I want to tell you a story about what happened right before my first class.  Warning, this may be long.

I was driving home from work to get changed and on my way I noticed some dark clouds rolling in in the distance.  'Oh great I hope it doesn’t rain', I’m thinking.  I get home, pull into the garage and I hear my phone ding.  A friend messages me saying, 'This weather isn’t gonna help you tonight'.  I panicked a little, but I tried to brush it off, replied with a 'it’ll be fine' but, you know me, I was nervous.  I come inside the house, look outside, and the sky is getting darker and darker.  I started panicking a little more.

I started with the 'oh why me', 'why now', 'come on can’t something work out!', but I stopped myself and went to go pray.

I prayed “Lord I need you, I want people to get there safely.  Let this day go well.  Please let me know your with me.  Let it not only stop raining, but let there be sun for everyone to drive to class in”

In the middle of my prayer it started to rain, but I just kept praying.  I tried to even pray louder than the storm and that’s when the thunder kicked in.  I mean it was loud rolling thunder.  I finished my prayer and I just started to get dressed, slightly discouraged.  Then I heard, "when your in the middle of a storm and I already told you I am with you, will you trust me".  So I start fighting thoughts trying to tell me 'this rain will never stop'.  Instead I focused on who God is; Who he says he is in the Bible, and who he has already shown himself to be in my life; While acknowledging he is the same God today as he was then. I stopped checking out the window, I stopped listening for the rain to slow down, I turned up my music, and I got dressed.  

Sometime later, after I was dressed and ready, I couldn’t resist; I peaked out the window one more time.  And I kid you not (I wish I had a picture, cause your not going to believe me).  The whole sky was gray, with thick clouds, except for one small circle, one little opening in the sky, and juuuust barely I could see the sun peaking out.  I said no way, NO WAY, I closed the blinds.  Telling myself, stop being dramatic, that was barely any sun anyway.  

I get in the car, pull out the garage and start driving to class.  It was right then, for the first time I saw the sun SHINING.  Not just out of a small opening, but the sky started clearing up.  I don’t know if your reading this and live in Columbus Ohio, but rarely does it downpour and then the sky just start clearing up.  Usually its cloudy for days around here!  But I saw blue sky and a beautiful shining Sun for the rest of the day.

Maybe I’m being dramatic, or corny, I don’t know, but I know I’m not on this journey alone.  I may not know what it will look like, or what will happen, but I know it is not in my hands.  I will keep my eyes on him through the storm and I know I will make it through.

Introducing Dance SWAG!!!

Thank you all who actually read this long post and to all who joined me in my debut class!  You are appreciated!!!

I .. get .. to .. teach .. again!! I don't know if I can express how grateful I am.  Through all the tears, frustration, and prayers I land here .. at the dawn of a new class.  I'm working with Rhythm's Musique Fitness to bring you Dance SWAG.  I am so excited to share this with everyone.  I don't know what the future holds but I know who leads it, so why be afraid.  I hope to see you guys in a class soon.  

Rhythm's Musique Dance Swag Debut:
Wednesday June 13th, 2018
640 Lakeview Plaza Blvd

Don't live in Ohio? no problem!  Keep it tuned in here because I will share all that I can.  Like I said before, I want to take you all through this journey with me.  More routines, more vlogs, more to come.  Thank you all and hope to see you soon!

I think I say the word fear at least 40-80 times in this video.  There was so much I wanted to say because it is a topic I can relate to.  I’ve realized that I have allowed fear to have too big of a foothold in my life and all it has done for me was hold me back from all I could be.  I’m sick of it!! I’m currently in a place where I want a change!  In doing so i’ve realized that there is power in my own voice, sharing my story, being open and vulnerable.  It’s not that I made a decision to move forward and no longer have fear; no its more about deciding to move forward despite it.  As you realize the power already inside of you and stay focused on your goals, you will be propelled right through it.  The more you deal with that uncomfortable feeling of pushing yourself, the easier it gets.  

So for example ..

