--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never thought of myself as special or…" description: "\"I never thought of myself as special or particularly good at anything. But once I started ballet, suddenly I had a new identity: prodigy.\" — Misty Cope..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-never-thought-of-myself-as-special-or_816322.png" --- # I never thought of myself as special or particularly good… ![“I never thought of myself as special or particularly good at anything. But once I started ballet, suddenly I had a new identity: prodigy.” quote by Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-never-thought-of-myself-as-special-or_816322.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-never-thought-of-myself-as-special-or_816322.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-never-thought-of-myself-as-special-or_816322.png) > “I never thought of myself as special or particularly good at anything. But once I started ballet, suddenly I had a new identity: prodigy.” [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Discovering ballet gave a new sense of self, transforming perceived ordinariness into exceptional talent. **In simple terms:** Ballet reshaped identity to a prodigy. Key Takeaway Embrace opportunities that reveal hidden strengths. Themes identity self‑discovery art Mood inspirational empowering Type motivational personal development When to use this quote - dance class - career change - personal growth Key Concepts talent development confidence building Questions to Reflect On - What activity could unlock your hidden potential? - How does mastery affect self‑esteem? A Different Perspective Not everyone finds a single path to self‑realization. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ballet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballet/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Prodigy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prodigy/) ## Related quotes > [I started ballet in my early 20s. I studied for about ten years. Ballet is probably the one of the hardest things I've done,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herschel-walker/i-started-ballet-in-my-early-20s-i-studied-for-about-ten-years-ballet/) [Herschel Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herschel-walker/) > [I found at a young age that emotions aren't always handled with talking and other emotions. I started ballet, seriously around fourteen, and let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-adam-hamilton/i-found-at-a-young-age-that-emotions-aren-t-always-handled-with/) [Michael Adam Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-adam-hamilton/) > [I wanted to be a dancer from when I was about nine or something like that and started ballet. I used to really like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia-wasikowska/i-wanted-to-be-a-dancer-from-when-i-was-about-nine-or-something-like/) [Mia Wasikowska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia-wasikowska/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-word-prodigy-was-thrown-around-a-lot-but-i-didn-t-understand-what/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [I came from the musical stage. My first show was '110 In The Shade.' I started as a ballet dancer and then sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-ann-warren/i-came-from-the-musical-stage-my-first-show-was-110-in-the-shade-i/) [Lesley Ann Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-ann-warren/) > [I started Ballet at a very young age and I was captivated immediately. It became my voice, means to overcome those final barriers to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-mckerrow/i-started-ballet-at-a-very-young-age-and-i-was-captivated-immediately/) Amanda McKerrow > [At the time I started in ballet they were dancing 'The Spirit of Champagne' on pointe, in Paris. I thought, 'I don't want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/at-the-time-i-started-in-ballet-they-were-dancing-the-spirit-of/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [I started with ballet, and once I started to really like it, I got into more - I did jazz and tap, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maddie-ziegler/i-started-with-ballet-and-once-i-started-to-really-like-it-i-got-into/) [Maddie Ziegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maddie-ziegler/) > [I always knew I wanted to dance and when I was eight, I started ballet lessons at a church hall. They all wore pink…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlene-phillips/i-always-knew-i-wanted-to-dance-and-when-i-was-eight-i-started-ballet/) [Arlene Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlene-phillips/) > [I started with ballet and then my cousin Sarah introduced me to her tap teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-garcia/i-started-with-ballet-and-then-my-cousin-sarah-introduced-me-to-her/) [Adam Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-garcia/) > [The very fact of calling us Indians creates a new identity for us, an identity that began with their arrival. Changing identity, creating a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-trudell/the-very-fact-of-calling-us-indians-creates-a-new-identity-for-us-an/) [John Trudell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-trudell/) > [I feel if the Punjabi cinema is experimenting, I should also at least try and do roles which create a new identity with every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ammy-virk/i-feel-if-the-punjabi-cinema-is-experimenting-i-should-also-at-least/) [Ammy Virk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ammy-virk/) > [“Drastic change creates an estrangement from the self, and generates a need for a new birth of a new identity. And it perhaps depends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-e-gerber/drastic-change-creates-an-estrangement-from-the-self-and-generates-a/) [Michael E. Gerber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-e-gerber/) > [“You can see in the table of contents how this will play out, but we’re going to frame our discussion around four fundamental questions:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rankin-wilbourne/you-can-see-in-the-table-of-contents-how-this-will-play-out-but-we-re/) [Rankin Wilbourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rankin-wilbourne/) > [“Yet when we do manage to create ourselves anew, isn’t there always a suspicion that the new identity fits over the old like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-sharon-schwartz/yet-when-we-do-manage-to-create-ourselves-anew-isn-t-there-always-a/) [Lynne Sharon Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-sharon-schwartz/) ## More by Misty Copeland > [I traced the marley floor with my pointe shoes, and imagine myself on the stage, not as a member of the corps, but as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-traced-the-marley-floor-with-my-pointe-shoes-and-imagine-myself-on/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/when-i-was-16-i-moved-to-torrance-california-to-train-at-a-more/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [To be empathetic to everyone around you, I think, is such a powerful thing to hold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/to-be-empathetic-to-everyone-around-you-i-think-is-such-a-powerful/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [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.