Beyond DNA #changedestiny
Another post on how society has set the precedent that has limited what we believe to be normal and acceptable.
Our society has set standards where even our own DNA can limit our ability to shape our lives and achieve our dreams.
However 2015 is setting a new precedent. We are now in the midst of a visual culture shift, where more and more campaigns are capitalizing on positive and original video content that tell personal stories - opening the conversation on being different and proving that it is not a hindrance but a motivation.
When I was younger, I was always told that my small frame meant I would never be able to be physically active. I broke and bruised too easily. I was weak and sickly, and I would never be able to do sports. And for most of my life I listened. But when you find something you love, you find a way to make it work.
I discovered volleyball my freshman year of high school. And I loved it. Finally a sport I could play and be good at. But my endurance was bad. My forearms were bruised and sore after every practice. I couldn’t jump high. I couldn’t run far. And my parents were concerned I would suffer too many injuries.
I didn’t see much court time my freshman year, other than saving a couple of plays.
So I started spending my off seasons training - running around the neighborhood, getting my own ball to practice with in the backyard. And the next three years on Varsity ended up becoming some of my best memories from high school - Conditioning, queen of the courts, game times, floor burns, jammed fingers, sprained ankles. I learned how to endure pain, and just how far I could push myself until I reached my breaking point.
Its funny - just when people say you can’t. You prove to yourself just how much you can.
“Everybody is born with something they struggle with. You need to fight for your own goals, and not somebody else’s standards.”
This is an inspirational video on how this petite framed ballerina defied standards of “ballerina beauty” and took control of her own future.