Bridjes O’Neil
Communications Specialist
bridjes.oneil@slu.edu
314-282-5007
Reserved for members of the media.
ST. LOUIS – Amar Shere, M.D., a cardiovascular disease fellow at Saint Louis University’s School of Medicine and a New Jersey native, competed on NBC’s TV series “Dancing With Myself.” The episode aired Tuesday, June 14.
Every week, a new group of dancers competes in a series of high-energy dance challenges designed and demonstrated by the show’s celebrity creators Shakira, Nick Jonas, Liza Koshy, and host Camille Kostek. Isolated in their pods, contestants have a short time to learn the new routines, add their unique flair and then perform their hearts out in front of a live audience.
As each round of the competition progresses, Shakira and her judging panel provide feedback. Ultimately, the studio audience decides who wins Best Dancer of the Night and gets to take home the cash prize worth $25,000. A new winner is chosen at the end of each episode.
NBC’s “Dancing With Myself” celebrity creators, top from left, Nick Jonas, Shakira and Liza Koshy. Amar Shere, M.D., bottom right, poses for the camera after his dance performance. Photo by NBC.
Still clad in his white coat, Shere was amped to get his heart rate pumping.
“I’m a heart doctor with rhythm who never misses a beat. I’m ready to compete.”
A few months ago, when producers contacted Shere to inform him that they chose him out of thousands to be a contestant on the show and share his life story, he thought it was a joke.
“I can’t believe I get to share my passion for dance as a doctor on national TV,” he said.
Shere says producers probably caught wind of his dance moves on TikTok. He often pairs trending audio clips with educational text about heart-healthy habits, plant-based eating tips, and life as a health care worker at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and fitness instructor for his social media audience of more than 110,000 followers. Shere teaches BollyX, a combination of Bollywood dance and aerobic exercise, at Yes Honey Studio in St. Louis’ Forest Park Southeast neighborhood.
“Exercise is important for heart health, but it can also be fun,” he said. “Dancing really gives me an opportunity to connect with my community, to share my passion for fitness and health, and I just love how BollyX in general makes people feel.”
Shere’s genuine love of dance and infectious smile as seen in his viral TikTok videos will lift the spirits of anyone who stumbles across his account, @TikHeartDoc, or perhaps inspire nondancers to lace up their shoes and give it a twirl.
Shere was eliminated in the fourth round of the competition. He says had he danced away with the grand prize, he planned to use the funds to continue his efforts promoting heart disease prevention in the St. Louis community.
“I see a lot of sick patients in the hospital – patients that end up needing stents, bypass surgery, machines to help support their heart,” he said. “If people had that education earlier or started preventive care earlier on, they can prevent some of these complex diseases and conditions from happening.”
Shere thanks his cardiology fellowship program and Yes Honey Studio community for their support throughout this journey.
Established in 1836, Saint Louis University School of Medicine has the distinction of awarding the first medical degree west of the Mississippi River. The school educates physicians and biomedical scientists, conducts medical research, and provides health care on a local, national and international level. Research at the school seeks new cures and treatments in five key areas: cancer, liver disease, heart/lung disease, aging and brain disease, and infectious diseases.