Today we’d like to introduce you to Taraleigh Weathers
Taraleigh, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been dancing my whole life—movement has always been my thing. Growing up with hyper-mobility worked great for my dance career. I could move in ways that looked effortless on stage. But as I’ve entered middle age, it’s taken a bit of a toll on my body. I realized if I didn’t start taking care of myself in a new way, I’d end up as a pile of glitter and bones (at least a sparkly pile, right?). So, I developed a workout routine that helps me stay strong and flexible, and now I teach it to others, showing people how to move in ways that support their bodies, no matter what stage of life they’re in.
But let’s rewind a little. In college, I hit a big roadblock. I was constantly sick and exhausted, and I struggled with ADHD, which made staying focused really tough. I began to wonder how my diet, mental state, and lifestyle were affecting me. That led me on a journey of self-discovery, where I dove deep into health and wellness. I’ve been my own experiment ever since, figuring out how to channel my ADHD into something positive. Most days, I feel like I’ve cracked the code—though I do still walk into rooms and forget why I’m there. It’s all part of it right?
After college, I pursued my dream of becoming a professional dancer, landing a spot as an NBA cheerleader. But during one game, I tore my ACL, and just like that, my professional dance career was over. That injury was a major turning point, but it led me to enroll in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where I learned how to combine my love for movement, food, and mental wellness into something new.
That’s when I started The Healthy Hippie Magazine, where I shared all the tips, tricks, and insights I’d learned about living a vibrant, healthy life. From there, I began leading and creating brand new wellness workshops and yoga classes and at festivals like Phish’s Mondegreen, Jam Cruise, Hulaween, STS9’s Camp Elsewhere, Grace Potter’s Grand Point North, Roots Rock Revival and the festival I’m producing Soul Bloom. My passion for teaching and helping others live fully blossomed, and I even wrote a book called “How to Rock Your Life,” which took me on a book tour. One stop included hosting a private Twiddle show at Zappos in Vegas (and yes, I got to meet their famous llama!).
These days, I lead retreats all over the world, helping people reconnect with their bodies, minds, and spirits. And since I’m not a mom, I have plenty of capacity to “adult” for other people, which I absolutely love doing on my retreats. Whether it’s planning every detail or helping people navigate their emotions, I’m there to guide and support them every step of the way. It’s one of my favorite roles.
Now, I’m also rocking stages and Spotify with my husband as Hot Tea in our Comedic Folk-Hop act, The Middle Ages. And of course, I’ll never forget the time I danced on stage with Marco Benevento dressed as a cat—it’s a reminder that life is full of unexpected, magical moments!
Through all the ups and downs, injuries, and glittery messes, I’ve learned how to embrace who I am, stay resilient, and help others find their own joy, strength, and authenticity.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve been dancing my entire life. It was my first love—the way I could move, express myself, and feel free through dance. Growing up with hyper-mobility meant my body could bend and twist in ways that felt magical on stage. But what worked so well for my dance career didn’t come without a price. As I’ve entered middle age, I’ve felt it more and more. My body doesn’t move the way it used to, and the hyper-mobility that once seemed like a gift has now left me feeling like I’m falling apart some days—aching joints, injuries, and a body that sometimes feels like it’s made of glitter and bones just waiting to crumble.
For a while, that was a really tough pill to swallow. Dance had always been my identity, my outlet, my thing. When my body couldn’t keep up, it felt like I was losing a piece of myself. So, I had to adapt. I developed a workout that not only keeps me strong and flexible but helps me stay connected to movement in a way that supports my body as it changes because it’s all about honoring where we are right now, even if it looks different from where we’ve been.
But my struggles with my body are only part of the story. College was a really rough time for me, and it wasn’t just the typical stress of classes. I was constantly sick—exhausted, run down, and it felt like my body was betraying me. No one could tell me exactly why I was feeling that way, and I started to spiral. It was overwhelming, and when you’re not feeling physically strong, it takes a serious toll on your mental health. I had always struggled with ADHD, and during that time, it felt like my mind was completely out of control. Focusing on anything was impossible. I was losing track of everything, getting frustrated with myself, and felt like I was constantly failing. I was always juggling so many thoughts at once, and yet somehow, I was still dropping all the balls.
That’s when I started questioning if there was a connection between how I was eating, thinking, and living that was affecting me more than I realized. It was like a lightbulb went off—what if the way I was fueling my body and mind was at the root of all this chaos? I started diving into nutrition and wellness, looking for answers not just for my body but for my mind, too.
And then, after college, I got my big break—I became a professional dancer and landed a spot as an NBA cheerleader! It was a dream come true, and for a little while, it felt like everything was falling into place. But that dream came crashing down when I tore my ACL on the court during a game. In an instant, my professional dance career was over. I can still remember the feeling—the pain wasn’t just physical. I was devastated. Everything I’d worked for was suddenly gone, and I had no idea what to do next. My body had literally let me down, and it felt like the universe was pulling the rug out from under me.
