The School of Greatness - 499 Julianne Hough: Live With Passion and Love Every Day

Episode Date: June 19, 2017

“When you think it and you believe it and you say it, you just end up doing it.” - Julianne Hough If you enjoyed this episode, check out show notes, video, and more at http://lewishowes.com/499

This is episode number 499 with Julianne Hough. Welcome to the School of Greatness. My name is Lewis Howes, former pro athlete turned lifestyle entrepreneur. And each week we bring you an inspiring person or message to help you discover how to unlock your inner greatness. Thanks for spending some time with me today. Now let the class begin. You've got to dance like there's nobody watching.

Love like you'll never be hurt. Sing like there's nobody listening. And live like it's heaven on earth. William Perky said that. And I want to say thank you so much for being here. We've got a great episode today. Her name is Julianne Hough, and I'm super excited to introduce you to her. If you don't know who she is, she's an incredible singer, dancer, and actress, and amazing, inspiring young female entrepreneur who's just doing some incredible things in the world right now. But before we dive in and I tell you more, now let's get back into our incredibly inspiring and talented guest today. Her name is Julianne Hough and she is a dancer, singer, and actress, entrepreneur,

and she's taken over the world. She's a two-time professional champion of ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Her first leading acting role was in the 2011 film remake of Footloose. She also joined Dancing with the Stars as a permanent fourth judge. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography in 2015. And in 2016, she played Sandy in the live Fox television production of Grease. And in this interview, we talk about how a Tony Robbins seminar changed her perspective on who she was trying to be in the world. Also, her experiences being in a professional dance environment at 10 years old in London, her struggle with perfectionism and trying to keep up and not feeling good enough even when she won something, how she shifted her passion and drive

after realizing she just needed to please herself and not please others. How to divide your time wisely when you're a multi-passionate with so many projects you're working on and family and relationships. That and so much more, guys. I really hope you enjoy this one.

This is actually an interview we did over a couple of years ago, episode number 148, but so many people haven't heard this one that I felt like we needed to bring it back. So make sure to check out lewishouse.com slash 499 to watch the full video interview. Also, if you want to see me doing some salsa dancing with Julianne Hough, go check it out at lewishouse.com slash 499 as well. But this is one of the most favorite episodes I've ever done. I hope you enjoy it. And I believe there's a lot of inspiration to be learned from Julianne's story.

So without further ado, let's jump into this one with the one, the only Julianne Hough. So welcome to the School of Greatness podcast. Julianne Hough, good to see you. Thanks so much for coming on. Thank you. Thanks for having me. I'm so pumped that we're going to salsa dance afterwards and hopefully get this on film because i just had so much fun dancing with you i know that was so fun i literally because

i told you like i do choreograph stuff or i try to teach people but like the way that you just could lead me that's like the greatest gift for a girl really it's like when a guy can just lead you really yeah because you've never really gone out into a club and just been like let's do this like non-choreographed. Yeah. Just improv right? No yeah I mean like hey when I'm when I'm out and I'm having a good time like I'll just dance but I usually dance by myself. Really? You just do your own little choreography yeah. Very cool. So yeah I'd love to go. All right well we'll record afterwards and maybe I'll take you out in LA sometime. Get you and your boyfriend to come out. Yeah, for sure. So I'm excited to meet you and talk with you

and your energy is just so magnetic. And I know why people love you because of your smile and your energy and your passion. And it comes across in all of your dancing, your singing and your acting. So I just want to say thanks for the way you show up in the world because it's really powerful. Thank you.

And that's a lot of fun. That really means a lot because I feel like that's something that I kind of learned, I think, over the years. I think that's something that I want to give to the world. I want to be a light and I want to be a light of love and joy to give to the world and inspire others. So, thanks. Well, you're doing it. So, let's start off with gratitude. I'm big on gratitude in my life and I live it constantly. So I want to ask you, what are you most grateful for recently in your life? Most, most recently. Wow. Um, I'm grateful. Gratitude is a huge one for me also. So,

I mean, the thing that I'm most grateful for at this moment, um, and I know that it's cliche to say my family, but that's what I'm really, really grateful for right now. That's cool. Yeah. And you're the youngest, right? I'm the baby. Yeah. Me too. I love the baby.

And there's five of you or four of you? There's five. Yeah, there's four of us. Okay. Very cool. But I want to talk about how this all began. Because you're a movie star, you're a celebrity, you're dancing with celebrity dancing with the stars you're now a judge singer lots of different things happening but how did it all begin was it all starting out with dance or were

you actually singing and acting before then as well yeah when I was when I was a kid my oldest sister Shari she was a ballet dancer so we kind of were just dragged along you know and like my my brother wanted to play sports but he had to dance so um and yeah we started dancing but then we would be in plays all the time where we were acting and singing and I was always the youngest so I wasn't technically allowed to be in any of the classes because it was you know I was too young but I would come home and I would know all the lyrics. I would know the dance moves.

And, like, yeah, I would go and watch. And I'm very visual. Gotcha. So you would just go and watch in the corner and just pretty much do the moves in your mind. Yeah. Come back and do it. Yeah. So you're like an understudy.

Yeah, exactly. But I am. I'm very visual. Like, I would always say in school I was not very, I wasn't my best in school because it was all a lot of, like, audio or, like, I had to see it or write it down. And, like, for me, it's show me how it's done and I can do it. But, yeah. I was exactly, that's funny because I had a second grade reading level when I was in

eighth grade. Oh, really? And I just couldn't learn in school. Like, books were just so challenging for me to understand and comprehend. Yeah, me too. But sports, I was like, let's be moving and active and I could pick it up, you know? That's, that's me for sure. Yeah. Oh, thank God for sports. Yeah. Well, hey, dancing is a sport. It is. Yeah. Very cool. So you got into it early, but you were living in the States and then you moved to London to start kind of training more full time, right? Yeah. So we were at the studio in Utah and my brother and I were there and we were kind of.

