Crossroads

As I sit in my hotel room ready for a weekend full of dance I begin to reminisce about how I got to the place I'm at. How I'm able to teach hip-hop, and how I've come to be able to choreograph. I begin to ask myself why I wanted to be in this field in the first place. Did I think of all the pros and cons that came with this position? Did this passion of mine fall into place because it was a fun idea? God must have had this planned all along; to have me teaching kids and be able to do what I love doing. 

I never knew I would be dancing let alone teaching it. I wanted to be in the marines before anything. I've always had this adventurous and edgy side about me. At the same time I was thinking marines, I was enrolled in the education program at Clark college wanting to get my degree teaching elementary kids. 5th grade to be exact. Well, long story short, I had a friend going through the education program at CWU and she would come home and tell me all the stuff she was doing and I got uninterested really quick. I have no idea why but the thought of teaching kids that stuff felt meaningless to me. I wanted to influence them and teach them something that mattered. Something they can actually use, something that meant more in life. Dance came along and I loved dancing. I've always liked challenges and trying new things. I was already in love with the hip-hop culture. I grew up in it so I've always had a special place dedicated to the art. I've spent the last 8 years dedicating myself to the culture and I literally changed my lifestyle from wanting to become an educator of academics to an educator of life. I've realized that life nowadays is so much more advanced and we learn way differently compared to back then. The way we teach and view life is way different from 10 years ago. We are much more technologically advanced than we ever were and for that reason the way we teach has to be that much more profound. I feel that sometimes choreographers don't understand themselves or even the logistics behind choreography enough but want to make money in the field. There is no university that will give us a degree in hip-hop education. The only way to acquire said knowledge is from taking class and paving your own way. Hanging out with the people that are making it. Showing up to class/rehearsal with intention to learn and not socialize. Being that person that wants to become better and not allowing excuses to hinder you from being the best version of yourself. Having people kick your ass in class because you wanted to be part of something that challenged you. All these things can make you a better person in whatever field you choose. It doesn't have to be dance. What I've learned is that you have to have the right people to make all of that possible. In the end the only person stopping you from achieving anything in life is yourself. Not your parents and certainly not your friends. Only you. 

I think a lot about my career choice and if it still makes me happy. There are times where I want to quit. There are times where I love what i do. There are even times where I think that another career path is where I should be headed. I wonder sometimes why I love teaching. Why I like seeing people succeed and why I feel so much emotion during times of happiness in someone else's life whether I know them or not.

It all comes down to my relationship with Jesus. Hands down I'm a Christian and I love it!!!! High on my list of spiritual gifts is the gift of faith. Everything makes sense now! This is what it's defined as:

'Those with the gift of faith trust God in difficult, even impossible situations when others are ready to give up. These people are often visionaries who dream big dreams, pray big prayers, and attempt big things for Jesus. These people tend to be optimistic, hopeful, persevering, change-oriented, and future-focused. These people also tend to be very convincing about the truth of Scripture because they themselves are so convinced of the truth and power of God and his Word.'

This is exactly ME :)

In my moments of questioning whether I'm doing a good job of being a servant or being a mentor, I rest in the fact that God has my back in everything. These last 3 months have been rough for me and I don't really like to let people into my life when there's trouble. You can say I'm stubborn and I will admit it but I feel no need to bring my personal issues to work and vice versa. Sometimes it slips and my worlds collide. These last 3 months have been quite tough for me in regards of continuing to teach kids as a career. Is this something I really want to continue to do, or do i look into other outlets for inspiring and reaching the next generation? Everyday I feel like I wear so many hats and at the end of the day I'm so worn out that I just don't want to wear any hat at all and I just want to rest my head without any thought running through it. 

