Catching up with Dana of Dance Lightly

Welcome to Code of a Sista-hood

Where inspiring women share their stories of doing things differently, living authentically, and creating meaningful connections. This is a space to celebrate creativity, individuality, and the power of a supportive community. Here, we spotlight the makers, the trailblazers, and the dreamers—each carving their own path and inspiring others to do the same. Let’s dive into the heart of what it means to live life on your own terms.

Meet Dana of Dance Lightly

We recently had the pleasure of catching up with Dana, aka @dancelightly, a true inspiration. As a surfer, freelancer, and globe-trotting free spirit, Dana is making her own path in life with grace and determination. Her journey of living abroad while embracing her passions motivates us all to live boldly and authentically. Here's a glimpse into how she’s crafting a life that inspires others to do the same.

Can you share with us your journey of how you ended up in Lombok and what inspired you to start running retreats there?

I had been living in Bali for a couple of years and got an opportunity in 2019 to write an article for a website with a business in Lombok. I went and had an absolutely amazing time, life changing actually. It was there I started talking about hosting retreats. I have always loved sharing my passions and have been a leader and coach in the sports and activities I’ve participated in since a young age. I’ve also had a handful of magnificent coaches throughout my life who provided such belief in me and guidance to achieve what I was after that I have always enjoyed being a mirror of my coaches. Because I know what a coach can do, who a coach can be, the impact a coach can have on someone's life. So to share surfing and use it as a way to offer a journey of personal growth, my favorite things, was a no brainer. I wear the title of being a coach and a facilitator with honor. It is my honor to host people who are willing to have such an experience and open their hearts and minds.

The moments I and we have had creating these retreats have been breathtaking and I (we) are aware of the ripple of change we are creating, it is profound to be apart. It is magical to be following this dream. I was originally inspired by the simplicity and slowness of life in Lombok. The unconditional trust and belief in life the local people seem to carry here is so soothing to me. I’ve always wanted to help people and I’ve always wanted to do my own thing. When Danie and I met in 2019 we knew instantly it was something special. The way we were together, the way we created together, the way we took care of others together... it was just meant to be. What really birthed DanceLightly was when I ended my engagement in 2022. I chose myself for the first time in my life pretty much. I was comfortable and in love and scared beyond belief to let go but I could feel there was something mighty powerful waiting for me when I decided to choose myself. When I did, the doors opened and everything aligned for me and us to pretty much just put together a project of our biggest passions, talents and skills and get to do it in a place that feels like home with people who feel like family and we got a chance to give back to our community, we made it a priority to take care of our community. The people, that’s what inspired me. It’s always been about the people and how I can help.

Living and working in a beautiful destination like Lombok must offer its own set of unique experiences. How does the island inspire and influence your work and lifestyle?

Living in Lombok has provided me with a new perception on life, a new way of life, a new respect and appreciation for life. The unique experiences we get to share here are precious. I cherish this island, the land, sea, and the people. My lifestyle has definitely slowed down since I’ve lived here and I love it. Growing up in California I felt like everything was always a race. Things needed to get done as quickly as possible no matter what and there was always more to do.

Here, it’s quite the opposite so as you can imagine I’ve learned and will forever be learning patience. I see now what it means to go with the flow and not force things and I accredit Indonesia, more specifically, Lombok for that. This slow and trusting way of life is also something I apply in my business and with my work. With intuition, trust and patience. It’s challenging, don't get me wrong, and by no means am I even close to ‘perfection’ whatever that means - but I enjoy these challenges as I’ve proved to myself many times I can overcome what’s in front of me, I always find a way and always learn even more to be patient and trust. That’s what happens when you want something. You don’t give up till you do it. Through this you learn that there is always a way, always a solution and sometimes patience is all you need. Slowly, we move slowly and with intention. Thank you Lombok for that :)

Entrepreneurship often comes with its share of challenges. Can you share a particularly difficult moment in your journey and how you overcame it?

It’s hard to pick one lol challenges are part of the game but I’ll share the one I feel will provide the most sense of being able to relate. Comparison. Oooooh does comparison KILL. It kills dreams, opportunities, excitement.

This has been a hard one and is inevitable I would imagine. Comparing yourself or your offering to others and other offerings. But sis let me remind you... THEY AREN’T YOU!

