Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria M.
Maria, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The moment I look back to that started this current chapter for me was in October 2019. As cliche as it sounds, it was after a breakup. In hindsight, the relationship was very emotionally draining and toxic; very grateful to be free of it. In the three years of being with that person, I couldn’t see that, but those who are close to me saw it and it sucked. After the breakup, I realized I had lost so much sight of myself and, in a way, suppressed the real me for the sake of the relationship. Do not recommend! Lol. I’ve always been free-spirited and unapologetically myself so to lose that was devastating. I was determined to get back to myself, 300%. The ‘old’ me was who I built my confidence on. Thankfully my confidence never waned, but the parts of me that made me confident had disappeared. I told myself I needed to do things for me again, everything, and really focus on “Maria”, since I didn’t for 3.5 years.
It was then that my best friend, Katya, gave me the idea to try a hip hop dance class. She thought the music, movement, and sense of community would really help me get back to my old self. We’re both stubborn as all hell so I hate to admit it to her, but she was right. From the first class, I was hooked. Here I am two years later and I dance nearly every day and sometimes twice a day. Dance has really become a defining factor for my life. It’s my first love. I grew up in theatre arts, making dances and commercials with my friends and always loved to put on a show. Something I thought about recently was to remember what job I wanted as a kid and see how that translated into my adult life, if at all. My dream was to be a star (of course, haha) and perform for anyone and everyone. Now here I am as a 29 years old woman where dance and performing is without a doubt my passion. It may not be my full-time profession (yet!), but I get to do what I love every day. Little Maria would be in tears and so am I some days; happy tears of course!
Two years in, and with the encouragement of amazing human beings, I’m instructing at a studio here in Austin. Being able to share this passion with other people is unbelievable. I feel like this journey has come so far, yet is also just getting started. I’m so ready to see how I keep growing and where it continues to take me.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Dancing by itself has been a fairly smooth road, but the journey to self-love started at a young age. I don’t want to use the word struggle in regards to my weight because that’s negative, but it’s definitely been a journey. My emotional support system growing up and growing into my body wasn’t the easiest. I was told that I wouldn’t get to where I am today with the way that I look. Oddly, it wasn’t by my peers but instead a family member. This less-than-constructive criticism lead me to develop an eating disorder for about two years. I would switch between not eating to please this person to binging/purging to satisfy myself. It was a harsh cycle that I’m glad to be out of. These tendencies may never fully go away, but I’m much stronger than I was to make smarter, conscious decisions with my relationship to food. I never blamed that person but instead thanked them for pushing me to love and accept myself. This is the body I was given so why should I hate it? The body I had when I was 18 is not the body I have now and may not be the body I have at 45, but it’s exclusively mine and that’s what makes it beautiful. This body gets to be used as art now, through dance.
So while dance has been a positive journey, I’m grateful to have overcome emotional obstacles that could have shied me away from pursuing my dreams. I get to look at myself in the mirror every day and genuinely love who I am as a person, regardless of why my body looks like each day.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As much as imposter syndrome tries to take over sometimes, I’m a dancer. My favorite styles are sexy hip-hop vibes, floorwork, and pole. Pole isn’t my strong suit yet, but it’s so much fun and gives me something within the dance world to work towards. It’s also an incredible full body workout. I’ve gotten so much stronger since starting pole a year ago. I’m also a dance instructor. I’m also a dance instructor. I teach at Minx + Muse; a badass, women-owned business that is full of inclusivity, sensuality, and community. I’m so grateful to be part of this space.
If I’m known for one thing, I’d have to say it’s my flexibility; I’m pretty bendy. That and my confidence. Aside from splits making for a fun photo op, I love that it shows dance, movement, and flexibility are for all sizes. I’m a plus-size woman myself and don’t feel limited due to my size. If anything, it’s the complete opposite. I feel strong, empowered, and beautiful at my size. Of course health is most important to me, and dance has contributed to that too.
I’m such an advocate for body acceptance, self-love, and confidence and I do my best to feed that into my classes and performances. My goal with dance is to help others gain confidence, be true to themselves and embrace their natural sensuality. Women are allowed to feel and be sexy. We’re allowed to be open with our sexuality and not have to hide it. Dance gives me a platform to embrace that natural sexuality and own it to its fullest extent. So much so that while I am ‘plus size’ by clothing and societal standards, I just consider this body to be mine. Dancing isn’t just for one size and you don’t have to look a certain way or adhere to certain standards to be beautiful and powerful. This is the message I aim to spread throughout what I do.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Be proud of yourself. Give yourself credit for getting out of your head and out of your comfort zone for trying something different. There are so many times where I look back at my videos and beat myself up over a wrong step, missing a cue, or not pointing my freaking toes and that’s so silly! I went out there and did the damn thing! That in itself is a huge step for a lot of people. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there because you are great and should show the world.
I never thought that I could take pole classes because my body didn’t look a certain way, but I was so wrong. Thanks to powerful and uplifting instructors, I was able to train according to my body and at my own pace. It was so important for me to not compare my progress to others. Your journey is yours and no one else’s. Celebrate your victories, no matter how small they may seem.
Contact Info:
- Email: mariamedel91@gmail.com
- Website: magnetikdance.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magnetickunt/?hl=en
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1YlKZVWedlCLzXeotGyNWe?si=hIoHi0I5TpmbHSC3_vcUcA&nd=1