There are some big changes brewing for the future. Changes that will impact a lot of lives and some changes that will have a minimal effect. I've been in the game long enough to know whether it's worth it or worthless. The current status of pros versus cons at this point is about even. I live life with no excuses and only excepting results. Whether bad or good results, I live with it. I'm excited for a new chapter to unfold and very excited to start writing my book. In the meantime, teaching is my passion and I will continue to inspire and change lives the best way I know how. I've gotten to this point through a lot of hardship. A lot of mistakes and more so trial and error. I've been through the ringer more than enough to learn from previous mistakes to see what works and what doesn't. I'm an open book with chapters not yet read and lessons not yet learned. But that doesn't stop me from continuing to write and teach from failure. The best lessons ever learned weren't from a class room, they were learned from experience. You can't teach life from history, you have to live it!

Here's to living, but most importantly, here's to the journey and the things you learn along the way :)

I sit back and analyze life at a distance. What will it be like 5 and 10 years from now if nothing changed and it was the same scene every single day? I also ask myself, what if it was an adventure every single day? Thoughts like these randomly cross my mind when things in life seem out of place. What do I want to do the rest of my life? What do I want to be? It all boils down to how to survive in the end!

I hate that money rules every decision we make, but why does it have to? For me, I've always struggled with money and being able to get a job that paid well and allowed me to have a comfortable schedule with dance. Unless I teach a billion classes at several different places then I can potentially go "full-time" in the dance industry. I would get burnt out eventually. I asked myself, how do I do something I love and get paid for it? Then it wouldn't feel like work! I would love what i do every single day and it would be an adventure. Don't we all think and feel like this? Are you tired of your daily grind with the same scene every single day? There is only one real solution to this feeling. In whatever walk of life you are in whether wealthy or living in poverty, your mindset has to be the same. This is what I mean:

Living the dream:

Everyone has that perfect picture that only happens in movies. We dream of that day where our life will eventually get to that perfect scene in the movie where the family is now wealthy after living a life full of poverty. Take for instance The pursuit of happiness. Will smith busted his ass to get to the very end of the movie where he finally got that big break. Us on the other hand, we want that big break but we tend to forget the journey to get there. We want the fame and fortune and for some of us, just the fortune BUT we fail to realize the most critical thing. THE JOURNEY!!!!!! It's perfectly fine to dream big. I say dream bigger than that. Dream HUGE!!!! I'd rather spend life chasing a dream and getting as close as possible than to spend a life not chasing anything and feeling stuck! See, people GIVE UP too easily because dreams make us forget about reality for the time being and once reality kicks in we talk ourselves out of that very thing because of all the hard work we have to do and lack of knowledge we have doing it. There's a quote that I love, " you dont have to be great to start, but you have to start to become great!" You know why I love that quote? You don't have to be a millionaire to become a millionaire. You don't have to be the best to become the best. YOU don't have TO BE...But YOU have TO DO!
( Just do it-Nike )
There is inspiration everywhere but we never take full advantage of the resources around us. We as Americans find so many excuses to not do things it's embarrassing. Living for a dream is hard work. What's even harder is trying to live making that dream a reality. You know what's even harder? Keeping that dream a reality! The satisfaction in knowing that you've done what most people are too afraid to do is priceless! What is one of your dreams? Have you ever written them down? Do you reflect on your goals daily? Weekly? Monthly? Ever? It's always good to set goals. Once you reach them, set harder goals and so forth! I'm basically preaching to the choir but this is a great lesson for me as well :) in life, you really have to take that risk in order to receive a bigger reward!

Living for a dream:

The other end of the spectrum is basically finding that job that pays the bills and some. The job that pays for you to do the things you would like to do maybe once a year or every other year. The job that provides security because you know how much you make every single month. This is the job that allows you to daydream and look at all the places that you want to go but can't afford to go due to your financial situation. You probably would have to save for 5 years to go on that dream vacation and to accrue 2 whole weeks of paid vacation! Only to go back to work another 5 years for another dream vacation. You live for those moments but then again it's back to the grind. The job becomes frustrating because its the same work everyday, nothing exciting happens and your co-workers complain all the time. Does this sound like your work environment? Does this sound like palace where you would want t work at all? Does this sound like something you want to do for the rest of your life?

