Building Resilience with Professional Dancer Kristin Dodd

Episode Transcript
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A (00:18):
The Pretty Happy Podcast is a weekly series covering the
topics of developing a healthymindset, gratitude, habits,
boundaries, health, fitness,relationships, beauty,
creativity and confidence. Thispodcast is for anyone desiring
inspiration and direction. Yourhost Ashley Nicole, dishes out
insight on personal growth andshares weekly inspiration on how

(00:39):
to create a pretty happy life.
Hello, everyone and welcome toepisode five of the pretty happy

(00:59):
podcast. I'm so excited for thisepisode. I have my very first
guest on today and let me justsay she is amazing. Before we
get into today's episode, I justwant to say thank you all so
much for the support you'veshown the show. It means the
world to me. Please continue toshare, subscribe rate review all

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the things every time you do, ithelps tremendously. I'm also
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interview the pretty happypodcast this week. All right,
let's get into today's episode.

(02:25):
On today's episode, I want totalk about building resilience
and the importance of beingsomeone who is resilient. Now,
life isn't perfect for any ofus. And I think it's safe to say
that we're all going throughthings, especially this year,
we're all going to experiencetwists and turns in life. It's
just inevitable. But it's how weadapt in the face of adversity

(02:46):
that sets us up to bring insuccess and happiness. I truly
believe with every fiber of mysoul that being resilient is the
key to being successful. And Isay this because I've
experienced it firsthand. I'vementioned in previous episodes
that it took me eight years towin Miss New Mexico, USA. It was
not a walk in the park by anymeans. It was hard. It was

(03:08):
heartbreaking at times. But thatdream was planted in my heart
for a reason. And I knew that itwas something I could never give
up on. And I'm so glad that Inever gave up on that dream. In
fact, I would go as far to saythat I'm so thankful for my
journey because even though itwas hard, it taught me to be a
person who is resilient. And Ithink that that's been one of
the most valuable lessons ofall.

(03:30):
My guest today is also someonewho is resilient when it comes
to achieving her dreams andgoals and I am so excited to
have her on today. She's thefounder of Made to Move she
graduated with a sign languagelinguistics degree and is an
advocate for the deaf community.
In 2019, she achieved herlifelong goal of becoming a
Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Myguest today is the one and only

(03:52):
Kristin Dodd. She is currentlyliving out her dream right now.
But what you might not know isthat the first two times she
tried out for DCC she didn'tmake the cut. In fact, she moved
all the way out to Dallas, Texasto pursue this dream. She made
it to finals. She made it totraining camp. But like I
mentioned, there were two yearsin a row that the door for that

(04:13):
opportunity was closed for her.
But this is the thing. She alsoknew that this dream was planted
in her heart for a reason. Andshe never lost sight of that.
She was resilient. And now shestands proudly on the AT&T
Stadium field doing what she hasalways wanted to do. And that's
cheer for the Dallas Cowboys.
Okay, so without further ado, Iwould like to welcome Kristin

(04:40):
Dodd.

Kristin Dodd (04:44):
Hello everybody! Thanks for having me, Ashley.

Ashley Mora (04:46):
I'm so happy to have you. Thank you so much for
taking time out of your day todo my podcast and be my first
guest. I'm so excited!

I'm so honored.
Thanks for asking me.

Oh my gosh. Well, I'm so excited for everyone to
hear your story. And hear aboutyour journey, I know that
they're going to love you asmuch as I do. I just think that
you are so inspiring and yourstory is so inspiring. I think
that your message is going toreally inspire other people. So
I'm excited for everyone to hearfrom you today. So Kristin and I
have actually known each othersince elementary school, which

(05:19):
is so funny and I used topretend that she was my little
sister! I would call her mylittle sister. Like the whole
thing. And we have so much incommon, like we both cheered at
UNM. We have similair experinceswhen it comes to chasing our
dreams. It's kind of crazy!

Yeah, it's been a fun journey together.

It has been so it's been so fun for me to watch from
afar, to see you accomplish yourdreams and your goals and just
go after everything that youwant in life. It's just been
incredible. You're such anincredible human. You've

(06:02):
accomplished so much at such ayoung age. You're just amazing!

That means a lot coming from you. Because I feel
the exact same way.

Okay, so of course, I want to hear your story about
becoming a Dallas Cowboyscheerleader. But before we get
into that, I just want everyoneto know a little bit about you,
like, where you come from yourfamily. Because I mean, I know
those things, but not everyone'sgonna know those things. So
yeah, let's hear it.. where areyou from? Tell us about your
family.

So like she said, my name is Kristen Dodd. I was
born and raised in Albuquerque,New Mexico. I went on to dance
at the University of New Mexico.
And then after that, I got myfirst job out of college, and
relocated to Dallas, Texas,where I've been for the last
three years. And yeah, justcontinue dancing. continued my
work career and that's kind ofwhat I've been up to since then.

And how many brothers and sisters do you
have?

So I have a brother, two sisters, and a
stepbrother. So four youngersiblings, I'm the oldest.

Oh my gosh, and your brother just got married.
That's crazy.

I cried like a baby the whole day. My brother
just got married. He's in PAschool now. And then I have a
sister who Jalen who juststarted college. She's in her
first semester of college. Andthen my sister and stepbrother
are both in eighth grade atHope, which is the same school

it's a great school!
me and you went to. My siblinghave gone to sc

It was a good school.

I had a good experience. Do you feel like you
overall had a good experience atHOPE?

Yeah, definitely.
I feel like I didn't appreciateit till High School. But for
sure. I wouldn't change anythingabout my education. I'm very
thankful for it.

Yeah, I feel the same way. I think even in high
school. I, for some reason, Ithought I wanted like the public
school experience. But nowespecially as an older adult, I
am like so thankful that I wentto hope.

I remember always wondering what public school is
like, I pictured it like movieswhere people like, I don't know,
have like performances duringlunch and like, outside or like
dance battles. I don't even knowfights all the time. I had no
idea what public school is like.

I used to go to young life so I was friends with
a lot of kids from La Cueva andwhat not. So I always thought it
would be fun but I again, Iwould not change my experience
for anything in the world. Um,okay, so now you live in Dallas.
How long have you lived inDallas?

I think it's been about three years now. More like
three and a half, I guess. Yeah,I moved in 2017.

Okay. Do you like Dallas?

I love Dallas. I think my favorite part is it
feels kind of like the dancemecca of the world. There are so
many professional teams here,professional dance companies. So
in Albuquerque, I was kind oflimited to any type of like
adult dance classes, but herethey have like multiple classes
every night of the week. So it'sbeen nice, like being surrounded

(09:02):
by amazing dancers. I reallychallenged me. I also feel like
there's so many opportunitieshere. Right? The job market is
great. And there's so manyplaces to go and visit and so
many places to live. So it'sbeen fun.

Do you think that whenever the time comes that
your time on DCC is over? Do youthink that you'll stay in
Dallas? Or do you think thatyou'll move somewhere else or
move back to Albuquerque? Do youhave any idea?

