I know that most of the time I have to work overtime to do everything that I want to. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Every time I step onto the stage, it's not only proving to the audience that I'm capable but to myself. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I just try to approach every opportunity on stage, as if it's my first time and my last time. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I've always approached my career and my life, you know, one day at a time, as if this was the last day… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
My career came together very quickly. I only trained for four years before I became a professional, so I didn't have a… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
40 years old is about the time a principal dancer would start to think about retirement, but some go on to dance… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Going on stage and doing ballet, for the first time, was even more verification of, "This is what I'm meant to do.… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I didn't care how much work it would take, and I didn't see the time invested as a waste or like I… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Something happens when you feel that energy and excitement from the audience. And you do, I don't know, four pirouettes. You jump… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I remind myself everyday just how lucky I am to do what I love! I feel so fortunate and I'm just trying… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Finding ballet gave me passion for the first time in my life. I was always very shy and just wanted to fit… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Finding great training, I think, is number one. I did a lot of research and found really great teachers, and it just… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I don't believe in dieting, I don't believe in having certain moments in your life where you're healthy and then moments when… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I traced the marley floor with my pointe shoes, and imagine myself on the stage, not as a member of the corps, but as… — Misty Copeland Copy Share
When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet… — Misty Copeland Copy Share
To be empathetic to everyone around you, I think, is such a powerful thing to hold. — Misty Copeland Copy Share
My first ballet class was on a basketball court. I'm in my gym clothes and my socks trying to do this thing called ballet. — Misty Copeland Copy Share
There are muscles that we have in our feet that most human beings don't even know that we have. The strength that we have… — Misty Copeland Copy Share
Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you. — Misty Copeland Copy Share
The woman represents ballet. She is most important, powerful and vital to it. Therefore, she is not "less than" a man. If anything she… — Misty Copeland Copy Share
If I'm put in a situation where I am not really sure what's going to happen, it can be overwhelming. I get a bit… — Misty Copeland Copy Share
I never experienced getting nervous on stage. I think I was most comfortable there. — Misty Copeland Copy Share
The word "prodigy" was thrown around a lot, but I didn't understand what that meant, or the weight of it. It didn't really mean… — Misty Copeland Copy Share
I think that the ideal physique and look of a ballerina is always changing with different eras. And it's continuing to change. — Misty Copeland Copy Share
Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing character - the perseverance… — Misty Copeland Copy Share
Perseverance has always just been something that was in me. And it was a tool that came in very handy as a ballerina. — Misty Copeland Copy Share
I was 17 when I moved to NYC . I'm now 32. But I do know I can't see myself living anywhere else. I… — Misty Copeland Copy Share
I grew up poor in San Pedro, California, sleeping on the floor of shady motels with my five siblings and not always sure when… — Misty Copeland Copy Share
