She Almost Quit Dancing. What Happened Next Changed Everything
Meaningful Movement
Takeaway: Catherine was ready to quit—worn down by comparison, doubt, and the weight of not feeling “good enough.”
But one moment on the dance floor changed everything, reminding her that what she’s really chasing isn’t a trophy—it’s connection, confidence, and presence.
When you focus on creating those moments, the progress takes care of itself.
She Almost Quit Dancing. What Happened Next Changed Everything
Interview by Alex McBrairty
Catherine felt embarrassed for crying in the parking lot of the grocery store. Here’s what happened:
When I hopped on a call with Catherine, something felt different.
Usually full of energy, she sounded flat—disappointed in herself after a recent dance competition.
Catherine: “I was feeling disappointed in myself that day. I talked to one of the instructors, and she helped get my head in a better spot. But I was really questioning why I’m spending all this money… why I’m even doing this.”
She went on to explain how frustrating it felt to be a “big fish in a little pond” back at her studio, only to get out there and feel completely out of her league.
Catherine: “These other women—some of them don’t even work. They have more money, more time. And I’m busting my ass just to be able to show up.”
Catherine wasn’t just questioning her performance—she was questioning her purpose. But then something clicked.
Remembering the Why
I asked her why she started dancing in the first place. Not just any dancing—competitive ballroom dancing.
Catherine: “I always loved dance. I started as a kid, but had to quit because my mom got into it with the teacher. When my daughter went away to college, I was just sitting at home, drinking wine and watching Dancing with the Stars. I knew something had to change.”
That change came in the form of a free dance lesson at a local studio. She went. She fell in love.
Catherine: “It’s the only exercise I’ve stuck with. It’s brought out a side of me I didn’t know was there.”
And eventually, she decided to compete.
Catherine: “Because it pushes you. It’s not just a class every week. It gives me something real to work toward.”
But the most powerful part of our conversation came when I asked Catherine about a moment—any moment—where she felt like it all clicked.
The Moment That Made It Worth It
Catherine: “There was one. Saturday. Our first step onto the floor—it was an open foxtrot. We passed by three studios, and the pros watching—they knew me. They were cheering. And it wasn’t fake. I felt it. I was connected with the music, with the audience. I was in control of my body and the space. It was thrilling.”
She paused.
Catherine: “I was high. That’s how good it felt.”
Then she said something that made me pause.
Catherine: “And the next time I stepped on the floor? I completely messed it up.”
That’s it, right there. That’s the real story.
The thrill of progress and the sting of setbacks. It’s the honest, messy, beautiful reality of chasing mastery.
The Perspective Shift
Here’s what I pointed out to Catherine:
Not once did she mention winning. Not once did she say she wanted to beat the others or take home a medal.
She wanted to connect.
She wanted to feel mastery.
She wanted to be in it.
Alex: “Making the final isn’t your goal—it’s a consequence of those moments. You string enough of them together, and the outcome takes care of itself.”
That insight hit home for Catherine.
Catherine: “Wow. That makes so much sense. I’ve been so caught up in where I should be, I forgot why I started.”
It’s Not About the Trophy
This breakthrough wasn’t just about dancing. It bled into everything—her fitness, her health, even her motivation to keep going.
Catherine: “I was questioning everything—why am I trying to lose weight? Why am I pushing so hard at the gym? If I’m not getting results, what’s the point?”
The point is this:
Progress isn’t always loud. It’s not always obvious.
Sometimes, it’s a quiet moment in an open foxtrot when you realize—you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
And you belong there.
Moving Forward
Catherine’s not just recommitted—she’s making space, literally and emotionally, for the life she actually wants.
She’s not chasing validation.
She’s chasing those moments.
The kind that leave you breathless.
The kind that remind you why you started in the first place.
What was important for Catherine was to redefine progress through moments, not milestones.
That moment on the dance floor wasn’t about a trophy — it was about connection, presence, and confidence.
Collect enough of those moments, and the milestones take care of themselves.
That’s the kind of transformation we help people uncover every day—because it’s never just about fitness.
If you’re chasing a breakthrough of your own—one that goes beyond the scale or the trophy—let’s talk.
Click here to book a free strategy session. We’ll help you find your “why,” build the plan, and rediscover the magic in the process.
Because sometimes, the moment you think it’s all falling apart… is the exact moment everything comes together.