The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Episode: Movement Opens Up a Whole Other World to Children

Guest: Misty Copeland, Author & Principal Ballerina
Host: Jenny Urch (That Sounds Fun Network)
Date: December 5, 2025

Overview

This lively and heartfelt episode centers on the transformative power of movement and the arts in childhood. Jenny Urch welcomes trailblazing ballerina Misty Copeland to discuss her unconventional journey into ballet, the foundational role of play and movement in childhood development, and the importance of exposure, opportunity, and perseverance—no matter your background or age. Misty shares insights from her memoir Life in Motion, her children’s books (Firebird, Bunheads), and her mission to make ballet accessible to all.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Misty Copeland’s “Unlikely” Path to Ballet

• Late Start, Unlikely Success
  • Misty began ballet at 13—late by most standards, but underscores there’s no “too late” for a child’s passion to take off.
  • Quote: “Ballet came into my life at 13 years old. ...I don’t think that everyone needs to go into it at 2 or 3 years old. ...At 13, I had a different respect and appreciation for choosing to do this.” (03:11)
• Family Background and Upbringing
  • Grew up in a single-parent household, often houseless, with six siblings.
  • Dance and music were informal outlets, offering comfort in an otherwise unstable childhood.

The Power and Importance of Movement in Childhood (06:23)

• Follow Their Lead
  • Misty shares about her own son and the importance of letting kids gravitate to what moves them organically, rather than forcing structured achievement.
  • Quote: “It’s so important that we’re allowing...giving them access and opportunity, but kind of letting them lead us in where they naturally gravitate towards.” (06:23)
• Movement as Expression
  • Movement provides vital skills, confidence, and a sense of community, beyond the pursuit of a professional career.
  • Exposure to arts and physical activity is foundational for childhood development.

Access, Opportunity, and Representation (08:41)

• Community Ballet, Not Just for the Elite
  • Misty describes her first ballet class—on a basketball court at a Boys and Girls Club, accessible and inclusive.
• The Be Bold Foundation
  • Misty's foundation offers free ballet classes in the Bronx and Harlem, focusing on leadership, community, and exposure, not funneling kids into a professional pipeline.
  • “It’s called Be Bold...The goal is not for them to necessarily transition on in some pipeline to a professional ballet school, but it’s to give them leadership skills so they can go on to do whatever it is they want to do.” (08:57)

Building Resilience and Self-Driven Passion (12:14)

• Internal Drive vs. External Pressure
  • Misty describes her focus and self-motivation coming from the nurturing, joyful environment her first teacher created.
  • “There was...freedom within the form. ...I think most people would not describe ballet that way...but there was so much joy in it.” (12:31)
• Benefits Beyond the Stage
  • Artistic pursuits foster confidence, structure, and resilience—skills useful in all facets of life.

Life Lessons Through the Arts (22:37)

• Coping with Rejection and Disappointment
  • Not every child gets the lead role; this mirrors broader life challenges.
  • Quote: “It’s not even just the arts. It’s life. These are life lessons and...you’re going to come up against...rejection or disappointment.” (23:04)
• The Value of the Ensemble
  • Every role matters. The sense of being part of something greater builds character, empathy, and community.

Navigating Injury and Setbacks (26:21)

• Finding Growth in Adversity
  • Misty discusses injury—both in her life and her children’s books—as pivotal for growth and self-reflection.
  • “Whenever I’ve been injured...those times when I’ve been able to get off the hamster wheel...I came back stronger.” (27:29)

The Importance of Friendship and Community (31:19)

• Real-World Connection vs. Screens
  • Misty underlines making time for hobbies and movement, and the real friendships that come from shared activities, not digital ones.
• Parental Modeling
  • “Children are a reflection of you and what they see...It can be as simple as you not having your phone around all the time and being on it, you wanting to participate in the things that they’re doing.” (31:19)

Representation and Broadening the Narrative (19:43)

• Children’s Literature Mission
  • Misty’s books (Firebird, Bunheads) show diverse characters, with boys and girls of all backgrounds, and storylines that go beyond the typical "princess" narrative.
  • “I wanted to show...the characters that are being depicted can look like anyone.” (19:55)
• Mentorship and Expanded Possibilities
  • Firebird centers mentorship and the journey, not just the achievement.

