31 Oct 2025
040: Why some people should not lead, teach, or weigh in on your life whatsoever.
Hello. I'm back. After a year.
Here's the subtext you may require: I saw a video on Instagram of a program director and educator behaving (in my humble opinion) extremely inappropriately.
It then reminded me of how many other stories I've heard of other program leaders, educators, and directors that have not taken full responsibility for the influence they have on young dancers in this industry, and caused severe destruction to countless aspiring artists with the words that they've said.
I proceeded to get very fired up about the fact that these 'educators' can do so much damage and no one says a word about it because they're too afraid, and so I wrote this post and continued on to record this podcast.
"I started this thought being very disappointed in Vancouver leadership. And now I'm just disappointed in leadership everywhere.
And I'm really done being quiet or polite about it. Because what I actually think (and say) to others is...
There are people in this industry that should not be teaching.
There are people in this industry that should not be leading.
And there are people in this industry that absolutely should not have any affect, say, or input on how young women think, behave, date, eat, train, see themselves, or live their lives.
I don't know what's more disappointing than seeing someone that's in a position to influence others, and instead of making a positive impact, they use it for their own personal gain, whether it's popularity, ego, a following, control, a job, etc. It's irresponsible, it's incredibly disappointing, and honestly, it's embarrassing.
This industry is already so f*cked. It's so hard - for EVERYONE. Even if you're constantly working, everyone has demons that they're trying to hide. Not everyone's version of success is the same, and yet we're all measuring it and comparing it like it is. There are people that should not be agents. There are people that should not be choreographers. There are people that should not ever decide who gets a job, because they probably shouldn't even have the job they have right now. It's all so f*cked.
But you can make it beautiful despite the mess. You can have the time of your life if you surround yourself with good people. You can live your loudest dreams if you ignore everyone else's advice and listen to your own heart. You can experience everything you've ever dreamed despite the drama and the bullshit.
Because there are people out there trying to make sense out of this chaos. There are people providing safe and powerful places to get it wrong until you get it right. Not everything has to be a fight. And for the love of god, you do NOT have to endure bullying to get to where you want to go, or become the person you want to be.
YOU WERE ALREADY BORN THAT PERSON.
Stop trying to be something better than YOU.
YOU is the BEST THING YOU COULD EVER BE.
And whoever taught you otherwise can F*CK RIGHT OFF.
So to the leaders that shouldn't be leaders. And the teachers that shouldn't be teachers. And the program directors that shouldn't be running programs or shaping anyone's mind, careers, or lives: Do better. Because if you don't, I'm building a f^*cking army that's gonna take you out."
C x
