July 2023 I got to speak at the HUGE BroadwayCon in Manhattan, NYC, for the second year in a row. It is an honor to be alongside so many big names in the Broadway/Theatre industry. 

This year, I spoke with my wonderful colleague – Dr. Megan Wise, “The Broadway PT.”

Maintaining your Body for the 8-show Week: Healthy Habits that Actually Work and How to Implement Them like a Pro

Backstage pros, The Broadway PT and The Broadway Dietitian, come together to simplify maintaining your health and fitness for slaying 8 shows a week. Our combined years of experience helping performers from community theatre beginners to Broadway legends ensure you get tried and true tips so you can get back to the fun of playing on stage.

Learn how to apply these tips to your life through evidence-based approaches used daily with our clients. Be prepared for an interactive session that will push you to the next level of your performance career. You’ll walk away from this session with: 

• Your ideal cross training options to stay show-ready 
• Practical ways to properly fuel your body for sustained energy 
• Proven recovery techniques to prevent injuries and burnout from hijacking your career

Watch the talk in it’s entirety below:

Check back for blogs, vlogs, and follow me on instagram @thebroadwaydietitian and my YouTube channel (click image to go to it).

Hey performers/theatre athletes – I have something for you!

If you are:

…trying to be a diet-culture drop-out.

…working on loving yourself in an industry that wants to change you.

…needing a pep-talk, and people who get you…

Then this is the group for you!

Led by Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, and theatre person, Libby Parker, you will be in a safe environment to share and grow as we dig into a support/coaching group hybrid. 

This session is 6 weeks, Mondays 5-6 pm PST / 8-9 pm EST, through secure video calls, September 19 – October 24, 2022. 

Sign up by September 1 to be guaranteed enterance.  Email me with any questions. Libby@notyouraveragenutritionist.com

(you do not need to have/had an eating disorder to join this group. This is for those ready to make change in their life and industry!)

Check back for blogs, vlogs, and follow me on instagram @thebroadwaydietitian and my YouTube channel (click image to go to it).

We are less than 2 months away from Broadway Con 2022!!

If you follow me on Instagram, you already know – my proposal was accepted to speak at Broadway Con! 

If you are unfamiliar with Broadway Con, it is a huge conference for Broadway lovers and artists that happens in Manhattan in winter. I went in January 2020 (my last trip before the pandemic) and was so impressed with the magnitude of the conference! There were thousands of excited theatre people – it felt like a huge cast party!

And, WOW, the speakers and sessions were so powerful! There were powerful motivational talks, practical theatre tips (for directing, acting, casting, etc), panel discussions with big-name performers, and funny presentations that kept the fun vibe going…and I get to be an inspirational part of this for you in July 2022!

In 2020 I shared a booth with The Body Positivity Project, and had so much fun chatting with attendees, and I got to meet my first “superfan” Ava, pictured here.

The discussions I had with people made me double-down in my resolve to help people truly take care of their health, from a non-weight focus, for their specific theatre lifestyle. 

And frankly, the reception I received at Broadway Con prompted the start of this blog and the official “The Broadway Dietitian” brand/trademark!

So, without further ado, here is the description of the presentation you will get at Broadway Con:

“Body-Positive Nutrition for Performing Your Best, On and Off-Stage”

Broadway Con, July 8-10, 2022

5:00 PM on Saturday, July 9th in Sutton Place Suite

Learning Objectives:

-Participants will know how to plan and prep meals and snacks to fuel their long rehearsal/show days.

-Participants will feel empowered to take care of their body and not be tethered to weight-loss programs.

Seminar Description

Join The Broadway Dietitian for this powerhouse training. Leave with a toolkit backed by science and filled with body positivity –  this is not a crash course in dieting! As artists, we need to set ourselves up for success by learning how to plan out and consume foods that will fuel our creative endeavors. Grant yourself permission to eat, and celebrate your unique body with this interactive seminar.

Presenter

Libby Parker, MS, RD, CDN, CEDRD is an international best-selling author, and Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian. Her book, Permission To Eat, guides readers through eating disorder recovery with education and action steps she uses with private clients. Libby’s sub-niche is in helping stage performers optimize their health and nutrition like the athlete they are, through weight-neutral evidence-based science. This passion comes from her background in musical theatre. Libby has been on stage most of her life, and continues to perform in regional film and theatre. She is currently working on a book and college curriculum on health for stage performers. You can find her on Instagram @TheBroadwayDietitian

MEET UP: Are you going to Broadway Con 2022 (or are you in NYC)?

