We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angela Nelson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angela below.

Hi Angela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I remember seeing a pole dancer in a competition for the first time – appreciating her sheer strength, flexibility and overall ability to do the things she was doing. Her magnificent stage presence and comfortability in her skin. I remember feeling a bit shocked that “this was a thing?!” and although I felt daunted and scared at the prospect – I just knew I needed to do this.

Flash forward several years while pursuing the craft, and I find myself imagining opening a pole & aerial dance studio. I loved teaching and coaching, and I loved learning and cultivating the art and sport of pole dance. After high school I had felt I was destined to find work that was a bit out of the ordinary, and perhaps something on a road not so paved. I think the idea somehow found me, and I was determined to create a beautiful and supportive atmosphere for adults to dance. However I did not know how to “run a business”, nor how to run a pole dance studio in a traditionally conservative area.

I am not naturally a risky person, nor do I typically make quick impulsive decisions. I just knew I wanted this place to exist. I felt so strongly in my being that this was even something bigger than me. Just like magic, with decision comes momentum. I serendipitously matched up with a business partner who shared a similar vision of what we could create. Together we forged ahead, putting all of our saved money and resources to our vision, without any experience or credentials. We didn’t know what we were doing, but nonetheless we found all the pieces, help and guidance along the path. And although my partner is no longer involved in the business, she was a vital piece of moving things forward in the beginning.

We had to be patient for months until we cashed out our luck on what we considered an absolute dream space in Draper, Utah. All of the time it took to find our location, the time it has taken over the years to learn the way, and the disappointments that I had to move through have been challenges. I consider this a good thing. Learning takes time. I realize when things don’t go as planned, it is best to assume things are still working out for you. There was perhaps another lesson that was necessary first.

It was a risk to put everything to a vision that I had no qualifications or merits to guarantee success, and through the adversities of shutdowns and pandemic threats aimed at my physical based business, I have found a new appreciation that certain ideas and visions may have a life all their own.

I have found my success and comfort in staying true to my passions and focusing on serving, teaching, and holding space. Holding space to support wellness, health, and people discovering new patterns and abilities. Doing things that shatter their limiting preconceived notions of what they can and should do, I found that even though things may not easily go “my way”, or that society, government and a whole lot of other things I could never account for might seemingly work against my business, that people still want what my space and service has to offer. Not everyone will want or like what I have to offer, but for the people who do, they will appreciate things in a new, deeper way.

Again, I don’t like to take risks just to take them, although I do see that risk is a necessary part of learning, failure and ultimate success. This situation was risky, and my family took some time to really come around… Once they met the growing community and saw the great things that were changing for people, it was easy for them to want to support in a new way. I think it comes down to my belief in my truth, and that I believe in the work. The potential it presents is absolutely something beyond me. The risk feels less and less because I see the universe and others showing up to create the momentum for things to succeed.

I know it really comes down to my motivation and definition of success – I have a humble approach as to what I consider a success. Especially during the height of the pandemic shutdowns and parameters, when there were just 1 or 2 people showing up for whatever virtual or eventual in person class. Although at the time my business was bleeding out without stimulus help – I was still able to view my classes as a success for those that were present. In time, the studio was rebuilt even stronger and smarter.

Am I grateful for the pandemic? I don’t think I am ready to say that… however I am grateful for understanding a humble approach. Going for what you want or believe in, even though you can’t see your support or the “hows”, is the right thing when it’s calling you. You can assume you will be lucky, helped and guided on your way, attracting the people and things needed for your vision to manifest and prosper. I am continually surprised, and I look forward to catching lucky breaks, tough lessons and support as my vision evolves.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am the owner of The Moxy Movement dance studio in Draper, Utah. We are celebrating our 6th year this month! We offer classes to adults of all ages in pole dance, aerial lyra & hammock, belly dance, alignment, yoga & more.