I thought so! Living the dream versus living for a dream has one distinct quality that separates the both of them which is HARD WORK!!!!! You have to be able to possess that skill. Otherwise nothing will get you over the hump when everything seems to be falling apart. They say live for the moment! I say live for the future! Dave Ramsey said it best. " you have to Live like No One else so later you can live like no one else!" I want to live that life of hard work and dedication to my passion so that way later on I can enjoy my passion and family without having to worry about working another 5 years to enjoy another vacation. But that's the daily grind and that's what most of us live for. We want that steady paycheck. We want the security of getting paid. But we are super hesitant when we have to invest our time and money to a job or business that is our passion but afraid to start it due to failure. If your biggest fear is failure, then you can also say that you are a PRO at failing because every single time you don't try you FAIL!

All in all, don't let money dictate how you spend living your life. If you have a passion, find a way to make an income from doing that. It won't feel like work if you're having fun! If you are stuck in that job where it feels like its going no where, QUIT and live the dream instead of living for the dream. If you are not ready to quit its totally understandable. Make the money to fund your passion and then take it to the next level! Then QUIT... FIRE YOUR BOSS!!!! Work for yourself!!!! Don't let life pass you by because you get stressed out by the lil things and forget the whole journey. The important part is everything in the middle. The important part is YOU!

If anything, you deserve the very best! Live the dream! NOT for the dream! Be your own person and remember to always love yourself. Remember, Change has to happen from within. When it happens from the outside its just fake :)

and above all, remember this! You can't spell changed without that G... For without that, all you have is chaned (chained) don't be chained to your circumstances!
God is in the center of everything. Put him first in everything you do and he'll show you the kingdom :) my riches aren't on this earth. It's waiting for me in heaven!

Hard work pays off :)

On feb of this year I decided to be a beachbody coach. Before then I just taught dance and occasionally worked out at the gym. I was still overweight, getting gassed out every time I would perform. I decided to make a change for myself because I wanted to be able to have fun with my kids as they got older. I started Insanity in February and one month later my life changed.

I've never really saw myself shirtless in a picture before cuz I never really take pics of my self shirtless ha ha. I made sure to take my before pic and document my journey. It was at my 30 day point where I took another picture just to see my progress and I saw a good change. It wasn't until my 60 day transformation that I was blown away. I had lost 31 lbs in 2 months! That's crazy!!!! The side by side picture had me feeling great and excited about my fitness goals and where I wanted to get to. I would see all these people go from obese to 6 pack abs in their before and after pics and I WANTED THAT!!! More so, If I can do it in 2 months, change my eating and want to live a healthier life and be MOTIVATED to do it, then I want to help other people do the same and watch them reach their goals.

One thing about me is I love watching people that I help,motivate,inspire,teach or just share thoughts with succeed in life. It drives my passion for dance and fitness. Which leads me to why I'm a beachbody coach :) I don't want to work a 9-5 every single day of my life. I want to be home a lot more raising Kingston to be a great man of God. I want to spend more time with Amy and go on dates and not worry about having to wake up early the next day for work. I want to be financially comfortable and not have a cap on how much I can earn in one week of working. I want to be my own boss and FIRE my current boss!!!!! - not dance tho cuz I love dance :)

Why:

the statistics for obesity in America made me think a lot about my family and my life. 154.7 million adults (age 20 and older) are overweight/obese in America alone. If I have to be a statistic, I don't want to be part of that number. If I can help change people's lives for the better and prolong their life expectancy then I'm going to make it happen whether i get paid to do it or not. But how awesome is it to get paid to help people get excited about being healthy and proud of their body. I started out just wanting to help myself reach a goal. Then it became about helping others reach their goals in fitness. Now it's about helping others help others and paying it forward. The financial part is great. I've made more in one week with beachbody then I have in one month working my day job. It's unbelievable to me and I just started this business in march. It's not rocket science but it is a lot of hard work.

Dave Ramsey said it best! "The worst thing you can do in this economy is get a second job, the best thing you can do is start a home based business!"
The reason why is that small businesses drive the economy. It's not the big wigs that create financial peace in our lives. It's US wanting to create work for ourselves and drive this economy to be a country that works hard!

