What I learned from dancing on ‘Live with Kelly and Ryan’
The decades-old hoola-hoop leaned against a dark corner of my bedroom for over a year. A hideous neon green color, it was as if it was mocking me there. I brought it up from the basement when the pandemic started because I wanted to keep in shape and have a hobby like everyone else in lockdown. I would look at it first thing in the morning when I woke up and think, ‘today is the day I’m going to start’. Then I would see it just before going to sleep and feel a little defeated. As long as it was out where I could see it, and be reminded of my noble intentions, there was hope.
One bitterly cold day in February, with several inches of snow on the ground over the last few days, and more coming, I felt down. I had cabin fever. I was tired of hearing about the devastation happening all over the world. And I realized I had to do something to shake myself out of the funk I was falling into.
I finally grabbed that hoola-hoop, rushed outside and started hoola-hooping in my driveway. People were walking by and staring, then smiling and laughing. It lifted my spirits and my mood. At that moment, inspiration hit.
As part of my guilty pleasure/morning ritual since the pandemic started, I’ve been watching the popular US TV talk show, Live with Kelly and Ryan, while sipping my first cup of tea. They were running a contest and all you had to do was upload a video of yourself dancing. So I enlisted my husband to record me as I did my best to keep that hoop from hitting the ground for the required minimum 30 second recording (it’s tougher than it sounds).
A few weeks later, I almost spit out my tea when I saw my recording had made it on the show. I reached out to my friends, family and social media community for votes and I won the weekly prize!
But now that I think about it, I won in more ways than one.
When the thought first entered my mind to send the recording, a part of me panicked. I started worrying about what people might think. I am usually a reserved, private person. But I’ve always admired people who could let loose and dance like no one is watching. I really had to fight hard to silence the ‘itty bitty shitty committee’ in my head who was screaming, ‘that’s just silly – why would you put yourself out there like that?’ Even after my video made it on the show, I hesitated to post it on my social media. I thought people would judge me negatively, think I was going through a mid-life crisis (quite possible), or most upsetting, believe it was ‘not very professional’ of me. But I took a lesson from my dog, who always seems to be saying ‘I don’t care’ because she knows we will love her no matter how badly she behaves. And I shared. Boy, did I share! Maybe I overshared (sorry), but that warrior in me was woken up and I wanted to win.
I was getting comments alright. But they were actually positive (thank you):
-You rock
-Amazing
-You look fantastic!
-You got more rhythm than I do
-Bravo
-Way to go
-You go girl!
I guess I do care what people think after all, because these comments brought me joy and validated that I did the right thing. But I’m glad I didn’t let the fear of what people might think stop me from taking bold action and missing out on this experience. What I realize now is that it would have been valuable whether I won or lost, whether people judged me or ridiculed me. I was being who I truly am, not just a serious, studious and reserved professional but also someone who likes to get kooky and have a little fun sometimes. I feel liberated and free. (By the way, It only took me 57 years to learn this).
Thank you again to everyone who voted, shared, encouraged and supported me. I love this tribe and I could not have done it without you.
P.S. If you would like to see my appearance on the show, go to 16:29 on this link:
Oh Hellen, good for you for taking the bull by the horns and have some fun! Your video would have lifted many people’s spirits during this difficult time everyone is coping with. Keep going Girl!!!
Thanks Carol, that was part of the plan, to lift the spirits of others along with my own. Thanks for your encouragement.
Way to go, Hellen! That was so fun and you look as amazing as always.
Thank you, Janet – that’s so sweet of you to say.
Good for you, just having fun!
Thank you, Beverley, it was fun to let the child in me go out and play.
Wow, Hellen, I am impressed anew by your appearance on “Live with Kelly and Ryan.” You looked like you were having a wonderful time hula-hooping to that disco music, and looking more like an active 37 year old than a 57 year old. I knew Kelly would pronounce your last name like Mayor Pete’s, and I laughed when she did at the end.
The best part to me was the fact that you not only had the confidence and spirit to enter this contest, but you didn’t sit back afterward and just hope for a win – you reached out to your friends, family, and contacts to help make it happen for you. And we did! Just goes to show you how much you are loved and admired by us all.
Wow, thank you so much for saying that, Lorraine. You have always been so encouraging and support. I’m so happy you are part of my online family.
WOW Hellen!!!
That was incredible!!
I got chills reading the email and then again watching your video dance.
Way to take a risk, face a fear and live your truth. Life is short and meant to be lived with courage despite our fears and you truly showed that!
Thank you for sharing and inspiring me!
Thanks Karen. You really get it! I’m so happy to hear about how it made you feel – and to get the validation.
Thanks so much for sharing your story and video, Hellen! You just brightened up my day! Much appreciate your sincerity and candidness. I am sure there are many people feeling the way you were before you picked up your lovely hulahoop. I know I am. You have inspired me! Thanks again ever so much! 😊
My pleasure, Anne. You’ve brightened my day too, with your comment. I’m so happy it inspired you.
I LOVE this story, what you wrote, what you did and thought it was so fun and exactly what’s needed this winter! I can’t believe you made it on the show! That’s amazing. I watched the clip. You were terrific. Great article Hellen!
Hahaha, I was surprised I made it on the show too! But it was super fun and an epic learning experience.Thank you for your kind words, Kim – and for watching/reading.
Amazing things happen when we step out of our safe place. Thank you for reminding me of this! And yes, you do rock and look amazing and it really does take talent to keep those things on the hips. Plus you represented Canada so well! Congrats:)
Thank you, Rixta, I’m happy to represent. I think it’s more persistence than talent but I’ll accept the compliment, LOL.
It’s almost as if I could’ve written this blog post myself! (I was one of your dance competitors–the can-can dancer by the ice sculpture of the Eiffel Tower.)
As you said, it felt good to receive all of the positive feedback from family, friends and former students I haven’t seen in decades! For at least 20 years, I have been wanting to get on that show in New York City, and never expected that it would happen with this video. Maybe someday we can go to New York on the show together–Kelly and Ryan would probably get a kick out of the fact that we “met” as dancers from the same week. Our hula hoops could be metaphors for when our countries will “hula hoop for joy” and be able to cross the border and see each other again! I so miss my Canadian friends!! Until then, keep on dancin’, Hellen!
You are always inspiring. Love the story. When will you host more t.v. sessions of “Neat”.
Thank you, so glad you found that inspiring. I’m no longer decluttering homes so that chapter is closed. Now I’m helping people declutter their minds of any negativity that’s no longer serving them. I offer hypnotherapy and mindset coaching. And I find it so powerful! Thanks again for your continued support.