Written by: Lydia on MONDAY, OCT 2, 2023
Life had me coasting on a wave of success. As a former Pro dancer, I knew the exhilaration of the dance floor intimately. I am still the proud owner of a thriving studio, a pro-am dance sensation, and a coach who had steered my students towards the pinnacle of glory – US National and World Champion titles. It felt like I had life’s GPS dialed in perfectly, and I was cruising smoothly. But hey, life loves to throw curveballs, doesn’t it?
Out of the blue, a mysterious calling beckoned me to the sands of Dubai. I arrived, only to find myself in a mental traffic jam, grappling with an identity crisis in a sea of unfamiliarity. Trying to blend into the local culture felt like trying to dance the cha-cha in flippers – awkward and out of sync. That nagging voice in my head just wouldn’t pipe down. Initially, I resisted it – as we tend to do with the unknown. But that very day, I decided – no more resistance.
One sunny morning, during a walk I’d usually dodge, the idea of becoming a blogger struck me. The next day, I penned my first blog post, and to my shock, it was like opening a floodgate. Writing wasn’t just a desire; it was a calling I hadn’t even dialed up in my wildest dreams.
You see, I’m a dancer. I know my way around the dance floor, the art of teaching, the thrill of learning, and the joy of raising champions. That’s my jam, my groove, my happy place. Yet, when I looked around, I sensed something was missing. While I could impact a select few – those dedicated to transforming their bodies and minds, those willing to trust and invest in the journey – it somehow felt limiting.
But that wasn’t my only epiphany. Throughout my journey as a champion, I’d surfed a wave of emotions – from obliviousness about my own greatness to the anxiety of losing my champion status, from wholeheartedly loving my dance journey to understanding that titles aren’t everything. I learned to dance for the sheer joy of it, to perform for the smiles it brought to the audience’s faces, and to care less about the scoreboard. Don’t get me wrong, results matter, but I also know they’re often beyond my control. It’s about the exhilaration of performing, not about outshining someone else.
As a coach, I basked in the glory of guiding others to victory. They’d strut away from prestigious competitions with medals and accolades, and you’d think that’s the epitome of success, right? But, unintentionally, I’d created a culture that worshiped victory at any cost. It was a factory that churned out technical success for my Pro-Am students. But what was missing, my friends, was the right mindset. So, I rolled up my sleeves and embarked on the journey of shaping both the mind and the moves.
What I came to understand is that success isn’t just about collecting medals and titles like Pokémon cards. It’s about nurturing the right mindset. So, I toiled relentlessly to plant that seed of determination in my students. It’s a transformative journey, and the results? They speak volumes. Not only do they bag medals, but they also leave competitions feeling fulfilled, inspired, and raring for more. It’s a mindset that lets them truly believe in their success, whether it comes with a shiny trophy or not.
My life’s rollercoaster ride, from my personal dance triumphs to guiding others towards stratospheric heights, ignited a fiery passion in me. I yearn to help and inspire others to achieve their own versions of success, in any facet of life. I know how to do it, and I’m a fervent believer in the untapped potential within each individual.
I want to be your success co-pilot because, believe me, I believe in you. All you need to do is start believing in yourself too. Your journey to success begins with a single step, and guess what? I’m here, ready to strut down that path with you.
Believe in yourself, take that first step, and let’s samba our way through this incredible journey together. Your success story is waiting to be penned, and I’m here to help you write it into reality.
Let’s dance through life together!