This is what I have had to tell myself over and over again and I am blessed to also have a business partner and best friend like Danie who I can say this with, we get to help each other, but we can’t rely on one another. We are all individuals responsible for ourselves. People will guide us and help us and encourage us and support us but at the end of the day we have to make it through the battles that go on within our own minds, we have to be strong and wise enough to silence that negative inner voice and continue on our path. So for me, consciously choosing to not look at things that will provoke comparison. Choosing to look at things that only fill me with joy and peace and inspiration. When those moments of comparison do come, I just tell myself “Dana you are different. What you are doing is different. No one has your heart. No one has the passion you do for sharing the things in the way you do. That’s unique to you. Only you can share your passion in this way because only you have had the experiences that have shaped this passion. How magical is that.” Personal growth: self-awareness, self-reflection, self-investment, self-love. This commitment is infinitely helping me overcome each challenge that arises. Being committed to myself and my vision - reminding myself of why I’m choosing this life, why I’m doing all of these things, why I started in the first place. This is what keeps me going and everything always gets done.

Fear often holds women back from pursuing their dreams. As someone who has taken risks and followed their passion, what tips do you have for overcoming fear and embracing new opportunities?

As Nike says “ Just Do It”. You’re going to fail, you’re going to fall along the way so just get that part done with. The sooner you can face that failure is inevitable the easier things will be. The sooner you have your first failure the more spark you will have to not want to face that again, to learn and grow from it and apply your new experience as knowledge and wisdom for choosing your path moving forward. Everything happens for a reason - even if you can’t see it now, trust that the unknown and confusing things that happen are part of the plan, they are actually key pieces to your purpose. You are not given any challenge you can’t handle so that means each challenge is here to teach us something, to promote transformation. Repeat after me: “ I am exactly where I’m meant to be doing exactly what I’m meant to be doing”. Trust that when the unknown comes.

We understand that you're constantly exposed to the sun and elements while surfing. How do you balance your love for the outdoors with the need to protect your skin?

Honestly I need to be better about sun protection so cheers to some accountability after writing this haha. I didn’t have a great example of using sun protection growing up so it was never a habit I had. It’s a habit I’m trying to build. My mom loves the sun and when she was younger it was the thing to go tan in the sun with oil on you and roast - this was before they realised how damaging it was for your skin. So this became my moms habit - to sit out and roast in the sun.

So as a child that’s what I saw my mom do and so that’s what I did. I never wanted to wear sunscreen and didn’t make it a consistent thing until I was about 20. That’s probably my biggest regret in life, I don’t really believe in regretting choices, but choosing to neglect my skin is definitely not something I would not advise or ever choose again. Sunscreen is a must, glasses when I’m not surfing but out in the sun, a hat when I’m out in the sun and I’m doing better with wearing a hat when I surf too. I also always try to have a long sleeve shirt and a sarong or some loose pants if I’m going to be out in the sun all day and a long sleeve rashguard when I’m surfing.

Finding shade for me has been the biggest thing though, sitting under trees and umbrellas. I get enough sun in the surf so when I’m lounging in nature whether that's the beach or the mountains I do my best to be out of the sun and covered up!

Lastly, what advice or words of wisdom would you share with others who aspire to create a fulfilling life and business aligned with their passions, as you have done with DanceLightly?

Follow your heart. Listen to your soul. You have within you everything you need for the life you dream of.
That is why you keep dreaming of it! Because it is meant for you.
Allow your passions to lead you but use your logic to pursue them. Open up your heart and mind to all the possibilities that are out there if you just believe.
Everything always works out, everything always works out. Just don’t give up. Chip away at your goals. Show up for yourself and do the mindset work, read the books, take the time to journal, take the time to meditate, take the time to move. Take care of yourself. Prioritise your wellbeing, your business will be a reflection of you. Learn how to calm the inner turmoil, learn what you need and when you need it. Invest in your dreams, a coach, a course, a retreat, a vacation - these things that make you feel good will provide inspiration for your work. It’s not easy but I promise it’s worth it.

All you have to do is keep showing up. Keep listening to your intuition and learning from your mistakes. It’s a process, it’s a journey so surrender to not having it all right now but knowing you have all that you need right now. Dream big, lead with love, take the mistakes and hiccups and lessons. It’s about perspective and mindset so keep working on that. Keep working on calming the mind and being one with it - that is when and where the real ideas, real magic flow.