An interview with Work It Owner Michelle about survival

Muscle is Survival …My Fight with Breast Cancer

I was very surprised when I received an email from Viveca asking me to be interviewed for
the June 2014 issue of her fitness blog, “Muscle Can Be…Muscle Is…”.  As Viveca explains, her blog is “a campaign created to motivate and inspire women to become more active and live healthier lives.”  She chose “Muscle is Survival” as the topic of my story.

Viveca interviews one woman each month and writes about their inspirational journey. These women include expecting mothers, professional golfers, boxers, Broadway dancers, and more of all ages, shapes, and backgrounds.

Please take a moment and read some of the amazing stories of women that have overcome a variety of obstacles to get where they are today.

Article

Michelle Wincze -Abbruzzese

Activities: Dance, pole fitness, belly dancing

Q: What is the first sport you played?

I’ve always been a dancer. My mom put me into my first dance class at  the age of 2 1/2.  Ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap…I loved it all. I studied martial arts, and  horseback riding throughout high school and college, and competed for a number of years in local tournaments and equestrian shows. I later became a collegiate then pro cheerleader, and I currently am a pole athlete.

Q: What made you stick with it?

When it came to dance, it was creativity mixed with athleticism. It was a way to keep healthy and express myself at the same time.

Q: You were a professional cheerleader, what is the extent of your dance background and how has it transformed over the years?

(See above) Over the years I have studied and tried to learn from as many instructors as possible to enhance my skills. I was asked by a male friend of mine to try out for the Uconn Varsity Cheerleading Team as a freshman and fell in love with it instantly. During auditions I learned guy-girl partner stunts which required strength, timing, and athleticism. Two years later, I became Captain. A former Uconn Cheerleader contacted me while I was still at Uconn and asked me to audition for a dance team in the semi-pro basketball league (The SkyHawks, the USBL league). I danced as a SkyHawks’ “Cheerleader” for a few years before being asked to audition for another semi-pro team.  All together, I danced for a total of 10 semi-pro and pro sports teams ranging from basketball (United States Basketball League, Continental Basketball Association), football (National Football League, Arena Football League, Women’s National Football League), baseball (Minor League Baseball League) and soccer (United Soccer League). Each team gave me the opportunity to perform with fabulous dancers and continue to enhance my skills as a performer.

CONTINUE READING “MUSCLE CAN BE…MUSCLE IS…” HERE: http://mcbmiblog.wordpress.com/2014/11/