A Decade with Dani

Over the past 10 years, I’ve attended more events than I can count, have had the privilege to see some amazing people tie the knot, quite a few beautiful blessings brought into this world and been extremely grateful for all of the professional opportunities that have come my way. While there’s been a lot of heartache and loss, I am so lucky to have such an amazing support system by my side through it all.

In 2010, I moved to Charleston, SC, after living in Charlotte, NC for just over 5 years.

Seven months later (May 2011), I unexpectedly lost my sister, and my world, along with my the rest of my family’s, was turned upside down. Some days I feel like that was a life time ago, and other days, I can’t wrap my head around how quickly time flies.

Five months after losing my sister, I found myself on a plane to Colorado to attend Pure Barre Training. Who would’ve thought it would become such a huge part of my life?

For the majority of 2012, I spent my days and nights all over South Carolina sitting on bar stools, tearing up dance floors and ensuring that Red Bull remained top of my mind for everyone I encountered. Somehow I found time to teach classes and having the balance of the two kept me sane… sort of. I even had the opportunity to represent the US in Amsterdam with some amazing men and women on the company dance and soccer team. Let’s be serious, I was a part of the team with the high kicks, not kicking goals.

I started 2013 on the right foot, literally, by running my first 1/2 marathon in Los Angeles. Midway through the year, I found myself packing my bags and heading back to Charlotte, NC to switch things up a bit career wise. This also allowed for me to join the Pure Barre Corporate Training Team in a part time capacity.

If competing on the dance team once wasn’t enough, I was lucky enough to be a part of it again in 2014, this time heading to Red Bull’s mothership in Austria.

By this point, Pure Barre was getting more and more air time in my life. After a lot of consideration, I left Red Bull and got even more involved with Pure Barre.

In April 2015, I moved to Greenville, SC to take a full time position with Pure Barre. I was in Greenville for about a year in half, but Pure Barre years are like dog years, so it always seems longer.

After a potential international opportunity in 2016 fell through, I decided it was time to give New England a try as an adult.

Four months after moving home, I got engaged. Five months after that, I found out I was pregnant. Woah. That escalated quickly.

Hello, 2018, where we welcomed Braylon Kirk Thompson into the world. Thanks to all of the videos and photos I took throughout the year, I am able to piece together all of life’s events… cause honestly, some days I think I gave Braylon half my brain, so I’m not entirely certain what even happened last year.

Similarly, as I look back at everything that has taken place in 2019 I am grateful, proud and tired. Can we stress the tired?

As I kick off 2020, I do not necessarily have any resolutions. However, I do want to continue to get better with:

1. Using my mental pause button more – don’t react / respond as quickly
2. Taking things less personal
3. Saying yes less, especially when it means I am saying no to myself
4. Everyone is going through some sh*t, and we often don’t know the full why – people choose what version of themselves they show to us
5. Practicing a growth mindset more often
6. Finding more time to write. Somehow. Someway.

I’m pretty sure my Mom is probably the only one who read this. If anyone else made it through, I hope your new year is off to a wonderful start. Mom, if it’s just you, call me later on.