We’re looking forward to introducing you to Rachelle Davis. Check out our conversation below.
Rachelle, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are non-negotiable. They set the tone for how I show up—with focus, clarity, and openness for whatever the day may bring.
I usually wake up between 6 and 6:30am, get dressed, and take my dog for a 20 to 30-minute walk to soak up some first light and get my body moving. When I get back home, I dive into a 15 to 30-minute guided breathwork and meditation session to help me center and lock in.
From there, I’ll journal—sometimes free-flow depending on what came up during meditation, or I’ll follow my usual rhythm: intention-setting, gratitude, and affirmations.
Next up is feeding my dog while I make my absolute non-negotiable: a homemade chai latte. Can’t live a day without it.
I usually wrap up my morning routine with 20 to 30 minutes of reading something that’s inspiring me—whether it’s about growth, mindset, or just the evolution of where I’m at personally.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Rachelle Davis—a former professional dancer turned empowerment coach, and the founder of the Umbrella Project. I’ve spent the last 25+ years teaching, choreographing, and working with dancers all over the world—from my home country of South Africa to Dubai, Australia, Los Angeles, and now Austin, Texas.
The Umbrella Project was born out of my journey—both as a dancer and as a human. It’s a space where dance, mindset, and personal growth meet. I work with dancers, parents, and teachers to help shift the culture of dance toward one that empowers the whole dancer, not just their performance.
As a Mental Empowerment Coach, I help dancers build confidence, resilience, and self-worth through one-on-one coaching, online courses, live workshops, mindset critiques, and journaling tools. My background in sport psychology, years in the professional industry, and deep belief in the power of intentional mental training all come together under the Umbrella Project—hence the name. It’s not just one thing; it’s all the elements dancers need under one umbrella to grow, evolve, and feel seen.
Right now, I’m working on expanding our self-paced online course Leap Beyond Limits, a mindset course for dancers aged 9–17, as well as a companion course for parents called Raising a Growth Mindset. I also run the Embody Ambassadors program—70 incredible young dancers from around the world who are spreading light, positivity, and joy everywhere they go.
What makes the Umbrella Project unique is that it’s not about fixing dancers—it’s about helping them remember their power. We don’t just talk about goals and grit; we talk about identity, intention, and self-leadership. We help dancers go beyond the mirror, the medals, and the pressure—and learn how to show up fully in who they are.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I chose this question because I work closely with children and teens, and I see just how many limiting beliefs we carry from childhood without even realizing it. Growing up in a dance studio as the daughter of a studio owner, much of my path was lovingly guided—but also largely decided for me. Even though the intentions were good, I often wasn’t given a voice in my own journey.
Because of that, I grew up doubting myself. I didn’t trust my own decisions, I questioned my instincts, and I struggled to believe my voice mattered. I also believed my worth was tied to how others saw me—which kept me small, insecure, and introverted for a long time.
It’s taken a lot of inner work to reconnect with my voice, rebuild my self-trust, and rediscover my worth beyond external validation. That’s exactly why I’m so passionate about what I do now. As an Empowerment Coach, I help dancers step into their power, trust themselves, and know they have a voice in their own journey.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Like so many dancers, the fear of failure was a constant presence throughout my journey. From a young age, I internalized the idea that making mistakes meant I wasn’t good enough—that falling short somehow made me less worthy. And in the competitive world of dance, that pressure gets reinforced often, even unintentionally.
What I wasn’t taught early on was that failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of it. It’s not something to avoid, but something to move through. Every challenge I faced, every time I missed the mark, held a lesson I wasn’t always brave enough to look at until much later in life.
For years, that fear of getting it wrong kept me playing small. Even as I traveled the world teaching, choreographing, and performing professionally, there was always that quiet fear in the background: What if I fail? What if I’m not enough?
It wasn’t until I stepped into the world of mindset and mental performance that I really started to reframe failure as fuel. Now, as a Mental Empowerment Coach, I help dancers see what I wish I had known all along—that failure is part of growth, and perfection is not the goal. Owning your journey, with all its mess and magic, is where the real transformation happens.
Today, I use my own story to help dancers rewrite theirs—learning to trust themselves, take risks, and believe in who they are, not just what they achieve.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the dance industry tells itself is that pressure creates diamonds. That if dancers are just pushed harder, criticized more, or constantly reminded they’re not enough yet—they’ll rise to greatness. But I’ve seen firsthand, all over the world, that pressure without support doesn’t create diamonds—it creates burnout, anxiety, and disconnection.
Another lie we tell is that external achievement—titles, placements, perfect technique—is the ultimate marker of success. That kind of thinking teaches dancers to perform for approval rather than dance from authenticity. And in the process, we lose the joy, artistry, and self-trust that dance is meant to cultivate.
We also don’t talk enough about the mental and emotional toll of dance training. It’s still way too common to hear things like “leave your feelings at the door” or “toughen up” instead of asking how a dancer is doing—mentally, emotionally, and energetically. The truth is: the mind is just as important as the body in this sport and art form.
That’s why I do what I do. The Umbrella Project is about shifting these outdated narratives and giving dancers the tools to build confidence, clarity, and ownership of their journey—without sacrificing their mental health or sense of self in the process.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
I’ve actually done this four times in my life—packed up everything, moved across the world, given away almost all my possessions, and landed somewhere new where no one knew my name. Each time, I had to start again. No title, no reputation, no safety net. Just me.
What remained every time was my integrity and my authenticity. The commitment to showing up as who I truly am—even when it’s uncomfortable, unknown, or inconvenient. I’ve always been someone who leads with heart and who chooses alignment over approval.
What also remains is my capacity to connect. No matter where I go, I carry with me the ability to make people feel seen, heard, and safe to be themselves. I’ve learned that true impact doesn’t come from what you own or what you’ve achieved—it comes from who you are when no one’s watching.
Underneath all the roles I’ve played—dancer, teacher, coach, choreographer, business owner—I’m a seeker, a space holder, a truth-teller. I’m someone who believes in leaving people better than I found them, and in walking through this life with both strength and softness.
So if you took away the name, the brand, the belongings—I’d still be me. Fully. Unapologetically. And hopefully, always growing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.umbrellaproject.dance
- Instagram: @umbrellaproject_dance
Image Credits
Bethany Miller