I was at rock bottom, both physically and emotionally. I felt lost, and for a while, I didn’t know who I was without dance. That was the identity I had worn for so long. It was the one thing I was good at. I spent months in recovery, both from the surgery and from the sense of loss, trying to figure out what my next chapter would be.
During that time, I kept coming back to what I’d learned about how to take care of myself. I decided to turn my focus inward and invest in myself again. I enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where I learned not only how to heal myself but how to help others on their journeys. It wasn’t a straight path—there were a lot of days when I questioned whether I was strong enough, smart enough, or capable enough to reinvent myself. But through that process, I realized that the struggles I’d been through weren’t things to hide—they were things I could share to help others.
It’s been a wild, unexpected journey, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. From injuries to hyper-mobility, ADHD, and moments of total doubt, I’ve learned how to embrace my quirks and challenges, and turn them into something that helps me and others live more fully.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m all about creating experiences that help people reconnect with themselves—physically, mentally, and spiritually. My work is a blend of wellness, creativity, and play, and I’ve been lucky to channel that into a variety of different spaces. I specialize in developing and leading retreats, workshops, and wellness programs that inspire joy and transformation. But what I’m really proud of is how I’ve expanded that work into creating wellness programs for corporations and music festivals, places that often have little to no focus on health or mindfulness.
I’ve had the opportunity to develop wellness programs from scratch in spaces that didn’t have any wellness infrastructure before, and I love being able to make those experiences accessible to everyone. Whether someone is totally new to wellness or they’ve been on the journey for a while, I focus on making it easy, fun, and inclusive. That’s something I feel really passionate about—no matter where you are on your path, you deserve to feel good in your body and mind, and I’m all about making that process approachable and engaging.
On the creative side, I’m channeling everything I’ve learned and all of my gifts into The Middle Ages, my comedic folk-hop act with my husband. It’s a project that brings together all the skills I’ve gathered over the years—music, wellness, humor, and performance—and lets me share them in a fun, lighthearted way. I’m so excited about where this journey is taking us, especially with our new music video, Cult Life, dropping on October 22nd. It’s been an incredible experience watching it come together, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.
What sets me apart is the way I combine deep, personal work with a sense of play and humor. Whether I’m leading a retreat, developing a wellness program at a festival, or performing on stage, my goal is to create spaces where people feel seen, understood, and empowered. Through all the ups and downs in my own life—struggling with ADHD, navigating injuries, and figuring out how to balance a changing body—I’ve learned how to turn those challenges into opportunities for growth, and I love helping others do the same.
So, whether I’m leading a meditation, guiding a dance party, or dropping a new music video, it’s all about finding that balance between joy and self-care. And I couldn’t be more excited for what’s next!
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Oh, I’m absolutely a huge risk-taker, and honestly, I scare the crap out of myself almost every day! I’ve learned that stepping outside my comfort zone is where the magic happens, even if it’s terrifying in the moment. My view on risk is that it’s essential for growth. Sure, it’s scary, but if you’re not feeling at least a little bit uncomfortable, you’re probably not pushing yourself hard enough. I’ve found that the greatest rewards always come from those moments when I take the leap, even when I’m not entirely sure where I’m going to land.
One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was when I tore my ACL as an NBA cheerleader. That injury didn’t just sideline me—it ended my professional dance career, and for a while, I had no idea what I was going to do next. I could have stayed in that space of feeling lost and defeated, but instead, I decided to pivot. I took the risk of completely reinventing myself, diving headfirst into the world of holistic wellness and starting my own magazine, The Healthy Hippie. That was scary—I had no idea if it would work, but it turned out to be the foundation for everything I do now.
Another huge risk has been stepping into the world of corporate wellness and music festival programming. I started creating wellness programs from scratch in places where they didn’t exist before, which meant a lot of unknowns and a lot of potential for failure. But it was also incredibly rewarding to see how something I developed from the ground up could make a real impact in spaces that needed it.
And of course, starting a comedic folk-hop band with my husband, The Middle Ages, is a whole different kind of risk. We’re constantly putting ourselves out there in a way that feels vulnerable, but it’s so worth it. I mean, we’re about to drop a music video called Cult Life on October 22nd—how’s that for jumping into the unknown?
The thing about risk is, it’s not about avoiding fear—it’s about embracing it. Every big leap I’ve taken has led to something incredible, whether it was a success or a lesson in disguise. I’m a firm believer that you can’t grow if you’re not willing to be uncomfortable, and that’s why I keep pushing myself to take risks, even when it scares me.
Pricing:
- I’m not sure what this means….
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.rockinglife.com http://www.middleagesband.com
- Instagram: @rockinglife__ @themiddleagesband_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taraleighweathers http://www.facebok.com/legendarymiddleages
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClylHSvGpziFqkaSFm8oxhg
Image Credits
Riptide Photography, Jason Koerner, Jamie Goldberg