I would love to meet you! I’m planning a meet-up/book signing at the Broadway Maker’s Alliance booth in the vendor marketplace after I speak. Don your mask and come hang out!

More details to come!

Get your tickets for Broadway Con HERE.

By Sydney Navarro, Dietetic Intern and lifelong dancer.

Coming from a dancer herself, I understand how the dance studio can become a daunting place. That mirror staring back at you 24/7 is something we as dancers have gotten so used to. Whether we realize it or not, this can have a strong effect on the way we think about our bodies.

I want to call attention to this and emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive body image while in the dance studio, always being in front of a mirror. For dancers, living in front of a mirror is more like it. The mirror is undoubtedly an important tool, it is the reality of the dance world. But, we must not forget the impact it can have on our self-esteem and the way we view ourselves. Here, I am going to tackle practicing body positivity in the dance studio. Together, we can learn to dance with the mirror and use it to create an environment filled with self-love!

The Reality of the Mirror

For dancers, the image of our bodies in the mirror is extremely familiar. For some who struggle with positive body image, maybe all-too familiar. I mean, who else looks at themselves in the mirror more than dancers? Most people see their reflection when they wake up and brush their teeth, get ready for the day, wash their hands in a public restroom, take a selfie, or when they wash their face before bed. For dancers on the other hand… it feels like every damn second! In the dance studio, “body checking” can feel like second nature. 

Dancers are hyper aware of what their body looks like, how it moves, how it responds to certain stimuli, and how to manipulate it to look a certain way. To create a beautifully weightless line from the top of the shoulder all the way down to the middle finger when the arms are in second position, we as dancers know exactly what to do to achieve such shape; and rely on the mirror for validation that we accomplished it. Take a peak, make a tweak, and you have achieved that seamless line you were striving for.

In the dance world, the mirror has become a tool for validation. For when it comes time to step on stage, we know that we look as we want to. If this constant time in front of the mirror has started to affect your body image, I want you to know that this is understandable. You are not alone. Body image issues are prevalent in the dance world and it is time that we address it. It is not an unsolvable issue, though. There are things you can do for yourself and your fellow dancers to boost body positivity. Let’s turn our way of thinking around and pirouette into positive body image.

The Reflection From Within

I wanted to shed light on this idea because I think it can really change the way dancers think and see themselves. Rather than our feelings about our bodies being determined by what we see on the outside in that mirror, let’s start looking on the inside and have our feelings be driven from within. Instead of looking outward, let’s pivot to looking inward.

Recognize all that your body is doing for you from within! The strength from your muscles in your legs allows for jumps sky high across the stage. Your lungs bring oxygen into the body and help you keep your steady breath throughout your routine. Your pumping heart supplies your muscles with the oxygen they need to carry you through your performance. Your brain houses millions of routines, that dance move you learned 10 years ago, and maintains your muscle memory that enables you to point your toe without even thinking about it!

And perhaps the most important, your heart feeds your passion to perform and your love for the art of dance. All of these things live inside your body, and they are not seen from the outside. And even crazier, they are way more important than only what the eye can see.

True beauty of a dancer comes from the inside. What people see from the outside, is all created first from the inside. Remember to thank your body everyday for being your number one tool in your sport. Dancers don’t need a ball, or a bat, or a net. We need our bodies, our minds, and our passion (and maybe a trusty pair of pointe shoes).  

Tips for Boosting Body Positivity

Now that we know how the mirror can affect how dancers think about themselves and the true beauty of the body from within, it’s time to talk about how we can actually promote body positivity and cultivate a positive body image. It is easy to forget about, with the million other things going on in the studio. Here are some tips for dancers to practice body positivity, sprinkled with some self-love.

• Pick out what you want to wear. Wear the leotard, pants, shorts, legwarmers, headband, the dance clothing that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Save your favorite leo for days when you may be needing a little bit extra self-love. Or whip out that fun skirt on a day when you need to be reminded that you are beautiful, amazing, and gorgeous. Or just on any day! Wear the clothes that make you feel secure in who you are.

• Make a list of things you love about yourself. This list can say anything you want. It can be about your body, your personality, anything about yourself that you absolutely love. Keep this list in your dance bag and glance at it when you need to be prompted to love yourself. Stop the negative thinking before it spirals, and remind yourself how loved you are. 