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/my-first-ballet-class-was-on-a-basketball-court-i-m-in-my-gym-clothes/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/there-are-muscles-that-we-have-in-our-feet-that-most-human-beings-don/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/be-strong-be-fearless-be-beautiful-and-believe-that-anything-is/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [The woman represents ballet. She is most important, powerful and vital to it. Therefore, she is not "less than" a man. If anything she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-woman-represents-ballet-she-is-most-important-powerful-and-vital/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/if-i-m-put-in-a-situation-where-i-am-not-really-sure-what-s-going-to/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [I never experienced getting nervous on stage. I think I was most comfortable there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-never-experienced-getting-nervous-on-stage-i-think-i-was-most/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-word-prodigy-was-thrown-around-a-lot-but-i-didn-t-understand-what/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [I think that the ideal physique and look of a ballerina is always changing with different eras. And it's continuing to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-that-the-ideal-physique-and-look-of-a-ballerina-is-always/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing character - the perseverance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/once-you-become-a-professional-to-get-through-a-ballet-like-swan-lake/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [Perseverance has always just been something that was in me. And it was a tool that came in very handy as a ballerina.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/perseverance-has-always-just-been-something-that-was-in-me-and-it-was/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-was-17-when-i-moved-to-nyc-i-m-now-32-but-i-do-know-i-can-t-see/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [I grew up poor in San Pedro, California, sleeping on the floor of shady motels with my five siblings and not always sure when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-grew-up-poor-in-san-pedro-california-sleeping-on-the-floor-of-shady/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Explore all 191 Misty Copeland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) ## More Ballet quotes > [“Afterwards Isabelle often wondered if the moments themselves were greater or the memory of them. At least the memory did not pass, while the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-bentley/afterwards-isabelle-often-wondered-if-the-moments-themselves-were/) [Toni Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-bentley/) > [One can be a great artist without being a great technician. There have been many famous ballet stars who did not have the ideal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-bujones/one-can-be-a-great-artist-without-being-a-great-technician-there-have/) Fernando Bujones > [So I'm studying ballet every day and really training so people will see me as a ballet dancer, which no one's seen before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sutton-foster/so-i-m-studying-ballet-every-day-and-really-training-so-people-will/) [Sutton Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sutton-foster/) > [No matter the style, the farther one goes the more obstacles increase, and the more distant appears the object it is desired to attain.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-georges-noverre/no-matter-the-style-the-farther-one-goes-the-more-obstacles-increase/) [Jean-Georges Noverre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-georges-noverre/) > [What I love most about ballet is being able to express my emotions through dance, and to be able to bring others joy through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michaela-deprince/what-i-love-most-about-ballet-is-being-able-to-express-my-emotions/) [Michaela DePrince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michaela-deprince/) > [It is not a question of who dances but of who or what does not dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-st-denis/it-is-not-a-question-of-who-dances-but-of-who-or-what-does-not-dance/) [Ruth St. Denis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-st-denis/) > [Ballet is pure and demands that you serve something larger than yourself, whether it be beauty or art, or a combination of both. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-martins/ballet-is-pure-and-demands-that-you-serve-something-larger-than/) Peter Martins > [Even though I am a professional, and I know what the steps are, I don't quite know how I'm going to do them, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-farrell/even-though-i-am-a-professional-and-i-know-what-the-steps-are-i-don-t/) [Suzanne Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-farrell/) > [I'd rather be a guy that can build a house or fix a car than be able to walk like a ballet dancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/i-d-rather-be-a-guy-that-can-build-a-house-or-fix-a-car-than-be-able/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) > [When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/when-i-was-16-i-moved-to-torrance-california-to-train-at-a-more/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [Bob's work gleaned from hoofing, from vaudeville, from ballet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-reinking/bob-s-work-gleaned-from-hoofing-from-vaudeville-from-ballet/) [Ann Reinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-reinking/) > [You can imagine me as a kid growing up in redneck Texas with ballet shoes, tucking the violin under my arm. I had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-swayze/you-can-imagine-me-as-a-kid-growing-up-in-redneck-texas-with-ballet/) [Patrick Swayze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-swayze/) > [I only started writing in the latter days of Spandau Ballet. I didnt know I could write because all had our roles within the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hadley/i-only-started-writing-in-the-latter-days-of-spandau-ballet-i-didnt/) [Tony Hadley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hadley/) > [All ballet, all reading, all music. That was my world, my inner world,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalia-makarova/all-ballet-all-reading-all-music-that-was-my-world-my-inner-world/) [Natalia Makarova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalia-makarova/) > [I can dance. I like hip hop and stuff and jazz movements, but I'm horrible in ballet. I tried.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keke-palmer/i-can-dance-i-like-hip-hop-and-stuff-and-jazz-movements-but-i-m/) [Keke Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keke-palmer/) [Browse all 1,227 Ballet quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballet/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never thought of myself as special or particularly good at anything. 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