I’m thrilled to welcome dancer and performer Anya Garnis to the podcast. I met Anya when I took a dance class with a group of girlfriends; the experience was so joyful and meditative. I was touched by her personal journey with mental health and inspired to share it with this community.

You may know Anya as a dancer and choreographer from So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With The Stars Live, and BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing. After years performing all over the world, Anya has returned to her first passion – teaching, creating The Body Instinct, a program where she helps women feel empowered, confident, and connected through dance, yoga, breath work, and mobility movement. 

In today’s episode, Anya shares her story of growing up in Eastern Europe and studying dance from a young age. She gets vulnerable about her career highs and lows, the pressure of being your own brand, and how she lost and rediscovered her love of dance over the years. She tells us about her physical and mental health battles, and how she came out stronger and more centered. 

We also talk about the healing powers of meditation and the importance of melding movement with mindfulness. As fitness professionals and the faces of our brands, Anya and I connected on so many levels. I can’t wait for you to hear this honest, moving conversation. 

Check out The Big Silence social media feeds today where Anya is helping us kick off our dance challenge! And – as always, don’t forget to check in on your friends this holiday season. In the spirit of support, I’ve teamed up with my friend Jewel again to spotlight the Not Alone Challenge throughout this often emotionally charged time of the year. Learn how you can join the fun: here.

(00:04:44) Anya’s Upbringing as a Child Dancer

(00:10:17) Mental Health & Body Image in Ballet

(00:12:19) How so You Think You Can Dance Changed Her Life

(00:15:58) The Pressure When You Are Your Brand

(00:18:18) Emergency Surgery & Suffering in Silence

(00:25:21) How Stress & Diet Impacted Anya’s Illness

(00:29:00) The Best Thing She’s Ever Done for Her Wellbeing

(00:34:47) Rediscovering Fitness & Dance As Joys, Not Jobs

(00:38:30) Building the Body Instinct

(00:43:27) The Power of Dance for Mental Health

(00:48:03) Bringing Mindfulness Into Movement

Participate:

• Not Alone Challenge

Resources:

• Website: The Body Instinct
• Instagram: @anyagarnis
• Read: The Big Silence: A Daughter's Memoir of Mental Illness and Healing 
• Follow Karena Dawn on Instagram: @karenadawn
• Follow The Big Silence on Instagram: @The.Big.Silence
• Subscribe: The Big Silence YouTube Channel
• Therapy For All: Resources for those in need

Donate to The Big Silence thebigsilence.com/donate to be a part of the movement to break the silence and make noise with us!

“The Big Silence” theme song written and performed by James Nicholas Kinney.

Producer, Bobby Goldstein.

The Big Silence is produced by Crate Media.