How old were you? I was like eight years old and from like eight to ten, I was really I was really into it and I loved it so much. like eight to ten I was really I was really into it and I loved it so much and we had our dance coaches from England they would come to to Utah at our studio and they would teach like once once once every like three months like a workshop a workshop and we'd be with all these adults and my brother and I would be like eight nine you know years old and we'd be the first ones to raise our hands and we'd be in the front row. And we were so passionate about it. And then, yeah, my parents were going through a divorce at the time. So it was kind of a good way to kind of get us out of the house for a little bit

and have us go have this amazing experience while they're figuring out their stuff. So we decided that we were going to go to London, live with our dance coaches. Wow. How old were you when you were? I was 10. 10. My our dance coaches. Wow. And how old were you? I was 10. 10. My brother was 13. So you started when you were eight. Yeah. Two years later, you moved to London to dance coaches. Wow. Yeah. And so, and I was doing ballroom dancing, tap, jazz, hip hop, whatever. But the ballroom in the Latin wasn't as refined. I was just, I guess, gifted in that, but I, but I wasn't, I didn't really have the technique. Yeah. And so when we went to England, um, it was pretty cool. Cause I was 10 years old. I

moved there and I was like, wait, I thought there were going to be horse-drawn carriages and like big dresses and little guys with spectacles. It was like dark and dreary and bad food. And it was like people were wearing normal clothes. I don't know if it was going to be like Dickens or something. But anyway, so I got there and, yeah, I was like the youngest. And I just, it was intensive because I was competing against older kids. It was like professionals, right? Yeah.

Or semi-professional. Yeah, semi-professional. But they were all older than me. And so I would watch the girls and I would just, I would try to pick up everything that I could from these like really mature, you know, 16 year olds at 10. And then like 20 year olds and like, you know, and I would pick it up and it was, it was intensive. But I always say like, if you're the best in your class, then go to another class because like, that's not going to teach you. That's just going to kind of keep you there. So, so yeah, so it was really intensive but it was awesome I really like that

cuz you know I'm always looking to increase my circle of influence and surround myself with people in business at a different level than me not at my level but really expand myself it sounds like the same thing you know and also in sports we were always trying to play against the varsity guys yeah you know yeah just to get better that's cool So how long were you there for? I was supposed to stay for three months, and I ended up staying for five years. Wow. Yeah, so until I was 15.

And it was a really amazing experience because it taught me, like, to come out of my bubble, which was in Utah, which is a very, you know, very conservative community. And then I would go to England and it was just like the complete opposite. And anyway, so we went there and like I grew up really, really fast. And I think I was more mature at 15 than I am now. I'm a kid now, whereas like I had to really grow up really fast and I was really responsible and I, and I was always perfect and on time and you know, like all those things. And now I'm kind of just more laid back and enjoy the moment. And so, so anyway, so I came back when I was 15 and I was like, I just want to go to high school. I want to know what it feels like to be a normal kid. And, um, so I went to high school and after three days I was like, all right, I'm done.

and so I went to high school, and after three days, I was like, all right, I'm done, but I had to obviously finish, so yeah, I graduated when I was 18, and I came out to LA with $2,000, and I told my dad I had five. I don't know why $3,000 made more of a difference, but in my mind, it did, so yeah, I came out with $2,000, and yeah. So what I'm curious about is at 10 years old, you're thrown into the mix of like this, you know, ballroom from my understanding is very sensual, very sexual, very like risque. You have to really be in the moment. Get in there. Get in the zone. Otherwise, if you're not convincing, then no one's going to be convinced in you. Completely.

If you're not enrolling, then no one's going to be enrolled in your performance. Yeah. So what were some of those experiences like, you know, when you're 10 to 15, having to be this sexual, sensual woman or perfect, like you said, and like have curves when you didn't have curves and all these things. Oh, yeah. What was that like and what came up for you during that time? Confusing.

Okay. That's like the best word that I can put for it because it was confusing because even at like seven, eight, nine years old, when I was in Utah, people used to tell me like, she's really sexy. At seven? At seven. Yeah. And it's weird because I didn't feel like I was doing anything wrong, but I just felt it, you know, and like I would just dance. And then, of course, that was heightened when I went to England because it was professional level and like we're competing every week and I was performing and competing against people that were older than me.

You got to show a lot of skin and like. Oh, yeah. And like that part never really bothered me. I don't know why. I i don't know but the the part that i will always remember is being 10 years old and they had fake boob cups no way in the dress yeah and i would like poke them and they would stay because i was like flat like i was 10 years old you know and so it was it was that same thing of like overly kind of sexualizing like a kid which I think there's good and bad to that I think like it's great for what it is and like it taught me a lot but at the same time

it's confusing when I would have to go and be my 10 year old little kid self and go to school and like I'd have these long nails on and fake tan on and like make up probably and and that was what was kind of sad too is I was like well I look at pictures I'm like I don't think I have any pictures of me without makeup on Wow yeah so like a ten-year-old because I felt like I needed it when I when I was off the dance floor I was like I was like I have to wear makeup cuz you know like I have to I think it was all always like having to please people and like kind of fit in and be accepted and so like I just I always wanted like the older guys to like me like I wanted the older girls to like me

and like you know it was it was kind of like I needed to be more mature to fit in when did that start shifting for you when did you realize that you didn't need to be that way that you didn't need to be that way, that you didn't need to like... Like two years ago. Yeah, it took a while to figure that out. How did it, what came about? How did that come about? I actually went to a Tony Robbins seminar. Yeah. And... God, why is he so powerful? He's so great. I know. And like, and I always say that to people. I'm like, look, I know it sounds crazy because I'm, I'm like such a believer of Tony Robbins, but like, it's because he knows how to like communicate with people and knows how, no, like really knows how to connect with people and like what they go through. So,

