Happy Labor Day everyone! I’m at the United States Dancesport Championships in Orlando, FL. This is a huge competition that lasts all week.Dancers from all over the world will be here. I only compete in rhythm, but I’m here with an amazing team of RSF gals who all dance with Eddie Ares: rhythm, smooth, nine-dance, and latin! They will be dancing all week, and hopefully will be able to report back to us about all the excitement and fun to be had here at the US Championships.
Eddie has been here many times and won with multiple partners, both pro and pro-am, over the years. As we were practicing and training for this over the last few weeks, he made me realize what a labor of love this is for him. He works hard with all of us- doing round after round, pushing us to the limit- sometimes over the edge; we sweat, our muscles ache, and our feet have blisters and we said, ”Do people realize how hard you truly have to work to condition not only your body, but your mind as well?”
Aha… that crazy ‘mental’ thing. It can make or break you. You can train hard and be a superb technician, but if you let your fears and inhibitions, or other people’s little digs about how you aren’t worthy to be here… if you let them get to you, well- you’re lost. You have to believe in yourself!
That’s the key, really… working hard, laboring over something that you love and truly believe in is something you have to do with your whole heart- body, mind, AND soul. And that’s what Eddie does, that’s what we all do- who work with him. And win or lose- Eddie, Karen, Chasity, Sarah, Ann, Deborah, Jenn, and Karen W. (our RSF team)… Bring It On! You are all champions in my eyes…
Good Luck to all the dancers out there this week! Remember the practice is done- now it’s time to Just Dance!
By Regina Ruff, your pro-am voice
ABI writer
