We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Red Rider Jac Fatale a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Red Rider, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
At Villainy, we’ve found that confidence and self-esteem are unleashed through celebrating every victory no matter how small they may seem. Studies show that these small wins are key to building self-assurance, and our unique approach to dance and fitness ensures that every student experiences them along their dance journey. Students embrace their “Villain Era’ by engaging in a sport that is a bit off the beaten path and as Villains, we celebrate incremental achievements, even when it gets challenging.
Here, it’s all about recognizing what folx can do and what they’re learning, not about how anyone looks. We embrace the fact that strength comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. By fostering a community of encouragement, we’ve seen repeated success stories from our students, who thrive as they celebrate their bodies and honor themselves through movement and dance.
Villainy Alternative Dance Studio is a place filled with laughter where students can open their minds to the possibilities of what their capable of, and the importance of play is never underestimated.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
What’s truly special about what we do at Villainy is the unique blend of sport and self-expression that our classes offer. We delight in the sass that comes with indulging in dance forms designed to Unleash Your Power. It feels so good to be “bad” and buck society’s norms of what movement should look like and who can participate.
Villainy Alternative Dance Studio celebrated its second anniversary this March, and we love being a part of our South Minneapolis community. Our drop-in classes are a great place to dive into the world of pole dance, chair dance, burlesque, aerial arts, heels dance, and more. Whether students are looking to explore our four-week skill series or get swept up in our eight-week choreography series, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Our dedicated instructors are continually developing their own skills, ensuring that students receive the best guidance and inspiration.
We host student showcases and house a professional dance troupe composed of both students and instructors, providing platforms for Villains to shine and we’re always looking to reach more people in our community. We love to spread the joy of this liberating art form. To this end we offer scholarships every July to ensure additional opportunity to experience being a Villain and host open houses as a fantastic way to get a taste of what we offer. So, let’s dance, laugh, and break boundaries together!
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 on our personal journeys in dance fitness, three qualities that have been most impactful are resilience, consistency, and creativity. These elements have not only shaped our paths but have also helped us to overcome obstacles along the way.
Resilience: Progression in dance is anything but a straight line. There are days when everything feels challenging, but learning the importance of showing up, especially when it is tough, helps patience and focus. Each setback is a lesson, helping strengthen resolve to keep pushing forward.
Consistency: Establishing a routine is a game changer. Schedule time for training, rest, and creative brainstorming. The gains and progress developed through routine are invaluable. Consistent effort builds a strong foundation and will keep you moving steadily toward goals.
Creativity: Dedicating time for exploring new moves and techniques keeps passion alive. Creativity allows for unique solutions and keeps the journey exciting and dynamic. Harnessing that creativity properly and setting limits is essential for maintaining balance and avoiding burnout.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
Our ideal client is someone who embodies a sense of adventure, always eager to indulge in new experiences. They have a fantastic sense of humor and love to learn, excited about what life has to offer. They are gentle with themselves, understanding the importance of self-care, and they extend that gentleness to encourage and uplift others. They thrive on challenges, viewing them as opportunities for growth and fun. If you’re up for a good challenge and ready to explore the joy and empowerment of alternative dance and fitness, you’ll fit right in with our Villainous community!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.villainyhq.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/villainyhq/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VillainyHQ
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOgzprsnIB6FvAFchCCZWiw
Image Credits
Sparkly Labs Photography and Villainy LLC