I liken it to one of the Harry Potter movies.  I tried to talk about it in the video and failed horribly (ha, so i cut the whole thing out); So make sure you watch it on your own!  Anyway, in one of the movies Harry could control time. Near the end (spoiler alert) he and his friends were in trouble and some super powerful wizard came to save them, of course, just in the nick of time.  Without ever seeing the wizards face, he and his friends run off wondering “oh boy who was THAT!!”.  Then finally they end up going back in time, and he has a moment that has stuck with me for a long time.  Harry realized HE was the powerful wizard.  So when it was time for him to save himself (remember he went back in time), that knowing and REALIZATION of his own potential propelled him through his fear and he was able to step up and fulfill his destiny of becoming the powerful wizard he already was.

Terrible recap of Harry Potter, but you get the idea right!  Everything you need to be great is already inside you!  I can’t stress how important it is for the WORLD for you to release your gifts and step into your purpose.  Not only to save yourself, but to save some friends along the way :)  Ok I’m done, thank you all for spending just a little bit of time with me, till next week!

xoxo Nike

This week was all about recording routines!  Follow along the journey of making the first video.  Its about having fun, letting loose, and getting your groove on.  There are TWO videos this week to check out.  You can watch the full routine and the behind the scenes.  So make sure to view them all.  Sorry, short post this week, it was a lot of video editing!!   

Totally unrelated note, YouTube is not kind to me with these cover photos.  

Note: if you can't view the video, try the direct link:
​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l3hMvDI6vI

Well it has been an interesting week!  This time I wanted to tell you all a story about subs (no, not the subway 5 dollar foot long ones).  As you get to know me you’ll learn I can be oooo so shy.  Every time I show up to instruct a class I always get a little nervous …literally every time.   So showing up where no one is even expecting you, knows you, or any of the routines your about to teach… was terrifying!!  Please understand I do this because I love it, not because its easy!!  

In fact, a friend asked me, “So are you sure you want to do this again?”.  I initially said “yes of course!” but after some time, I really sat down and thought about it.  Man, it would be so easy to just quit; It would be less stressful, less worry, less vulnerability.  I mean, IS ANYONE EVEN READING THIS!  But later in the week, I got messages from two people, saying how watching that first video reignited old passions and dreams of their own.  I don’t think I can even express how much comments like that mean to me.  THAT is exactly why this blog was created.  I like to say dance fitness is only a tool I use to bring a change.  My real purpose here is to get YOU to believe in YOURSELF again!  So when I answer "yes of course!", know that I mean it with all my heart.

What are your dreams in life?  Is fear holding you back?  Whenever you decide to get in the game and off the sidelines of your own life, you will find there are always obstacles that try to hold you back.  Whether it be others opinions of you, resources, things, monetary needs, there's always that pull to stay in your comfort zone.  Let me tell you something ..  All the great things  destined for you to achieve will never be accomplished if you only operate  out of where you are most comfortable.  To truly fulfill all you are purposed for you must find the strength to stand, learn, grow, push fear aside and take that first step.  The great thing about it is, you were already designed to win!  The only thing that can stop you from your purpose is your own doubt in yourself.  So when you have an opportunity to get in the game, take it!  That uncomfortable, unsure of yourself feeling is all part of the process.

xoxo Nike

Hey Guys!

This was not an easy video to create (ha, i should have done more ab crunches to prepare) and an even harder video to post!  I went back and forth about how much to share, what to say, and how to explain what this project is.  It's so hard for me to watch (ahhh tears!) but it's real.  I wanted to express real emotions, real passion, and I want you to get to know the real me.

Lets change this city for the better! One way to do it is through dance fitness, sarcasm, and laughter (which ='s blog)!  I’ll post routines, the process of making routines, the hardships of looking for new spots to run classes, figuring out the name; I want it all out there to share.. And I want YOU, yes YOU to be involved. Want a new routine to your favorite song? Tell me!  Have any questions? Ask it!  Have a new idea? Share it!! Together we can build something great.

I can be very shy and awkward, but I’m learning to throw fear aside and truly follow my heart (corny, yea I know.. but its true). I’ve learned that some of the most powerful tools we have to make change is our own voice, our testimony, and our actions.  Its not easy telling your story and being vulnerable and admitting mistakes.  However I will share mine in hopes that someone else can learn, grow and break free from the things that try to hold them back from being all that they are suppose to be.  

So welcome to Some Sugar With Spice.   This was only the introduction.  The story isn’t done unfolding and the journey is just getting started.  

 .... oh yea and it can’t all be business .. you know I will be telling more blue apron disasters.  Beware cause twerking + cooking = fire!

xoxo Nike