I've thought a lot about it. But Dallas really
feels like home, okay, I feellike I of course, I miss my
family. I miss New Mexican foodand I miss the mountains like,
those are my three things Imissed the most. But I've really
established a really goodsupport system here. And I can
really see myself like gettingmarried and raising a family
here. So I think the only reasonI would move away from Dallas is

(09:53):
if for some reason, a job tookme or my future husband
somewhere else.
I'm definitelyYeah. I think leaving New Mexico

Totally. Yeah, I m an, I think living in New Mex
co like my whole life, and nowbeing away from New Mexico, I j
st appreciate itso much more wen I go home. I love the feeling
of going home for the holidays,nd it's just nice. A nice place
to go backmakes me appreciate the culture

(10:20):
of New Mexico a lot.
Yes, absolutely.

I do miss those things. But you know, it's
always gonna be there. I canalways go visit. It's not going
anywhere. That brings me alittle comfort.

Yeah. And do you usually go home for all the
holidays?

Yeah, actually, this is the first year I'm not
able to go home. It's gonna beyour Christmas. So we have a
football game 20th and the 27th.
We also have really stricttravel policies right now. So I
will be going home right afterseason. I'm driving home and
spending like a nice long weekor two weeks there.

Oh, good. Oh my gosh, that's crazy. I mean, I'm
a flight attendant. So I've hadto work Christmas before and it
was definitely, an interestingexperience. That's like the one
holiday I feel like when you'renot with your family, it's not
fun.

Yeah, it's gonna be weird this year. But I'm just
gonna pretend that Christmasesis later. And just do like a
Christmas redo

Okay, so I definitely want to hear about
your story and your journey tobecoming a Dallas Cowboys
cheerleader. I guess I just wantto start at the beginning. So
how old were you when you knewthat you wanted to be a Dallas
Cowboys cheerleader?

Yeah, this is such a funny question. Because in New
Mexico, we don't have any proteams. There's a lot of fans of
the Dallas Cowboys of the DenverBroncos of the Raiders. And my
family grew up loving the DallasCowboys. So I grew up watching
cowboys games, you know, everySunday or Monday. And I want to
say I was probably five yearsold. The first time I was old

(12:11):
enough to realize who the DallasCowboys cheerleaders were. I
started dancing when I wasthree. And it was like an
instant passion. I'm pretty sureI came out of the womb dancing,
because that's just who I am. Ilove performing.

I definitely think you did.

I just I knew right away that, you know, they
were so prestigious. They're sopoised, well spoken, confident,
talented women. And so it wasalways on my list of things that
I wanted to go after. And it wasone of my top dreams and so like
just from a young age. Yeah.
Something I always knew I wantedto do.

Obviously, we cheered together in high school
and then you danced at UNM? Didyou go into those experiences
knowing that was kind oftraining you for DCC, like did
you always have that in the backof your mind that that was the
ultimate goal.

I think when I was younger, I wasn't as strategic
as I was a little bit older. Inmy mind, I just loved cheering
dance, like I liked going topractice I loved being around my
friends and performing. And Iknew that if I wanted to cheer
or dance at that level that Ineeded to be consistent with it.

(13:26):
And I've always had a good workethic. So it was never like, I
have to work really hard to beable to do this. It was like I
would have worked hard anyway,because I just wanted to be the
best version of myself anytime Iwas doing something. It probably
wasn't until college that when Iwas trying to decide if I wanted
to cheer or dance at U and M, Irealized that if I wanted to go

(13:49):
on and dance professionally orcheer professionally that I
needed to focus on dance at thatpoint. So I think dancing and
college vers cheering in collegereally helped me shape me as a
dancer to be able to go on anddo that, right.

Yeah, I remember when you decided to do dance. I
was like, Noooooo, but I get it.
And also you are such a talenteddancer, I feel like you
couldn't necessarily showcasethose skills in cheer. I know,
there's like a little bit ofdance in cheer, but it's totally
different. So yeah, I mean, thattotally makes sense.
So then you graduate, any youdecided immediately that you

(14:24):
were going to start attemptingto try out for DCC?

Yeah, so I graduated college in May of
2016. But I did not auditionuntil that next year in 2017.
And the reason is becauseauditions always fall around the
time of college graduations.
Okay. And so I wanted to be ableto experience you know, getting
my degree and walking across thestage like actually experienced
college graduation, which Ithink was good because it gave

(14:49):
me kind of like a year off whereit wasn't on a team that I can
just focus on training andgetting in shape for auditions.
And then I ended up Moving toDallas. April of 2017. Right
before auditions in May.

Was it terrifying knowing that you were going to
move out here and knowing thatthere was a chance you might not
make it?

Honestly, No, I wasn't terrified. I was very
confident. I watched the showwith my mom, I saw the level of
dance, I saw what was requiredas far as like speaking and
being able to answer questionsunder pressure. And I felt
really confident that I could doit one day. And so whether it
was that first time, the secondtime, or whatever it was going

(15:41):
to take, I was ready to not giveup if it didn't work out the
first time. So going into thatfirst audition, it was kind of
like a wake up call to kind ofsee the process and see how
talented and beautiful all ofthe women going to auditions
are. But I definitely wasn't. Itwasn't like a one and done if it
didn't work out, right. Give uptype of thing.

That's just such a huge bold move. And that took a
lot of courage on your end likeuprooting your whole life to go
chase this dream. That's crazy.
But you did a lot of researchbefore going into it that first
year of like, knowing where togo train here in Dallas and
whatnot, I'm assuming?

yeah. So there's a lot of teams that kind of help
you prepare for DCC. And we cantalk about that in a second. But
I ended up dancing for this teamcalled foul Americans ice angels
for two years. And that coachwas a phenomenal coach who
really helped prep me to getready to go back into auditions
for my third time. And so yeah,there was a lot of resources

(16:44):
here and a lot of help to kindof know how the best way to
prepare for auditions.

okay. And so let's go back to to that first year.
What do you remember from thatfirst year of audtions?

Yeah. I I was surprised at how different the
style was going from collegedance to pro style dance.

It was a big difference?

it was, it was very different college is
definitely more competitionfocused and a lot more technique
focused, and pro style. There'sso much more that goes into it.
Like you have to be really,really sharp while you're
dancing. Yeah, there's a lotmore that goes into you have to
be really sharp when you'redancing. You have to be a really

(17:32):
great ambassador, you have to beable to speak well. There's just
a lot more a lot more componentsthat I didn't realize going into
my first audition you have to belike, very well rounded. It
sounds like the entire package.
Yes. Okay, very well rounded.
And, you know, it's notnecessarily who can do the most
turns or the highest leaps orhas the best technique. It's who

(17:54):
is fun to watch and who looksgood on camera and in
photographs. Okay. Yeah, likeyou said, very well rounded.
So my first year, I was like,Wow, there are so many amazing
girls here. Most of them knoweach other. I don't know soul at
audition. Oh my god. Um,luckily, I made friends on the
first day, I made two friends.
And one of them ended up makingthe team that year. So she ended

(18:15):
up being a really great resourceto help me. I also had no idea
there was going to be a writtentest. I was like, wow, what am I
getting myself into a writtentest?

