Yelina sits down with Cristina Williams, her former teammate from her middle school and high school dance teams to discuss some sensitive topics around body image, eating disorders, college dance team auditions and self confidence. Cristina shares her journey of learning about eating disorders on Tumblr in the 8th grade and her on going battle to reach the “perfect” body throughout high school and college. Struggling with self confidence and insecurities Cristina believed if she could just “look the part” then she would finally standout as a dancer. Her journey doesn’t stop there, Cristina opens up about the college dance team audition that left her in tears. Her weight and appearance being the only topic of conversation during her interview process in front of a panel full of women. After quitting dance for a few years she made her way back to the sport her senior year, the dance team being under new leadership and she was finally able to have the experience she had always wanted dancing for her University. Cristina has now started a mentorship program for dancers to help them navigate the ups and downs of the dance world. Grace & Grit Academy was founded to help dancers enjoy what they do, find self acceptance and help ease life’s biggest transitions.

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