We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alayne Wadsworth a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alayne, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?
I think failure is key to becoming successful. I’m not saying go and purposely fail but rather don’t be afraid to take risks. You will fail in life, understand that. We all will one time or another find ourselves making a mistake or having to scratch a project. Assess the problem by making notes on how to better things in the future. I get that it is not easy to step outside of your comfort zone but just trust me, it’s worth doing.
Having major back surgery was a major risk in my life. I thought I was never going to dance again. It’s been 9 years since my back fusion (T1-L3) and I am still having to learn what my body can and cannot do. I am constantly testing my limits to gain more strength or do things that may seem impossible. Just because it is difficult, or you may fail doesn’t mean it’s not impossible.
Failure can be your friend. The key to failure is knowing when to stop and come up with a better approach. I am happy for all my failures because without them I wouldn’t have discovered my strengths.
I do believe that having major back surgery helped me grow quick. There were many times I wanted to give up trying to dance again, exercise and some days just getting out of bed. I felt defeated and the failures were wearing me down. I want to add, when you are feeling this way, please reach out to others. There are many who are willing to root you on. Starting again may be difficult for a bit but keep pushing. Your failures will lead you to huge successes in your future.
Alayne, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Like many of you, I wear many hats. You can say I am a dancer, model, actor, fitness instructor and recently made an Art Director for Younique. They all have a common interest in the creative department. Never a dull moment you could say, and I am always up to something.
During the pandemic the entertainment world was shut down. I sought new avenues to create and discovered new ways to continue expressing myself. I have been climbing the corporate ladder and letting my talents shine. I am now the Art Director of a wonderful company called Younique.
Younique is a makeup company full of ambassadors from all over the world. We give our sellers a voice and they are making a difference in their communities. I direct the commercials, product shoots, model shoots and you may even find me on the dance floor instructing dance moves and having a good time. I love that I took this chance to broaden my abilities and use my talents in other areas like the corporate world.
Now that the world is opening again, I perform worldwide for private events, sharing my story and encouraging others to follow their dreams. The journey of overcoming my fears and doubts has helped me get through the hardest of times. I like to say, I live life fully and keep myself open to opportunities. I never know what the future has in store for me, but I am open and giving it my all.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
If you have been keeping up with me or just joining my journey you will see that I don’t stop. I have my challenges whether that is physical or mental. So let me start with this…When I am dancing or performing there are days that my body isn’t feeling up to par. Not the first time I have felt so much pain. Although, I have discovered that I am still capable of doing the things I set out to do, even if the pain is hard to manage. Doing hard things is possible.
My resilience was gained through multiple times of failing or in my case starting all over again. Prior to my first spinal surgery I felt I was at my prime in my dancing career. I had just finished performing on, “Dancing with The Stars” winning a Mirror Ball Trophy and competing at the World British Open Championships. I had just achieved all that I ever dreamed of and my husband and I were even thinking of having children. Returning home, I booked an appointment to see a spinal specialist. I was told that I only had a few years before my spine would puncture a lung and that I had no choice but to have spinal surgery.
Right before I was going into the surgical room my doctor turned to me and said, “you know you will need to find a new career and not continue with the dancing.” I knew that I needed to take care of me to keep fighting for this life and that was outweighing the dancing dreams. I signed the paper to go forward with surgery. I woke up not able to move my body and I felt at that time dreams were shattered, everything that I had invested in had disappeared. I was starting all over again.
Therapy began quickly, and I was to learn how to roll over, sit, stand, and even walk again. Fast forward two months later, I was using a neighbor’s treadmill to walk, going to therapy every other day and doing my very best to get through life.
One day I received a call from an old dance partner asking if I would be interested in dancing again. I left my home that evening not telling anyone where I was going, I went over to a dance studio and tested a few movements with my dance partner. We both knew there was work to be done and accepted the fact that the body I once had no longer was able to move the same way; but, my dance partner believed I still had much more to give. I became a sponge, letting go with what I once was and willing to work with what I had.
After a few months of dancing and competing we entered a World Championship competition. We felt so much pressure on ourselves and we wanted to do well on our dancing marks. This was just 10 months after having to learn how to walk again.
We continued to make each round and were waiting to hear if we made it into the finals. We had so many coaches and trainers coming to us, telling us what we needed to do. It became overwhelming. I took my partner aside and reminded him that it was only him and I. I said, “Let’s go out there and just enjoy every bit. Let’s just show them why we love to dance.” We did just that.
Our energy was captivating, and we danced beautifully. I felt connected to my partner and the pain I was feeling form my back had disappeared. We didn’t care what place we were going to receive; we were happy to be there and express our love for dance. We won our first World Title that night.
I continue to dance, and my husband supports me through my career. (Pausing) Three years ago I was going through a really hard time in life. In a matter of one year, I had lost 16 close family members and friends from my inner circle due to death. Along with having an emergency hysterectomy. Once again, I found myself facing the darkness of the unknown and what I should be doing in my life. I knew I needed to keep myself busy and that is exactly what I did.
I continued to practice movement and performed for more corporate events. During this same time my career in the corporate world began and I was creating content for Younique. I began climbing the corporate ladder allowing my creative talents to shine and became the new Art Director at Younique.
I find joy in the work I do and the work that I am apart of. You can see it and you will feel that love when you witness it. People ask me, “How do you do the things you do?” I answer, “Because I love it.” Find something that you love will give you purpose and drive to keep going even if you are given obstacles.
The experience of loss and discouragement taught me a lot about moving forward with life. Even if I am feeling pain, I have created the opportunities to distract my mind and continue to contribute to society. The opportunity to create, is my muse and freedom from pain. I am very grateful for any opportunity and the joy it can bring to others including myself.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Change is hard but it can be the best thing that can ever happen to you. Whether you are going through unexpected surgery, loss or job change it can feel like your whole world is upside down. We must be willing to adapt and then go forward with our best abilities.
I have said this before, and I know we hear it. Keep going. The trials will continue to come, creating purpose to get up and go day to day. “Be the Rhino” my coach would say, “keep charging.” My motive is to keep going. I once read, “A year from now you will wish you had started.” That hit me deep and I began setting new goals and redirecting my life.
Fast forward to my later years. I am working a dream job, surrounded by coworkers that validate me, empower and strengthen my life. I lead a wonderful team of like-minded friends and I still dance worldwide. I have a deep respect for what change can do to a person and the stages we go through along the way.
We are warriors, strong and fearless. Living with courage and compassion in our hearts. So, wear your confidence like a shield to deflect negativity, be powerful and proud of the person you are and what you do. Wake up each day positive and ready to take on the day ahead because you are on a mission, to achieve your goals and nothing no one can stop you.
Contact Info:
- Website: alaynewadsworth.com
- Instagram: Lannie_lane
- Facebook: Alayne Wadsworth
- Linkedin: Alayne Wadsworth