enough of the mopey energy. we need your creative power.

You can wait for the stars to alignYou can wait for the right kind of sign You can hope and pray for an answer You can tiptoe around like a dancer

But no matter the season or time No matter if you don’t have a dime If there’s something you want to do The power of creation is in YOU.

Because the stars reflect your light The signs show up with your might The answer was in you all along The dancer can choose her song.

- Jess Grippo

.....................

Enough is enough, *|FNAME|*.

It's time to take your power back.

We can't sit around and wait for the answers to appear, for some made-up hero to save us, or for justice to happen by chance.

We need to live by our values.

We need to dance powerfully into our answers.

We need to be clear on who we are and what we desire so that we can start magnetizing dream opportunities, instead of being a victim to things not working out.

Mopey energy attracts mopey things.

You are not the 8th dwarf named Mopey. There are only 7, and they can play happily or grumpily or dope-ily with Snow White in their own fairy tale.

This is your world.

You write the script.

You are a powerful, creative force and we need you to step up your game do what you came here to do.

Create. Dance. Share your gifts. Connect with humanity. Be the change you wish to see in the world. (to quote Ghandi)

If life throws you a crappy situation, or if someone or something doesn't quite work out the way you expected, be angry or upset or whatever you need to be, and then follow it up with gratitude for that lesson. It's there to help you let go of what's not working so that you can hone in on what will work better than you could have ever imagined.

What do you want right now? What do you wish was happening in your life? What's the dream that seems out in the distance?

And the most important question - Who would you need to BE in order to receive all of that?

Be that person now.

..........

If you're ready to reclaim your creative power more fully than ever before and let go of what's been holding you back from your greatness, join me in NYC on July 29th and 30th.

I've created a 2-day experience designed to:

• strengthen your confidence & self-expression
• discover the truth & creative solutions inside of you
• create spontaneous art in community
• be stretched, challenged, & supported as you move physically, emotionally, & spiritually into higher vibrations and power

Get the details and register here.

with a fire in my belly and a torch in my hand, Jess

p.s. Ever get stuck in wishy-washy energy?  Here's a 2-word mantra to help you get your creative power back:

(I'll be doing more videos like these on Periscope, so be sure to follow me there and on YouTube to catch the recordings.)

you will cry. it’s part of the creative process.

I hung up the phone with my writing coach and belly-flopped onto my bed in a fit of crying. Ugly crying. The kind of crying that feels like a monster has been hiding out in your belly for years.

“Shit. I’m really doing this. I’m really going to publish a book. I’m really going to share a message I believe in and risk being ridiculed, criticized, who-does-she-think-she-izzed.”

I realized that the excuses I had - “I’m not big enough. I’m not ready enough. My business isn’t stable enough...” - no longer held enough weight to hold me back from taking action.

It felt terrifying and vulnerable. Hence, the tears.

The next day, I was the one in the coach’s shoes with a private coaching client of my own. It felt like I was listening to myself from a day prior -

This client has evolved so much over the last few years - from not dancing at all, to bringing it into her life in a consistent way and sharing it. Lately she’s been making YouTube dance tutorials and has been feeling stuck on the messaging behind them - Why should others watch and dance along? What makes them different? How does she keep sharing and growing her work?

Through the questions I asked and holding a safe space for her to speak her truth, she shared parts of her story and the WHY behind this project - things she’s never said aloud before.

It was powerful.

Towards the end of the session I asked her how she was feeling and she said, “Like I want to cry. Now that I’m clear on this and I’m believing less and less in the negative voices in my head, I actually have to get out there and do it. I have to live fully. There’s no more hiding.”

[cue the tears.]

Oh shit. That.

When the excuses aren’t real anymore. When it’s just you and your art, your work, your calling.

There will be a time when you just have to do it. Your busy schedule, your lack of money, the small size of your mailing list, your skin breaking out way more than usual and fearing how it will look on camera… all those excuses will stop mattering as much when you really connect to your WHY.

And then you will cry.

Just like I did. Just like my client did.

You will cry it out so hard and then you’ll wipe away the snot and tears and feel a power surging from deep in your belly, up through your heart, radiating out of your throat and head, and then you will do it. Ready or not.

The tears just make space for the courage you didn’t know you have.

(click to tweet that.)

Let it flow and welcome to the club.

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Do you have a project or a message you’ve been wanting to get out there?

Are your fears & excuses getting in the way of you creating what you truly want to?

You don’t have to go at it alone. Stewing in your own head is only making the situation worse. (Really. Stop stewing in it.)

I’m here to help. There are a handful of spots open to talk to me 1-1 and explore -through my unique style of guidance - how I could support you in breaking through the fear and stuckness to move into your vision in a confident, free, and fun way.

