

Ballerina Misty Copeland Turned A Career-Ending Injury Into A Setup For Her Success
When everything seems to fall in place, the universe will throw you a curveball and push you to go harder. I can personally assure you that pressure makes diamonds, and Misty Copeland proves that sometimes a setback can set you up for success. The 35-year-old ballerina recently opened up in an interview with Cosmopolitanabout how the best day of her life was overshadowed by an injury that had the potential to permanently end her career.
Misty scored a lead role in the critically acclaimed ballet, The Firebird, which was a major highlight in her career and made her the first black woman to be promoted to a principal role in American Ballet Theatre history.
"It was such an incredible high, to see for the first time time such a diverse audience walking into the Metropolitan Opera House because a black woman was going to be up there,"
Unfortunately, Misty was injured during the first show and was forced to have major surgery after breaking her tibia in six places.
"I just started this path of giving these people hope and then it may be over. I had my moments of doubt and feeling like I was letting down this entire community."
Even after surgery, Misty knew that she had an obligation to remain steadfast in her purpose. After being told she may never dance again, the bodacious ballerina continued to practice and kept her body in ballet-shape by doing a variety of at-home routines with her barre teacher in her apartment.
She made the decision to not be paralyzed by her obstacles, but to push through and set an example for the rest of us. Even when every force of nature in the world is forcing you to give up, reset and go harder. Remember that your setbacksare only a setup for your come up. Delayed doesn't mean denied.
Now, Misty is back to setting the world ablaze in her Pointe shoes. She recently launched a new sportswear collection with Under Armour that aims to cater to every woman.
"It's amazing to be given an opportunity to have this, the Misty Copeland Signature Collection. When I joined with Under Armour it was a shock, I think, because we've never seen an athletic apparel line even consider a ballerina or a dancer as an athlete."
Misty Copeland is the first ballet dancer to be named an Under Armour athlete and promises that the collection will offer versatility without compromising performance. The collection consists of 9 pieces that speak to Misty's divine fire and femininity and allow every woman to feel both comfortable and beautiful.
"I think that the ballerina is such a versatile athlete that most people don't think about. She's strong, she's feminine, she's powerful, she's elegant, and so I feel like, what the ballerina represents embodies so many different women. So I feel like this is for every woman. There's something in there for every woman."
When Misty Copeland isn't designing dope athletic wear or slaying the stage, she's fighting the same battles that all women are faced with. She's a reminder that your obstacles often make a way for opportunity.
Check out the Under Armour Misty Copeland signature collection here.
Featured image by Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
- 'A Ballerina's Tale' documents Misty Copeland's return from injury ... ›
- Misty Copeland Interview — Misty Copeland Talks the One Injury ... ›
- Misty Copeland says injury nearly ruined her ballet career | Daily ... ›
- Under Armour's Ballerina Misty Copeland Ad I Will What I Want | Time ›
- Misty Copeland Under Armour Video Ad | Time ›
- Misty Copeland Balances the Role of Ballerina Activist in Under ... ›
- Ballerina Misty Copeland Stars in Jaw-Dropping Spot for Under ... ›
- Misty Copeland's New Under Armour Collection Has Arrived ... ›
- Misty Copeland's Under Armour Campaign Is Here, and It's Powerful ... ›
- Misty Copeland | Under Armour | US ›
- Under Armour - Misty Copeland - I Will What I Want - YouTube ›
- Misty Copeland Collection | Under Armour | Under Armour US ›
- Misty Copeland Is Promoted to Principal Dancer at American Ballet ... ›
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.