We recently connected with Gillian Diaddezio and have shared our conversation below.

Gillian, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I’ve always balanced “regular” jobs alongside all my artistic and creative ventures. During my college years at Florida State University, I worked at both Starbucks and Campus Housing while simultaneously juggling three dance teams, performing in the Flying High Circus, serving on the Executive Board of Phi Eta Sigma, and maintaining Cum Laude status.

After graduation, I worked full-time for a photography company in Florida while performing with a production company that sent me to places like the Bahamas and the Pocono Mountains to dance and entertain. I also taught dance at the studio where I grew up and started brand ambassador work on the side.

When I moved to Austin, Texas, I dove deeper into “regular jobs,” spending six years in wealth management and another year in private equity real estate. Despite my corporate roles, I continued teaching dance, working brand ambassador gigs, and training as a personal trainer at a boutique fitness gym—though these remained side passions, often taking a backseat to my full-time career.

Through intuitive soul-searching, I realized that in order to truly be happy and creatively fulfilled, I needed to step away from the corporate world and become a full-time creative. That realization led me to create Luminous Leap Design—a web design company dedicated to helping creatives showcase their best work and authentic selves through show-stopping websites. Big new dreams are currently in the works for Luminous Leap—ones that will infuse my entire being into the company in exciting new ways, and I can’t wait to share them in the future.

My many side hustles haven’t stopped—I’m still training, teaching, and taking on ambassador gigs—but the freedom and happiness I’ve felt since fully creating my own work environment with artistry has been truly life-changing.

Gillian, 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?

I’m a multifaceted performer, mentor, and creative professional with a lifelong passion for dance and design. My journey has been anything but linear, but at its core, it has always centered around movement, artistic expression, and empowering others.

I started dancing at age four, training in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, hip hop, salsa, belly dance, and more. While earning degrees in Psychology and Media Communications at Florida State University, I had the unique opportunity to perform with the Flying High Circus, specializing in aerial acts such as lyra, Spanish web, and triple trapeze. After graduation, I ventured into the corporate world, balancing a full-time career with my love for performance—teaching at the studio where I first fell in love with dance and dancing professionally with a world-renowned production company. Over the years, my performances have been seen on stages ranging from local events to international platforms, including collaborations with global troupes and appearances in film, television, and live productions.

While I gained valuable corporate experience in wealth management and private equity real estate, my creative spirit yearned for more, leading me to pivot fully back to my artistic roots. In 2024, I achieved a personal milestone by being crowned Ms. American Victory 2025 in the Miss American Coed Pageant system—an accomplishment 16 years in the making after stepping away from pageantry as a teenager. This title represents more than just a crown; it’s a testament to perseverance, self-growth, and the power of returning to your passions, and I’m so proud of myself for making the commitment and trusting my intuition.

I believe in the power of authenticity and having the courage to pursue one’s dreams, no matter how non-linear the path may be. Mentoring my dance students has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey, as I love helping the next generation find confidence and joy through their inner light. I am also now the Founder of Luminous Leap Design, a design studio dedicated to helping creatives and entrepreneurs showcase their work through authentic, high-converting websites.

My goal has always been to create art in all forms, whether through movement, mentorship, or design, and I’m grateful for the opportunities to do just that every day.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Growing up, we’re often told to follow a linear path—get a degree, find an amazing job, make a lot of money, and then settle down…only to let our passions be side hobbies (if we’re lucky). What I learned about myself, though, is that I thrive in a multi-disciplinary environment, where I can pursue all of my passions at once. A few well-meaning coworkers have asked, “When will you slow down and focus on just one thing?”—but I honestly don’t think I’m meant to. I love being able to say, “I teach dance, but I’m also a personal trainer, a web designer… oh, and a pageant queen!” It’s exciting. I coined myself the “Gillian of all trades” recently, after hearing someone quote the famous statement “a jack of all trades is a master of none”, because what many people don’t realize is that the statement continues on…”but oftentimes better than a master of one”—and I’ll take being multifaceted over boring any day!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Over the past few years, I’ve been able to truly come into my own, allowing my personality to shine in ways I once held back out of fear or self-doubt. My mission is to lead with authenticity—to trust myself fully, follow my intuition, and to embrace what that truly means for me. I want to inspire others to do the same, to have the confidence to show up as their authentic selves and let their light shine in the world. But you can’t pour from an empty cup, so it’s just as important to nurture your own inner light and seek out what genuinely brings you joy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.luminousleap.com
• Instagram: @gillian_diaddezio and @themsvictorycoed
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-diaddezio-877616133/

Image Credits

Vicki DiAddezio
Baron Silverton
Logan Robertson
Loren Kahle
Brittany Williamson
Ashley Lynn