and Creator of the show, Ashley works as a Health and Mindset Coach helping women find freedom from depression so they can love themselves, live a life they love, and thrive.Ashley studied Psychology with and emphasis in Cognitive Neuroscience, Biology and Nutrition at the University of Denver. She is also a Kundalini Yoga Instructor and has studied yogic philosophy.

    Ashley is a mom to two boys and loves planning and cooking nutritious meals to nurture and support her own health and the health of her family.

  • OCTAVIA KLEIN

    Director of Photography and Co-Producer Octavia Klein brings her expertise both as a filmmaker and a savvy business woman to the Dancing in the Kitchen team.

    Octavia has also navigated gut health issues, including candida overgrowth. Octavia’s approach focuses on eliminating sugar as much as possible and consuming nourishing, antioxidant-rich whole foods.Octavia is also a mom and understands the importance of supporting moms by making healthy eating accessible while also balancing a demanding schedule.

  • ELIZABETH RUSSO

    Co-Host Liz Russo navigated her own gut-healing journey and became passionate in the process about clean eating. She advocates for an organic, whole foods approach and personally commits to a vegetarian eating style.

    Liz and Ashley have been working together as songwriters for more than a decade. Together, they infuse Dancing in the Kitchen with uplifting original music to bring joy and movement into cooking as a healthy lifestyle practice that is foundational to holistic well-being.