When I was 24 I booked my first big touring show, Nick Jr’s Backyardigans Live! AND I was dance captain! So exciting! And the most money I had ever made, $550 per week plus another $200 or something per diem! I was rich!
We rehearsed in NYC and then left on our rockstar tour bus. What do I mean by rockstar tour bus? I mean it has four sets of triple bunks beds (each slightly larger than a coffin) with a living room/kitchen on the front end of the bus and a more loungey living room in the back of the bus.
The show was adorable, the babies of America went BANANAS for us, and I never knew what time zone I was waking up in. I was a tap dancing egg and the butt of a dragon. Dreams do come true, friend.
During one show in Appleton, Wisconsin, I was doing my choreographed pony steps inside my foam egg costume during my big number “The Eggs Got Legs” when I rolled my ankle.
I rolled my ankle and I knew.
I knew immediately that I sprained my ankle.
Tears poured down my cheeks as I modified the choreography to finish the show. I’m a GD professional after all. I went to the doctor who confirmed my ankle sprain and I needed to be out of the show for at least 3 weeks.
My life was over. Would I ever dance again? Would Nickelodeon and LiveNation fire me? An injury like this doesn’t just heal and you move on. It takes time. And the truth is, once you sprain a joint you are more likely to reinjure the same spot.
Because tendons don’t have the same elasticity as muscle. Once they overstretch, they are longer. You have to work diligently and consistently to maintain strength and stability in all of the surrounding muscles to support the area that is now compromised. And if you don’t, you will likely get injured again.
Thankfully because of my Pilates training and understanding of how we heal, this injury didn’t end my career 😊
Recently someone in my life really hurt my feelings. It wasn’t done maliciously. It wasn’t even done consciously, which is a large part of why it hurt so much. They acted without considering me.
Apologies were made along with justifications. I want to forgive and move on, but my feelings have been injured. I’m hurt in a way that reminds me of this ankle sprain. I know I will heal with time. I know that the pain will dissipate and things will get easier, I know I need to be consistent and intentionally fortify my support systems, and I have a feeling I’m very likely to get injured again.
I also know that I have the tools I need to move forward. I’ve done it before and I can do it again.
Tomorrow is week 2 of our four week online may class, if you still want to join, CLICK HERE! I’ll send you the recording from week 1 and you’ll be all caught up and ready to rock and roll with us.
As always, I’ve got your back. I’ve got your front. And I’ve got your undercarriage.
Xo, Alissa