I Thought I Was Just Taking a Dance Class

This week I found myself subbing at DDF again after about a 9-month break.

And honestly?

It felt really good to be back.

The music.
The energy.
The women.
The joy of it all.

When class ended, my boss smiled and said, “It was nice to have you and your energy back in class, Hollywood.”

That’s what she always called me.

The old students talked about how much fun they had, and the new ones said they loved my energy. And standing there afterward, sweaty and smiling, something hit me…

Almost 11 years ago, I did something brave.

At 44 years old, I walked into a dance fitness class at the YMCA not realizing that one tiny decision would completely change the trajectory of my life.

At the time, I was just looking for movement.
For fun.
For something that felt like mine.

Graeme was little and loved the childcare there. I loved the instructor, Melissa. I remember feeling incredibly insecure back then. My body didn’t feel like my own. I was carrying weight physically and emotionally. My breasts had grown so large for my frame that I eventually pursued a breast reduction just so I could move more freely.

That may sound small to some people, but speaking up for myself back then was actually brave.

Especially in a marriage where I had slowly lost my voice.

And yet somehow…dance started giving it back to me.

When Melissa moved out of the country, I had to find somewhere else to dance, which led me to DDF. I still remember being nervous walking into that studio full of “mom dancers” and former real dancers.

Yes, I danced growing up, but not after high school. My dad used to say he “wasn’t raising a gypsy,” and if I’m honest, that comment still stings sometimes.

But maybe not becoming a professional dancer was never the point.

Maybe dance was simply waiting for me to come back to it when I truly needed saving.

Because the truth is, my life was heavy back then.

Trey was deep in addiction.
My mom’s health was declining.
We were helping care for my dad with dementia.
Will was busy with soccer.
JP was finding his way into the arts.
Graeme was still little.
And somewhere in the middle of taking care of everyone else…

I was disappearing.

But every time I walked into dance class and the music started, something happened.

Everything else got quiet.

I wrote in an old blog once:

“It is like whatever is going on around me just goes away like magic and it’s just me, the music, and the moves.”

And it was true.

Dance became my therapy.
My medicine.
My safe place.

It became the one place where my nervous system could finally exhale.

Without realizing it, I slowly began finding my voice again. And thank God I did, because not long after that came some of the hardest years of my life.

My mom died.
My marriage began to spiral.
Trey’s mental health collapsed.
I became a caregiver.
I watched my world crack wide open.
I wrestled with faith, grief, identity, fear, loneliness, and survival.

And through all of it…

Dance stayed.

There were days I truly understood how easy it would be to stop living while still technically being alive. I wrote this years ago:

“No, it is me waking up those days and saying I choose to live.”

That line hits differently now.

Because that’s exactly what dance helped me do.

Choose life.

Not perfectly.
Not all at once.
But one class at a time.

One song at a time.
One brave yes at a time.

And what absolutely blows my mind today is realizing that one tiny decision at 44 years old opened the door to the entire life I am living now.

Because of that one “yes,” I became a dance fitness instructor.

And because of THAT yes…

I now teach tiny dancers.
I work with special needs students.
I teach women how to reconnect to their bodies through MELT.
I help people feel safe in their bodies again.
I pour confidence into little girls.
I create.
I move.
I encourage.
I connect.
I heal.

And somehow in the second half of my life…
I became more myself than I have ever been.

That’s what hit me this week.

I thought I was just becoming a dance fitness instructor.

Little did I know…
I was becoming.

And maybe that’s what I want women to understand most.

Sometimes the thing tugging at your soul isn’t random.

Sometimes it’s God.

Sometimes it’s one tiny spark trying to lead you back to yourself.

You do not need a five-year plan.
You do not need a blueprint.
You do not need the whole map.

I certainly didn’t.

At one point I thought I was supposed to become an influencer or motivational coach or build some huge platform. But somewhere along the way, I stopped striving for the masses.

Now?
I just want to help one person feel seen.
One woman feel alive again.
One dancer feel confident.
One child feel worthy.
One hurting person feel safe.

That’s enough for me.

Actually…that’s more than enough.

So if there is something small tugging at you right now…
a class,
a dream,
a hobby,
a whisper,
an urge to create,
to move,
to try again…

listen to it.

Lean into it.

Go for it.

Because the truth is…

At 44 years old, I thought I was just taking a dance class.

Little did I know it would save my life.

Norwegian vs. Royal vs. Disney: My Honest Cruise Review (From a Mom Who’s Done All Three)

We just got back from a cruise… and let’s just say—I have thoughts 😅

If you’re trying to decide between Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Disney, I’ve now experienced all three—and they are very different.

