Alona

Listen Here Boo:

Meet our first featured Knockout

By Emily Bishop

This girl is fearless, or at least that would be one’s first impression of this knockout. As we dive more into each other’s lives, we learn that we all can have more in common then what we see on the surface. Her dark hair has hues of pink and purple at the moment (she’s actually a natural blonde) and her beaming, killer blue eyes are on point and looking good today. As she and I sit down to chat about life, she busts open a Corona on a Sunday afternoon. For this girl, she seems poised and ready to take on the world. Maybe because she is a great friend of mine, so I can be partial, but this girl has been through so much this year, so to see her sitting there, beer in hand, knowing she has walked through some real shit and is still killing it is such an inspiration. As she goes through her re-birth of sorts, 2018 being a chapter that will close with the end of her divorce, Hannah and I knew right away she had to be our first feature. Her story symbolizes a revival and recovery for all of us.

Alona, why did you want to be part of our collective?

Preface, she is a brutally honest chick---

Well, let’s be honest Emily, because you guys asked me to, I mean, it’s you guys. Plus, I love the idea of empowering women to be their best selves. I do this for a living anyway. It seemed natural to be a part of this.

Who are some knockouts in your life who have inspired you now or overall in your journey?

My mom, without a doubt. To see this beautiful woman start working out for the first time in her early 60s, she was so nervous and needed help being encouraged, went straight for 5 days a week, had a personal trainer, and she has just done so well with it. She is out with her girlfriends, dancing all the time, and just feels the best she possibly can.

Also, my mom is the reason I started dancing and performing.

“Have I not told you the sea world story before, “ she asks me, wide eyed?

“No!” I respond.

She then proceeds to tell me this story of how, from the very beginning, she was a deathfully shy child. Hiding behind her daddy’s leg, avoiding people all thogether, fair play on that one, and just wouldn’t want anything to do with “front and center” mentallity. On a family trip to Seawolrd in Claifornia, there was a section of the park with open space and music playing over speakers. The little shy Alona, about 2 ½ years olds, busts out in dance and begins performing. What was more important was what her mom saw. She saw her little girl shine, and she quickly noticed that Alona was wanting others to see her, pay attention to her, unafraid. She knew then that this was something that Alona wanted to do, was born with it in fact. Not long after, she enrolled her in dance, with an instructor that she stayed with for many years after.

If someone could play you in a movie, who would it be and why?

Without any hesitation whatsoever, she quickly responds with, “Anna Kendrick!! I love that she is a spitfire, small, we look alike, which I’ve been told so many times before. It’s ok, we can teach her to dance though. I love that she’s fiery!”

As women, we all have many of the same difficulties we go through, yet, we tend to supress them counting them “not worthy” of discussion. When have you done this, and regarding what? How are these things unique to your story?

Well, it’s no secret that I am small, petite (she stands at about 5’ even). I've had to work twice as hard to make it in this industry. Trying to keep up with all of the other dancers who were taller, stronger, could cover more ground faster than me; all of this has really shaped who I am. When taking ballet under the instruction of a fantastic french teacher, who has since passed, I purposefully put myself behind one of the tallest, leggy-est dancers. I knew that I wanted to jump just as high as she did. If I needed to be across that stage in 8 count, I thought to myself ‘DONE’, and made it happen. That’s not easy with short legs. I feel like I’ve spent a lot of my life trying to play catch up. But none of that has ever stopped me from going for what I knew I wanted, to show that I could be just as good if not better then everyone else.

Describe yourself using only adjectives.

Sassy, fiery, caring- I like to take care of people, short and thick, wait, is mermaid an adjective? Oh, I think I’m funny! Side note: I feel like my taking care of others can be a bit of a downfall at times.

What does trust mean to you? Once it’s broken, can it be rebuilt?

To me, trust means being open and vunrable with someone else, but more importantly it means that no matter what, it won’t be thrown at you or used against you. Trust CAN be rebuilt and gained back, but adultery can never be forgiven.

Body image: talk about it. Why do you love your body?

Side note: I had previously told her that I see how confident she is, and that it was a true inspiration. She has immediately laughed at this.

She says: Body image is negative, or it can be a big negative thing. I wish it wasn’t, trust me. I have ALWAYS struggled with my own body image. That’s why I laughed when you said the word ‘confidence’ ( she then inserts a barf noise here). I know I can look at others and 100% celebrate their body, like, ‘get it girl, you’re killing it!’ I can say that for myself (as she hesitates), I love that I have strong thighs and I can jump for days. Big Butts mean jumping. Legs and ass, I have those!

So, how do you feel when you dance? What does it mean to you?

Home. Performing, being on stage; that feels like home for me.

Is happiness something you create or earn or neither?

Create. I believe that it is a temporary emotion. Happiness is a choice, a state of mind you can even out yourself in. Joy, contentment, those are things that you can earn even through seeking happiness. Those are more permanent.

What’s your desert island food?

Dark chocolate! Oh and Sauvignon Blanc.

If you could stand in front of your 15 year old self, what would you say to her? What advice would you give to her?

I’d tell her to trust her instincts. Your choices can generate a certain type of life. If you want something, go for it. I have made things happen for myself. I would also tell her that gut feelings are real. You should pay attention to and honor them.

Ok, who is the actual Queen B? Brittney or Beyoncè?

Brittney of course! That bitch went through some real shit and is still killing it! She had a killer career, still looks bomb, had kids with a loser like Kevin Federline, and is still fierce as hell.

What is your favorite workout song right now? Overall?

The Ellie Goulding Powerful remix, from our playlist (pure Barre).

And overall, Black Skinhead by Kanye West. When I hear that song, I feel fire inside!

Why do you think you’re a knockout?

I was told ‘no’ for 7 years, coming out of a horrible marriage. The fact that I can bounce back, two middle fingers in the air, and say ‘Here I am! Still standing, living my best life', is why I feel like I'm a Knockout.

As i sit and stare at this knockout, friend, amazing girl, I am more in awe of her now than I was before. She has been through the ringer this year, a cheating spouse, the end of a huge part of her life and has stood strong throughout. This girl gets up and teaches and motivates other people to be the best that they can be. She currently teaches at one of our local Pure Barre studios in San Clemente, CA as well as instructs dance for kids at another studio. She has taken many a difficult situation and has learned to move through it with grace and kick ass poise. She loves her people to death! Friends, family, friends who have become family; everyone single person she keeps close knows how much she cares for them as she makes damn sure to let them know by her actions. She is proof that perseverance pays off, and as she says oh so perfectly, "Ya know Emily, you just have to make shit happen."