Meet Lea Crigger

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

Hi Lea, what role has risk played in your life or career?
For me, risk has been the driving force behind every breakthrough in my career and personal growth. From stepping onto the court as a Miami Heat dancer to touring internationally with legendary artists, working with brands and partnerships, to mentoring aspiring dancers, each bold move has shaped my path. I’ve taken risks by moving city to city on my own, starting my own business, mentoring dancers, teaching worldwide, and even expanding into barre, yoga, and wellness—despite initial hesitations.
Risk, to me, isn’t just about the unknown; it’s about trusting myself, stepping into discomfort, and embracing growth. Whether it was moving to new cities, taking on unconventional projects, or putting myself out there in new ways—like adding on a health and wellness direction to my brand by becoming a fitness coach or fostering deeper connections in my dance community—every risk has brought me closer to my purpose.
I see risk as an opportunity to evolve. It’s what has allowed me to redefine success on my own terms—blending dance, movement, business, and personal empowerment into something truly unique. And even in personal moments, like navigating change and heartbreak, I embrace the uncertainty as a gateway to deeper self-discovery.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is movement—it’s dance, storytelling, energy, and emotion all in one. What sets me apart is my ability to blend raw, powerful femininity with technique and authenticity, creating a space where others can feel both empowered and free. My work isn’t just about choreography; it’s about transformation. Whether I’m teaching, performing, or mentoring, my goal is to help others tap into their confidence, release self-doubt, and embrace who they are through movement.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how my journey has evolved beyond just dance. I started as a Miami Heat dancer, which taught me discipline, and the power of individuality within a team. From there, I went on to tour internationally with legendary artists, experiencing firsthand the highs and challenges of the industry. Teaching around the world, including in Japan, deepened my understanding of dance as a universal language. Now, I’ve built my own business—offering private training, industry prep, and movement-based healing through dance, yoga, and barre. Aside from this I carry my social media close to me creating my real life experiences into storytelling pieces of content that I film and edit myself for the most part.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. The entertainment industry is mentally and physically demanding, and there were many moments of self-doubt. But I’ve learned that resilience and adaptability are everything. When doors didn’t open, I created my own. I faced rejection, burnout, and uncertainty, but I always returned to my purpose—using movement to inspire and uplift.

Along the way, I also learned some of my hardest lessons through love and relationships. At one point in my journey, I fell into a dark place, battling depression after a past relationship that drained me. It was a turning point that forced me to stand by my own side, to trust my intuition more than ever, and to fight for the life I was building. It taught me how to stay confident/regain my confidence after being unsupported and/or belittled. It taught me that love should never require you to shrink yourself or compromise your dreams just so someone else can feel safe and powerful. True love—whether from a partner, family, or self—should empower, not diminish.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that success is about alignment, not just achievement. I’ve learned to trust myself, stay true to my values, and create from a place of passion rather than pressure. I’ve also realized that being multifaceted is a strength—I don’t have to fit into one box. I’m a dancer, a teacher, an entrepreneur, a mentor, Instructor, content creator and a creative, and each of those identities fuels my purpose.

Now, I move forward with a deeper understanding of my worth, my vision, and the kind of energy I allow into my life. Through every challenge—whether in my career or in love—I’ve come out stronger, knowing that I will never compromise my dreams for anything or anyone again.
What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that movement is more than just steps—it’s a form of self-expression, healing, and empowerment. My goal is to help others feel seen, strong, and fearless through dance, whether they’re training for the industry or just looking for a space to release and reconnect with themselves. My story is still being written, and I’m excited for what’s next.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, I’m not the best at making an itinerary because I don’t go out too much—I’m more of an outdoor explorer than a nightlife person. My days are usually filled with working out, training, dancing, filming, and editing content, so when I do take time for myself, I like to keep it simple and grounding.

If someone were visiting for a weekend and wanted to experience LA the way I do, here’s what I’d suggest:

Morning: Start the day with a hike at Runyon Canyon, solid core, trufusion yoga class—it’s my go-to spot to clear my mind and get moving.

Coffee Stop: I’ve been loving Bloom in Hollywood lately. I usually order from there, but it’s a great spot to grab a coffee and reset.

Afternoon: Head to The Grove—it’s hands down my favorite place in LA. Whether it’s shopping, grabbing a snack, or catching a movie at AMC, it’s my happy place.

Evening: If we wanted a little bit of a social scene, I’d say check out EPLP for rooftop vibes and snacks.

For Work & Chill: If they needed a good place to edit or get some work done, I’d take them to La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood, where I do a lot of my editing and have made some good friends.

Food-wise, I don’t go out to eat much because I cook a lot when I’m home, making up for all the time I spend traveling. But overall, I’d keep the weekend fun, active, and balanced—showing them the parts of LA that feel like home to me rather than just the typical tourist spots.

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?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my parents and my family. Growing up, I didn’t fully grasp the weight of their journey—both of them being artists before raising a family. My father was a true Rockstar, playing Bass in the rock band band Foghat. My mother was a Japanese Teen Idol Pop Star still singing in Japan till this day. It wasn’t until I was fully in the industry myself that I truly understood how mentally challenging this path can be. That realization brought us closer than ever.

However, It hasn’t always been that way. When I first went off to an out of state college attending the University of Tampa, within a year of being there I moved to Miami Florida after getting offered to dance for the NBA Miami Heat. With my schooling shifting and lifestyle adapting, online college was getting extremely overwhelming , and for the first time ever I started not to care how well I did in school due to this new lifestyle I had entered. I always knew I wanted to dance on stage for huge artists traveling the world, so I made a deal to my parents, I said if I got booked for a tour the first year living in Miami then I could stop school for a while and really pursue this as my career. Within 2 months of moving to Miami I was booked for an international tour with Latin Billboard artist Nicky Jam. It wasn’t until I truly proved to my parents that I can really do this for them to really trust and support the decisions I make in my own life.

Now, without them, I wouldn’t be as grounded, humble, or morally stable in my beliefs. They instilled in me the resilience and power to make things happen, no matter the circumstances. Their influence, love, and wisdom have shaped not just my career but the person I am today. Everything I create, every risk I take, and every milestone I reach is a reflection of the foundation they built for me. I dedicate this to my family—my greatest source of strength and inspiration.

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

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@lelecrigger