My fundamental belief is that “movement is life”, and a travesty of our society today is allowing our physicality to go dormant or atrophy, while not realizing our full potential. Not understanding that our mind, emotions and body are cohesive and utterly intertwined. Through movement and alignment, we can support our bodies to actually improve with time and age, and we can enjoy the benefits of a cohesive existence such as overall health, clarity, creativity, inspiration and the ability to be present in each moment, and to not be afraid of change.

I’ve witnessed countless people discover they have more strength, creativity and abilities they never considered. Seeing someone find confidence in their body, and how they literally carry themself, will absolutely translate to all aspects of their life. They may even discover parts of themselves they ignored, denied or otherwise had no space for until a certain point. When you can start there, a person will naturally find conversation with their body, and have a higher appreciation for the body’s abilities and also a reverence and honor for taking care of it. Putting good things in or bad things in, will effect how all things operate. This awareness naturally builds along with an intentional physical movement practice.

What makes Moxy different is that we have such a supportive community – our instructors are highly trained and experienced, and we have a variety of members that bring so many gifts to the table in support of each other. We understand that for real wellness you must consider many factors, and that when you can take just one step at a time, you can absolutely change all aspects of your life and habits for the better.

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

When I opened Moxy, I had a vision of a physical studio that connected people in a special way, to learn from each other and have a beautiful space to do so. That all changed when the pandemic shutdowns commenced, and I realized that with no people allowed to enter my business, that I really had nothing to offer…. It was a bitter pill for me to swallow that I MUST make online classes and tools available. This was hard because there’s something so special about being physically present in a space, and making people actually PUT DOWN their screens, and instead engage with people face to face. I felt there was a special magic to that idea, however it is so precious and vulnerable. I realized the ability to see and connect with people in person can be taken away rather easily.

I’ve heard from others that after 3 years in business, the business can then grow to new levels. It was just after 3 years that shutdowns happened, and I lost many instructors and so many members.

But not all of them. I had members that were even more steadfast in their practice, and in their support of the studio space. I had revelations that we would somehow be OK, and that yes, we would rebuild. It took years after that initial painful period, however my business is now better than it ever was. I am grateful to be learning, and attracting all the help I need to navigate this new online realm. I recognize the gift of technology, and that I can always learn and implement new things.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I’ve had many lessons to unlearn. As a dutiful child and person, I was always keen on doing the “right” things, and worried about what others deemed as proper in me.

It was my first pole dance class many years ago. I was nervous and present because a friend invited me. During the class, I felt a huge amount of shame from moving my body in certain ways. I felt bashful and wanted to hide. Why? Where did this come from? And mostly, if I feel this way about this silly thing, where else is this energy showing up in my life and limiting me? It turns out there were so many places this was effecting me in negative and unhelpful ways.

I didn’t particularly like my body, and I certainly didn’t take great care of it. I didn’t think I was successful at much of anything. Of course this was not truth. It was hard to clarify or quantify at the time, however I recognized that I didn’t want to feel these negative things, or judge myself so harshly all of the time.

I now see this is a huge and common limiting factor for many in regards to trying a class for the first time. It’s a lot of people assuming the worst of themselves before they even try.

So I decided I wanted to be different – to feel different. To feel and be fabulous. So I kept taking classes, and learning and walking my personal path, which led me to study and work that supports people directly. Through bodywork, movement, alignment, nutrition, mindset and support I was able to shift so many limiting ideas and opinions about myself, my life, and my “shoulds.”

I now take joy in healthy and supportive choices for myself, and have so much less concern about what other people will judge about me. I’m far from perfect, but I am inspired to the things that actually support and fuel me.

I see every class as an opportunity for us to “move differently”, and to allow our bodies to be present. To come alive enough to recognize and follow the intuitive hunches that steer us in our own right direction, and for us to write a new and better story for ourselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.moxymovement.com
• Instagram: @moxymovement https://www.instagram.com/moxymovement/
• Facebook: The Moxy Movement https://www.facebook.com/MoxyMovement
• Youtube: The Moxy Movement https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWUJpU3R5QtTaQK9erozaQ
• Other: Youtube will likely change going forward bc of unfortunate account issues, however this page is still present!

Image Credits
Nikkita Saulnier