Hi All! I have been a mad women as of late running back and forth to New York, and was knocked out sick this past week. I am finally feeling myself and wanted to share a great post from my friend Kelly-I’m Fit and Happy. Kelly was a captain of the Towson Dance Team my first two years at Towson. She is someone to admire day in and day out. Here is a little of her story and some of her tips on how to become a CHAMPION!
I spent 4 years in College .. all 4 years I danced on the Towson University Dance Team, ranked #1 in the country at the NDA National Dance Team Championship. I learned how to become a champion as a member of the Towson University Dance Team.When I was in college, I had 3 big goals. Graduate in 4 years, be the captain of the dance team and win the Grand Championship. I achieved all 3 goals. Going to college and learning to become a champion were the best things I could have done for myself.
After dancing my heart out with my team on that huge Nationals stage and then hearing the score come through the speakers when we beat every team including all of the IVY League schools was a moment in time I will never forget. My dream had come true. At the time, it was one of the happiest moments of my life. It is still in the top 5 happiest moments… the first being my wedding day. It was actually the first time one of the smaller division schools ever won the Grand Championship. The Grand Championship is when the 1st place team from each division competes against each other for the title of Grand Champions. We were the Grand Champions both years I was captain and we won our College Division all four years I was on the team. Towson Dance Team now has a 15 year streak as National Champions!
The feeling I had in my heart going to practice everyday, running the campus with my team, and spending long hours in rehearsal was what motivated me to go home and spend hours writing out formations and take notes while I watched the rehearsal videos over and over. I had PASSION, DETERMINATION, and PERSEVERANCE.
I LOVED my team. We all respected each other so much because each member gave it her ALL at every rehearsal. Every girl SHOWED UP. When I say SHOWED UP, I mean, NOONE EVER MISSED A REHEARSAL. We practiced as a team and we performed as a team.
Our team wasn’t strong because we had a few of the the best individual dancers in the country, our dancers overall were phenomenal, but it was more about the strength of our team as a whole. We were champions year after year because we had the most passion, determination, and perseverance, the best work ethic, and the strongest TEAM at Nationals. We supported each other in and out of rehearsals and we worked towards our goals on a daily basis. When we weren’t in rehearsal dancing together, we were practicing at home, and working out!
Here are 5 tips to ensure you are doing everything you can to become a champion:
1. Remind yourself every day what your goals are and work toward them on a daily basis. I often write these goals down on a daily basis and they include short term goals that will get me closer to reaching my long term goals.
2. Make priorities and keep them. My co-captain, Kristin, and I didn’t go out much when we were captains. If we did, it was only for a couple hours. Going on our runs and hitting the gym to get in shape was more important. We basically chose Fitness over Social Hour, but still went out from time to time.
3. Don’t let anything get in your way. Sometimes peer pressure can be tough when friends are trying to get you to go out or stay out late. Don’t let others distract you from reaching your goals, stay on track even when its hard. Discipline is a good quality to have and should be practiced often. Discipline will take you places in life you’ve never imagined!
4. Don’t procrastinate! Today is going to prepare you for tomorrow so you can perform better each day. As my coach always said, “You can’t make up lost time on technique and conditioning”.
5. Don’t just do what is asked, go above and beyond! Be excellent! Give your best effort with everything you do and do it with enthusiasm!
Don’t forget to encourage, motivate and cheer-on your friends, family, and teammates while you are on your journey to become a champion! Sharing your passion and determination with your friends, family, co-workers, and teammates will be a win-win for everyone!
Love and Championships,
Taylor