I had no idea. That is insane. And they didn't tell
you that before? So you justkind of got surprised?

I didn't know. And I mean, I don't even think I
would have known really what tostudy.
But going into my second year, Iknew more what to expect. And a

(19:09):
lot of girls do have studyguides that they create, or they
create quizzes, okay. And theykind of share those with each
other to help prepare, so I wasmore prepared the second time.

So how many days were the audition your first
year? How many weeks didaudtions last?

So my first year I made it to finals, which was a
two week process. So it was oneweekend, it was prelims the
first day, semi finals. Thesecond day, that was a Saturday
and Sunday. And then thefollowing week, I came back for
finals. And it was after finalsthat I got cut my first year
when they chose who was going totraining camp.

Okay. And how did you find out that you weren't
making the team? How did theyannounce it?

So for finals they announced so yeah, after the
final round when they'reannouncing who goes Training
Camp they call your name andyour hometown. Okay. And
honestly, it felt like I wentthrough a really bad breakup. I
was I was really confident goinginto that audition. And I was in

(20:15):
Texas. I didn't have any friendshere yet. All I had was my
coworkers. And I think I justliterally sat on the couch and
watched movies and ate cookies.
It was like going through a badbreakup. But I mean, it was it
was good. It was an eye openingexperience. It really helped
push me to work harder afterthat.

Do they give you any kind of feedback? like this
is what you need to work on fornext year?

No, no feedback.

I was definitely interested to know what that
moment was like for you. Becausewe kind of talked about this,
you and I just earlier about howwe've had similar experiences
where we didn't get what we werehoping for the first couple of
times around. And so, for me,for Miss New Mexico, USA, there
were a couple times where I wasin the top five, or I even place

(21:02):
first runner up. And it washeartbreaking in those moments.
but I'm so thankful that ithappened. Because I feel like
when I achieved that goal, Iappreciated it so much more. And
I also this episode is aboutresilience. And having those

(21:25):
moments where the door is shut,I feel like it just teaches you
so much about yourself, to be aperson who takes that
constructive criticism and turnsit into a postive like Okay this
next year, when I go into thetryout or when I compete, I'm
gonna work on these things andbecome a better person. Like,
I'm so thankful that happened.
do you feel the same way?

I think anytime I've been cut from a team, it's
this weird process of like,shock, and then anger, and then
a lot of questioning everything,and then really sad and then
healing. And then after thehealing, it's okay, let me strap
up my boots and put my glovesback on and figure out what I

(22:08):
need to do to do better the nexttime. And yeah, it's in those
moments of learning, that yougrow as a person. You're right,
you learn more about yourself.
You relate better to people whohave also gone through that, and
you can help encourage peoplewho are going through that. And
I wish I could say it's easierthe second time around, but its

(22:28):
not.

Okay so then you try out the next year?

Yes. So I made ice angels, that I spent a year
dancing for the All Americansice angels, which is a Semi Pro
hockey teams dance team. Andthen I went into preparations
for auditions the second year.
And that was a lot of work.

Yeah. I mean, I remember watching, you know,
through Instagram andeverything. And I mean, it was
just incredible to see because Iknew that you had tried out and
that you didn't make it. Andthen I just felt like you were
doing everything you possiblycould like going to these dance
classes, cheering for thisdifferent team. I just felt

(23:13):
like you really took it soseriously. And you were not
going to leave any pageunturned. Like you're trying to
do everything you possiblycould.

I feel like when you want something so bad.
You're just kind of trying tograsp onto anything that makes
you feel like you're taking alittle bit step closer, right.
And for me, that was, you know,as many workouts as I could a
week as many dance classes as Icould a week and really focusing

(23:42):
on you know what I'm eating, andalso surrounding myself with
people who were pushing me toget better. I think all of those
things were really important.

Definitely. So then you try out the second year...

Yes. So the second year audition, I went into it
with a little bit of a differentmindset, instead of being really
confident. I knew what toexpect. And I want to say I felt
more humbled by it. So Iremember sitting in the seats
after finals, my second year,and this is where it was cut the

(24:16):
year before and really justthinking like,

Oh my gosh, I literally have goosebumps,

Yes, I remember like thinking talking to myself,
I'm sitting in that chairthinking Lord, Your will be
done. If it's meant to happen.
It'll happen if it's not meantto happen, then I will accept
that. But like just like kind ofrelinquishing all the control
and taking the pressure offmyself and saying like, it's on
you, God, it's not it's on me.

(24:43):
And so that was when I made itinto training camp. It was so
exciting.

the best feeling ever. Because they they called
your name and they called yourstate!!

YES we took a picture after all the girls
going to training camp and I waslike oh my god. got this in the
bag like this is this is whatI'm used to dance classes every
night like, just like goingthrough different styles of
dance like performing. And Iremember one of the DCC alumni
walking up to take our pictureand she'd said, You think up

(25:16):
until this point was hard. Youjust wait. Just about to start.
And I was like, oh, what doesthat mean?
Oh my gosh. And so then trainingcamp was crazy. Obviously,
training camp was the hardestthing I've ever gone through. If

(25:39):
mentally, yes, if you've everwatched the show, it is
accurate.

You should say the show real quick and plug it what
channel because it's airing now!

yes. It's called DCC making the team and it's on
CMT. Think the 15th season isairing now. They're in their
15th season.

So the second year you're doing training camp....
How did you find out that youweren't making the team that
year?

So training camp is anywhere from five to seven
nights a week, From like five tosometimes 2am.
It's, you know, sometimes from5pm to 2am. And say I was

so were you devastated when you found out?
working a full time job at thesame time at the same time right
now. Okay, yes. And so I wouldwork I would go to work from

Yes, it was a different kind of devastated
eight to 430. I would leave gostraight to practice. And then I
though, than the first timearound. It was, I was so
would get done anytime betweenlike 12 and 2am. Every single
day. Oh, my, I don't think I'veever been so exhausted. I was an

(26:58):
actual zombie. Oh, my goodness.
And then they announced the teamusually in mid August, right
before the first preseason game.
And I got cut the first week ofAugust. So I made it through
June, July. And then I got cutthat first week of August,

(27:32):
emotionally and physicallyexhausted at that point. That I
feel like I, I started a littlebit to give up on myself. Hmm.
And so this is I, it's afterthis, that was really the
turning point for me going intomy third year. But I remember my
last week in training camp, Iwas saying things like, well,

(27:55):
we'll see if I'm around nextweek, like I had, I was I was
already at the point where I wastrying to emotionally protect
myself that if it was coming, Iwas gonna be ready for it.

Right. But I feel like in doing that, too, you
have to be careful, because it'salmost like you're speaking it
into existence.

Yes. that was, it was a huge, it was a huge
mistake. And I think I was sadfor a whole month this time
after that.