I mean, it could be me, it could be my dog, it could be you teaching the seminar or whatever, but like, he just has a really great way to get it to connect with you. So anyway, so I went to the seminar and I didn't really even want to go. Um, my, I was like in my single year, I was like having a lot of fun, but five full days. It's six, six full days, 15 hour days. And like, anyway, so my brother actually asked me to go and like all my sisters and my mom went and I was like, okay, well, I know it's really important to you. So I'll go for like two days and then I'll go home. It's like first day. I was like, oh my gosh, this is exactly what I need. So I ended up staying for the whole time. And it was like, you didn't even want to go to the bathroom or eat or anything

because you wanted to like not miss anything. So, well, he doesn't go to the bathroom or eat or anything because you wanted to like not miss anything so well he doesn't go to the bathroom no i know or eat he's there on stage that's almost the most impressive thing is watching him it is not leave the stage for 15 hours it is but but that's where like um yeah that's where my whole everything changed what opened up for you during that week clarity and awareness of things that i did and and and the kind of person that I was being without even knowing it. And what was that type of person? I was doing everything with the purpose and the meaning behind it that like all I want is love and acceptance and like I want to feel significant to people and important and I want you know I want to feel all these things like I want to feel successful and I want to feel significant to people and important. And I want, you know, I want to feel all these things.

Like, I want to feel successful and I want to do this and I want to do that. But at the end of the day, like, I was doing it for everybody else to get. And so, like, I needed everybody else to fulfill me. And I was thinking about it. And part of the seminar helped me. But, like, I was thinking about like why i wanted to be an entertainer when i was a kid and like why i wanted to be an entertainer now and the meaning was so different what was it when you were a kid when i was a kid i was like it's so much fun

i was like this is awesome this is so fun and like people are laughing like, we're just having a good time and we're being creative. And then, like, as I got older, I realized it was, like, I wasn't having fun anymore. I was just trying to get the next thing and, like, what the next part of my career was going to do for my career and the success of that and, like, being the most important person and, like, all those things where I knew underneath I still love to do everything that I did but I was doing it for a different reason a lot more pressure it seems like oh my gosh and I never felt successful in anything that I did and I was never good enough and like all these different things and and people would find that hard to believe and I'd be like well yeah but I'm not there yet and they're like but look at what you've done and I'd be like yeah but it's not it's not enough so how would you feel when you would, you know, you won Dancing with the Stars a number of times.

Yeah. Or you come out with a new record. How would you feel when you released something or you won something or you checked it off the list or the movie came out? How would you feel? What's next? Yeah. So it was never like appreciating the moment. Never.

Being grateful for this and excited. Yeah. It was like, this isn't enough. Yeah. What's next? Well, I mean, you know, when I won Dancing with the Stars, trust me, I was on a high. I was like this isn't enough yeah well i mean the you know when i went dancing with the stars trust me i was on a high i was like two days later you're like okay a day later i was like okay what's next and like i have to have my music career and i have to

have my my acting career and i have to have this and that and that and and when i got through all that and i realized what i was doing it all for and then I kind of came back to my 10 year old self, which was like, let's go have fun and enjoy it and like have a good time. I ended up feeling like the most successful person. And like, I was like, wow,

look, look at everything that I've done. And like, I'm so proud of myself. And like, and I think that's really hard for people to say. Cause you know, like it's hard to say that you're proud of yourself and one because you're like

afraid of what people are gonna think are they gonna think that I'm cocky and it's like screw what they think of me I like am I proud of myself yeah yeah and everything is just better now like and and I find that I'm I'm getting more things that are just coming in. And it's that kind of energy where you're just being and you're just living and you're just enjoying things. And then you find that you're attracting more things that come your way and more success or whatever, however you define it. But yeah, life is just great right now. Amazing. I'm excited for you. Yeah. But it comes across that way, too. or whatever however you define it but yeah life is just great right now yeah

but it comes across that way too it doesn't seem like you're stressed or you have any weight on your shoulders like let's have fun well yeah and I would notice that a lot I'd be like and I'd always take deep breaths like I'm overwhelmed and like I need I need to do this and like why am I not that person that's that you know like I'm I would compare myself to people all the time like why am I not there and they're there, I'm doing what I can and I'm trying so hard. And I'm like, that's the point. I'm trying so hard. Yeah. Just be, and like being authentic and real. And like, I know it's easy to say that, but when you can find it and you feel that feeling,

you don't ever want that feeling to go away. Like, that's almost, like, the addiction now for me is, like, it's not that I've lost my drive, but, like, it's the, like, I used to hate, sorry, I'm all tangenty right now. Do it. Go on it. But it's, like, I used to hate feeling satisfied. I used to, like, I used to say that if I ever felt like I was, you know, content, that was the worst thing in the world. And so then I would, I like last year I started feeling

content and I was like, Oh, does that mean my drive's gone? Yeah. My hustle. And like, you know, cause I used a lot of like the negativity that has happened in my life to prove myself, to show what I've gone through. And I got rid of that. So I was like, is my drive gone? Like, do I not have the same? I just want to relax on the weekends. Yeah. And what I realized was that, like, it didn't go away.

It actually just made me more calm and peaceful so that I was more able to go and be really passionate about the things that I loved when I needed to do that. And then I could turn off. Do you feel like you're more in the flow every day now or with, you know, your work or your... Yeah, I mean, don't get me wrong. I mean, I still have my moments where I'm like... But, I mean, you know, I do.

