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

Hi Jasmine, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
My favorite affirmation would be “I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me.” or “God gives his TOUGHEST battles to his STRONGEST soldiers.” These affirmations are a daily reminder to me when I have fallen on hard times, feeling low and lonely or just downright feel like giving up, that God is ALWAYS with me and will never give me anything I can’t bear. It always gives me motivation and reassurance that I have a bigger purpose in life to fulfill and must get back on track. To me, they coincide with one another, so it’s hard to chose just one.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I first took a leap of faith with dance at the end of 2018, I was in a very dark place. I was 30 lbs overweight, the heaviest I had ever been, depressed and my self esteem and confidence was SHOT! I have always loved to dance and considered myself a natural born dancer with no technical training. I enjoyed watching dance videos on YouTube and Instagram but could never imagine myself being a part of one. The dance craze in Houston was just starting to really create a buzz and I came across a class that was all the way on the other side of town, but it was something about it that intrigued me enough to step out of my comfort zone, hit the road and take class! I went into it skeptical and nervous because I knew that I was going to be grouped with people who had been technically trained and been dancing for many years. Everyone not only welcomed me, but embraced and encouraged me while I was there. It was judgment free and had women of all shapes and sizes. That was enough to light a flame that has yet to die down. The initial class was all I needed because soon after, I began attending her class and many more every week. Since then, I have been able to not only drop the unwanted weight, but also audition for my first organized team and make it, dance backup for an artist and gain my self confidence back! I would have never thought that dance could take me on the many ventures that it has and build so many great relationships along the way. I am living proof that you can do anything you put your mind to and MORE!

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Living in Houston has many its many perk, but the only downfall is traffic and the fact that you can drive 45 mins and still be in the same city! I am a fan of the outdoors, so I love the fact that Houston has so many places and things to do to accommodate that. For some competitive fun, I like to go to Top Golf. There they have may bays and plenty of floors for you and your friends to have some fun without interrupting others. The food and drinks are good and affordable as well. Great for birthdays and larger gatherings. If you are looking for something more like a bar and lounge type, you must go to The Address! They have some of the best wings in the city (Asian Hennessy is my fav!) and the drinks and hookah there are great. I love that they have a patio section with heaters as well when it gets chilly. If you are an adventurer like myself, then you may enjoy a bike ride at Herman or Emancipation park, stroll down the museum district and visit the Museum of Fine Arts and Natural Science or visit places like Discovery Green or one of the many new drive in theaters. Lastly, you can not come to Houston and not visit one of our many top of the line, must have restaurants such as The Breakfast Klub, Turkey Leg Hut, Burns BBQ, Grace’s and many others that are black owned!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m sure she’s sick of hearing me always say this, but I would love to shout out my dance mentor turned best friend Jnee Adams! She is the reason I am the dancer I am today and for that, I am forever indebted to her. Not only is she a great technically trained dancer, she is also a youth and adult instructor, performance coach and an even better friend! She has an undeniable ray of light within her that you can’t help but see shine! As a beginner dancer with no training, she always encouraged and supported me no matter how undefeated I felt. She is always there to give me that extra push when I need it and constantly reminds me that there is nothing that i can’t do. That same passion and love grew past dance and now she is one of my dearest friends. A loving and supportive friend can be hard to find, so I am beyond grateful to have her!

Instagram: @thatjazzygirl__