Meet Myaja Watson

We recently connected with Myaja Watson and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Myaja , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

My purpose was shaped by the storms I’ve had to weather. I grew up with a difficult childhood and faced more than my share of hardship, mentally, emotionally, and socially. Over time, I realized that I was often the one going through the hard things, not just for myself, but so I could later help others who didn’t know how to navigate their own pain.

My journey in dance was no exception. I was often the only black girl in the room, rarely seen, frequently overlooked, and sometimes outright dismissed. I wasn’t just placed in the back of the formation, I was made to feel invisible. I experienced blatant discrimination, microaggressions, and felt the weight of being “the token” in spaces that never made room for my full self.

But that fire didn’t destroy me, it defined me. I found my purpose in those moments. I realized I wasn’t just dancing for myself; I was dancing for every young Black girl who ever felt she wasn’t enough. I wanted to be a light, a voice, and a space for them, to show kids who come from backgrounds like mine, who look like me, that they can do anything they put their minds to, no matter the obstacles.

I battle with mental illness, fight for justice, and carve out space where none existed, and through all of it, I discovered that my purpose is to encourage, empower, and inspire. To remind others that they are not their trauma, their diagnosis, or what society tries to label them as. My mission is to help others break the odds and to remind them they were never meant to fit into boxes anyway.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, and come from a large family as one of 14 children. I am the second-born and the first girl. I take pride in being the first in my family to graduate from college with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. I was raised by my nana and great-grandparents, who instilled in me the values of perseverance, faith, and resilience.

I’ve been dancing since the age of four and also ran track from age six through twenty-two. In high school, I was part of a relay team that ranked among the top in the state of Virginia. In 2014, I moved to Virginia, where I continue to build a life rooted in passion and purpose. My journey has been filled with challenges, but every step has shaped me into the woman I am today.

I am the founder and owner of Majestic Strength LLC, a health and wellness-focused dance studio based in Farmville, Virginia. We are more than just a dance studio. We are a safe space, a home, and a community dedicated to uplifting dancers of all backgrounds, especially those who often feel unseen or underestimated in traditional studio spaces. Our mission is to develop strong, skilled dancers while also prioritizing mental health, inclusivity, and holistic support.

What makes Majestic Strength so special is our commitment to meeting dancers where they are. We focus on training the whole artist, helping them build confidence, resilience, and self-worth both inside and outside the studio. Many of our students come from diverse and underserved backgrounds, and we work hard to create an environment where they feel empowered and seen.

Professionally, I am focused on expanding our impact. We recently introduced mentorship and leadership programs, added new class bundles to make training more accessible, and launched seasonal showcases that celebrate artistry and individuality. We also offer college prep support, career guidance, and community engagement opportunities for our students. These services help bridge the gap between artistic development and life-readiness, which is something I deeply care about.

Our upcoming season will feature new community classes, competition team travel opportunities, and partnerships that reflect our core values of representation and healing through the arts. We’re also working to create more performance opportunities and outreach programs that allow our dancers to connect with and serve the larger community.

My ultimate goal is to continue growing Majestic Strength into a national model for what inclusive, purpose-driven arts education can look like. I want every dancer who walks through our doors to leave feeling valued, inspired, and equipped not only to pursue their dreams but to stand confidently in who they are. I would also like to expand Majestic Strength and have multiple studios in different locations!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are faith, resilience, and ambition.

Faith has been my foundation. Trusting God and His timing has helped me stay strong and hopeful through every challenge, even when things felt impossible.

Resilience, or grit, has been essential. No matter how hard the fight or how tough the struggle, I’ve learned to keep pushing forward. People are going to talk about you till the cows come home, so the best thing you can do is be happy and authentic to yourself.

Ambition has driven me to set goals beyond what I thought was possible and to keep striving for growth and improvement. It fuels the passion to make a difference and break barriers.

My advice to anyone early in their journey is to hold on to faith, embrace resilience, and stay ambitious. Trust the process and keep showing up as your true self. Your journey is unique, and your perseverance will open doors you never imagined.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

God, of course, has been my greatest guide and source of strength. But when it comes to people, my great-grandparents and especially my nana have been the most helpful in shaping who I am. My nana has made sacrifices like no other. She worked at the post office and was the first Black postmaster in Lynchburg, Virginia which is an achievement that speaks to her determination and strength. She’s a hardworking woman who didn’t stop there. Nana also owns a catering business, and I’ve been helping her out since I was young, learning the value of dedication and service firsthand.

Beyond her business ventures, Nana is a pastor who tells the truth and never sugarcoats anything. Her honesty and faith have been a guiding light for me, even when her words are tough to hear. We have our moments, we’ve made each other mad at times, but our relationship goes far beyond just grandmother and granddaughter. We have a real partnership. She helps me, I help her, not for any reward or favor, but because we genuinely care for each other.

Nana took me in when I was seven years old, and I’ve been with her ever since. She’s the true definition of strength and perseverance. She isn’t perfect, but she strives every day to do the right thing, no matter the backlash she might face. Nana is my ride or die, my home skillet, and my inspiration.

She’s been through so much, and I’ve learned a lot from her and from the book she’s writing. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that people go through some crazy things, but if your trust and hope are grounded in the right things, you’ll be fine. Nana has been my anchor through it all, helping me build the strength and values I needed to overcome challenges and grow into the person I am today.

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Franklin Knox

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