So what was your WHY? Was it because you know,
this was your dream? Or wasthere more to it than that,
like, I know that you are anadvocate for the deaf community
and that you wanted to,incorporate that with this
journey. But like, I mean, Ijust can't even imagine... I
feel like at that moment, notthat you're at rock bottom, but

(28:48):
I feel like you feel like you'redone. Yeah, you feel like you're
at rock bottom right? And yeah,to be able to like not only pick
yourself back up and turn itaround, but to put yourself in
that position again. There hasto be something that's really
pulling you

I went through those same phases. I said
before, you know, sad, angryquestioning. And I had to ask
myself a serious question. Like,are you gonna Are you ready to
give up on this dream? Like,you've wanted this for how long
you've put in how many hours ofwork. blood, sweat, and tears,

(29:32):
all the things? Are you ready tosay I'm done and move on to
something else? And the answerwas no, I wasn't ready. Yeah,
like you said, I got a littlebit of a taste of, you know, how
much of an influence those girlshad not only on like dancers
coming in, but on the community.

Just people probably following on social
media.

Yes.
And I did. I was reallypassionate about being Christian
and being a dancer I was reallypassionate about that being an
advocate for the deaf communityand like helping hearing people
understand what Deaf culture waslike. And I wanted to have that
opportunity to make a biggerimpact something that was

(30:16):
greater than myself through theDCC organization.

Oh, absolutely. And honestly, I feel like you are
the perfect person to be in thesituation that you are, I mean,
you've always been like a verypositive and happy person. And
so I think that now that you'rein this role, and you can shine
your bright light is justincredible. So you so exciting,
it's so exciting to see. So thenyou decide you're not going to

(30:45):
give up any go in a third time.
So what was your mindset goingin for the third year?

So towards the end of training camp, my second
year, I started reading selfhelp books. And I started
realizing that if I was, if Iwas gonna do it again, I needed
to change the way I thoughtabout myself internally.

Were there any books specifically that you that
stood out? Yeah, I mean, I'msure you read so many. But if
you had to give one specificbook that was like life
changing.

I'm trying to remember the title of this book.
That's okay. I will look it upand I will let you know. Okay,
but I okay. One person is RachelHollis. Okay, she had a podcast
that I was listening to. And sheprompted me to do this goal
writing exercise. That was oneof the first things that set me

(31:42):
on the trajectory for that yearto prep going into my third
audition. And one of the thingsthat she recommended was, sit
down. Think about your in 10years, who you want to be, what
does that person look like? Getdown to the absolute smallest
details, okay, and write thosedreams out as if they already

(32:02):
happened. Oh, wow. And so Ibrought my notebook here with
me, I know that you guys can'tsee it. But I'm looking at it
right now. And I have 10 goalsthat I set for myself in 10
years, and I wrote them as ifthey already happened. I said, I
will be a homeowner of a$200,000 house. I will be a

(32:23):
business owner. I will be apublished author. I will be a
Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. AndI wrote all of my goals down.
And I actually went a stepfurther. Because I said I don't
think this is enough. I recordeda voice memo on my phone of me
saying all of these out loud. Ohmy which it's so funny that you
said speak that into existence.
Because I I did. I said that Iwasn't sure I was going to make

(32:47):
the team. And if I didn'tbelieve in myself, why would I
expect them to believe in me.
And so I said this year, I'm notgoing to have a doubt in the
world that I'm going to makethis team every day. And every
day when I was driving to work,I played this weird voice memo
of myself speaking and like itwould say, I will be a Dallas

(33:08):
Cowboys cheerleader, and I wouldrepeat it, I will be a Dallas

I literally have tears in my eyes.

But it's crazy, y'all. It's crazy how when you
say something out loud, youryour body starts to believe it.
And it's like, you have toconvince yourself which is the
hardest part. Right? And I was,as auditions got closer, I had
already trained my mind to thinkthat this was a reality so much

(33:37):
to the fact that I interviewedfor the job that I'm in now. And
I told him Well, I'm going to bea Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader
next year. So I so I need you tobe flexible with my schedule.
And I like thinking back. I'mlike, wow, I was actually like a
psychopath for saying that. Myboss was probably like is this

(33:58):
girl delusional? but I think hesaw the confidence in me. And he
like saw something in me and heended up hiring me. Oh and he
has been flexible with schedule!

So you went in with the mindset that it was going to
happen?
I think when you'reon a journey like this, and I

I did.
actually had talked about this,I think it was my last episode
how when I was training for MissNew Mexico, you know, obviously
it was a long time. But towardsthe end, I started to do a lot
of visualizations of like,literally visualizing like them

(34:34):
crowning me like Miss New Mexicoor competing at Miss USA before
it happened because I had tohave that in my head that it was
going going to happen like I hadto have that to come back to...
so I mean, it's funny because Ithink people kind of think like
oh, self care, like self loveself, whatever is kind of like
woohoo stuff, you know, but Ithink it's so important when

(34:56):
you're following your dreams toget yourself in that mindset.
like you have to be in thatmindset Or else, it's really
easy to forget why you startedin those moments when you are
defeated, which you probablywill be. When you're on this
successful journey, if you don'tfail, you're not experiencing it
the right way. I think you haveto fail to be successful. But

(35:21):
yeah, it's just crazy. You haveyou have to have that mindset.
And I did the same thing. Likethere were moments even in my,
that third year of training campwhere it felt like, you know, I
started to doubt myself, and Ihad to, you know, jump out of
it. Again, I would I would dosame thing I would visualize
when we were doingthunderstruck, on the field.

(35:42):
During training camp before Imade the team, I would picture
myself in the uniform with theStansfield, as if I were
actually at a game, because Ihad to convince myself that it
was back to that, yes, it'sgonna happen, it's going to
happen. And also, one of the DCCalumni said something once that
really stuck with me, she said,anytime you have a thought of

(36:05):
self doubt, instantly replacedthat with the opposite. Hmm. And
an example of that is if I wouldbe, you know, getting ready to
perform a dance for the judges.
And I would say like, like, whatif I forget the choreography? Or
I would instantly be like, whywould I forget the choreography?
I've been dancing for, you know,20 years? Why would I forget the
choreography. And I had to like,really quickly replace those,

(36:28):
like, self doubt thoughts withaffirmations, to get myself back
into that place mentally inorder to perform at the best of
my ability. Right?
Yeah. Wow. And so then, okay, soyou go in your third year, and
you have this different mindset?
Was it still as difficultthroughout the whole process
this third year? Or did you feellike it was a little bit better

(36:48):
because a now you've experiencedit twice. And B, I feel like
you've had time to really workon the difficult areas that were
previously hard for you.
I think it wasbetter this third time around.
It's partly Yes, because I knewa lot of the dances already. And
I knew the girls on the teamwasn't as intimidated by them.

(37:09):
But also coming in with thisattitude of like, I know who I
am, I'm confident in myself, I'mgonna make this team. I think
the coaches respected me more,and they didn't look for me to
mess up. They didn't look for menot to have the style because I
was confident myself. I knewwhat I was doing. And I was

(37:30):
there to prove that. And so Ithink that really helped me do

Oh, definitely.
Yeah. And confidence is a funnything. I think. You can't fake
confidence. You have to actuallyhave it. And people can really
tell when they're around aconfident person.. but you
can't be confident and cocky.
they are different. I thinkthat when you are truly like a

(37:53):
confident human being you justwalk into any room and you're
just such a bright light. Andyou definitely have that thing.
Okay, so then you go through ityour third year, and then you
end up finding out that you makethe team I did I How did what
was that moment? Did they callyour name?

