There's gonna be many more times where you're gonna want to give up and just don't, don't, keep pushing, value yourself. Be proud of who you are.

Hello, hello, Emily, a body here coming to you from the A G studio. You are listening to Hurtle, a wellness focus podcast where I connect with everyone from your favorite athletes to top experts in industry CEOs about their highest highs.

We all go through hurdles in life and my goal through these discussions is to empower you to better navigate yours and move with intention so that you can strive toward your own big potential and of course have some fun along the way for episode 188 I am talking with Jenna Johnson Schmerkowski, she's known by so many for her time

on stage 19. The show just finished its 30th season and for it, Jenna was paired up with JoJo Siwa, making the duo the first same sex couple in the show's history. We talk about how that can to be plus how she got to be a pro on the show in the first place, growing up dancing competitively, winning international titles and even making an appearance on so you think you can dance after moving to L.A. and for going college at 18 years

old. She also talks to me about the difficulties she's faced as she's gained a following on social media, especially how difficult it was when other people started to vocalize how they felt about her body, cue conversations about body dysmorphia weight loss and the creative outlet aside from dance that helped her come into her own and cope with her mental struggles. Plus we wrap about her husband Val, what's on deck for her now that season 30 is over and so much more.

She loved this conversation and so, so amped to bring it to the hurdle feed. If you are home this week and wanting it down with goal setting work, I've got you. I'm hosting a goal setting workshop this Tuesday night and there are a few spots left. I would love to have you join us. The link to get into that is in the show notes. Use the code grateful at checkout for 10% off.

I don't over the show notes to snag your spot for this week's goal setting workshop 2022 is on deck and we have got some big things to go after.

Make sure you're following along with the show over on social it's at hurdle podcast. I am over at Emily a body and if you haven't done so yet today share the show with a friend, a family member, tag the show on social share your love for hurdle with the greater community.

That means the absolute world to me and while you are giving the gift of kindness to hurdle to me, make sure to head on over into Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast to read and review the show.

And with that, let's get to herdling.

Today I'm sitting down with Jenna Johnson Schmarkovsky. She is a dancing with the stars pro a unbelievable dancer. How you doing today, Jen?

I am great. Thank you. Thanks for having me.

Of course, I'm so happy to be here. I have to give you kudos because you have recently done something that I have wanted to do for a long time, but haven't been able to find the courage to do.

Okay went with a little hair chop.

Yes, I did.

Are you happy with the decision? Did you think twice about the decision? Was it hard to make the decision?

I love her.

So here's the thing. I had short hair for a while and I loved it.

I felt so sassy and free and I was like, you know what? This is such a fun hairstyle. It's so much easier than long hair.

Then during COVID, I was like, I'm going to grow it out. I love, I mean, like look at your hair. I love people with long hair, just look so sexy and gorgeous.

So I had it for a while.

And then I was like in this whole like happiness phase where I was really trying to put my mental health first and I was listening to all these audio books.

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