We recently connected with Amy West and have shared our conversation below.

Amy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The performing arts has always been a vehicle to do good things in the world. Last year, as I was cleaning the bathrooms in preparation for my adult kids to come home to celebrate Mother’s Day, I had this flash of an idea to put together a concert, consisting of dance and music, and have it be a fundraiser for a cause. The concept came to me quickly as I was mindlessly cleaning. Celebrate women, especially mothers, who do the invisible work of keeping a family going. I teach in the dance department at the University of Michigan and have access to a performing space, incredible talent, and supportive colleagues. Over the past year my team and I have been putting together this program which will take place over Mother’s Day weekend. I cold-called Michigan Medicine’s ALS Center of Excellence and asked if they would like to collaborate and have the concert be a benefit for them. I have a family member was just diagnosed with ALS and this would be my way of raising awareness. The ALS Center agreed to come on board and we have been working out the details to shape the program. I am excited to see how this collaboration will unfold in us combining our strengths to do good in the world.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been a mover since I was three-years-old. Dance has been part of my vocabulary since I can remember. The performing arts takes tenacity, luck and hard work. I was privileged to have had a 24-year professional career as a ballet dancer and freelance artist. Since 2009, I have been on the dance faculty at the University of Michigan where I work with the next generation of dancers and creative thinkers. So much focus in training a dancer is about the physical. But that only taps one element of training. When we embody the emotional, intellectual and mental aspects, we can tap into unlimited potential.

Throughout my week, I work in many different settings. I teach my courses in the dance department, mentor students and teach workshops. I also work with elite ice dance skaters as a ballet instructor, on-ice coach, and Health & Wellness Coach. I meet with my private clients; elite athletes, performers, everyday movers, as well as the aging gracefully population. Movement is the thread that connects all of these different areas of focus which has really just become an extension of my life-long love of movement. My mission is to help people find the joy in moving their bodies, whether it be a professional dancer, athlete, or a person who is striving for mobility and overall well-being.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

A wise mentor told that I only needed to know my next right step and to not get too far ahead of myself. This has been my guiding force for my business ventures. Following our inklings, sending an email, making a phone call, trusting that the next step is laid out before us if we just trust the process by doing our part. Resilience is about tapping into something deeper within us, reaching out and having patience. The universe always has our backs. Sometimes we can’t see that until we have perspective. There will be setbacks, but taking the next right step has always helped me bounce back and continue to move forward.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

People love to help. It is in our hard wiring to do so. Just ask. What is the worst that can happen? The word ‘no’ is not a dead end. If you want it badly enough, ask. Do something each day that is supporting your goals and desires. There are resources in people, knowledge, and most importantly, self-belief that we can achieve what we are looking to accomplish if we reach out and ask.

Contact Info:

• Website: amywestwellness.com

Image Credits
Brittany Benion