So it's kind of a thing, a special thing on the
show each year, Kelly'sannounces the team in a
different way every year. Okay,so my year when I made the team,
she called two girls in to theoffice. And when you get called
into the office, it's eitheryou're getting feedback, or
you're getting cut. So anytimeyou're called in the office,

(38:30):
it's terrifying.

I can't even imagine what that's like.

Yes. And usually there's 36 girls on the team.
And at this point, we're down to37. So okay, we think there's
going to be one more cut, andthey call two girls into the
office, and we're not surewhat's going on to you and
another girl, no, not me. Okay,two other girls. And everybody's
kind of looking around like arethey going to cut to or they're

(38:54):
going to take 35 What's goingon? And they Kelly says, Look
around the field right now. Andall of us kind of like start
looking around. We turncompletely around and see those
two girls running towards us.
And we realize in that momentthat they're taking 37 and we
literally just rushed at themand all just like started crying

(39:16):
and hugging. And Kelly saidCongratulations. You are a
Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. And

so then that was a moment that you knew that it was
official

It was the most surreal moment you could
possibly imagine

so oyu remember what was going through your head
at that moment specifically justI can't even imagine like years
and years of hard work anddealing with like the heartbreak
of not making it before and thenhaving that moment where your
dream came to life like wasprobably the most incredible
feeling

I cried a lot. I Yes, I was. It took me at least
like a month and a half to feellike it was actual reality. And
even when I was dancing at myfirst couple games, I was like
pinching myself. Like, a slap inmy face and saying like, Wait,
is this actually real life? DidI actually make this team like,
I can't believe this ishappening.

I can't even imagine what the first game was
like. So all of my family, weare huge cowboys fans like, like
you every Sunday, Monday. My dadis like, crazy, in a sense, so
we've been to games at at&tStadium and that stadium is just
electric. Like the fans are justincredible. I mean, the music

(40:31):
and also, I think because DCC issuch a prestigious team like the
thunder song, like we've allseen the girls dance to that
song specifically so knowingthat you are on the field doing
it, like living this dream,being in a stadium field hearing
like the roar of the crowd,seeing the football players come
out on the field, what was yourfirst game like? was it just

(40:54):
the most insane experience? didyou cry?

It still gives me chills to think about my first
game I think it will for therest of my life. But so the
first thing that you do is youline up in this tunnel, and I'm
in my formation getting ready totake the field for
thunderstruck, which is thefirst dance we do during pregame
and Kelly walked past me and shetouched my arm and she said Good

(41:21):
luck. And that was like a reallyspecial moment that I will
always remember. I got chills.
There's people in the standseverywhere. There's like some
peeking over the sides. Like ohmy god, those are the Dallas
Cowboys cheerleader. In themorning pictures Yes, I'm in
uniform. And then over theannouncement like the speakers,
the announcer goes andintroducing the often imitated

(41:44):
never equal and he like goesinto this long feel. Dallas
Cowboys cheerleaders, and thenthe music starts Oh, it goes on.
And it's like this drumbeat thatwe take the field to and it was
just the most insane surrealmoment just so many lights
really loud music, like insaneamount of fans, like 100,000

(42:06):
fans, I've never danced in frontof this many people before.
Gosh, during the game, I kepttearing up Oh, I was just so
overwhelmed with joy and likeexcitement.

I mean your dream came to life in that moment.

Yes, it made every second of all of that hard work
and being devastated andeverything worth it. Oh my 100%
in that moment.

Okay, so who was the first person you call them
told you made the team? I wasgonna ask you that.

The first person I called was my boyfriend Tyler,
don't tell my mom!

No way. Oh my god,

I actually facetimed him. And if you hear
his side of the story, it'sreally funny because normally
practice gets out no later than10 o'clock. And I think I was
calling him at nine o clock. Sohe thought he thought I got cut
that night.

Oh my god.

he's like, getting everything ready to like what to
do if I'm like upset and he hasto come pick me up and I I call
I FaceTime him and I was holdingmy uniform. And I was like I
made it! and he was like, I'mordering pizza. I was like, Yes,
I want to go and eat a largepizza.

Oh my gosh, and he's been so supportive the
entire way?
He is the absolute World's BestDance boyfriend. The most
supportive, like I could not askfor a better person to be with
through all of this.
And were you guys dating whenyou didn't make the team?

Yes We were dating whole way
through. I told him I was goingto be a Dallas Cowboy
cheerleader. So he was in forthe whole ride.

So I'm sure that was a I can't even imagine what
it was like for him because hesaw you go through like the
heart ache and you know thetroubles of not making it and
then getting the phone call thatyou made it I'm sure it was an
incredible moment for him towhere your whole family.

Yes.

Were your parents crying when you told them?

Yes. Oh my gosh, it's been such an emotional
roller coaster for everybody.
And even all our New Mexico hasjust been so supportive and
proud of Yes, the accomplishmentit's been really really special.
But my family especially becausethey saw me go through yet the
emotional roller coaster of it.
I remember. We went to afootball game after I was cut

(44:21):
from training camp. That firstseason was that hard. My dad and
my stepmom I like ran up to thecheerleaders and hugged them all
my friends that I you know,dance with all summer. that
weren't my teammates because Ididn't make the team and my dad
and stepmom both started cryingbecause they just like saw, like
this moment where like, I shouldbe there. Right? I should have

(44:41):
the uniform I should be dancingand they knew how hard I worked
for it. So once I made the teameverybody was ecstatic.

have they come to games?

during my first season they came to more games
and this year, no because of thepandemic. It's really fun having
them there.

what has what have things been like now with COVID?

It's different this year. We're not allowed on
the field.

Oh, you're not allowed on the field?
No. So we are dancing on thesegiant decks on this each side of
the end zone.
Did they put those upspecifically for you guys? Or
were they already there?

They were already.

I've seen those before. They have usually the
Salvation Army on them?

I actually stand on the Salvation Army. we dance
on those, which it's kind offun, because we're closer to the
fans. But I do miss dancing onthe field, you know, being
closer to the action. So that'sdifferent. And then we have less
appearances and stuff justbecause you know, they're very
careful about us being aroundpeople. Right.

And you're gettingCOVID tested it all the
time?

during training camp. We were tested every other
day. But now we just have like,strict protocols. But we aren't
regularly tested.
Okay. Have you had COVID?
No, no. I am one of the luckyones that have not so trying to
be careful. Stay healthy.

So we're gonna just going to shift directions here
and ask some fun questions, notnecessarily about DCC... who are
the three people that you thinkhave influenced you the most in
your life?

