I Thought I Was Just Taking a Dance Class
At 44 years old, I walked into a dance fitness class thinking I was just trying something new. Little did I know that one brave “yes” would completely change the trajectory of my life, reconnect me to myself, and lead me into the most meaningful work of my second act.
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.
You Look Soft....
I remember my first Christmas home after I went to college. I walked through the door and my mother literally said, “You are HOME!!!!……” Silence…….then quietly and gently she said, “You look soft!” I remember thinking, “Nice Mom….Nice.” But, the sad fact is that it was true. I had not only put on the freshman 15 I put on an extra 10! No lie! I lived in the football dorm at The University of North Texas and they had yeast rolls that would knock your socks off! EVERYDAY!!!!! And yep I ate them EVERYDAY! And I may or may not have discovered beer. Happens and it is a right of passage a lot of us go through. I like to think it made me who I am today! “Silver Lining”!
Now you all know I have naturally curly hair, my hair is not naturally blonde, and I have some amazing KKG sisters!!!!!! And there is the beautiful freshman 25 I found!!!!!
However, this time of year I still tend to get “soft” as my mother so eloquently put it all those years ago. When I look at why, I see where it is very easy to do.
Did you know the average american puts on an estimated 5-15 pounds from Thanksgiving to New Year’s!
That is a lot of weight especially if you are over the age of 35 and your metabolism has decided to slow its roll! (There is that delicious word again! lol!) It is so easy to do! Why?
Well, let’s look at it:
It is colder out so we make warm and cozy meals.
We induce undue stress because of having to have the house perfect, the perfect gift, the perfect place settings, and just showing off for family to make your life look perfect. Truth is we should just enjoy each other and be grateful we have another year together, but nope something about family raises that cortisol level and boom that raises that poundage level on the scales!
We wear bigger, bulkier, softies as I like to put it….aka sweats and sweaters! I love my softies anyone will tell you!!!!
There is traditionally a lot more alcohol due to many parties and “reasons to celebrate”!
Gingerbread homes, sugar cookies, pumpkin pie, candy canes, hot chocolate, whipped cream, gum drops galore, and so much more goodness….did I mention yeast rolls? Or my mom’s homemade monkey bread!? YUM!
Exhaustion due to all the celebrations sometimes lowers our immune systems and makes us lethargic which in turn slows down our workouts. Literally happening to me now as I right this I am on the couch sick as a dog with an upper respiratory infection/sinus infection.
Over scheduling slows down our workouts because we are so frazzled and make up every excuse as to why it is ok if we miss, “JUST THIS ONCE!”
Being cold outside and bad weather slows down our workouts, especially if you are a runner, unless of course you are a total you know what! Bad Arse!
You see the theme….”slows down our workouts” eventually turns into I will start New Year’s day and then New Year’s day comes and you go to the gym and there is no parking or if you are lucky enough to get parking you can’t get on your equipment or find a space in your class because the entire city is at that gym. Murphy’s law!
And last but not least if you are like me you are a Hallmark movie Junkie and you cry your eyes out to the point of looking like a swollen fish so you hide under the covers and say, “Just one more!” Those darn movies are so addicting!!!!!! Maybe more so than social media! True story for this girl! I have watched two today! But, hey I am sick! Throw the girl a bone!
Now that is just 10 reasons that I could come up with, but I am sure there are plenty more! Point is we get “soft!” So what will you do to combat it? I am a big fan of making a plan now and getting in the habit of it! I will share with you my plan and maybe you can tweak it to serve you.
The most important thing for me to stay on track is to stay consistent with my early morning ritual! Don’t know what that is, click here to get a sneak peak. When I do this, I tend to stay on track with everything. Today, even while I was sick, I did get up and do my morning ritual and look at me now…..I am writing…..Yes I feel like dog doo doo, but I am in it to win it!!!!!
Next I take my Revitalu everyday! What is that you ask? Well it is a health product that I sell and I 100 percent believe in! It has done so much for me since I started taking it in April. It gives me energy, improves my mental focus, suppresses my appetite, and elevates my mood. I am telling you it is magical! Want to know more about it shoot me a message on insta, facebook, or email me at amy@worthyheart.com and I have samples I can send you to try before you buy! Which I love that entire concept! I hate it when amazing healthcare products that you can only get through influencers require you to buy before you try and I really hate when they make you have a monthly contract! Guess what! With me you do not! So WINNING!!!!! I will tell you though, part of the reason I am able to function to write is because of my product! I promise you that!
And last but not least I write my schedule out each week of when I will work out and where. Now full disclosure. I do get paid to workout as I teach dance fitness, but on days I am not teaching I do have my workout on the schedule! It is the only way it will happen. I normally only work out 4-5 days a week, but with the holiday stress and poundage factor I up it to 5-6 days a week. And the one or two days I do not workout I make sure to take a leisurely stroll and stretch. I swear by stretching! If you want to know more about my dance classes or where I go to stretch, same thing as above….send me a message, give me an email, or an SOS will work too! I promise to get back to you and answer any questions!
Come dance with me! I promise you will burn a min. of 300 calories! Min! I usually burn 500-680! No lie!!!!!!