In this episode of Kicking It Real, I’m sitting down with my friend and fellow Rockette, Emily Tanner, for a conversation about rejection, resilience, and choosing the long game even when it feels uncomfortable.

Emily shares her journey from high school drill team to fine arts training, navigating college programs that pushed her confidence, and learning how to separate feedback from self-worth. We talk honestly about what it’s like to be labeled “average,” how comparison can distort reality, and why some of the most painful rejections can actually be redirections toward something bigger.

We also dive into:
> Why not making the team can change the entire trajectory of your life
> The pressure cooker of college dance programs and learning to survive them mentally
> How to stay grounded when external validation is constantly shifting
> What it really takes to pursue a career in dance beyond the rhinestones
> Trusting your instincts when your path doesn’t look like everyone else’s

This episode is for dancers, performers, creatives or anyone who’s ever wondered if a “no” was actually protecting them from the wrong yes.

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Find Emily here👇🏼
IG:@empowerjazzproject
www.empowerjazzproject.com