I think the three people who have influenced me
the most are my mom. she isamazing. She's just like, this
total. baddie. She is Yeah, sheis a defense attorney. She's
super independent work so hard.
I think she really taught mework ethic and independence,

(46:42):
which was very needed. Yes, youknow, up and move my life to
Texas. Absolutely. There was onegirl on the team, who's retired
now from DCC who reallyinfluenced me. And it was my
first year in training camp, Iwas kind of at this breaking
point where I was exhausted, Iwas worried about how the show

(47:05):
would portray me as a personbecause you don't know that
because you have no idea like,are they gonna make me look like
I don't know what I'm doing. I'ma dancer. Like, you know, you
have all these real humanemotions that you're going
through. And she said to me, shesaid, Kristen, if there is one
little girl watching the show,and she says, look, Mom,
Christine, no sign language justlike me. Wouldn't that make all

(47:27):
of this worth it? And she putthings into perspective so fast
that like, this is so muchbigger than me, like, I might be
feeling like, really overwhelmedand like stress, and you know,
all these human emotions, butthere are so many people that
are being influenced and youknow, will go after their dreams
because they see, you know, meachieve a dream or, you know,

(47:50):
relate to me because I knowsigning order because I love
deaf people or because I speakSpanish or because I'm from New
Mexico, like there's so manythings that you can find
relatable in that process. Andthat was a really big influence
on me. Absolutely. And then Iwould say the third person was
my dance coach Stephanie to beAussie, she was my coach on the

(48:14):
ice angels, okay. She just trulyloves her athletes, like she
just loves her dancers caresabout your whole well being not
just you as a performer. And shehelped me find like that, um, of
like power and precision andperformance that I needed to
make DCC and she just like,never had a doubt in me that I

(48:36):
that I could do it and justconstantly encouraged me and
helped me push me to be the bestperson I could. And so I will
always be thankful for her as acoach.

Okay. And so I'm curious, how did you get into
becoming so passionate about thedeaf community? What what
sparked that for you? Well, Iguess tell people about your
degree and like what you'vedone, I guess, because we
haven't even touched on that.

yeah. So it's kind of an interesting journey that
I've been on. So I went on amissions trip right after high
school to Ecuador, which is, ifyou know anything about hope,
Christian, they do it everyyear, they sponsor 12 children.
And so I really wanted to go onthis trip to meet these kids
that are school sponsored. And Ialso spoke Spanish, I felt like

(49:25):
I could really connect with thepeople. It was really a life
changing experience my firstmissions trip. And so I wanted
to learn another language that Ithought could be used in
multiple countries like Spanish.
So I go to college. I didn'twant to be a sign language
interpreter. So the only otherway to become fluent in American
Sign Language was throughlinguistics. And so I took my

(49:46):
first ASL class and I learnedthat there were over 400 sign
languages, but it isn't auniversal language, which is a
very big misconception and itwas during that time class that
I just fell in love with theculture and the people and the
language. I've said before, Ifeel like I'm kind of dancing

(50:06):
with my fingers when I'msigning. It's just a beautiful
language.

that's really cute.

The culture is just really, really cool. And so
I knew I wanted to go intoministry, I wanted to work in
Bible translation. And so I hadgone on a field trip to this
place called Faith comes byhearing, which is an
Albuquerque. And so I used tokeep close tabs to see like if
there was any volunteeropportunities. And so my senior
year of high school, theystarted a deaf ministry that

(50:39):
ended up becoming a separatenonprofit. And I started
volunteering my senior year. Andso then after college, I got
hired there. And so I wasworking for this Deaf Bible
translation organization calledDeaf Bible Society. And that's
who I relocated to Dallas with.
Okay. And so that's what you'redoing now. So no, now I work. So
I moved from death Bible Societyto Seed Company, okay, because

(51:03):
they were birthing this AIlanguage translation technology.
And so I, I could use mylinguistics degree. Okay, and
help. Deaf translation. So I nowwork for an AI technology
company called Avada, which is aGreek word that means work,
worship and service. Oh my gosh,so it is a it's a kingdom

(51:25):
business. But okay, it is it isfor profit and the revenue goes
back towards Bible translation.
Okay. That's what I'm doing now,as I'm using my linguistics
degree for technology, languagetranslation.

You are seriously such an incredible person.
You're an incredible person.
You're so impressive like youthe fact that you are doing all
these things. You're a veryintelligent human being your
beautiful inside and now like,you are the full package
girlfriend.

So are you! I think I think it was totally
intentional on God's part whenhe was like, little seven year
old Ashley and five year oldKristin.. be friends!

And so your DCC full time and work full time?

Yes.

That's crazy.
That's gotta be a lot.

It is. It is a lot. It's, um, it's definitely
very time consuming, but alsovery rewarding. And I know that
it's just a short time in mylife, that I'll be able to do
that. Right.

You want to take full advantage?

I do. I do.

I totally understand that. Okay, so I
mean, obviously you cheer forDCC, you're a very beautiful
person. Do you feel like thereis any one particular thing that
people Often misunderstand aboutyou?

Yes. I think working in ministry, and being a
professional dancer has had itschallenges, just because people
in ministry sometimes will say,Well, why do you wear those
outfits? And, you know, I don'tknow, I guess, assume that it
can sometimes be for the wrongintentions or the wrong reasons

(53:07):
or things like that. And so thatwas something that I really
struggled with at first, becauseI didn't understand why people
couldn't just like, see my heartsee my intention, right. Also, a
lot of the time, they don't seethe impact that cheerleaders
have, because of their sphere ofinfluence. And so I actually
started this company in thisblog called me to move. And my

(53:28):
intention behind it is that Iwanted to change some of those
misconceptions that people werehaving. And I also wanted to
create a safe space for otherprofessional dancers, or just
dancers or cheerleaders ingeneral, to kind of talk about
those same struggles thatthey've faced where, you know, I
would say, yeah, you know, maybemy outfit is a little bit
revealing. But let's talk aboutthe meaning behind that outfit.

(53:52):
That iconic DCC uniform is worldrenowned, it's recognized
everywhere. And if I didn't earnthat uniform, and I wouldn't
have the opportunity to impactso many people through the show
through community events throughsocial media. Yeah, all of those
things. And so it's kind of justlike, showing people a different

(54:14):
perspective, a different side ofthings and kind of helping
change those misconceptions.

Right. I mean, I think that you're doing an
excellent job at that. So that'smade to move where can people
find the blog?

Yeah, so it's madetomove.live and we're on
Instagram, Facebook, and then ofcourse the website. I do like
sparkles and pink.

Yes, same girlfriend!
you know all about the pink. SoI don't know if people know this
specifically, but I did all thebranding for pretty happy
podcast in pink because I wantto miss New Mexico and a pink
dress So ever since then. That'sso cool. Yeah, I mean, I tried
to put a lot of meaning andintention behind everything that
I did. But yeah, I did that fora reason. Just because that was

(55:07):
obviously a huge moment for me.
And ever since then pink hasbeen like, not necessarily like
a lucky color, but it's beenlike my color, you know?

When you find something that works Hold on to
it!man.

Okay, so other than trying out for DCC and not
making it What do you think, hasbeen one of the biggest
challenges in your life? And howdid you overcome that?

