My Glory Days

It's true. A song can't come on the radio that doesn't immediately remind me of a dance routine I have done in the past. After all, I have been doing routines to different songs pretty much since I was 3 years old. That's 30 + years of countless routines! My days spent dancing are some of the most amazing memories I have. Some of the best friendships and important life lessons have been created through my dancing. My professional career performing in the AFL and NBA spans over 10 years! It's amazing I can still bend my knees! None the less, I am extremely proud of all my time spent on every team with which I have had the opportunity to perform.

Being a part of sports and dancing growing up was undoubtedly one of the best things my parents could have done for me. No matter what was going on at school, I was able to forget about it for a while and concentrate on what I loved. I think this is a very important part of the puzzle to help a child that may feel different or excluded. Find something they ARE good at...something they look forward to ...and support them with everything you have as a parent. So much that it drowns out the noise from the negative.  By the age of 12, I had earned my first degree black belt in TaeKwonDo and was a national competitor with the US Junior Olympic team. I was traveling all over the United States competing. I even had the opportunity to travel to Korea and train with their Olympians- an experience I will never forget! Being introduced to a culture so different than mine at such a young age really opened my eyes to new and beautiful things. If it wasn't for my parents getting me involved, I never would have had the opportunity to achieve any of this. 

With opening night upon us for the NBA, I can't help but reflect on my accomplishments as a dancer and athlete. What it took to get there and what it has taught me are such valuable lessons that I apply in my everyday life- even today. Most importantly, my experiences have shown me I can accomplish anything I set my mind to, even when things were rough. Being involved, especially at a young age, was an outlet that made me feel included and gave me a sense of accomplishment growing up. My extracurricular activities got me through my day and gave me something to feel proud about. I learned what it was like to have passion at a young age. To set goals and work hard until I achieved them. No matter what, my parents were always all about positive thinking. If you want to do it, you can. I can remember one instance when my dad set up a phone conference while I was away at college to have a session with Steven Cates- a motivational speaker- before my first college audition. I STILL use the exercise he taught me that day! It's all about state of mind. 

I used to get so many questions about my professional dance career, and I still do! "Why did you do it?" "You guys didn't even get paid that much!?"  I proudly always took that opportunity to set that person straight - explaining it's not about the money it's about so much more! The being a part of a team with amazing talented women. The passion it brings out in you. The blood, sweat and tears that go on even before you step foot on the court all lend a sense of accomplishment. The rush of performing. These are experiences that are earned and can't be bought. I can honestly say I would have done this all for free. 

Auditions are hard. Period. Especially the older you get. I really can't think of anything more grueling than an audition for a professional dance team. My dental hygiene clinical boards came in a close second ;)  I have been in a room filled with 300 + girls, all hopeful for 1 spot. Little by little, after 4 long days - only 25 girls will be left standing. It's so easy to defeat yourself just with doubt or fear alone! Or just the opposite can happen- you get it done. You work through your doubts and just nail it. Then you're one of the lucky 25, posing for the new team picture at the end of the day. I have experienced both and I am a better person for it all. While I was writing this, I realized I have been through the audition process 18 times since I was in 7th grade, with only one attempt unsuccessful! As you can imagine that was not an easy loss, but a really valuable learning experience was gained. You have to be all in, or else it shows in one way or another. No room for fear or doubt. Believing in yourself makes all the difference in the world! Lesson learned. 

Working for a professional sports team, not only do you dance and perform at the games, but you are also considered an ambassador for that organization. One of my favorite parts of being involved with these teams were the promotions, community work, and appearances we were invited to attend. This aspect of dance taught me about poise and exuding confidence, even when I felt nervous inside. Media appearances, such as TV, radio, news papers were all part of it. If you told 5th grade me that I would be on the news someday speaking about and promoting the Chicago Bulls I would have thought you were crazy! Or the fact that I would be in an EA Sports video game and have my own Upper Deck trading card?? No way. All of these little things remind me of how far I have come. Grade school me, still can't believe it. While the adult me has come to expect big things for myself.

  Statistics show that a child's participation in any sort of extracurricular activity can curb bullying. We can't always control who is targeted, and this involvement will not guarantee that it won't happen to your kid, but we as parents can control the outlets we give our children. As I said before, getting them more involved helps them find out what they are good at and can bring out a passion. Constant ridicule and stress from bullying can have lasting effects on their sense of who they are and who they are meant to be in this world. Instead of having the negativity of bullying following them through life, lets give them lessons of good sportsmanship, the reward of what hard work can accomplish, and the sense of belonging. We all deserve to feel like we are a part of something... even as adults. Find your passion and act on it. Life is too short to think of all the things that could have been.

My 2010 season. With my Luvabull teammates ( pun intended <3)
Love you girls! XO