Creative Collaborations and Iconic Performances (41:53)

• Touring with Prince
  • Misty shares about dancing on Prince’s piano—an example of the creative opportunities that dance and movement brought her.
  • “He really kind of built this tour around me...I would run over to Madison Square Garden and perform with Prince and dance atop his piano. ...He set an example of, you don’t have to fit a mold to be successful.” (42:03)
  • Notable Quote: “Why is it a bad thing that you stand out? ...All eyes are going to be on you.” —Prince to Misty (43:04)

Embracing Imperfection and Lifelong Learning (51:41)

• The Beauty of Never Being “Done”
  • Parallels drawn between the endless pursuit of perfection in ballet and constant learning in life.
  • “You can’t ever perfect it. ...That’s why I love it so much.” (51:41)
  • Application to life and parenting: “We’re never going to perfect our mom technique. ...That is a reason to love it, because you get to keep working on it.” (51:41)

Dance as a Lifelong, Dementia-Preventing Pursuit (53:39)

• Movement Benefits All Ages
  • Discussion of Misty’s Be Bolder program for adults 50+ and research that dance reduces dementia risk by 76%. (54:07)
  • Movement and community build resilience, joy, and cognitive health, regardless of age or background.

Notable Quotes and Moments

| Timestamp | Quote / Moment | Speaker | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | 03:11 | “At 13, I had a different respect and appreciation for choosing to do this.” | Misty Copeland | | 06:23 | “It’s so important that we’re allowing...giving them access...but letting them lead us.” | Misty Copeland | | 08:57 | “It’s called Be Bold...the goal is not for them to just necessarily transition on...but to give them leadership skills.” | Misty Copeland | | 12:31 | “There was...freedom within the form...so much joy in it.” | Misty Copeland | | 23:04 | “It’s not even just the arts. It’s life...rejection or disappointment.” | Misty Copeland | | 27:29 | “I came back to the stage, and my artistic director said to me, ‘I’m so surprised that you look stronger and more...nuanced.’” | Misty Copeland | | 31:19 | “Your children are a reflection of you...set an example.” | Misty Copeland | | 43:04 | “Why is it a bad thing that you stand out? ...All eyes are going to be on you.” | Prince (per Misty Copeland) | | 51:41 | “You can’t ever perfect it. ...That’s why I love it so much.” | Misty Copeland | | 54:07 | “Elderly people who dance regularly have a 76% less chance of developing dementia.” | Jenny Urch (quoting research) |

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [02:03] Misty’s late introduction to ballet and her family circumstances
• [06:23] Parenting philosophy on following children’s natural interests
• [08:57] Misty’s Be Bold Foundation: Ballet as leadership and life skills
• [12:31] Nurturing vs. pressuring kids in the arts
• [19:43] Mission for diverse children’s books and changing ballet narratives
• [22:37] Rejection, roles, and resilience in arts and life
• [26:21] Learning and growing through injuries and setbacks
• [31:19] Parental modeling and fostering real-world friendships
• [41:53] Dancing with Prince and creative risk-taking
• [51:41] Lifelong learning in ballet and parenting—embracing the never-ending process
• [53:39] Science-backed benefits of dance for all ages

Closing and Takeaways

Misty Copeland’s story and mission deliver a powerful reminder: movement and the arts unlock entire worlds for children and adults alike. Her advocacy for access, community, and representation in dance, combined with her personal journey of unlikely success, self-driven excellence, and creative collaboration, inspire listeners to nurture movement, expose their children to new experiences, and model curiosity and joy—no matter what age or starting point.

Misty Copeland Resources

• Website: MistyCopeland.com
• Foundation: MistyCopelandFoundation.org — Be Bold and Be Bolder programs
• Kids’ Books: Life in Motion, Firebird, Bunheads series (more to come!)
• Instagram: @mistyonpointe

Final Question:

Jenny: "What's a favorite memory from your childhood that was outside?"
Misty: “I started teaching myself gymnastics outside on the grass... but I remember finding this little garden snake and I named him Stripes...there was something about connecting with, like, just the earth and being outside and grounding... it was very special.” (56:26)

This episode reminds parents, educators, and all caregivers to champion and celebrate movement, curiosity, and the endless possibility that lies in every childhood—and in every adult who’s still willing to move, play, and learn.