I remind myself how grateful I am that, you know, I get to do what I do. Yeah, that's awesome. So, sorry, that was major tangent do. Yeah, that's awesome. Sorry, that was major tangenting. No, it's perfect. That's what everyone needs to hear, though. And what would you actually say to someone, whether they're a busy entrepreneur

or they've got a family and they feel like they want to make more money and they just feel like they have so much going on and they're never in the zone, they're constantly stressed, what advice would you give to them? I would say find some rituals that you do to calm you down

and put you in what Tony likes to say is a peak state. Yeah, of course. What are your rituals? My rituals are in the morning, like I breathe and I think about the things that I'm grateful for and I think about what I want to do that day and I think about how I can, not what I'm gonna do but how I'm gonna be to how I'm gonna be and then that day yeah and and what are the things that come up

often for you what are those ways of kindness for sure I mean kind being kind I think there's a lot of anti bullying and that's that's an anti thing and I'm like well the only like cure for that is by doing something. So instead of being anti-bullying. Before kindness. Before kindness. So, you know, for me, it's always about what can I do to inspire and to love and like to just, yeah. So I don't know. I want to now be remembered for who I am as a person rather than what I've accomplished. And then what I've accomplished is great because then it will be a platform to be that person and help.

That's cool. What other rituals throughout the day or maybe at night do you do something before bed? Music is really important to me because it gets me in a great mood. And so when I'm singing or I'm moving around and I feel great, just life is wonderful. I make sure I kiss my dogs every day and we play. The girls.

The girls, Lexi and Marley. And I think for me, too, I try to listen. I think a lot of the times I, in the past for sure, and it still catches up with me, but I just, I kind of just go on my day. Listen to what? Listen to yourself or listen to others? Listen to people, like a conversation.

Like I think that sometimes I just am waiting for like the end of the conversation. Really? Yeah. I mean, now or you used to be like that? I used to be like that and sometimes that creeps in. Why do you wait to the end of the conversation really yeah now or you used to be like that I used to be like that and sometimes that creeps in why are you wait to the end? Because I'm always again trying to what's next what's next and so present yeah, and so I now try to like listen and like and And understand try to understand people so I don't know so my rituals are kind of like again the morning

I breathe I think about the things that I'm grateful for. I, um, I listen to music and get in a good place. And then, and then before I go to bed, I don't know, I do the same kind of thing. Like think about what I'm grateful for. And yeah. How important is, um, learning new skills and constantly improving your mind, uh, for you? Are you, for you? Are you going to more workshops or reading or listening to podcasts? Yeah. I mean, like I said, it's kind of addicting when you feel this good. Yeah. It's like a high.

It is a high. And so it's really fun because I feel like your community of friends, it actually shrinks first and then it grows. And it's really cool because you find that you have the same interest in, and talking about this kind of stuff is really fun. And then you're like, let's, let's go to a seminar together and like, let's, you know, let's read this book together, you know? And so, yeah, I'm, I'm always trying to constantly fuel that. I think kind of what we were saying about, like, school,

like, it didn't compute. Like, I didn't connect to it, and so I didn't understand it. Whereas, like, life stuff like this, I'm like, this is what they need to be teaching in school. Right. I'm like, and I connect to this. For sure, yeah. So, like, I feel really smart.

That's funny. You know, whereas, like, in school, like, it didn't connect with me, whereas this really connects with me. Yeah. So, yeah, so i'm always trying to try i don't know find ways to be better but not even be better to to again like prove myself but to be better because it just feels better to to grow and always feel like you're um yeah i always feel like you're growing and learning and yeah yeah Yeah. That's great. I'm a big believer in mastering your body and having great health.

How important is it for you to constantly be on top of your health game physically? Obviously, I think I know the answer because of what you do, but how important is it? Actually, I think you're right. Really? Because I wish that I was more conscious of my health. And I think that, I think maybe I put a lot of pressure on myself because of the health thing. Because I feel like that's what I should be. And so maybe I. Because everyone's always looking at you or judging you or pictures or whatever.

Yeah. And so I feel like I have a lot of pressure to show that I'm healthy. And I think that's one thing that I'm actually figuring out right now. Tell me more about this. Okay, so I dance because I have fun. Yes. And it makes my body better. Yeah.

But I don't do it for that reason, really. I do it for the fun of it. And working out, I would always do for vanity. To look good. To look good, which is a great thing you want to look good right but what I realized was that I was doing it all for vanity and so now to be healthy you mean or not to be healthy improve your no but I would feel great when I would do it so then I would get confused like why am I doing this and I realized that it was for all for vanity and like

so now I'm trying to figure out okay how can I how can I work out and and eat right and do it but because I I want to do it for health and not for vanity and so I know it's really true yeah so I'm still figuring that out because by the way I'm never gonna not do it for vanity also but like you know I I want to do it for the right reason and I want to be healthy when I have kids and like you know and yeah how many kids you want to have I want to have four wow yeah that was quick to answer right that's great you you knew that since you're like seven years old you're like I'm gonna have four kids I'm gonna have here wow I'm a planner what why four? Why three or four?

I had a big family, and I couldn't imagine my life without my siblings. And they're my best friends. Yeah, that's cool. Yeah. What is it about, what is something about you that most people don't know that would surprise them if they knew. You know, I think that, like, I love doing this interview because I'm being so real and so honest. Yeah, I appreciate you. Yeah, of course.

And I like that. Whereas I think a lot of people, and I think in the past, I've always been kind of, I know what to say and the limit to say. You have your PR team on you, like the talking points. Well, that, and also just to be positive and always happy and, and, and not show my weaknesses. And I think that for people, I want them to know that like, I have insecurities and I have, you know, moments in my life that I'm not proud of or that I am, you know, striving to be better at. And, and so like being in this world, it's very, your image is very important to protect because you want to make sure that, you know, you don't show the weaknesses. But for me, what I've learned is that like your weaknesses your vulnerability is

what makes you strong and to be able to you know have somebody relate to you is I think really important for that person because they see us here in this incredible world yeah that is it's abnormal it's not It's not normal. But yet, we're all still normal and real. And, like, we don't usually show those things. So, I don't know. I just would say that I'm just human. And, like, I have my moments.

