We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Charity Baroni-Litzenberg. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Charity below.
Charity, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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’ve taken a few giant risks in my life. Some may argue my biggest risk was moving by myself to Los Angeles when I was 21 with $114 in my bank account and only knowing 1 person because I HAD to dance professionally. This risk paid off big time as I traveled the world dancing with some of the biggest pop artists of our time. All this to say, I believe my biggest risk was leaving LA at the height of my career to take care of my mental health. I moved to Nashville, got well, and pursued mental health, counseling and holistic health as a direct result of everything I experienced first hand living in and next to the very surreal, pressuring, adventurous and mentally unwell world of fame and fortune.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
I am blessed and grateful to say I was able to pursue a dream and actually live it as a professional background dancer. My biggest gigs were dancing for Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Beyoncé and Katy Perry. Feels surreal to say that in one small sentence when it was a decade of work that took me all over the world, meeting so many people, experiencing many cultures and all while doing something I was so passionate about. Due to my pro dance experiences, I am now able to say I am a choreographer and teacher who prioritizes the lessons I learned on and off stage. I now apply those lessons and adventures and what I want to do differently to my work and life.
In my honest and humble opinion and experience: authenticity, integrity and genuine connection are the only way to have a fulfilled career and life. Because I found who I am, and stuck to that. I have consistently been able to lay my head down at night with peace. For me, peace is priceless and authenticity wins all. This may have taken me away from some jobs that wanted me to compromise certain values, and I won’t lie, some of those were disappointing to not be a part of. But I am glad to say I’ve always been true to me and what values are ultimately most important.
I care more about the people I work with than the job or gig. People are the priority. Genuine connection has always been my biggest drive. That created longevity and more open doors in my career as a professional dancer, helped me make relationships as a choreographer/performance coach/teacher, and ultimately has led me to my new career as a counselor and holistic health coach.
Any time anyone has an encounter with me, my main goal is that they leave feeling lighter and more in tune with WHO they are. That they know there’s no such thing as perfect. Whether I’m teaching, choreographing, counseling, or helping someone on their healing journey in their mind or body, I hope their take away is that they matter, that they are enough and that they are AMAZING.
Have you ever had to pivot?
In 2015, I had the biggest pivot of my life in my career. I moved to Nashville from LA to take care of myself and heal from some trauma I had experienced. I intended to be in Nashville for 1 year and I am still living here (7 years later!) Due to this pivot, I shifted career goals. Because of my experience in LA in the entertainment industry, I pursued my degree in counseling to better and help people who are in and pursuing the industry! I am also now helping people find healing in their bodies and minds through holistic supplements. Another huge pivot as of late was becoming a mom. I am finding my new identity as a mother along with not losing all of the other parts of me. They are all so important and I feel as moms, sometimes we are told to lose ourselves in motherhood. Although being selfless and being immersed in mommy-ness is required to be a present mother, especially in the newborn phase, I want to normalize being a whole person outside of also being a mom! I am honored I now get to eventually show my daughter the freedom of being a creative while helping her see the reality of it all. My new career is not as flashy and ritzy, but WOW am I honored I get to help people and help be a part of raising the next generation of dreamers:)
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Support local artists, pay fairly for creative’s work (it’s hard work!!) promote and prioritize mental health and realize celebrities, just like all of us, are HUMAN.
Contact Info:
- Website: Charitybaroni.com
- Instagram: Instagram/charitybaroni
- Facebook: Facebook.com/charitylynnebaronilitzenberg
- Youtube: YouTube.com/chaelynne
- Other: Booking@charitybaroni.com -email