NBA Dancers Reveal Culture Of ‘Brainwashing,’ Unfair Pay And Eating Disorders
see post here
This article was brought to my attention a few days ago and I have been encouraged over and over again to share my personal experience while dancing for the NBA Utah Jazz.
I’ve been encouraged many times this week by people who know my experience while dancing for the NBA.
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But the truth is, I already have.
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A couple months ago I sat down for a podcast interview with @tsinspires and when we started talking about my experience dancing with the Utah Jazz, I completely broke down.
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I’ve never bullied like I was in my entire life!
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Once a week at practice we would get weighed and have every inch of our bodies measured ( necks, ankles, you name it) At 5’8 and 115 lbs I was held after practices by my coach.
She would tell me I needed to lose weight by game day otherwise I wouldn’t be able to perform bc I wouldn’t look good enough in the costumes.
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From day one this lady had it out for me. She openly admitted she never wanted me on the team and wanted a girl who had danced for her on drill tream instead of me. I was only chosen by the judges and interview panel.
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It was a toxic environment!
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I developed an eating disorder and thankfully was caught and humiliated by my little sister. And by the grace of God I was able to build up enough courage to quit!
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When I quit she had me come down to the arena and turn in and hand off to her former drill student my warm ups , uniforms and severly worn shoes. She was all ready ready to go. She had been learning the routines the entire time. Confirming that her plan all along was to bully me off the team.
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Fast forward to the day I was proposed to we hoped on a plane heading to SLC. In the Philidalphia airport I ran into the Jazz girls flying to Europe (my old team)
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Right then I recognized the hand of God. I was going to be at that airport one way or another. I’m just glad I was there eating disorder free and with Dallin next to me.
Spent the evening hand delivering neighborhood Christmas gifts and our families Christmas card. If you didn’t get one don’t fret. I’ll be passing the rest out tomorrow.
For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.