And I have my insecurities. And I cry. And then, like, I'm really weird. Always. I have, like, these'm really weird. Always. Like, I have, like, these weird moments, and Christy will tell you, but, like, I have these weird moments where I get really, like, slap happy, where, like, I get in this, like, weird mood, and I just start doing these, like, really, like, operatic voices.

Give me one. I'd be like, yeah! like operatic voices and I'll say, I'd be like, it's always when I'm really tired and I'll be like rolling on the floor and like, I'm just kind of weird. Um, so yeah, I don't know. Like I'm not, I like weird. Weird's great. I love it. How often do you feel like you allow yourself to be vulnerable, whether it be in public or in private? Yeah, I feel like I'm getting better at it for sure. I think that I never used to be vulnerable.

I always used to be a tough cookie. And, you know, look how strong I am. Never let them see you sweat. Never. Like, oh, that's a piece of cake, you know. Because I wanted to prove, again, that how strong I am. Never let them see you sweat. Never. Like, oh, that's a piece of cake, you know. Wow. Because I wanted to prove, again, that I was really strong and that I could do this and I could keep up and that I was meant to be here with everybody else. Right.

Whereas now I think that, like, I don't care. Sure, sure, sure. So, like, I'm not searching for people's approval anymore. I mean, of course, we all are here and there, but, like, that's not my main drive. And so I think now I'm just kind of like, eh, I don't care. If they like me, they like me. If they don't, they don't. And so, yeah, I don't know.

That's cool. So tell me how you divide your time between all these interests you have. Again, you're like a superstar at everything. So how do you balance it all? Or is there no balance? Yeah's really good question um i'm i'm working on the balance part because i i i feel like i have a lot of great ideas and i'm passionate about this and oh my gosh this would be a great tv show idea or i need to sing or i need to go on tour. And so I would have so many things on my plate that I would never do them all really well. I would, like, be outstanding at all of them. I would kind of just be okay.

Enough to make it work. Enough to make it work. And so... Kind of fake your way to being good. Yeah, exactly. And so I kind of, in the last couple years, I'm like, okay, how do I trim the fat? Basically? Like I need to, I need to prioritize and what makes me happy? What makes me, what makes me like, like get super excited. And if there's anything that doesn't make me feel that I need to get it away. And so there was a lot of projects that I had that it would just overwhelm me. But I was like, but it's such a good idea.

I need to do this. And then I was like, but I'm not even that passionate about it. But I'm like, but it could make a lot of money and it could be a success and it could be this and it could be that. And then I'm like, but I really don't even care about it. Like I do because I think it could be something, but it's not that I'm like completely all in on it. So what advice would you give someone who does have all these projects going on or has a new idea? Because so many entrepreneurs listen,

they always have another idea and they never follow through with it. Well, and that's, I think that was what was happening with me too. So it is, it's, my advice would be to trim the fat. Like literally get all of the things that you think you have that are important. And literally just kind of like go like this and only put the things that you are super passionate about like it's almost like clearing the table and then grabbing the things that you're like okay

this this this that is my priority and then once this is kind of feeling like it's going then I can trickle in something else got some momentum or you got, you've got a system in place, you're a team that's running it. Yeah, but if there's too much I always feel like nothing's gonna get done or it's gonna be half-assed or it's gonna, you know, it's not gonna be my full potential of what I know it could have been. Right. You know. So what is it you want right now?

What do you, you've done so much but like what do you want in your life? What I want in my life now is structure and stability. I think that for a long time, and just who I am, I'm all over the place. And I love that about myself, that I am all like, you know, like, let's just go do this and spontaneity. But now I'm kind of wanting to be more calm and settled and a little bit more stability. So for me, I think the thing that I would really, I feel like I'm an entrepreneur. You are. Of course you are.

And I'm thinking about business ideas that aren't necessarily me being on camera, but that can run itself almost. Producing them. Yeah, producing or even I have some ideas for my brand that my brother and I are, you know, creating, Move. And we have some, again, some outside ideas that we want to establish and put into play. And that won't be me necessarily being there constantly.

Having to show up constantly. Yeah, show up and be on camera so like having a way to to do that i think i'm starting to think about now and and think about like when i because i want to start having kids in like five years i'm not ready at all but like in like five years so like how can i plan and set it up so that like i can take time off and and yet still feel like i'm involved in my business and my work but I can be here. So I think that's where my brain is going right now. That's cool.

Yeah. What's the dream? The dream is to have fun. Throw you off guard there. Yeah, no, but it's true. The dream is I want to have a family. Yeah, yeah. And I want to be married.

I want to have a family. Yeah, yeah. And I want to be married. I want to have a family. I want to be able to, I want to still be able to perform in any manner. Yeah. And it can be on a large scale, like what I'm doing now. Right. Or it could be something smaller. It kind of just depends where my life is going. But I want to continue to make money because I want to be able to support my family. And, um, and I think that that's, it's just fun to find out how, like ways, like, oh, I can make money from this. Yeah. It's great. So I'm always trying to think of fun, cool ideas.

Um, but also I think my purpose has changed a little bit as well as far as instead of receiving and getting a lot of stuff, like how can I give to the world? Wow. And so. That's interesting. Yeah. And it makes, I don't know, it makes life, again, it makes life so much better because, okay, so I'm going to let you in on my mission statement. Let me hear it. So my mission statement is, let me get into

my peak state. It is. What's your move? Show me your move. My move? It's kind of funny. My brother makes fun of me all the time. It goes, yes. Like jazz hands? Yes. I like it. Jazz hands. Yes. Yeah, that's my move. So the purpose of my life is to be an infectious light of love and joy, to celebrate the little things, and to inspire others to embrace their true essence. That's good. And that last part. Inspire others to be their true essence.

