“STEP BY STEP, DANCING — AND DANCE WITH ME — IS HELPING ME FEEL COMFORTABLE IN MY OWN SKIN AGAIN.”
I remember bumping into Kenny at our 2014 Summer Invitational in Stamford, Connecticut. Usually he’s dressed in a button up shirt and nice pants whenever I see him inside our SoHo dance studio. This time, I see him wearing a short sleeve shirt, exposing his tattoos, some biker gear, and holding a helmet.
Now at this point I don’t know Kenny well enough to ask him about his weekend attire. Besides, I was on my way to practicing with his primary teacher, Leanne, for the pro-basic dance competition.
“I didn’t know Kenny rides bikes,” I told her. “He doesn’t seem the type.” He seems likes a nice, timid, professional man. I see him as someone who enjoys golfing or fishing or smoking cigars at his leisure.
“There’s a lot you don’t know, Alex. He’s like a super athlete and really jacked! He does all of these crazy marathon competitions. You should talk to him,” Leanne responded.
I took her advice.
So later that week, I had a chance to chat with Kenny about his extracurricular activities, why he started dancing, and what has changed since. After hearing that he had just finished a 375 mile bike ride (no, not motorcycle, BICYCLE) that spanned two days, I immediately knew I had to feature him on our “#DWMFAM Stories” series.
Before his dance lesson, Kenny sat down and revealed what many men think, but are too afraid to say out loud. He spoke about overcoming a bad breakup and facing discomfort in a social setting, especially one as intimidating for men as ballroom dancing.
He also told me how… actually wait… I think it’s better if you hear it directly from him. Check out his email to me and the video interview below.
This is what he had to say:
“I’m 54, recently divorced, and I spent 2013 rebuilding my life. I started with getting back in shape: running, biking, triathlons, obstacle races, anything and everything. By the end of the year I was in tremendous shape, but something was missing. I needed something more than athleticism.
Watch the video:
Kenny is LITERALLY twice my age. Exactly twice… but probably three times as fit. In fact, he’s going upstate to bicycle 630 miles around Lake Ontario in a few weeks to qualify for a 750 mile race in France next year!
Did I say he’s 54 years old? FIFTY-FOUR.
Kenny, you’re my hero.
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF KENNY’S STORY? HAVE YOU CONSIDERED DANCING BUT ARE TOO SCARED TO TRY IT OUT?
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