I think that in this isn't like, a one time
pinpointed event. So I think thehardest thing to overcome is
believing in yourself enough tonot give up despite your
circumstances. And it's not, youknow, only with DCC, but with

(55:54):
you know, if you're afraid tochange a job, because you're,
you're worried about, you know,if you leave this job, and
you're not happy, like goingafter another job, what if it
doesn't work out? Or, you know,I really want to go after the
stream, but I'm afraid to moveor right. I'm really afraid to
get out of this relationship.
Because you know, what, if Idon't find somebody else, it's
those moments where you feellike you just want to give up.

(56:16):
And I think everyone can relateto this in 2020, because I
definitely felt this way when mywhole world was turned upside
down, having to stay home forthree months. Mm hmm. It's, it's
like kind of like what you said,going back to your why, but also
doing what you need to foryourself to find joy and find
happiness in those moments.

(56:38):
Right. So for me that this year,it's been, you know, yeah, I
have to look a certain way Ihave to be, you know, this
skinny or this, like, my hairhas to be the song or whatever
it is going into auditions. Ihad to tell myself like, I'm not
exercising, because I need tolive up to this standard. I'm
exercising because, you know, Iwant to have a healthy body and

(56:59):
a healthy mind. And I want tofind joy in those things.

And so I think that's been the hardest thing to
overcome, especially this yearis in those moments of like
shifting your mindset. And Ifeel like your vocabulary not
being like, I have to go workout but being like, I have the
ability to go work out and Ilove doing that. Because moving
feels good for my body. Yes,yeah.

or if I'm like, I need to go to dance class,
because I have to, you know,stay in shape or practice like
this or that, to like, stay ontop of my game. It's okay
sometimes to be like, if I'mforcing myself to go to dance
class, then I'm probably notgoing to get anything out of it.
Because right on joying it soI'm going to go to dance class,
if I am excited to dance today,right? Just kind of like picking

(57:45):
and choosing those battles.
Choosing to find those littlemoments of joy over forcing
yourself to do things that youdon't want to just because you
feel like you have to.
Absolutely, absolutely.

So yeah, then that makes me think too, because
obviously quarantine has been aninteresting situation for all of
us. What do you think thatyou've learned over the last
couple of months, like eightmonths, I guess we've been now
dealing with this pandemic. ButI know for me specifically. I
feel like I started to realizelike what was important and what

(58:17):
wasn't, I think that there wasfocus on other things out at the
time, pre pandemic, I thoughtwere really important. And now
I'm realizing that they're not.
So my priorities have totallyshifted for sure. That's been
one, you know, one of manythings, I think that I've
learned from this quarantine,but what's one thing that you've
learned?

I have learned to listen to myself, which is a
weird thing to think. But whenyou're super busy, and you are
on a schedule all the time andlife is gogogo you kind of just
like get into this rhythm, whereyou're doing what you're
supposed to be you're checkingoff the list, but you're like on
autopilot. Yeah, I don't havetime to just like, kind of like

(58:56):
intro SPECT and like, thinkabout different things. And
this, this kind of like forcedrest that we all had to go
through, right? really caused meto like think, Oh, I feel this
way. Like, why am I feeling thisway? Like, what I've even
noticed, I felt this way, if Iwas doing what I normally was,
I'm really busy all the time,and really learning to listen to

(59:19):
like when my body needs rest orlike paying attention and having
that self awareness like youneed. I think that's what's been
the most eye opening to me thisyear.

And I'm sure that's been a great lesson, right?
Because I think when you're inthose moments, and you're
listening to yourself, like inorder for you to like give love
and to other people and like bethe best version of yourself,
like you have to do the thingsyou need to do to take care of
yourself. Yes. Okay. So I knowyou've like mentioned a few
times, like working out andstaying in shape. So what do you

(59:53):
do to stay in shape like whatare your favorite workouts?

So I have realized over the last couple years that
Kind of diversifying my workoutregimen has been the best for me
and has helped me stay on trackthe most. So, I do take a lot of
bar and Pilates classes. Justbecause I like going to hot bar
hot Pilates I sweat a lot, whichfeels great but it also kind of

(01:00:17):
helps stretch out my muscleswhile I'm exercising. But if I
do it all the time I get boredand then I don't want to go so
I'll do you know elliptical orbike in my apartment. And then
sometimes I'll go to a hitworkout or just like changing

(01:00:39):
things up has been the best forme because then I don't get
bored, right, I think is thebiggest struggle.
Totally. Yeah, no, I totally getthat. And then what is what are
your eating habits? Like? Like,is there a specific diet that
you usually try to follow?
Oh, yeah. So when I first gotserious about my eating habits,
I was doing all the thingscounting macros and meal

(01:01:01):
prepping. Which which did workfor a while, but the longer
you're trying to do it is likean actual self sustaining
lifestyle change. There, Irealized there has to be
balanced. So once you kind oflearn what's healthy, what's
what's not like, what's good foryour body? what fuels your body?
What doesn't, it does make it alittle easier to make decisions.

(01:01:22):
But generally speaking, in themorning, I like to have like a
breakfast bowl. So I'll havelike eggs, maybe like potatoes
or sweet potatoes and thensausage with green chili? Yeah,
of course. And so I usually if Iam going to have carbs, it's
usually in the morning. Okay.

Ashley Mora (01:01:40):
So you still count macros but now you hav a better
understanding of how it works?

Kristin Dodd (01:01:49):
So kind of like once you get into a rhythm you
kind of gray, right? Yeah, themacro. So then for lunch. I like
to do salads a lot for lunch, ora protein and a veggie. And then
I'll usually have like a snackin the afternoon, which might be
like Greek yogurt and some nuts,or a protein bar, or sometimes a
protein shake, or a piece offruit. But I tried to have some

(01:02:12):
kind of like a little bit of acar before workout so that I
have energy, okay. And then fordinner, I try and stick to just
like protein and then veggies.
And then if it is a car wasusually healthy carb, like brown
rice or something, okay. But Iused to be afraid of carbs and
like, I can't eat carbs. Yeah.
And wait, but then I would beexhausted. Right. So it's really
about finding that balance. Likeif I do want to have a cookie

(01:02:34):
right, then, you know, I mightjust like, not have potatoes
that morning for breakfast orsomething. I kind of like,
compliment each other. Yeah. Soyeah,

I think balance is just the most important part.
Yeah. And figuring out I thinklike what works for each person?
Yeah, I can't do the no carbsthing either. I've tried it
before. And I'm just like, I'mnot a nice human when I'm not
eating carbs. I mean, I thinkthat people are kind of shifting
away from that now. Because itis more just about the food that
you're feeding your body. Yeah,

you know, but yeah, like fresh vegetables.
Yeah, like, Yeah, yes. makinggood choices, and you do feel
better. Like you have moreenergy and Oh, totally, you do
notice a big difference, whichkind of helps you want to keep
doing it. Yes. Yeah. You're agreat example of eating clean. I
was telling Ashley earlier thatI look up recipes on her blog.