To embrace their true essence. To embrace your true essence. And to find that, because I think that I had to find that in the last couple years and and we get so um caught up in what we need to do and what we need to get and all those things that like we forget like the 10 year old self and and like why we want to do it and because it's fun right and so to inspire somebody else to like break down those like layers of what they've just done to survive. It's like, let's break those down. Let's break those down. You know? And I want to be there, that kind of person to help people or, or to inspire people to like find that part.

I'm glad you shared your mission statement. I want to share with you mine and I'm gonna ask your question. My mission is to teach a hundred million people to show them how to make a full-time living doing what they love. Wow. Because I believe if everyone is making a full-time living, it doesn't have to be millions, but enough to live and have a good life. Yeah. Doing the things that you're most passionate about, that's going to cause, you're going to heal yourself so much from so much pain. Yeah. And disease is going to be gone.

Relationships are going to be better. If people are doing what they love. Yeah. And they they do is matters. I agree. Make money for what matters. So how important is it to be clear on a mission and to have a mission statement? Like you just said, and like I have. Yeah. I think it's really important because I never had one before. And I always thought like, Oh, I want want that I want that but I didn't know why I didn't know why and then I figured out why and then I and I said yes and I figured out why and I and I I have direction now and I have clarity and like what's important is important what's not important is not important and I used to there was no filter before

everything just kind of blended and mixed and I didn't and I felt kind of lost but I was like I'm not lost I'm good I know what I'm doing but I was lost completely cuz I'm like well yeah I think I'm supposed to be doing this I think I but having that direction you you have a you do have a purpose yeah and then every day it's not a it's not a battle or a or a um or pressure to live up to it it just kind of somehow happens because when you believe it and you think it and you say it like you just end up doing it yeah and it's yeah that's cool i think i mean when i was like a teenager i didn't have a mission statement of like what i'm going to do in my life. I think when you're younger, it's just trying to like figure out how to get to the next grade or get to college or whatever it is. And for me,

it was like, will a girl like me, you know, can I get a girlfriend? That was like my mission, right? So I think, I think it depends on where you're at in your life and your mission can evolve and change as the seasons change, new relationships new new things happen but i think it's invaluable to have something no matter where you're at i agree and even if it's something that you don't necessarily believe fully but you want i think that's always really good to even have that because that again it it it gives you a reason yeah and a purpose and a meaning behind it whereas Whereas like, like I,

like there were things that I would tell myself that I, I wasn't fully living, but I wanted to be. And so I would tell those things, tell myself those things. And then I ended up becoming that, you know? And like, I used to say that,

like, I remember going in for my footloose audition and. Did he just give it to you? No, I went in and auditioned multiple amount of times. Wow. And when I went in,

I was so insecure and I was so worried that I wasn't going to get this that I could have done that and I would have shown that. Or I went into the bathroom and I was like, I'm fucking awesome.

I was like, I am so good. I'm so going to get this. I'm awesome. Yeah. Like, I deserve this. I'm fucking awesome. I was like, I am so good. I'm so going to get this. I'm awesome. Yeah. Like I deserve this. I'm going to do this. I did not believe that at all.

But I just, I told myself in the mirror, I tricked myself into thinking it and I got it. And like, I've done that a lot in my life. Because your energy doesn't lie. Yeah. If you show up nervous because you're thinking that constantly, it's going to come across very easily. Yeah, completely. I'm the fucking shit. I lie. Yeah. If you show up nervous because you're thinking that constantly, it's going to come across very easily. Yeah, completely.

I'm the fucking shit. I am. Yeah. And it's like, and I've done that in like a lot of my auditions. Or when I'm feeling like, ugh, like then I'm like, wait, wait, wait. And this is actually pre-Tony. So like I feel like I kind of did it anyway. You're pumping yourself up, yeah.

But I would pump myself up and I would say things that even though I didn't believe it, like I would just say it. And then after I would be finished, I'd be like, thank goodness I told myself that, you know. Now, do you practice visualization a lot? Do you like visualize what you want and think about it constantly or put it on a wall like images or any type of visualization? Well, when I was a kid, I definitely did. And I had like, by the time I'm 16, I'm going to do this. By the time I'm 19, I'm going to do this and this and this.

And literally it was like, by the time I'm 19, I want to be a singer. And that's when I released my first record. When I was 21, I wanted to star in my own movie and that was Footloose. And you know, and like there were certain things along the way that happened and they would come to fruition. It was crazy. And then I stopped doing that because I achieved all those things and I didn't have any of those.

And I realized I made those up when I was a kid. And I was like, I need to be a kid again and make up some new ones. Some big dreams. Some big dreams. Yeah. And I forgot that i did that but i they kept coming true and so i don't have i well i do now but i didn't have any past 21 and so i was like oh i need to get some dreams you know and like and like really visualize like

when and how and where and the picture of what I want. What's the process of this? Do you just map it up in your mind? Do you draw it out? Do you write it down? How do you? I map it out in my mind because I am very visual, so I just see it. But then, I mean, it's so necessary.

Is there something you tell yourself or is there like? It's silly, but every time an eyelash falls and I make a wish or like every time it's 11-11 or like I do, I like... You think about that. I think about those things and I like wish for it and I think about it. And I know it sounds silly and like it's not magic, you know, it's just, but it is. It's like, it's a reminder, like those little funny wish things. But like I'll always think about those things. I think that's brilliant because if you're not reminded to think about them,

that's never going to happen. It's not just going to fall on your lap. You're not going to get the role in the next movie you want because you just showed up and it just fell on your lap. You've got to set the intention every day. Completely. Multiple times probably. Yeah. For years.

Well, and it's so funny now that you say that because even my family has this weird thing where we always see either 11-11 or 2-11 or something 11. Same time or. And we always text me like 2-11 and like 10 will come in. You text like the photo of it? Yeah, totally. And it's like the more you think about it, the more you're going to see it. Right.