• Post-it note the mirror. Encourage your studio to practice body positivity by putting up post-its on the mirror with uplifting messages. This will create an environment that is filled with self-love and self-acceptance. These can say things like: “I am beautiful.” “I am strong.” “I am grateful for what my body does for me.” “My body is a gift. I treat it with love and respect.”“I am confident in my beautiful body.”  

• Use inclusive language. Words have power, and they need to be chosen wisely. Language in the dance studio should be inclusive and make everyone feel valued and welcome, regardless of what they look like. Any comment made about a dancer’s body should only be regarding an aspect of technique. 

• Lean on your team. There are no better friends than dance friends. I still keep in touch with my friends from dancing growing up, and these are my life-long relationships. No one else understands what dancers struggle with, other than dancers themselves. It is so important to lean on your fellow dancers for support and encouragement, because they get it. Share with a friend that you might be having a bad day. Or if you see your friend feeling low, offer some positive words to lift her up again. Just by telling someone, “you did awesome today”, can make all the difference and creates a positive environment. 

The body of a dancer is a piece of art. It does amazing things that normal human bodies can’t do! Too often, dancers put so much pressure on themselves to look a certain way or change what they see in the mirror. The mirror can create negative thoughts about self-esteem and self-confidence. And as dancers, we have to face that thing everyday! But, we must remember all that our bodies do for us from the inside. We wouldn’t be dancers without our amazing bodies! I’m here to definitively tell you that you are beautiful the way you are, and your body is beautiful the way it is. In our society, it is more important than ever to promote body positivity, starting in the dance studio. Just like there are a plethora of dance genres, there are a plethora of different body types that can perform them. You do not need to fit a mold, you make the mold. Let’s start dancing with the mirror and seeing our beautiful bodies for what they are, incredibly stunning. 

If you’ve been following me, The broadway Dietitian, for a while now, you know my passion for helping people in the theatre world take care of their health, prevent eating disorders, and set themselves up for success in their craft.

You may have also heard me allude to the fact I am writing a book about this!

The idea for this book came over 2 years ago, when I was at Broadway Con 2020 in NYC sharing a booth with “The Broadway Body Positivity Project” (which you also need to check out!). I was there promoting my course, “Whole Health for Performers,” and looking to see where I, as a Registered Dietitian, fit into the bigger Broadway picture. 

Not once, but several times over the course of the Con, I was approached by attendees that, when they learned what I do, exclaimed, “ I’ve never heard of anyone doing this before! You are so needed!”

I am, of course, flattered by this, but it also made me wonder, why are there not fleets of Dietitians helping performers  achieve their best health for the stage? It is a form of sports nutrition – anyone working in the theatre is an athlete!

That idea, paired with the reality of the industry:

Dance teachers sharing antiquated diet advice to fit the balanchine body.

Weigh-ins at schools and cruise line performances.

A general “push through the pain” mentality.

10 out of 12s.

Lack of time for self care, grocery shopping, rest.

No calling out sick unless you are actively dying.

The culture of drinking, smoking, drugs.

It’s essential to not only have licensed healthcare professionals working in the industry, but people who “get” what it is to be in the theatre world – not just in theory, but lived experience. 

Healthcare professionals who can look at the science of what is proven to work (cough- not crash dieting -cough), and tailor that evidence based science to the reality of theatre professions.

As far as I can tell, there is no health and nutrition book specifically for theatre people (not just dancers), that is written FOR the individual (as opposed to company staff), and by an actual Registered Dietitian with experience in the industry. 

So, I’m here to fill in the gap, and you can be in on it!

Ok, I’ve authored 3 books now (1 solo: Permission To Eat, and 2 collabs), am an international best-selling author, and LOVE the writing process.

…but, I didn’t have a kid when I wrote my first book, and feel I may need a little more of a kick-in-the-pants to get this one done.

THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN >>>

I am going to give you an exclusive look into my writing process, including first-look access to unpublished chapters – as I write them!

By joining my “book club,” you get monthly (or more often if I get in a big writing kick) content as I write the book. My goal is to have the manuscript done by the end of 2022. …and, you can give me feedback on what you’d like to see included in this major project.

Join the “book club” and read the manuscript as it develops!

https://thebroadwaydietitian.com/read-the-unpublished-manuscript/

I hope you will join me as I create your guide to that healthy stage life!

Who am I to teach this?