I work hard for my family. I work hard because of my upbringing. I work hard because no one will work hard for me! To me, working hard is natural. I'm a natural born hustler :)
With beachbody, it changed the way I thought about myself as a person and has given me confidence in a lot of what I do. I want to be the dad that is able to do things with my kids and not be that couch potato that's super tired. I want to grow old and see my grandkids and not die from heart failure due to obesity. Living healthier is something that has become really important to me and my family and beachbody has made this all possible by supplying me with shakeology and giving me workouts that produce great results.

My body has become my business. The better it looks, the more my business grows. The saying goes, treat your body like a temple. It is very true! I now treat my body like a business because the more I invest in it, the better it becomes. The more I upgrade different areas, the better the production, the speed, the feel, and overall quality of my life. I love how I get to help people improve the quality of their life! I can only do so much as a coach, YOU have to want it bad enough that YOU work hard to get there. I can get you there!

If you've ever doubted yourself. Holla at me! If you want to be financially comfortable. Holla at me! If you have "no time" to work out, holla at me! If you want to lose weight. Holla at me! If you want to quit your day job and work from home. Holla at me! If you want to be the best version of yourself.... Holla at ya boy!!!!!

Don't be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try! ----> love this quote!

Being a dancer in a not so hungry atmosphere...

This past weekend was spent in Seattle,Washington at the Movement Lifestyle  Tour. Now for those of you who don't know about this event, it's a 10 hour intense training workshop split over the course of 2 days with amazing choreographers who push and inspire dancers around the world to be better. Now with that said, on to the core of this blog :)

The first day we arrived at 7:30am for registration and class began at 9am. Vinh Nguyen was first to teach. I was super excited as I've had the pleasure of taking Vinh's class before back in 2007/2008 or so. He begins teaching and it's right down my alley. He taught to a song that I myself would choreograph to. Up next to teach is Mr. Lyle Beniga himself. Lyle is known for his raw and aggressive type choreography. He taught a routine based more on the foundation of house than a normal hip-hop routine. This class challenged me in so many ways. BUT I LOVED EVERY SWEATING MOMENT OF IT!!!! Yes, it was very challenging and yes I did get my butt kicked in that class. The feeling of accomplishment came towards the end of class. It's not about "KILLING" a routine but more towards expanding your knowledge and leaving with more than what you came in knowing.

Here's the link to the dance that we learned from Lyle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00V2woS-Oc

Now, the dance scene in the NW is really just Seattle. When you think of Portland, Oregon your first thought is not hip-hop dancing. When you think of Vancouver, you think Canada and rightfully so. The Portland Metro area is not known for it's dance community. Why?!?!? This is my opinion and my opinion only. If you have another opinion I can respect that. But don't read this and take it as I hate my dance community. I love dancing and I love sharing pieces. After taking this workshop and seeing so many people wanting to train and be there for a common purpose was amazing to see. You don't see that in this dance community. People only go certain places when it fits they're schedule or if friends go to the same place. Not even just the same place but if their friend is teaching, thats the only one they support. Its hard to get a community together when there is no community to start with. It all starts with you! I paid $200 to get training from these instructors and if they want to teach a lyrical piece then I'M DOING A LYRICAL PIECE FULL OUT BY THE END OF CLASS!!! Training is training and no matter who the instructor is, you can learn a lil something. BUT if you don't train then how will you ever GROW?. Same as in school. You can't graduate to the next level if you dont attend class. You get the picture. The point is, we train in dance because it betters us as dancers. If you don't train, how will you ever get better? Why place a title on yourself when the only time you exercise that ability is when it's convenient to you? See a title has a lot of weight behind it. In life, we use it to measure one's importance in a company or rank in military. To have the title of a dancer comes with a lot of weight. And if that seems like it's a lot of weight then the visual representation of lack of knowledge becomes apparent. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying if you don't train you can't call yourself a dancer. I'm simply saying that you CANNOT advance in a field where training is necessary to continue to call yourself that title. Call a spade a spade but don't sugar coat it and say that you do it once in a while when people around you are eating and breathing it. Training is super important and to give up or not take serious the most essential part of dance is a felony!

