A Documentary of Overcoming Through Dance

Everyone has their journey of overcoming and here is mine.

I've struggled with anxiety and depression for most of my life and dance was a huge factor in my suicide attempt 10 years ago. Though I've come a long way since then, it's still a journey of overcoming.

Here is an excerpt from an article  I wrote about that: 

"I still grapple with the same things. I still have to adjust what a successful dance career means to me regularly. I'm still working to understand why I keep attracting relationships that trigger the old wounds of feeling not enough. I'm still trying to see how I'm standing in the way of what I want, despite knowing all of the ways to allow and receive what I want."

I have an amazing opportunity to work with a badass female filmmaker Mikayla Bryant, who has worked in the film industry for several years, to chronicle my journey over the next two months in getting ready to perform at the St. Louis Salsa Bachata Festival. We hope to create with this documentary something that can not only be insanely inspiring and motivating for myself personally, but could also become something great that motivates and inspires others to believe in themselves as well (even when it takes many tries to achieve your dreams) while bringing awareness to mental health issues that make this a challenge.


Mental Illness is something that 1 in 5 adult Americans experience each year (statistic from NAMI ) and everyone has their journey of overcoming. 

Donating to my goFundme will help me first and foremost, pay the filmmaker for her time. She’s going to be recording me for 2 full months, including coming out to St. Louis for the festival. On top of an honorarium for her, I’d also like to cover her travel costs and room and board.

We’ll also be submitting the finished product to film festivals around Arkansas. We want as many people to see this as possible. The average film festival submission fee is $50 and we have plans to submit to at least 6. 

There are also a few camera equipment fees. 

A detailed list is below. Keep reading! 

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For donating, on top of my thanks, I'm also giving you things! 

If you donate $50, you’ll get a free 30-minute online dance lesson/assessment.

If you donate $100, you’ll get a voucher for one $85 6-week dance class series.

If you donate $200, you’ll get a voucher for TWO $85 6-week dance class series (for you and a friend or for two terms!).

If you donate $300, we'll include your branded business logo in the end credits.

If you donate $500, you'll get a 1-on-1 holistic beauty consultation and customized skincare kit handcrafted by yours truly.

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MY WHY:

I have a big idea and I'm hoping you will help me see it through. I know I have a story to tell that anyone can relate to and it will motivate, captivate and inspire you and I want to tell it as big as I can. Now let's make a documentary!

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The funds raised will go towards the cost of creating a documentary film and the crew behind the camera. 

Funds needed by October 18, 2019.

The word Thank You is inadequate to express my gratitude, but I'll say it anyway <3! Thank you SO much!

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A Little More About Me:
My Dance School - Leah's School of Latin Dance 
My Makeup Line - MOVE Makeup 
My Holistic Skincare/Beauty Patreon 
My Personal Website