Hi! I’m Libby, a Registered Dietitian (or nutrition expert) with both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Nutrition Science. I am a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and I also focus on health for people who work in theatre – my passion.

Recently I have been speaking to BFA students in theatre and dance majors in a signature talk, “nutrition for theatrical students,” which has been met with great feedback. Additionally, I will be speaking at Broadway Con 2022 on a shortened version of my online course “Whole Health For Performers.” 

I have been teaching college nutrition classes in-person and online since 2014, and decided to bring my experience to YOU in the comfort of your own home – no admissions application necessary!

Do you have an actor, dancer, or other theatre performer in your life who is fed-up with the way health has been taught to them for their craft? All the dieting is making them unhealthy and probably irritable and depressed. 

Traditionally, “health and nutrition” taught in dance and acting programs is from a dance teacher who was taught to cut out food to stay in the “dancer body.” That doesn’t mean they are qualified or safe to teach others how to care for their body. 

If the performer in your life is ready to get healthy, without diet talk or weight loss pressure, and perform their best on-stage and off, consider the gift of “Whole Health For Performers.”

This online course (only $49 through the end of the year, for lifetime access) is the health class you never had in school – specific to the demands of theatre life.

Its for performers stressed about: 

How to stay in prime shape for the demands of choreography and long days?

What to eat on show days or during those long rehearsals?

Digestive issues (like gas or bloating) on stage?

Knowing how to take care of their voice? (like: is dairy really bad for my voice? Will honey help?)

Finding the right foods for energy without a “crash”

Breaking old health habits and creating new ones

How much to be exercising

Planning snacks/meals

Figuring out what health claims are true, versus myth

An eating disorder, addiction, anxiety, or depression

I teach EASY & ACHIEVABLE ways of dealing with the above.

Learn more and purchase at: https://notyouraveragenutritionist.com/whole-health-for-performers/

Who am I to teach this?

Hi! I’m Libby, a Registered Dietitian (or nutrition expert) with both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Nutrition Science. I am a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and I also focus on health for people who work in theatre – my passion.

Recently I have been speaking to BFA students in theatre and dance majors in a signature talk, “nutrition for theatrical students,” which has been met with great feedback. Additionally, I will be speaking at Broadway Con 2022 on a shortened version of this online class. 

I have been teaching college nutrition classes in-person and online since 2014, and decided to bring my experience to YOU in the comfort of your own home – no admissions application necessary!

Get my full bio/about me HERE

So are you ready to give the gift of sustainable health education this year?

This is not your average health class!

Learn more and purchase at: https://notyouraveragenutritionist.com/whole-health-for-performers/

P.S. – I’m thinking of offering “The Retreat” for performers again in early January! Learn more about this weekend of body-positive health classes HERE. Contact me if this is something you’d like more info about!

Check back for blogs, vlogs, and follow me on instagram @thebroadwaydietitian and my YouTube channel (click image to go to it).

I had a conversation with a local costume designer to make sure my thoughts on this were correct, and she gave me even more ideas! So let’s talk about how you can work with your costumer to protect your mental health, and look amazing on stage!

This Dietitian’s top tips for costuming:

My number one thing would be having a conversation with your costumer, and director, up-front, at the beginning of the rehearsal process. You can explain in whatever way feels comfortable to you, that you don’t want to be body-shamed, or hear the numbers of your sizing, and how it will affect your mental health. 

THEY WANT YOU TO LOOK GREAT AND DO WELL!

If your costumes don’t fit, or you are so anxious you can’t perform well, no one will be happy. So have those conversations early so you can be supported. This can look like asking the costumer to not say your measurements out-loud, and not let you see them written. Be up-front about any potential weight/size changes. We are all human – they want you to be comfortable, and they know that sizes can change. They won’t care as long as you are honest – they WILL care if you don’t disclose and they have to make major alterations later! 

Don’t be afraid of your size changing if that is what your body needs. If you are in recovery from an eating disorder (or other conditions) and finally fueling your body appropriately (yay!) you may be gaining weight to get to a healthier state. This is good! Don’t compromise your recovery to fit a too-small costume. Clothes can be altered, it’s your health that matters. My friend said that costumes can be made with stretchier fabric or made to let in/out if they have advance notice. There is a lot of great technology in fabrics now that can really work in your favor. 

A story she did tell me was about an actress who always came to fittings starved for a few days because she was so scared to be in a larger size. But she would eat before performances, and then the costumes were uncomfortably tight. This made both of them frustrated.

