Meet Galit Friedlander

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Galit Friedlander a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Galit, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Putting myself in scenarios that are out of my comfort zone (in the healthy way) have always helped with both confidence and self-esteem. One example is with one of the first major dance studios I taught at: Movement Lifestyle. I had wanted to pitch to teach there and one day, instead of waiting, I decided to step into the studio as I happened to be passing by. I needed to, in that moment, hone in on the confidence to (a) walk in and (b) speak!

It so happened that the studio did not have any subs for their Stretch and Strength class. Having a background in both dance, fitness, and years learning different stretch/mobility techniques, I said yes! I believe a lot of confidence comes from getting oneself into ‘the room.’ However, the self-esteem comes from doing the work to stay in the room. Once I started covering Stretch and Strength classes I pulled from my experiences to curate a class, all while collecting feedback and constantly honing in on adjustments.

As a teacher who often travels and guest instructs, I am constantly stepping into new rooms and evolving my own teaching. There you go! It’s a practice in confidence and self-esteem.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a dance educator, personal trainer, and podcaster, and my work is all about movement, empowerment, and transformation—whether through dance, fitness, or storytelling. My career has spanned the commercial and underground dance scenes, professional sports, corporate wellness, and podcasting, and what ties it all together is my passion for helping people connect to their bodies and their power.

I grew up in New York City, training in various dance styles, from hip-hop to waacking, under the mentorship of pioneers like Tyrone Proctor. After earning my degree in Communication from USC’s Annenberg School, I built a career that has allowed me to teach, choreograph, and train people from all walks of life—from pre-professional dancers to executives and working moms who rarely get time to move for themselves.

What excites me most about my work is how dance and fitness can transform people beyond the physical. I love watching students and clients step into their confidence, whether it’s a dancer unlocking a new level of artistry, a busy professional discovering the joy of movement, or a podcast listener feeling inspired by the stories I share.

One of my proudest accomplishments was serving as the Lead Choreographer for the WNBA’s LA Sparks dance team, where I trained young dancers to perform at a professional level at Crypto.com Arena. Beyond that, my podcast, DanceSpeak, has become a space where I capture and share real, unfiltered conversations with some of the most inspiring figures in the dance world—over 200 interviews and counting.

What’s New & What’s Next
Right now, I’m focused on expanding how I bring movement to high-achieving women—whether in corporate spaces, retreats, or private sessions. I believe dance is one of the most underutilized tools for confidence, connection, and stress relief, and I want to create more spaces where women can move freely, sweat, and jam without the pressure of perfection.

I also continue to offer my on-demand fitness program, Fit From Home, designed for people who want structured, effective workouts they can do anytime, anywhere—especially those who struggle to fit movement into their schedules.

At the core of everything I do is the belief that movement changes lives. Whether it’s through dance, fitness, or storytelling, my goal is to help people feel strong, confident, and fully present in their bodies.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1) Adaptability & Lifelong Learning

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that nothing stays the same, and that’s a good thing. My ability to pivot, evolve, and stay open to learning has been a game-changer. Whether it was transitioning from being a professional dancer to a choreographer, expanding into the fitness world, or launching DanceSpeak, I’ve had to constantly refine, adjust, and embrace new challenges.

🛠 Advice for beginners:

Stay a student. Always take classes, seek mentorship, and be open to constructive feedback.
If something doesn’t go well, learn from it quickly. Instead of getting stuck, ask questions, observe what works, and adjust.
Be willing to pivot. The industry, opportunities, and even your own passions may shift—embrace it.

2) Communication & Relationship-Building
This one might sound basic, but your ability to communicate well will determine your opportunities. My degree in Communication from USC gave me a strong foundation, but it was through real-world experience—teaching, working with clients, and podcasting—that I truly sharpened my skills. Being able to connect, listen, and tailor your message to different audiences has been crucial in everything I do.

🛠 Advice for beginners:

Learn how to communicate in different settings. Teaching a dance class, pitching a workshop, and having a one-on-one conversation with a client all require different approaches.
Be clear, concise, and adaptable. If people don’t understand your vision or direction, it’s on you to adjust how you deliver it.
Build strong relationships. Referrals, collaborations, and opportunities often come from the people you’ve connected with and made an impact on.

3) Persistence & Self-Belief
I’m not classically confident. But what I do have is a deep belief in what I do and an unshakable determination. The wins don’t come from luck—they come from showing up, putting in the work, and staying committed even when things are challenging. At times, I’ve been told I need to choose between dance and fitness. I refused. At times, I’ve doubted myself. I kept going anyway.

🛠 Advice for beginners:

Keep showing up. Even when things don’t feel “big” or “successful” yet, consistency will set you apart.
Seek support, but trust yourself. Take in advice, but ultimately, you have to be the one who believes in your vision the most.

Don’t let setbacks define you. Every challenge is a chance to refine your approach and come back stronger.
At the end of the day, being adaptable, mastering communication, and staying persistent have made all the difference in my career. If you’re just starting out, trust the process, embrace learning, and go all in on what you love.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client is someone who is ‘too busy’ to workout or dance but willing to explore how to bring it into their lives. I am used to working with high achievers, folks who are tenacious and tend to be spread thin. This is where I get to come in and bring them the best of the best, distilled sessions that are tailored and customized to them.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Suzette Labra
Adel R. Emata
Allie Costello

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