I need to start posting more recipes for sure.
But you know what, I haven'treally been cooking that much
right now. Yeah, I've beenordering my meals. Because it
just takes you know, then youhave to go grocery shopping. I
know. I love time. I love tocook. It's just so time
consuming. So it's just, it'sjust easier to do it that way.
And I feel like I stay on top ofmy diet a little bit more

(01:03:44):
because of the convenience oflike, hangry Yeah. Okay, so if
you could go back in time, andtell your 18 year old self,
anything, what do you think thatyou would tell her?

Wow, well, 18 year old Kristin did a lot of dumb
things

We all did a lot of dumb things.

I would tell myself that that confidence and
that fire that I had inside ofme to not let anybody put that
out. Because there were momentswhere I was, you know, so down
on myself and ready to give upor having negative thoughts and
like back then it was like, nota care in the world. I literally

(01:04:27):
truly thought whatever I wantedto do, I could achieve and like
there was not a limit in theworld, which I guess I
eventually came back to likethat confidence and believing in
myself, but it would be more sojust to remind you, like remind
myself, don't let anybody tellyou that you can't do something.
Don't let yourself tell yourselfthat you can't do something. And

(01:04:50):
just really keep on having thatpositive mindset throughout
whatever your circumstance is soimportant.

Yeah. So important.
And I think it's just a part ofthe learning. experience. But
yeah, that message is soimportant. Okay, so then I want
to end our little interview on.
I'm a big believer in gratitude.
I think that it's so powerful.
Yeah, it's been a huge thing inmy life, especially right now. I
mean, I've always been like veryappreciative of like everything,

(01:05:18):
but actually writing down mygratitudes I just feel like
shift my mindset, especially inthe beginning of the day.
They're giving me like smallthings, you know, like little
dumb things, but it just puts mein a different place. So what
are three things that you arethankful for today?

I am so thankful that I am healthy. That's
definitely something not to takefor granted. Yeah, especially
right now. I'm thankful for myfamily. Even though we don't
live in the same state. We, youknow, are good about talking and
checking in on each other. Yeah.
That's really important to me,and I'm really thankful for my
gosh, I feel like 500 things Icould say, right?

Oh my gosh, okay, we'll say five!

I'm thankful for Tyler my boyfriend because he is
just literally my rock throughwhatever I'm going through.

Wait actually didn't ask you how did you guys
met?

So I worked for this company, UCA stands for
universal cheerleadingAssociation. And I got sent to
Memphis, which is theheadquarters to do this staff
training. And Tyler was actuallythere. He worked for UCA two.
Okay, so I met him there. And Iwas kind of on and off with
another guy at the time. So meand Tyler definitely had like

(01:06:36):
that instant connection we like,see each other and it's just
like the chemistry. Yeah. Butlike I said, I was still on and
off with this other guy. So itwas probably six months later
that things officially ended andTyler and I kind of got back in
touch. And everything was justYeah, the biggest blessing. And
so we did long distance for twoyears. And then he moved to

(01:06:58):
Dallas after he graduated. Andwe've been together for three
and a half years.
Three and a half years is a longtime to be in a relationship. It
is do you think that you guysare gonna get married?
Yes.

you do?! Like are you waiting for anybody listen
to this podcast.. hint hint

cough cough..
Tyler. I'm just kidding.

Unknown (01:07:17):
Yeah, it's certainly something we talk about. I we
see each other like being ineach other's lives forever.
Yeah, just, you can see thetiming of how everything works

Yeah, you can see how happy you are like in the
photos and when you guys aretogether and stuff like you can
tell that you guys are in a goodplace. And again, I think than
just speaking from personalexperience when you are in a
position like when you're tryingout for DCC and you are in DCC
to have someone who is just sosupportive like that. That's
rare. Honestly, it's rare tofind someone who is going to

(01:07:49):
remove their ego from thesituation and just be supportive
of their significant significantother.

Yeah, and even like dating a Dallas Cowboys
cheerleader. I can't imagineit's like for him. Like you have
to really be super secure inyourself. But she is and I'm so
thankful for that. We have likethe best trust.

Yeah. Do people slide into your dms?

You know, not as much as you would think. Okay,
it's mostly like little girlswho were like I love You're so
awesome.

oh my gosh, that's so cute. Okay, do you have any
other things that you'rethankful for?

I have two more.
Okay, I'm thankful for my job. Iwork for an awesome company. My
leadership in my company is agreat example. So I'm thankful
for that.

And I think right now, too. I've written that down
specifically so many times,like, so many people have lost
their jobs yet this year. Soit's definitely something to be
thankful for. That's such a goodone.

Yes. And then I'm thankful, honestly, for just
like, the passions that God hasput in my heart and just like
the willingness to go afterthem.

that's a great list!
Well, I'm so thankful that youjoin me today I it's gonna be
hard for me to wait untilWednesday to post this episode.
I am just so excited and I knowwithout a doubt that people will
be inspired! But I just thinkthe message of following your

(01:09:25):
dreams and even when you aretold no so many times, but being
like, no, this was planted in myheart and I'm still going to go
after that. It's such a specialmessage Everybody has dreams and
goals. And so giving them thecourage and being an example of
being told no but perseveringand still going after your dream

(01:09:46):
is huge. And your story withouta doubt like sharing your
message will change people'slives for sure

yours to Ashley and I'm so thankful that you
asked you to be here

You are my first guest! I'm so honored. I'm so
thankful I literally can't thinkof a better person. I'm so
thankful for you being here.

And I know that you're inspiring people through
this podcast. So if you have notleft any comments do it now!

Okay. Well, thank you all so much for listening
today. Kristin, thank you somuch. we'll have to do another
episode again.

I love you.

love you too girl!! Wow. I don't know about you
guys, but I am just totallyblown away by her. She is the
epitome of a full package. She'stalented, she's intelligent,
she's humble. She's hardworking. She's ambitious. And
most importantly, she has aservant's heart. Kristen is just
truly an incredible human beingand I'm honored to call her a

(01:10:50):
friend. If you want to followKristen Dodd on social media,
her Instagram handle is@kdodd_10 You can also watch her
on DCC making the team which isnow airing on CMT.
And before we go, I want to endtoday's episode with a powerful

(01:11:12):
quote that really resonates withme and I hope that it does with
you too. This quote is by NikkiV and I literally tear up
whenever I read it.
You never know when you areminutes away from a
breakthrough. You never knowwhen you are one project away
from the promotion. You neverknow when you are one hour of
studying away from passing theexam. You never know when you

(01:11:33):
are one song away from landingthe record deal. That is why you
keep going. That is why you keeptrying. That is why when you
fall down, you stand back upbecause the truth is, too many
people quit before givingthemselves a real chance they
stopped because it isn'thappening fast enough or how
they thought it would work out.
My beautiful friend. Rememberthat all good things take time.

(01:11:56):
Be patient and your time willcome to
if you love today's episode,please don't forget to subscribe
rate review share. You canfollow up pretty happy podcast
across all social networks. Ican't wait to talk to you guys
again soon. Until next time.

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