Click here to read more and book your spot.

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to the tears that set you free,

Jess

don't read this. go dance it out.

On the small chance that you didn't take my advice and you actually did open this blog post, Hello.

I'll keep it brief because the main message today is to really get in your body and move - not just talk about it.

A slight epiphany occurred yesterday when I realized I had fallen into the mode of talking about dance a lot and facilitating a lot of dance for others, but it had been a loooooong time since I just simply danced it out for myself.

The art of “dancing it out” is a practice, just like meditating or writing morning pages. You need to experience it on the regular to get the most benefit from it.

I went live on Facebook with an impromptu dance break, and I welcome you to join and watch here if you need some motivation to get moving.

(I anticipate more of those coming soon, so friend me on Facebook if we’re not already friendly there!)

Go dance and I’ll see you next week!

to your movement,

Jess

to those who just wanted to dance

It's been hard to find words in follow up to the tragedy that happened in Orlando earlier this week. I wish I had something profound to say, but I'm realizing that often it's more about the action you take than the words you speak.

So instead of trying to make something up to write to you that doesn't feel totally authentic, I'm going to share the words from others that touched me, along with the actions I took. Hoping they bring you solace or comfort if you're needing it.

Here goes:

Crying. Feeling emotions and letting them flow through. Resisting the temptation to fill up my time with anything that would take me away from the depth and the expression of feeling. This video by Kyle Cease was a great reminder that feeling your feelings is actually a way to contribute to the healing of the world.

Donating. Sending a bit of funds towards this campaign to raise money for the Orlando victims. If you can't donate money, donate time in sharing or prayer.

Remembering. Remembering that love is more abundant than hate. Of all the articles and Facebook posts I read, this blog post by Margaret Nichols hit home the most - reminding us, via a story that reminded me of the movie Happy Feet, to remember who we are and how it can heal.

Creating. Keeping the creative flow alive. Dancing. Expressing. Channeling the pain and emotions in a creative way. Sharing the silly to the sacred and everything in between. I have a hunch that artists are needed most during these crazy times, so don't hold yourself back.

Connecting. Hugging people in real life. Not just with the heart emoji. Get together with the people you love. Tell them you love them. Be in community and support each other.

Let's band together in love and in dance and change this world for the better.

from my heart to yours, Jess

how to start a movement

A bit of transparency with a purpose today, friends -

As much as I love Flashdance, I'm not a flashy person. I don't have a huge mailing list. I don't have an agent or manager. I don't have employees. I don't have funding. I don't have anything that's running my business aside from my heart, soul, sweat, tears, and (often overthinking) brain that gets fueled by the dances I create.

Somehow though, there are people out there who have discovered my work and actually benefit from it, who read my blog most weeks, who join my dance programs, and who believe in the same kind of values that I do. If you’re reading this now, I’m pretty sure you’re one of them ;)

I'm in awe of these people who have found even an ounce of inspiration or motivation from something I shared. (Really, you exist?!?) I'm so grateful for them. I’m so grateful for YOU! You make my soul dance. Knowing you’re out there makes me want to get out of bed in the morning and keep going, even when it feels pointless and when I'm mired by the stress of trying to live as a freelancer/business owner in NYC.

Perhaps you can relate. And that’s kind of the point of this blog post.

Maybe you, too, have been creating something dear to your heart or have dreams to do so.

Maybe you, too, have felt pointless, inadequate, or silly at times for sharing yourself.

Maybe you, too, have felt a spark of something small that has the potential to grow into something big.

If so, it’s my intention that a nugget of this story will be valuable to you.

.........

This week I realized that the dance work I've been doing and building slowly over the past 7 years is becoming something bigger. It’s becoming a movement, if you will.

Hearing from the women who have been in my programs for the last year or more, I was deeply touched and inspired to see just how much the You Can Dance Again (YCDA) community has impacted their life - not only with dance, but with their career, relationships, and overall sense of fulfillment. With the support of the program, these women have not only started dancing again and integrated it into their lives (including creating home dance practices, taking classes, choreographing, performing, starting their own dance classes and YouTube channels, etc.) but they have also left soul-sucking jobs, got way more confident and self-expressed, and took a stand for their own happiness and fulfillment, which has uplifted their husbands, wives, children, and communities. And so much more.

I'm excited and honored to continue growing this community, with these very women who have been part of the movement thus far. I’m often in awe that they exist.

7 years ago when I posted my first low-quality, homemade dance video, I had no idea that my career would eventually be an extension of it. I didn’t know there were other people out there who would also want to make dance videos with me and be part of a movement.

