Meet Trinity “baby Rn” ♡ | Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist & Shuffler

We had the good fortune of connecting with Trinity “baby Rn” ♡ and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trinity “Baby RN” ♡, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
As some of you may know, I’m currently juggling the intense workload of a doctorate-level nurse anesthesia program and dance—mostly shuffling—and honestly, it’s what keeps me energized! In the past, I used to push my hobbies aside whenever life got busy, thinking they could wait. But after going through one of the toughest challenges of my life last year, I had a major perspective shift. Life is more than just hitting the next big milestone or chasing goals like career success or financial stability.

Don’t get me wrong—working towards my goals is still a huge part of who I am, but I’ve learned that soaking in the present and enjoying the journey is just as important. This realization hit hard after that life-altering experience. For those who’ve been along for my dance journey, you know that dance has always been my outlet—whether it’s coping with the pressure of working as an ICU nurse during the pandemic, dealing with heartbreaks, or shaking off those moments of self doubt. But when anesthesia school started to take over, I neglected dance, until last year when something happened that made me question if I’d ever be able to dance again.

Shuffling brings me immense happiness and serves as a liberating reminder of my purpose: to truly live, enjoy life, and share my joy. It taps into parts of my mind that work, studies, and other aspects of life can’t reach. Shuffling allows me to express myself and fully let go, embracing each drill, choreo, and freestyle as my own. Initially, shuffle was a ‘secret’ hobby, but it has unexpectedly boosted my confidence in all areas of my life. It is incredibly rewarding when even non-EDM people in my life express that they’d like to learn after seeing me dance! xD

It sounds so cliché, but honestly, you don’t realize how much something means to you until you’re at risk of losing it. I feel incredibly grateful—like, bursting with energy grateful—to still be here, dancing and connecting with this amazing community. Dance brings me this spark of joy that’s hard to explain—something words don’t quite capture.

So, to answer the question: No matter how crazy life gets, I make time for my family, friends, and DANCE while still pushing toward my anesthesia dreams. I won’t lie—I still get imposter syndrome sometimes, but remembering that I can wake up, move, and dance is what fuels me everyday!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart is that I do everything on my own terms! Whether it’s diving deep into my nurse anesthesia studies or breaking into a shuffle session, my process is all about spontaneity and being true to myself. When it comes to dance, I love to let the music hit me and just move, completely in the moment. No strict routines or rules—just creative freedom. This approach lets me express myself fully, which is something I don’t always get in my academic and professional life.

What I’m most proud of is how I’ve managed to keep both these passions alive. It hasn’t always been easy! There were times when I had to push through burnout and doubt, wondering if I could keep going in both worlds. But it’s through those challenges that I’ve become even more committed to both. I’ve learned that you don’t have to be perfect to grow. Showing up, even when it’s hard, is what matters most, and that mindset has really shaped who I am today.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that balance isn’t about doing everything at once—it’s about knowing when to go all-in and when to slow down. I used to think I had to be on top of everything 24/7, but now I realize that taking time for myself, whether that’s dancing or simply resting, is just as important as pushing forward. Joy comes from finding that flow between the grind and the moments of pure fun.

At the heart of my story is a love for breaking boundaries. I don’t believe we have to fit into one box or follow one path. I’m just as passionate about anesthesia and patient care as I am about dance and creativity, and I want others to know it’s totally okay to follow multiple passions, even if they seem totally different. That’s what makes life interesting!

I’m so determined to keep leveling up in both areas, and I can’t wait to share this journey with others. If there’s one thing I want people to take away, it’s that you can absolutely chase your dreams, no matter how impossible they seem. With dedication and heart, you can create a life that lets you live your passions—and I’m all about that energy!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting, it’d be a mix of epic dance sessions, amazing food, and taking in the beauty of LA! First things first, we’d definitely hit up some shuffle and dance classes—I have to show them my favorite spots where we can get creative, have fun, and connect with the local dance community. Of course, we’d film a dance video somewhere because that’s a must when you’re in LA!

Next up: food and boba (lots of boba)! We’d check out some of the best food spots in the area, from street tacos to sushi, and top it off with boba from all the coolest spots in town. I’d take them to Manhattan Beach for some chill beach vibes and sunset views, perfect for winding down after a busy day.

As for the rest of the week, it really depends on what my friend is feeling. If they’re into the party scene, we’d hit up local festivals or raves and dance the night away. But if they’re more into nature, we’d spend the day hiking one of LA’s beautiful trails—maybe somewhere with a great view of the city.

The beauty of LA is that it’s so versatile—you can go from high-energy nights out to peaceful mornings in nature. One thing’s for sure though, I’d make sure we avoid the traffic as much as possible, haha!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout DEFINITELY goes to the dance community—especially the LA dance scene, both shuffle and hip-hop—that has been such a nurturing and welcoming space for me to grow. Honestly, and some of you know this, I never intended to dance outside of my home. It started as a quiet, low-key hobby, haha! During the pandemic, when no one was dancing outside, I was encouraged to post more within these communities, and I started connecting with dancers from all over the world who inspired me to keep going and push myself to level up. My comfort zone was learning at home through TikTok, YouTube, and IG, watching my favorite dancers.

But after a life-changing experience, I realized there was so much more to live for. That’s when I finally worked up the courage to take dance classes in real life. Being self-taught with zero formal dance experience, I was super nervous and intimidated. But from day one of my shuffle classes, the connections I made made me feel like I was already part of something bigger. LA can be an intimidating place to put yourself out there, but after my perspective on life shifted and I learned to truly love myself, none of that fear mattered. It was all about my growth and happiness.

A huge part of my growth in shuffle—and my motivation to get out and dance with the community at least once a week—is thanks to Mary Grace, the owner of Gravity LA (@gravity.la), a studio specializing in shuffle dance. I used to learn from her TikTok tutorials, and now I’m lucky enough to learn from her regularly in person. Mary has built the most amazing shuffle community, and I encourage anyone interested in shuffle to check out her studio. It’s such a full-circle moment for me to be dancing with her now. She’s one of the most genuine people I know and a huge contributor to the shuffle scene. THANK YOU, MG! ♡

I also want to shout out my hip-hop mentor and teacher, Kayla Janssen (@kkjans) for being so patient and kind with newbies like me, all my dance friends and supporters (your encouragement means the world!), my loved ones, and of course, my pups, who bring so much meaning to my life. 🙂

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebabyrn/

Other: hellobabyrn@gmail.com