If you missed the ML Tour in Seattle... i'm really sorry. It was the best dance experience thus far for training, inspiration, and just plain enjoyment! For 2 days a dance community united for the purpose to better themselves. You can't get better if you don't receive training. SAVE UP your money to go to things like this. If you are hungry for it, it shows. Don't pass something up that involves you being a better person/dancer after it.  You have to stay hungry and you have to be committed. Anything else is unacceptable. After training with people who have danced less than 2 years to people who have been dancing for 20+ years, there is no excuse for not being able to train. Training is super important. In the words of Kyle Hanagami, be a smart dancer! There are a lot of less educated dancers out there who don't get to where they dream. For me, its to the moon and further if I ever reach the moon. Until then, aim high :)

Man up...

I used to think I was a man for having control of my life.
Thought I would be a better man for having a kid and a wife.
But let me say that those things just added glory to my name.
It didn't change who I was or the fact of being claimed.
I was disillusioned at the time to think that I was legit.
Making choices , spittin game, living my life and that was it.
Andthat made me a man, at least I thought it was that.
Being single r on my own I was the best one at bat.
And that's a fact cuz I had girls thinking I'm interested and all.
I was taken but that didn't stop me from flirting with them all.
And I fall easy, but its not easy just walking away.
I sat and prayed and convinced myself that this was OK.
But I was blinded by lust and thought I knew what love was.
Thought I was controlling my feelings but I forgot what that does,
Or what it felt like, man I just wasted my time.
I was never in control, but I thought I had to shine.
But for what? To prove my worth as a man?
Cuz first I had to grow up before I asked for her hand!
I had to man up, and not believe my own lies.
I said I prayed but the truth is it was me in my mind,
Telling me that I was right and everybody else is wrong.
Too much pride up in my soul to come off weak and not look strong.
I built a wall too tall for normal eyes to peer over....the other side.
Man I felt a part of me die.
When I didn't have someone on the other side to hug.
My heart broke thinking the man above showed no love.
But patience is a virtue and sin is a sin.
We can't sit and blame God knowing that we've been deceived by satan.
But to know this type of info doesn't come to surface overnight.
I had to fight and go thru trials to make everything turn out right.
Learn how to be an adult and conduct myself with integrity.
It takes a special person to bring out and expose the best in me.
Was I the right man? I thought God made a mistake.
How could he trust me with the lives of others to lead em straight.
I learned it was a blessing, God gave me wisdom and courage .
And the strength to take it on, he left me feeling encouraged.
So I leave you with these words the next time you feel like your the man.
And how no one can tell you different cuz you were brought up to make a stand.
And fight for what you believe in especially when it comes to love.
How weakness is nonexistent and strength becomes like a drug.
Thinking your on top of the world but can't take care of yourself.
And how the title you possess carries the weight on the shelf.
Without control your not a man is the lie that you believe.
So everyday you run the house like your the only one on the team.
Your not defined by how much they listen or how in line you keep your house.
But by the way you treat your kids and appreciate your spouse.
A real man remains clear while the other remains painted.
One you can see everything while the other remains tainted.
So the next time you say your a man and deserve the best
Just ask yourself a simple question...is it me that people respect?

- so many times we think that being a man means being in control and being in charge. OR having a title of authority we automatically should be respected. NOT AT ALL!!!!! Having things in life doesn't make you a man nor does a title or age! Respect comes from your ability to bring out the best in other people. Your ability to put one before yourself. People respect other people for reasons of adding inspiration to their life. So when you consider yourself a "man," more so an ADULT... do you conduct yourself in a manner in which you represent these qualities or do you just believe you possess these qualities due to your current status in life. Whatever that may be. Respect is delicate. And so are dreams. Don't ruin someone else's cuz it doesn't line up with yours.

Being a man requires becoming selfless... are you a man yet?

