You can transform your life – I did!
Want to be a better you? Former Strictly dancer Camilla Sacre-dallerup shows how you can make a change
Strictly’s Camilla Sacredallerup on becoming a life coach
If there’s anyone who knows about reinvention, it’s Camilla Sacre-dallerup. She was one of the most popular and successful dancers on Strictly Come Dancing when she turned her back on fame, moved to Los Angeles and started a new career as a life coach. Here, Camilla shares what she learned along the way – and offers tips on how we can make changes to our own lives. We all dream up alternative versions of ourselves. We’d love to be a little slimmer, better dressed, richer, more successful. What if that version of you could actually exist?
Reinvention means different things to different people. You might want to make a big life change – such as a new career or finding love – or something smaller, such as simply finding a new interest. You might not even know what you want to reinvent yet – just that you want something to change.
Though I loved my six years on Strictly and was delighted to win in 2008 with my dance partner, Tom Chambers, I increasingly felt uneasy. Gradually I changed my life around until I got to where I wanted to be. With my husband, Kevin, I moved to LA and started working as a life coach and hypnotherapist.
There were lots of challenges on the way, of course, but I trusted my instincts and I knew that what I was doing was right for me. Whatever we want to change, I believe the power is within ourselves to make it happen. Using meditation, visualisation and affirmation, all of us can achieve long-term happiness and a contented life.
IDENTIFY YOUR GOAL
I worked incredibly hard to become a top ballroom dancer. So when I realised I wasn’t feeling fulfilled by my work, I tried to ignore the feeling at first. But my soul wasn’t happy and I realised I wanted a career where I could help people succeed and find contentment. So I began to take action to reinvent my life.
If that sounds familiar, first you need to work out what aspect(s) of your life you want to reinvent.
VISUALISE THE FUTURE YOU
Children use visualisation all the time, imagining what it will be like to ride a bike or get married. As adults, we often don’t dare to dream, but creating an image in our minds of where we want to be in the future is a very powerful tool. It focuses the mind so we can take the necessary steps to achieve our dream.
I used visualisation successfully throughout my dancing career, imagining what it would feel like to win competitions. Later I used visualisation to imagine my new life in LA, picturing the trees, flowers and smells there. When I did make the move, I felt like I’d been there before.
If your reinvention is about losing weight or getting fitter, you might want to visualise yourself eating healthy foods and doing some exercise.
You could visualise how you’ll look and feel once you’ve achieved your
‘I realised my soul wasn’t happy and I took action to reinvent my life’
goal, imagining yourself happy and confident with your new body.
If you’re single and want to settle down, visualise your ideal partner. Sounds crazy? I did and now I’m married to him! It wasn’t until a few months into my relationship with Kevin that I realised he had all the qualities I’d visualised.
Let your imagination take you anywhere you want to go as you visualise the future you.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
When I first dreamed of moving to California, in my thirties, I started researching what it would be like to make this a reality. I asked others who had made such a move what it entailed. There was encouraging advice and off-putting advice. In the end, I followed the guidance that felt right in my gut.
Break down your goal into manageable chunks and tackle them step by step. If your aim is to run a marathon, it will take a while to build up the stamina. In the same way, if you break up your goal into smaller ones, it becomes less overwhelming and more achievable.
If you want to get fit, make a list of healthy foods and exercise you could try; if you want to change career, research courses you could take to make that happen. Read about or talk to others who have achieved their dreams and who can inspire you.
STAY POSITIVE
I’m a big fan of affirmations. These are basically positive statements repeated over and over until you believe them. Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve cut out quotes from magazines and given them to friends or written them in my diary. Some people think they’ll feel silly if they use affirmations, but they are great for creating a positive mindset.
Use the first person and the present tense – for example, ‘I am full of energy and focused.’ The words we use become our affirmations, so if we go around saying, ‘I can’t do this’ then that becomes our affirmation and our reality. Change the words to, ‘I can do this’ and you will start to believe them. Repeat them in your mind or out loud to yourself in the mirror until you do.
EVOLVE AND NURTURE
It’s natural to have doubts and fears when you’re trying to transform your life. In my mid-twenties, I was feeling frustrated and wondering if I’d ever achieve my dancing goals. Then a very special woman told me three important words: energy follows thought. I realised I wasted a lot of energy worrying about competitors and things that were out of my control, and nothing to do with my own journey. I started to ask myself where is my energy best spent for me to improve and nurture my talents? Suddenly, I had time to focus on myself.
Meditation is a great way to focus your thoughts. Meditating for just five minutes a day can make a huge difference and you will find clarity and focus where once before you felt confused and overwhelmed. Try this exercise to work out where you’re spending your energy: sit comfortably, relax and close your eyes. As you breathe in and out, relax your body from head to toes.
Bring your focus to the question: where am I directing my energy?
You may notice that different helpful thoughts pop into your mind. They may come while you meditate or later. After a few minutes, change the question to: Where shall I direct my energy and focus so that it’s nurturing my reinvention?
After a few minutes, jot down anything that came to mind.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
When we embark on new journeys, we may feel vulnerable at times. But remember: many people have gone before you and succeeded.
It’s as easy to believe in yourself as it is not to, so choose to believe and allow your confidence to grow.
• Camilla’s book, Reinvent Me (Watkins, £8.99), is out now