Stepping into Sunshine

Create the Life You Want: Lessons from Misty Copeland

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Misty Copeland (star of the viral ballerina Under Armour campaign: I Will What I Want) is an inspiration to us all – to break through barriers and to believe in ourselves, against all odds. When her family didn’t have enough money and she was told she was too old to be considered for a prestigious ballet academy, she still didn’t quit. Misty Copeland personifies what Girl Meets Strong is all about, and here are 6 lessons we’ve learned from her on how to create the life you want.

1. Find Your Why

Misty has been motivated by a deep passion for dance and through her work and perseverance has found a strong force within her that cannot be stopped. Find the “Why” for your goals and let that deeper motivation power you through whatever challenges come your way.

“You can do anything you want, even if you are being told negative things. Stay strong and find motivation.”

-Misty Copeland

2. Don’t Believe Your Own Self Defeating Stories

Misty found that even her own personal shortcomings could be overcome. Being born into an abusive and unstable family life contributed to Misty describing herself as an anxious and shy child. But once she discovered dance in The Boys and Girls Club, something lit up within her.

Even then, though, she still had her doubts: “In 2001, I was the only black woman in a company of 80 dancers. I had never thought about that growing up, but I suddenly felt very rare and started worrying, ‘Am I going to make it?’” And while most people would’ve been supportive if she’d quit, saying, “At least you tried!” Misty didn’t allow those doubts to take hold and create her story for her. She had bigger plans.

3. It’s Okay to be You

Dancing allowed Misty to learn to love what her body could do more than what it looked like. By most standards, Misty didn’t/doesn’t have the archetypical ballerina’s body. She’s shorter than most ballerinas and describes herself as having “breasts and a butt.” To come through uncertainty and abuse to achieve in a field where you are in a racial minority shows tremendous strength and self-love. Dancing likely helped her to see a strong, beautiful, competent part of herself that she wanted to grow. Her dance teachers impacted her sense of belonging and self-worth.

“[My dance instructor] Cindy believed that ballet was richer
when it embraced diverse shapes and cultures.”

—Misty Copeland

4. Break the Mold

Misty knew from very young that she’d have to fight an uphill battle to even be considered as a professional ballerina. But that became part of what she relished about the journey – it was unlike everyone else’s path. She says this of her ad campaign and clothing line with Under Armour:

“What they stand for goes along so much with what I stand for—for being an underdog, not fitting in a box or a mold of what I should be.”

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5. Work Hard + Fuel Smart

Ballet is a legitimate sport, and a commitment that she does not take lightly. It’s demanding, athletic and creative. Misty knew that she couldn’t get to where she wanted to go, if dancing was merely a “hobby.” At one point, Misty stepped up her game and went all in, mentally and physically. She describes her training regime here:

“Every single day became about commitment. I dance every morning from 10:15 to 11:45, and rehearsals are from Tuesday through Saturday, from noon to seven… I started learning how to eat for health—I can’t just drink soda and eat empty calories and still maintain a dancer’s body.”

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6. What the World Holds Against You Can Become Your Greatest Gift

Misty knows that racism is still an issue, but has found it to also be a defining gift that she offers the world of ballet. Even still, here she explains why she is okay with being labelled a black ballerina:

“[I embrace the title] because it’s so rare and because it’s an issue and because it’s been my path and my struggle. I’m not going to deny or pretend that that’s not who I am.”

Misty has paved the way for many other minorities to know that they, too, can make their way to the top. And for any young, aspiring dancers, athletes, or people with a dream, she’s the torch bearer of hope and proof that your dreams, however big they may be, can still become a reality.