Struggles

Emotions in a knot, no more flow but a heavy flood
Consumed by currency and the pressure of keeping up,
Relationally, I gave up , emotionally I'm a wreck
Behind this smile is a past with which certain things I regret.
They say time heals all, without action you're simply dead.
Words don't mean a thing if you have no time left.
So then I sweat from the pressure and the pull on my heart strings
I still check it at the door, no matter how hard it stings.
But could you tell? Could you see the hurt within my guarded heart?
I can hide it pretty well no one would know I'm torn apart
But I struggle, see my story isn't any different from you
My advice is on point cuz back then I went thru it too
Still today, the same struggle, same story, different day
But I'm man enough to fix it instead of throw it away
Man enough to fall back, say I'm  sorry, and be the change
Say I love you, kiss your forehead and make sure you'll be ok
Tuck you in and hold your hand, right until you fall asleep
Gently whispering ur beautiful while caressing your cheek!
The romance should never stop even in the midst of debt
Cuz that's what keeps you grounded when money wins over bed
Never stop giving love especially if its given back
Cuz once you stop giving, you never get anything back.

My job...my life at a glance

I find that when I first wake up is the best time to write because my mind has so many thoughts. This weekend has been a great one due to many reasons. I got to see some friends battle in Portland Friday night. Saturday was spent teaching dance and watching Fantasia which our ABT ballet company put on. It was spectacular and my first show being part of the company to watch.

As I got to be part of the audience, I was astonished to watch some of the girls I train in hip-hop do pointe and classical ballet. I have a new found respect for these dancers. There were times I wanted to shout like we do in hip-hop for the dancers on stage but it would have been socially unacceptable at this particular event :)

Now its Sunday and as I lie in bed my mind is thinking of all I get to do today. At 2:30pm I get to go to a birthday party and teach dance to 19 kids. Something I love doing and I get to inspire these kids thru it. How awesome is that? I love my job and I take it serious. Kids at this age are very fragile and it takes certain people to make them or break them. I'm glad I get to be one of those people that makes them into a better person. Not just dancer but a better individual because the character traits of hard work and dedication they learned from a positive atmosphere is what inspired them to become the next president. See the bigger picture is that not everyone is going to pick dance as a career. To most, dance isn't considered a career at all. Holding the title of doctor,lawyer, teacher, firefighter, or dentist is considered a career. To be honest, we are just as important as any of those professions. My job isn't easy but I love it. It challenges me in different ways everytime I teach. Try teaching a group of kids a dance routine, keep their attention for an hour, make them remember it, and have them come back the next class wanting some more. Even better, try teaching that to kids ages 5-7. Its not an easy job. But parents continue to put trust in us to teach their child something in that one hour. Its our job to keep that trust.

Its funny to think that at one point my skills were being questioned due to my vision expanding and not quite lining up with others. That I was labeled unethical and defiant at one point for standing up for myself. Its funny to me because those same things pushed me to be where I am now. I haven't changed as a person. I'm still the same Marc that everyone knows. People assume way too much only because the people they run with tell them differently. I urge you to find out for yourself. 2 people can read the same book and have different feelings about it. They can watch the same movie and see it differently. Don't be the person that never read the book or watched the movie because people said it wasn't good. Find out for yourself.

I say this because I almost gave up dancing. I invested everything I had for this profession and it was slowly being taken away. It left such a sour taste in my mouth that I wanted no part of it ever again. I almost developed a hatred for it. For those who know my story, cool, you understand. But for those who don't, don't judge me until you know everything.

I've been grindin since 2009 to keep motivated and to keep pursuing my passion and it has led me to today. Excited and inspired to change lives. I love all the kids I work with. The jobs a book every year. The people I touch through performing. The parents that believe in me because in 3 months they've seen their child grow in hip-hop. Most of all I'm a Jesus freak and I couldn't have done it without him. God has bigger plans for me and he uses certain situations to grow us into the person he wants us to become. I'm thankful for everything in my life but I'm more excited for this next phase of life. 2012 is definitely a new beginning for everything.