We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
One piece of conventional advice that I disagree with is when people think timing is an issue. When you get hung up on not doing something until it’s the, ‘right time,’ you will never achieve what you could’ve in the time that you were waiting to take action. I believe timing to be an illusion, and an excuse for when realistically, you are scared of failure or being rejected. There will never be a perfect time to start a new business, take a risk, or learn a new skill. You have to push yourself to take that chance, because honestly no one knows what our future holds. But, at the same time we will never know if we never take that step. I believe you should at least try something before giving up, because it could be a complete success and you would never know if you don’t try. So create something NOW, do something that scares you NOW, and just don’t quit NOW because of timing. Anything is possible if you put in the effort.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been dancing since I was 3 years old, attended a performing arts high school, and graduated from Chapman University with a BFA in Dance Performance in 2018. Ever since graduating I have lived in Los Angeles pursing my dream of being a commercial dancer. I think what sets me a part is my determination, reliability and humbleness. Something I am proud of is, I was fortunate enough to land a Burger King national ad campaign this year. I wouldn’t have had this opportunity if I hadn’t had taken a risk by attending the casting that was totally out of my comfort zone. I am most excited for the dance studios to open back up again, and I can get back into the grind of training and working! Getting to where I am today has definitely been a journey that is far from over. I have had physical and mental obstacles that were only overcome by my true passion for dance. There were several times where I easily could’ve decided to give up, but I’ve known my whole life that this is my one true love. So it’s worth fighting for. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far is to never put all of your energy or happiness into one thing. Yes, I love dance so much, however I have several other passions to put my joy into. This is important for me personally when dance upsets me, or I feel in a rut. I have other avenues to focus in on such as yoga, video editing or beauty. My brand is so many things, some of my core values include; passion, authenticity, independence, playfulness, creativity and faithfulness. I would never be where I am today without the support and love from the absolute best parents in the world in addition to some of the greatest mentors I could ever imagine (Camille Billelo, Alicia Guy, Liana Blackburn)! I am an artist who believes you can be whatever you want to be with consistency. Consistency stems from putting yourself out there and never looking back! One of my favorite quotes is one my incredible Mama tells me frequently, “Go forth and conquer!” Having this saying instilled in me since a young age has allowed me to not have a doubt in my mind that I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. I am a colorful, strong and bold dancer. I am ever changing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A couple of my favorite coffee/juice spots in LA are Groundwork, Blue Bottle Coffee, Kreation and Pressed Juicery. You really can’t go wrong with food options, SugarFish Sushi, Granville and Aroma Cafe are a few of my most frequently visited spots. I would definitely recommend going on a hike; Hollywood Sign, Runyon Canyon, or Wisdom Tree. If you’re not entirely into hiking but want to enjoy the outdoors, I’d suggest going to the beach! Newport or Laguna beach are my favorites in Orange County, or there’s Santa Monica (also check out the pier) and Will Rodgers closer in the LA area. Also Malibu isn’t too far, where you could also hit up Malibu Farm for brunch! Lastly, I think it’s a right of passage to visit Griffith Observatory when visiting LA. It’s a beautiful view and you can also post up and have a picnic!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I am today without the love and support of my family. I have a very strong family life, and that is something I take pride in. They have been there right by my side every step of the way. And when I stumble, or get off course, they are right there to help me back up. My parents and siblings are my forever friends, and they deserve all of the recognition in the world!

Website: https://www.amandagarciadance.com
Instagram: @mandagarci
Linkedin: Amanda Garcia
Youtube: Amanda Garcia

Image Credits
Allie Gomes, Michaela Todaro, Kavita Rao, Lexi (@focuslexi)

Nominate someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.