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Finding Your Passion and Following Your Purpose A one-on-one conversation with Dancing with the Stars judge Julianne Hough, on the intense pressure of the dance competition world and the high standards she set for herself.

By Lewis Howes Edited by Dan Bova

This story originally appeared on Lewis Howes

Featureflash | Shutterstock.com

If you've been following me or The School of Greatness for long, you know I'm a big fan of salsa dancing.

In fact, I was obsessed with learning how to get good at it in college and spent A LOT of time practicing.

I still love going out and dancing when I can in LA.

So when I got the opportunity to interview Julianne Hough, award-winning dancing queen of Dancing with the Stars (and now a judge on the show!) I couldn't pass it up.

And not just because I wanted to hear her story of how she has created incredible success.

I wanted to test my salsa skills with a professional.

But what I got in addition to a dance with Julianne (she is amazing) was an open-hearted, authentic, first-hand account of her experience in the dance and entertainment world starting as a 10 year old girl in London.

Not only did she learn to grow up fast and perform with the pros, she then set her sights on film, singing, and is now working on many incredible projects and tours.

In our conversation, Julianne talks about the intense pressure of the dance competition world and the high standards she set for herself. And then she talks about the transformation that occurred within her just a couple of years ago when she attended a Tony Robbins event (you know what a big fan of his I am).

I loved every minute of our conversation and dancing and have been so excited to share this episode with you.

Sit back and enjoy the light and inspiration of Julianne Hough in Episode 148 and be sure to judge my salsa dancing video with her below.

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In This Episode, You Will Learn:

  • How a Tony Robbins seminar changed her perspective on who she was trying to be
  • Her experiences being in a professional dance enviroment at 10 years old in London
  • Her struggle with perfectionism – not feeling good enough when she won something
  • How she shifted her passion and drive after realizing she just needed to please herself and not others
  • To think about how you're going to "be" in the day versus what you're going to "do"
  • How she got addicted to learning (not in school)
  • What she is changing in her health routine to be focused on more than just vanity
  • Why she appreciates the opportunities to be authentic versus polished
  • Her quirky operatic voice (that comes out when she's tired)
  • How her purpose has changed from receiving to giving
  • Her mission statement: My purpose in life is to be an infectious light of love and joy, to celebrate the little things, and to inspire others to embrace their true essence.
  • How she would pump herself up before auditions
  • Her view of her brother and how their relationship has changed as they have learned to see each other for who they really are
  • Her advice for young dancers (and parents)
  • Plus much more…

Lewis Howes

Lifestyle Entrepreneur, Coach, Advisor

A former professional athlete, New York City-based Lewis Howes is co-author of LinkedWorking (418 Press, 2009) and creator of the LinkedInfluence training program.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

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