What’s coming this year and beyond is way bigger than I could have imagined: creating a team to work with, publishing a book, hosting my first dance retreat, expanding my programming, and reaching people internationally with my work. (Hello, Germany!)

Though I’m often still plotting and dancing alone in my half-office/half-bedroom in Brooklyn, and though I’m often wondering how the hell I am actually able to pay my rent each month to keep that half-office/half-bedroom intact, there are finally signs of growth and expansion. There are finally other people who see the vision, too, and want to be part of it.

And it literally started with a dance video.

Anything is possible.

If YOU have a vision for creating your own kind of movement or community, here's what I learned:

You don't need a ton of money or fame to grow something that is authentic and meaningful to you. You don’t need to purchase the program that tells you how to make $100k in your first month of business. You don’t need to do what Sally Sue is doing. In fact, you don’t need to do anything that feels forced or inauthentic to you.

You just need to start doing it and sharing it from your heart and commit to staying consistent. Even when it seems like no one cares. Because someone does. And one person caring or being inspired or believing in you has the potential to move mountains.

(Oh, and you probably need a day-job in the meantime, because who wants to put undue pressure on their dreams to pay the bills right away? There’s nothing wrong with a day job and it doesn’t negate the passion, purpose, and power that you have to create what you truly want for this world. It might just make it more possible.)

Follow the creative impulses within you, do and share the small things now, and with patience and persistence they just might blossom into a movement you never expected.

And if you or someone you know has been craving a dance community specifically, I have something for you.

I realized that one of the reasons why women joined You Can Dance Again and keep coming back is because they want to be part of something. They don't just want to drop into a random dance class once a week to get a workout. They want to walk into a studio and feel a sense of relief, they want to have an outlet to release the emotions and things that are too deep for words, they want to learn from someone who has been in their shoes, and they want to connect with a group of women who truly get it.

I haven’t formally marketed the program yet, (not that I ever “formally” market anything ;) but there are 11 women registered so far in the current summer session of You Can Dance Again, 8 here in NYC, and 3 from other parts of the world. Many of whom are returning for the second, third, and fourth times. (That’s how good it is ;)

When I was thinking about ways to share this with more people who could benefit from it, the thought crossed my mind that if you’re new to this program or working with me, maybe committing to a whole summer might be a bit much at once.

So I created a short and sweet summer kick-off session starting June 20th. You might get just what you need from it and move on afterwards, or you might feel so at home with us that you want to keep going and continue for the rest of the summer and up til our Showcase in September.

Check out the details here and see if it's for you: http://youcandanceagain.com

So with all that said, I would love to hear from you -

What kind of movement are you creating or do you want to find?

What keeps you going or stops you in your tracks?

And of course if you have any questions or thoughts to share about the YCDA program I’d be more than happy to talk to you.

Reach out or comment below.

to your sweat, soul, and dancing dreams,

Jess

p.s. In line with this whole message, check out the amazing dancers who were part of the last YCDA program:

getting back to joy, dance-video style

You’re feeling:

Restless.

Stuck inbetween.

Seeing what needs to change but not quite there yet.

So you:

Think about it.

Try to figure it out.

Spend lots of time contemplating what to do next.

And then you:

Get frustrated.

Repeat the cycle of feeling restless and stuck.

Get more annoyed with yourself.

Does this pattern sound familiar?

I’ve been there in recent weeks and here’s what I had to remember:

Making a dance video is more productive than thinking.

[Insert your equivalent of dance videos if dance isn’t your thing]

Get back to your dance.

Get back to your joy.

Do those things that are just pure silly and fun, and watch it renew your energy.

In my experience yesterday, I channeled my restless energy into a going for a run with a mission. A dance video mission:

Did the dance video solve all my problems? No. But it did help me constructively move through the pattern I was in that had been making me annoyed and frustrated and suppressing my energy. It got me out of my head, back to my joy, and much more able to handle the other life and work tasks at hand.

In short:

The path to feeling renewed, clear and confident is often as simple as making a dance video.

Go do it!

To your joy,

Jess

p.s. I know it’s not always easy to get back to your joy and your dance alone, which is why I have 2 offerings for you today - 1 is my Dance Into Your Answers workshop, happening next week, all about getting back to your self-expression and physical movement so that you can move into the answers you’ve been craving and feel more purpose in life:

And 2 is Soul Camp happening in August, which I'll be teaching at alongside a roster some of the most amazing and inspiring humans I know. Click through for the details.

I hope you’ll join me at one or both!

p.p.s. Don’t hesitate to comment below if you have any questions or just want to share something. I like hearing from you. I’m not too busy. You won’t be bothering me. This is my life. Just do it.