We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Danah Matthews. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Danah below.
Danah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has to be the infrastructure and syllabusI have built for my clients of my coaching business. I get to teach people, hungry for my knowledge, how to walk, dance, exercise, perform, structure their performances with BIG DIVA ENERGY (and ehem no- not in terms of ‘conceited performer’ but far more) akin to an Italian word for ‘goddess’. They gain confidence in the use of their body, improve their posture and poise, learn to harness and exude their ‘it factor’- whether they are a professional performer or not! I have trained everyone from brides, grooms, beauty queens, movie-stars to mums and drag-queens who have their own desire to reconnect with their bodies in a very nuanced way. I always thought (in my youth) that ‘those who teach can’t do’ – WRONG! I can do all the things- I just LOVE sharing it with other people too. Witnessing my students see themselves in a whole new light make she emotional just talking about it. YOU SHOWGIRL was born from my past flashy gigs for big fashion and dance brands across Australia and Europe; I was performing as the Lead at the Moulin Rouge in Paris for nearly 10 years- taking breaks only to headline on Italian talk shows or tour Australia with the contemporary dance company, DanceNorth.
Since moving to LA to act, (and sit in traffic) I have also been a celebrity trainer (does that make me seem cool because 4 am starts eww) at many boutique fitness studios across town- but they were never ‘my’ students and I always had to adhere to the rules of whichever studio I was at so I couldn’t always be authentic to how I believed was best to serve each client. I felt boxed in and frustrated.
At a certain dark point, I took a job as a secretary at a Massage Spa- for probably less than minimum wage; (no shade to spas, massage therapists or secretaries- it just wasn’t my dream at the time). While I was checking in stoned, insurance-covered college students for their massages, while I could barely afford the bus- I often thought ‘how on Earth did I end up doing this? and yet simultaneously ‘This is going to be useful later-even if you can’t see it right now’. Well… turns out it was useful! for- ready for it? Spread sheets and formulas for accounting! And honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to grow my coaching business to what is is today without those administrative skills. But now, I can teach MY Private Clients in person or remotely (online), I have over 50 ‘regulars’ who in class every week, and they are getting longer, stronger and more Showgirl Secrets from Paris than I ever dreamed I would impart. Empowering my students with what only I offer can offer makes their day better, and that is what makes it meaningful, and way more fulfilling than any ‘gig’ I have ever done. In. The end, every job I have ever had has lead to this business; even that spa.
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 got into the business of coaching in the entertainment industry, through being a professional dancer and actor myself. I pursued classical ballet professionally until the age of 19. My first love though, was acting. I only started ballet at 9 years old because I thought it would land me a bigger role in the end of year production at my school. And I only started acting classes because my best friend did them- and her parents were making her move elementary school. Of course at 8 I thought I’d die if I didn’t get to see her so I decided to go to her performing arts school. Ultimately, I decided around age 12 that I had to really try ballet seriously before anything else, because the physical givens of the profession demand a now-(and-hold-TF-on-for-as-
I loved every single minute at the Moulin Rouge and every second of living in Paris. Seriously- ‘Danah in Paris’ would leave Emily in Paris in the DUST. I attended the Sorbonne University as well as film and theatre schools (in french) during the day, and performed soloist and principal roles every night in the most famous cabaret in the world. In little time I was teaching the up-and-coming soloists and principal replacements, staging them and preparing other girls for their first steps in the spotlight- and I loved it. In. all my ‘spare-time’ I was modeling or still going to ballet classes. I was transplanting all the ‘hardcore’ classical ballet work ethic other facets of show business, and life had been full of showgirl-ing, coaching and acting ever since. But- at certain point- I got bored of performing the same show (every night, twice a night, with only one day off), at a certain point got my heart broken, and I became super restless for a challenge. SO I moved to Milan (again) and then six months later; LA. (Gulp)..
I arrived in Los Angeles in 2015, from a TV role in Milan- and pretty much immediately found myself with a foot in the fitness industry. It was a big shift mentally, but I had some incredible mentors along the way who taught me a lot about how teaching can be an art in itself.
I am solving the problem of time for my clients. Often, they need to look, feel or move a certain way in a very limited amount of time for a competition, a role or a special event; and I can see and sense which tools I need to action within them to get them to their goal and have them feeling like a goddess.
I am always most proud of my last client. We create a sacred, intimate space for you to experiment with physical techniques that may be brand new to you, and express impulses and emotions that normally we have to ‘keep under control’. Nope. Let’s get large with the energy, let’s get weird with imagination, and let’s pull everything out of you that is going help you get to the good stuff! Oh and I’ll give you homework- but you’ll like it.
If you need a Movement Director for your film (like Jordana Brewster, pictured), choreographer for your music video / album release, are you going to be Miss USA this year but need a runway coach? This is the work I do with my clients.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
In my view society can best support artists by engaging with their art in a meaningful, supportive way: buying it, sharing it, creating events where many artist can benefit financially or through real exposure and affiliations. If the question was what can government do to support artists and creatives? My answer would be: ask France. Keep in mind, I personally have very strong impressions of the US and France because I have lived nearly a decade in each one as an Australian implant. France supports artists research and develope their projects, educational pursuits and provides them with healthcare. France values artists because it values art and the impact art has on every human life.
Alternatively, the ‘United’ States of America values volume and commerce. So; our values in the US have to get really clear- and actually, I do believe that begins with society and what is encouraged by and practiced or tolerated by us. Supporting a thriving creative ecosystem can be as small as tipping a busker on the street, or choosing to buy a product on Etsy rather than Amazon. Even better: go and take singing or music or drawing lessons; you teacher will be an artist. Take an actual ballet class, and a classical pilates class rather than a ‘barre’ class. Interact with art. Be in it and let it live in you. However your life is now- it will be better after you invite art into it. It’s a choice. Pick up a pen, not a gun.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
So many! I4 Hour Work Week- love me some Tim Ferris- I wish I started listening to him 10 years ago when my brother first told me about him. Wonderful for solo-preneurs needing to move the needle forward in favor of goals and action-taking. And apparently he can tango. Don’t get me wrong I am still working 18 hour days, as I have a start-up in stealth mode- but this guy loves sharing workflows and systems. I am on my way to the 4 hour thing… maybe?!
Chris Voss- or understanding the art of negotiation. I get something new out of his audiobook every time I listen.
Tony Robbins (all of it)- just commit and go down the rabbit hole… do it, because if you don’t you are ultimately depriving yourself of your own professional and personal desires.
Start With Why.- Simon Sinek- Thankfully, recommended to me early in my journey.
Me.Inc by Gene Simmons. This guy; likes being in a Rock’n’Roll band, LOVES being in a Rock’n’Roll BRAND. Nuff’ said.
Be Useful- Arnold Schwartzenegger- in a bullet point – being of service to others is going to give you and grow you more more more than anything that came before… which leads me to my only lady on the list… I have read her book, but she also is a great resource for business building- what to do and what not to do… thank-you Sophie Amoroso for great advice and guidance you bring to small business owners (and cool clothes you have brought to my closet).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.youshowgirl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youshowgirl/
Image Credits
Vince Trupsin Vlada Krassilnikova Gabriella Oltean