And it's like before I never would have even noticed that. But we see it, the more you're going to see it. Right. And it's like before I never would have even noticed that, but we see it all the time. Now we'll go and like, we'll see a license plate that has it, or like, we'll go to the grocery store and our change will be something 11. And it's like, because you're focused on that, like, that's what you see and that's what you get. And so I feel like that's the same thing in life. Like whether it's a dream that you have or if it's an idea that you have, the more you think about it, the more you focus on that, the more it's going to keep coming up. And then the other side of things, the more you focus on stress and the negative drama and whatever else, anger and

frustration, resentment, the more you're going to be frustrated and resentful. Completely. Absolutely. Tell me about your brother. How much of a support has he been along this entire process from London to Dancing with the Stars to movies and singing? How big of a support has he been? Oh, huge support. And I think, you know, I think in even just the last few years, he's been incredible because, you know, when you're kids your kids were brother and sister so like

like annoying yeah and like we never really were that like annoying brother and sister with each other but we were just kind of like well yeah like we're brother and sister we look out for each other you know like it was always that kind of good thing but I think in the last few years as we've as we've grown up and we've had life experience has happened, like relationships and breakups and, you know, we're now really working together. I mean, trust me, I've learned a lot about my brother. You're like a tour bus going the other way. Yeah.

I mean, we are emerged. You're staying with him right now? It's a lot. But, you know, I used to hold my brother on such a pedestal, and I think he did the same thing for me. Really? And we're like, okay, we are human. And we've seen a lot of each other's faults now

and, like, our weaknesses and stuff like that. And I think it's hard because we even put our parents on a pedestal. It's all this stuff. And then you see something that disappoints you, and you're like, well, wait, you're supposed to be this person. And then you're like, well, no, they're human. Anyway, so my brother and I have been really, really a huge support for each other in the last few years because there have been life experiences.

We have been immersed in each other's lives. And there's things that if we didn't want to work to have our relationship we could have split us apart or like you know and so I think that we he was the one that introduced me to going to that seminar that changed my life you know and like and every day we send each other these really cool little messages with all my sisters on the chain. And my brother will always send these really cool inspirational things. And like just keeping us, I don't know, feeling good. So he's our brother.

He's like our, he's the only boy in the family. So like he's like our, we love him. He's like our little brother, even though he's my big brother. But he's like my little brother. Sure, that's very cool. What was the biggest lesson you learned while being a dancer on Dance With The Stars? What's the biggest thing that opened up for you? Patience, for sure, because you have to be sort of selfless when you're on that show because it's not about you. It's about the celebrity. Yeah. It's about the celebrity yeah it's about the

celebrity teaching constantly right teaching them watching them grow but it's very rewarding and i think i didn't really understand that until recently that like the reason why it was really fun to be selfless is the reward that you would get to watch somebody grow in front of your eyes and like you know physically you know dancing wise but then like emotionally too and seeing them come out of their shell and like feeling confident and sexy like that's I mean I was that was obviously Apollo coming out and feeling sexy but um but that like that fulfillment on the other side like it's okay that it's not about me because it's... Being in service.

Giving. Yeah, giving. And being able to have a task and you have to fulfill it and you have to achieve that. Otherwise, you're not going to be prepared and you're going to look silly. So I loved that. It taught me discipline for sure. I I mean I was taught that in England as well but like it taught me discipline it taught me how to commit to something and that I can't flake like I have to be there I have to be reliable and be

prepared and be prepared yeah so I loved it right that's cool and now you're judging yeah tell me what's the biggest And now you're judging. Yeah. Now tell me what's the biggest lesson that you've learned being a judge, being on the other side. Yeah, biggest lesson that I've learned being a judge is that... After you've been judged for so long. You want to give critiques, but with an encouragement behind it. Because I think that there's been times where you just kind of say what you think, and then you run out of time, and you're not allowed to say what you want to say for the encouraging part. So you have to, like, for me...

You're like, I'm sorry. I know. And so it's really making sure that whenever I say what I have to say, there's always something that is a good part to it, that I can always see something good in whatever that is. But I also am not just going to say, oh, that was great, because that's not helping them. That's just keeping them where they're at.

So I want to be able to give some, you know, criticism that helps them get better for the next week. So I don't know. It's just, it is, it's about being authentic, but with a thought of encouragement, you know, like, so, yeah. With, you know, the exposure to ballroom dance with Dancing with the Stars and more shows and all these dance shows coming out,

and I feel like more and more parents putting their kids in dance, especially in the U.S. I don't know about around the world. Yeah. What advice would you give to either parents or kids at a young age about ballroom dance, specifically going into it, knowing what you've been through? Yeah.

I think that, wow, it's a really difficult question because I went through a lot of stuff that was pretty difficult. And, like, you know, I've spoken out about it, but, you know, there were times where I felt completely alone. And, like, nobody understands me and, like, the overly sexualized type thing. But I didn't understand that as a kid until now I'm an adult and I can look back and understand what it was but but those things made me a really great dancer yeah so made you driven and extremely driven made me really passionate made me made me a fighter made me strong and all those things so it's hard because I'm like, I, I, I would never take it back because this is why I'm here, but it's a very, I would never want anybody else to

go through some of this stuff, you know? So, um, so for, for my advice for young kids, I think it's an incredible, I think it's an incredible sport where you learn how to interact with a girl or a guy, I think, which is maybe a good thing and a bad thing. But I think the gentlemanly feeling of taking care of a woman, I is really um and escorting yeah it's very prominent in that world and you know being a female dancer definitely brings out the sensual sides but but it's being able to balance that and being able to like that's what I do but that's not who I am kind of thing so I don't know I hey, I'm a huge fan of dancers, and there's all sorts of dancers.

Dancers are amazing. They're really incredible. And it's so much about the emotion that, like, oh, man. Like, when I dance, there's nothing, I mean, really, there's nothing greater than what I feel. And I'm so emerged, and I'm present. It's the one time that I really, truly feel present. Yeah. So I don't know.