No one knows your size besides the costume crew, and they don’t care. They don’t go home at night ruminating on your size. Seriously. Let yourself be comfortable and avoid wardrobe malfunctions.

Another thing that is hard when you don’t want to know numbers is size cards. While I don’t have a great way to avoid this (if anyone does, please leave a comment!), I can say that the numbers are just there so that you have comfortable costumes. That’s it. For many projects they need to start finding costumes before you arrive, so having honest sizing/measurements is important so you are not squeezing into/drowning in the clothes they have on-set.

Numbers are just numbers. They are not a measure of your worth, your talent, your amazing-ness. You deserve to have an amazing bespoke wardrobe on set/stage. Focus on your craft, and let the costumers focus on theirs. The results are so worth it.

Comment below if you’ve experienced talking to the costume crew in a way that helped, so that others can have encouragement to do the same. 

You all know by now I love both art and science.

Well, 2 things that require both are Dance and Nutrition. As a dancer and a Dietitian, I love speaking about how we can feel and perform our best with the way we eat.

For my 3rd year in a row, I was asked to speak at ODC dance company in San Francisco for the Month of Dancer’s Health that they put on every September. 

In this seminar, I covered some questions that were sent in ahead of time, and answered questions live.

Watch the recording below:

Check back for blogs, vlogs, and follow me on instagram @thebroadwaydietitian and my YouTube channel (click image to go to it).

Welcome back to the third installment of my 33 bits of wisdom learned by 33. Tips 23-33 continue on the same thread as part 1 and part 2.

23. Have hobbies for different settings. If the pandemic taught us anything, it taught us to have things to occupy our time in enjoyable ways with or without people. I would add in different ways: physical, mental, solitary, with people, creative, easy… Don’t rely on just one type of hobby to satisfy your every need.

24. Keep your goals in front of you. I write down my goals and post them in my office (or bedroom when I was younger) so I see them every day. It subconsciously reminds me to make decisions to make progress on them. I’ve been doing this since junior high, and hit most of my goals every year. What you think about all day is what you bring to reality.

25. Get the right people “on the bus.” This concept comes from the book Good to Great by Jim Collins. We read this book as part of my leadership minor, and the concept is basically to run an organization effectively, get the right people in the right positions, then let them do their thing. This became abundantly clear as I hired my first employees in 2020. I made sure I hired the right people, then let them work, without micromanaging. They are happy and I am happy. I got the right people on the bus. 

26. Surround yourself with people that make you want to level-up. There’s a popular quote that says “you are the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” So make sure the people you spend time with are above your level in whatever you are pursuing. Almost every Thursday I go workout with a group of phenomenal women. The workout is not why I go. I could workout in other places. It’s about that particular community of women I want to emulate. 

Whether it’s business, gratitude practice, lifestyle, who you spend time with influences your choices. Choose wisely. 

27. Don’t settle for less than your desires. On a simple level this looks like buying the quality product instead of the cheap version because it will last longer and the quality will feel/perform better. Case in point: I avoided buying actual apple airpods because they are expensive. I tried $35 knock-offs that worked for about a week, then died never to play music again. For Christmas I received airpods and they have been working flawlessly for over 6 months now. Don’t forget, this also applies to more important aspects of your life.

28. White space. Plan some open space on your schedule. It’s not “lazy” it’s smart. This white space gives your brain time to get creative. Think about it, this is why you always get the best ideas in the shower, or as you are falling asleep. We need time to let our mind run wild to create. All the busyness keeps us from our greatest potential (which could be why you are avoiding it – it can be scary!).  Worst-case, this space can be used to read a fun book or catch up on chores. 

29. Try new foods. It’s easy (especially if you have a history of an eating disorder) to stick to your comfortable, “safe,” foods. However, there are millions of foods/dishes out there that can tickle your taste buds. You don’t have to finish it if you don’t like it, but it can be fun and healthy to enjoy new cuisines. Give that menu item you’ve been thinking about a try. Take a bite of something new at a potluck, or make a recipe you’ve never tried before. 

30. Unfollow people/pages that make you jealous or feel less-than. Apparently jealousy is the lowest “vibration” you can be in, worse than anger! I found that when I unfollowed people and brands that made me jealous or not feel good about myself I had less anxiety and generally better days. I don’t apologize for not following someone anymore. I need to take care of myself first, and you should do that for yourself too.