So here’s my honest, real-life, no-fluff breakdown.

✨ Norwegian (NCL)
Slower. More relaxed. Less structured… and I LOVED that.

No set dinner time. No assigned seating. No rushing to make a reservation.

After years of cruising where dinner felt like a scheduled event you had to plan your whole evening around… this felt like freedom.

And honestly? That alone might bring me back.

(Side note: we once had a dinner table situation on another cruise that involved a very loud man oversharing things NO ONE needed to hear… so yeah… flexibility = blessing.)

Let’s talk: Rooms + Layout

Our Norwegian room felt less cluttered, which I liked… but the layout wasn’t ideal.

Once we pulled out Graeme’s bed, it became a full obstacle course trying to get to the bathroom at night 😅

BUT—
The bathroom? AMAZING.

• Bigger than Royal

• Huge shower

• Way more functional

So I’ll take that trade-off.

Now on to: Food + Dining

The food was good—similar richness to Royal.

(If I’m being honest… by the end of the week, I’m always craving something light and simple again.)

What stood out more was how Norwegian handles upcharges.

They are… creative 😅

Not bad—just something to be aware of.

That said, we had more options and felt less pressure around dining, which made the whole experience more enjoyable.

And can we talk about the people serving us?

Every single person was kind, attentive, and genuinely happy.
I don’t fully understand how their tipping system works—but it clearly does.

And next up: Pools + Deck Life

Norwegian’s setup is different:

• Smaller infinity-style pools (which were really cool)

• One main pool

• No true adults-only pool unless you pay extra and there still was not a pool…😅

That part surprised me.

BUT… I found my spot.

Right by the splash pad where tiny droplets would hit me just enough to cool off while sunbathing.

It was perfect. Like my own little hidden oasis.

Let’s not forget: Kids + Activities

Norwegian did NOT disappoint here.

• Race track (so cool)

• Escape room

• Amazing kids area

Graeme’s official review:

👉 “Royal is better.” 😂

Why?

Because Norwegian shuts things down earlier (around 9–10pm), and Royal keeps the party going.

So if you have teens who want late-night energy—Royal wins.

Oh and the fun stuff: Entertainment + Ship Life

This is where Norwegian really surprised me.

• We saw Beetlejuice the musical (SO good)

• Fun themed nights (we went to “prom”… and yes, it was actually fun 😅)

• Unique bars everywhere:

  • Whiskey bar

  • Wine bar

  • Cigar bar

  • Live entertainment spaces

And my personal favorite…

✨ The Observation Lounge

Coffee + whipped cream + those views??

I was living my best life.

For those in their Health Era: Spa + Wellness

The spa on Norwegian is next level.

• Salt rooms

• Charcoal saunas

• Thermal pools

You can buy a day pass or a full-week package, and it’s honestly a whole experience in itself.

Biggest Surprise of all: The Ports

We hit 4 ports in 7 days, and I thought that would feel rushed…

But I LOVED it.

🌴 Cozumel

We actually got off this time and snorkeled the reef—SO fun.
Fresh shrimp ceviche made by the crew? Yes please.

🌴 Harvest Caye (Belize – Norwegian’s private island)

Super cute, easy, relaxing.
Beach + food + shops… then rain rolled in and we went back to nap.
No complaints.

🌴 Roatan (FAVORITE)

This place has my heart.

We:

• Zip-lined through the jungle

• Ate lunch on the beach

• Soaked in the joy of the people there

If you go—visit the animal sanctuary and hold the sloths.
It’s worth it 🥹

🌴 Costa Maya

Used to not love it… now I do.

We found our spot:
✨ Ya Ya Beach Club

Same waiter two years in a row—Gregario (the best).
Massages on the beach.
The BEST guacamole.

10/10 every time.

Final Thoughts

Each cruise line has its lane:

✨ Norwegian → Relaxed, flexible, less pressure
✨ Royal Caribbean → High energy, more activities, teen-friendly
✨ Disney → Pure magic (especially for younger families)

For me?

This trip reminded me how much I value:

• Flexibility

• Thoughtful spaces

• Experiences that feel easy, not scheduled

Drum Roll Please what’s next 👀

I made a little promise to myself:

👉 Plan the next trip while you’re still on the current one.

And I did.

Trey and I are heading to
✨ Secrets Huatulco, Mexico this June

And I already love having something to look forward to.

I guess you could say…

I’m officially in my travel more, stress less, find the magic where you are era ✨