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

Hi Jacinda, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I took a risk in 2019 during covid. I started to teach classes on instagram live on my own. Many things could have went wrong, but I didn’t let that stop me. I went the route of being positive. Dance has played a huge role in my life, and i wanted to take action. During covid I was able to reevaluate my goals and what I wanted in life. I always say if it wasn’t for covid what would have happened? I am happy i took the chance of faith during that time. Even with me having two autoimmune diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Stills Disease. I find the strength against adversity to do what I love and make my dreams come true. I then started to teach in person during covid taking the risk of my health. I knew i had to take the chance no matter what.

Jacinda, 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?

My name is Jacinda Soto. My brand name is Virgo beauty. I am a dancer, choreographer, & advocate based in New York City. The services I provide are for creatives like myself. I take initiative into creating my own dance classes, projects and much more. I want to be the one that allows everyone in a positive space no matter shape, size or color. Virgo Beauty provides community, confidence, growth, team building, SelfLove, body positivity and advocating for oneself. I try my absolute best to always put the students’ well being as first priority. I understand that believing in my community and building healthy friendships helps the journey of succeeding. I understand that dancing and becoming a dancer can be very competitive. I am stepping out the norm and building a way that I believe would help others succeed. I have witnessed that not everyone needs to be the same, this is why I am being me and going this route. I want my students to have fun while learning as well as my clients. Dance is movement that is expressed through emotions, and that’s what makes it so special. Nobody can be you, everyone is unique. Virgo Beauty brings out the magic in you.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Even with me being in the New York City and following my dreams. In life there’s always the good and the bad. You have to be able to make decisions that work the best for you. Even if you have to face the most difficult decisions in your life. Always remind yourself of your why and never quit doing what you love. Since five years young I was struggling with JIA (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis). JIA is a form of arthritis in children ages 16 or younger. It causes joint inflammation and stiffness for more than 6 weeks. The disease may affect a few joints or many joints. It may cause symptoms all over the body. This was not easy being young and on medication. For many years I went into remission.

In October 2016, my life completely changed. I had to stop working because of me being so ill. I was bedridden. My life felt as if it was the end of the world. I had the worst flare up. I was experiencing every notion of sickness. I was overwhelmed with the side effects from the medications I was on and symptoms that come with the chronic illness. To add on I got diagnosed two years later in 2018 with Stills Disease. At this point I had to learn to be patient and love myself no matter what the situation is or ends up to be. I must say it was difficult and still is difficult today. I am much better but this is a life long battle.

To those who can relate, always have faith. Even with going through something that i thought i would never get better really changed my perspective on life. You really never know unless you try. I would have never built the friendships, and the community i have within dance. If I didn’t believe in myself I would not have been doing what I do best. Find what makes you feel whole, that is your purpose. I would not allow my chronic illness define me or stop me, and you shouldn’t either. DREAM BIG.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist / creative would be the friendships, freedom of creativity, mentoring, community, and being able to inspire. To be able to do these is such a form of an accomplishment. My goal has always been to not worry about winning alone but with others. It is a refreshing feeling of being able to do all these while doing what I love and be around people who present positive energy. I look forward to being able to continue to be rewarded but as well to reward others as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/dancewithvirgo/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virgobeautyxo?igsh=MXAyMWJwc2R3YWZ3dw==
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@VirgoBeauty?si=77hCVh3u6iWRXTIU
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@virgobeautyxo?_t=8iorwMgti9b&_r=1

Image Credits
Artekai Productions