31. Reading is a great escape. I’ve always been an avid reader/bibliophile, but when you are working, parenting, and generally doing life it can be hard to fit in fun reading time. Well, I’ve realized that reading from a novel before be really helps me sleep better and let go of my day and escape to the world in the book. Don’t give up fun reading ever. No matter how much you read for work. 

Growing up, my family didn’t have a lot of money, but books were always an ok purchase even if we had to cut back on other things. My parents wanted to make sure they raised a reader and I am forever thankful.

32. Take care of your hair, and get a good haircut. I never realized how important this wawa until I found an excellent hair stylist that “got” me. Your hair is the accessory you never take off, so it is worth paying for a specialist. I have naturally super thick curly hair, and getting a curly cut made a huge difference in how my hair looks natural or straightened. 

33. Never stop learning. You know this, you just read this blog post! But seriously, I love learning, and even though my profession requires at least 75 hours of continuing education every 5 years I always do at least double that in trainings that count towards it, and many other classes that don’t. I have gotten into attending online courses and did my Master’s degree because I wanted to learn more, not because it was required for a job. 

I hope you will come back to my blog and learn along with me as we dig into health for performers, adulting, and lifestyle topics. 

Thank you so much for being here 🙂

This was a hard list to come up with, finding 33 things that are not overly stated, but it became a great reminder for myself of what I now know to be true. I hope you found these 33 things helpful to your personal development. Let me know in the comments what you would like me to expand on in future blog posts. 

Welcome back to the second installment of my 33 bits of wisdom learned by 33. Tips 12-22 continue on the same thread as part 1.

12. Mindset is more important than I realized. If you know me at all, you know I’m all about evidence-based science, so this mindset stuff/manifesting seemed a little woo-woo to me, but it actually makes a huge difference! I am learning nothing good comes out of a bad mood, and I am in charge of my mindset. Now I make sure to surround myself with positive things – youtube videos/ podcasts/ people/ courses because I know that will make my life more abundant and peaceful.

13. Learn your family history before it’s too late. I wish I had talked to my grandparents about this more before they passed. Despite all the websites out there, it’s hard to trace back your family tree, and you don’t get the stories that come from real people. 

14. When someone says something hurtful to you, it’s more than likely about them – not you. We all carry our “stuff” our biases, mental health issues, baggage with us, and tend to project that onto others. So when someone is hating on you, and you know it’s not true, it probably means they had a bad day/experience and are taking it out on you. Forgive them, and move on.

15. Life is not a movie. Things might not work out, and you don’t know the plot or the ending. Do your best…but, you are the lead character in your own life.

16. Find something that gets you in a “flow” state. You know that state where hours pass before you look at the clock because you were so happily immersed. For me it’s rehearsal/singing/dancing. 

17. Travel by yourself. (It’s even easier if you’ve been there before). You get to do exactly what you want, when you want. Attractions, food, sleep. Maybe even meet some new friends.

[photo with one of my BFFs, Jason at Marie’s Crisis in NYC]

18. Learn how to set SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-based. Your goals should fit these requirements to make them come true. If you can’t measure it, how do you know if you met your goal? More on this in future blog posts. 

19. In hindsight, everything worked out how it was supposed to. The more I reflect, the more I understand that everything that happened to me happened for a reason. And every rejection led to something better. A simple example of this was when I didn’t get a part in a play I auditioned for that I wasn’t super pumped about, but I just needed to be on stage – a few days later a director called me and said she needed to re-cast my DREAM ROLE of Gypsy, and would I be interested? Um, hell yeah! I got to play my absolute dream role, in one of the very best experiences of my life, which wouldn’t have been possible if I had gotten the other role and signed a contract. 

20. Let people in. Through college, and even now, I realized I keep people at arms-length to avoid getting hurt. My poor thinking is that if I don’t get too close and they leave they can’t hurt me. Well, that just led to me not having many close friends, and I regret that deeply now. Let people get close. You might get hurt, but you can’t have besties without letting people in. And that is worth the risk, I have come to realize,

21. Start saving for retirement as early as possible. If you haven’t started yet, it’s not too late – start today! Compound interest, baby!

22. On that note, skincare! Start taking care of your skin early. Sunscreen, moisturizer, cleansing, retinol, etc. The sooner you start taking good care of your skin the better you will look as you age (wrinkles, crepiness, elasticity… of course hydration and nutrition impacts these too). I’ll be sharing my favorite skincare products in a future post.

Come back soon to see the 3rd installment of this 33 things!