Ever since a dance studio director told Amanda LaCount that she could not participate due to her body size, she has been on a mission to break the stereotype and promote body positivity and the belief that any body can be a dancer's body. So if you are feeling like you are ready to get back out there and start moving your body but are nervous about what other people might think, this is the episode for you. Key Takeaways If You Want To Break The Stereotype You Should: Start moving your body in a way that feels good to you Stop listening to the haters and find a way to push through the negative comments Remember that everyone is focusing on themselves, and you have nothing to be self-conscious about Work to lift up marginalized voices in the entertainment you consume Doing What You Love with Amanda LaCount Rihanna follows her on Instagram; she has danced with Lady Gaga in her Stupid Love music video and danced with Lizzo at Coachella. She has also danced with Meghan Trainor and Katy Perry, was the first plus-sized Disney mermaid, and has partnered with international brands to bring body inclusivity to the forefront. Amanda LaCount is making huge waves in the world of entertainment and is working day by day to #breakthestereotype. Don't Let The ‘Haters’ Get You Down Amanda has been dancing since she was 2 years old, but it hasn't come without her fair share of setbacks. ‘Haters’ have often made Amanda feel like she didn't belong in a world where your appearance means way more than it should. But Amanda never let that stop her and has developed her own way to move past the mean comments and embrace what she truly loves to do.  Amanda believes that your body should not play a role in what job you get or how qualified people assume you are, and she wants to inspire people to do what they love regardless of any stereotypes you may or may not fit into. #breakthestereotype The hashtag #breakthestereotype is Amanda’s way to make change actionable. What started as something just for her has turned into a global movement on social media. Amanda wants other people to know that you don't have to be perfect, skinny, or tall to ‘make it’ in your chosen field. All it takes is hard work, dedication, and the right attitude.  Working to promote inclusivity and body positivity in the dance world and entertainment space, Amanda, and her famous friends, are working to break the stereotype piece by piece. Are you ready to #breakthestereotype and get out there and start moving your body in a way that is fun and enjoyable for you? Share what you loved most about Amanda’s story with me in the comments section of the episode page. In This Episode How to get over the haters and push through negative comments (9:12) Gain a peek inside the dance world and the expectations to conform to a certain body type (13:45) Why the #breakthestereotype hashtag was created (18:10) The importance of representation in the dance world and entertainment industry (23:57) Some of Amanda’s proudest moments and coolest experiences (29:29) Advice for those who want to get started moving their body through dance (33:15) Quotes “There is no point in feeling bad for yourself, that's only going to hurt you at the end of the day.” (11:26) “I just don’t want my body to be part of the discussion, I want my dancing to speak for itself.” (15:19) “I came up with ‘breaking the stereotype’ because that's what I do, and that's what I am doing still.” (19:44) “What I want to see is more fat people, or fat films, or fat movies, that are positive and show the beautiful parts of being a plus-size person and show how strong we are and how beautiful we are.” (26:12) “Stop caring so much about what other people think or have to say. At the end of the day, if it makes you happy, that's all that matters.” (34:12) Featured on the Show Strength Workout Mini-Course Follow Amanda on Instagram | TikTok Amanda LaCount Website Steph Gaudreau Website Check out the full show notes here! Follow Steph on