I mean, I'm not really answering this question at all um i would just say like you know give it give it your all and never forget why you wanted to do it because when you lose sight of that then like what's the point you know why why are you doing it um so just to keep doing it for yeah for the fun and the right reasons so yeah that's good good answer I don't know do you feel like without struggle that you would be able to have success as well or do you feel like because of the struggles you've been through the challenges going to London coming back just like all the different confusing times because of that you are successful or and if you different confusing times. Because of that, you are successful. And if you didn't have that, would you be where you are now?

For me personally, I don't know the other. So where I'm at, I do think that that made me who I am. And the struggle was necessary. And the drive, whether it was because I felt I needed to prove myself or to show how strong I was, what I've done, what I've accomplished because of what I've gone through. Like that was something that I needed, but now I don't need that anymore. And so it's a different kind of drive and passion.

And I know others. My boyfriend, he didn't have struggles, and he is so passionate about what he does so I think in the past I would have been like yeah you know to have struggle really helps you get somewhere but I've seen the opposite like somebody who is so supported so like like his family was there through and throughout like and he just was passionate and he loved it that's great and like he wouldn't have it any other way. Like, and so you can have it both ways. I think you just have to have that passion. Yeah. And I think that,

yeah, I don't know. I mean, I've seen it both ways now, so I don't know. A couple of questions left for you. Um, the first one, a friend of mine asked me, he said, you should, I should ask this question in my interviews from now on. So my question is, and you're kind of seeding it with how you want to be of service and give to the world as opposed to get. So if I gave you a billion dollars right now, what would you do to serve the world? How would you accelerate your service? Wow. Off the top of my head, I can't think of one place or one community or something that I would do to give it to or something like that. But I would definitely do something.

Oh, man. Like, I work with Kind Campaign. Yeah, I saw that. And I love that they have it in the school now where it's an outside program type thing. But, you know, it's something outside program type thing but you know it is it's something that people want to be a part of so I would I would want to do something where whether it's something in schools with kids about moving and and um you know because I say the more the way that you move directly affects the way that you feel so like doing some sort of activity that is

is movement and and positivity and like lifting that person up so it would be something like that whether it's in schools or like opening facility like in like all around the states that had that where like people could come in and and learn how to like not rebuild their lives but like strip and and and and be their true essence so like so but like having tools and and people that also is in a fun environment so like i don't know if that made any sense but um but yeah like if i could maybe build some sort of like facility like a like a not a dance studio but like a wellness studio where a center where like you learn you learn life lessons and you learn like kindness and you learn this and you learn that and like because it's not about it's not about again like taking away, but it's how do you cure that?

So like by being that kind of person. So I don't know. It's all good. You stop the badness in the world by being good. So I would teach people that. I don't know. I like that. Or like get a lot of people to come and teach that.

I like it. Bring Tony in and teach him. Yeah, exactly. I like that. One more question. Yeah, exactly. I like that. One more question. Yeah. And before I ask you the last question, I want to see, is there anything you want to talk about that you're up to, that you're really excited about, that you want to promote out there? Yeah.

Where can we find you online? How can we connect with you? How can we be a part of your dream? Absolutely. dream absolutely well um the way that you can connect with me is i'm launching actually a blog website type you know i'm launching a blog um i'm like i try to anyway and it's um it's obviously lifestyle all the things that i'm really passionate about but it's also like a space again for like challenges that i i want to put out in the world to, to be kind or be, you know, be loving or being grateful. And so it's a space where, um, I really want to have a community of those types

of people. Are you writing it or is it your content? Yeah. Yeah. And what's it called? It's just, it's just my name, juliannehuff.com. Okay, cool. So yeah. So when's that coming out? It's like end of March. All right, perfect. Yeah. So go over there, subscribe. Yeah, and to be connected and feeling like we're, I don't know, we're in this community together.

I like it. Yeah. And then going back on Dancing with the Stars. Amazing. Got a movie I just finished that will come out next year. Amazing. So yeah, just love and life. Subscribe to you on your website.

What are you? Are you Instagram more Twitter, Facebook? Instagram that connects to Twitter. Okay, cool. And Facebook actually, but it's Instagram.

Instagram. All right. I'm a big Instagram fan too. Cool. So make sure to go there. Before I ask you the final question, I just want to again, acknowledge you,

Julianne, for your joy and your love. I know you have love written right there. But it's like it just comes across so powerfully and so gracefully. That's the word that's coming up for me. It's like graceful in this ease. So I acknowledge you for being the light and being so joyful in the world and for bringing that energy to this interview. It's been so much fun. So thank thank you appreciate it yeah final question is what's your

definition of greatness my definition of greatness wow that is a that is a tough question but i think that um it's kind of what i've been saying is just being authentic and, and, um, and achieving what you feel is great. Not what, um, not what I think the world defines as great. Um, I think that greatness is very personal. Yeah. So I don't know, achieving greatness. I'm just thinking about my stepsister who's having a baby right now. She's literally in the hospital. That is achieving greatness right there. Or like, I don't know, anything. This interview is greatness.

It's the way that you look at it. Awesome. Well, Julianne, thank you so much for coming on. Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. There you have it, guys. If you enjoyed this one, one make sure to share with your friends at

lewishouse.com slash 499 and make sure to tag me at lewishouse and at julianne huff over on your instagram stories your instagram page on twitter on facebook let us know what you thought of this i'm sure she would love to hear the feedback of what you gained from her inspiration and her story. Again, lewishouse.com slash 499. And I hope you enjoyed this one. To finish this up, you've got to dance like there's nobody watching. You've got to love like you'll never be hurt.

You've got to sing like there's nobody listening and live like it's heaven on earth. Again, great quote by William Perkey. I hope you enjoyed this one and you know what time it is. It's time to go out there and do something great. Outro Music