S2, Ep4 – In conversation with Amy Dowden
14 October 2022
On this episode we really wanted to direct the Life & Smile conversation to health, lifestyle, entertainment and what it truly takes to turn this into a successful career. As we move into our favourite season which is of course ‘Strictly Season’ we are so lucky to have brought a very special person back to Harley Street.
As the first Welsh professional to take part in BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing her sheer talent is combined with the warmest and most caring personality – it is of course Amy Dowden.
Listen now as Amy joins Dr Reena in conversation discussing how it all began, daily routine, and of course those items she can’t live without.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
Instantly highlighting the successful career Amy Dowden has already built today, Dr Reena welcomed the globally recognised professional dancer back to Harley Street. Together, they rewound the focus to the beginning—how it all truly began for Amy.
Amy laughed, confiding how, as a child, she could ‘never keep still.’ On a holiday in Cornwall, where she stayed in her grandfather’s caravan, she won a dancing competition at the kids’ clubhouse (which, in retrospect, may have been due to the large birthday badge she was wearing). From that moment, dancing captured her heart. Amy loved the spotlight, the attention, and the thrill of winning—and that was the start of her passion for dance. She was hooked.
Dancing classes officially began every Saturday morning, and little did Amy’s family know, this would soon take over their entire lives! The dance school Amy attended would go on to play a major role throughout her entire career. Her teachers remained integral in her journey, even attending her wedding. Amy credits them for moulding her into the person she is today.
Key career turning points include Amy turning twenty-one, when she started dancing with her now husband, Ben. This new partnership led them to travel back and forth to LA to train with their coach. In 2016, the couple was poised to win the British Championships as the first all-British couple to take the title in over 20 years.
But fate had other plans. At the same time, BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing came calling—a timing that clashed with their upcoming British Championships. It was the hardest decision Amy had ever had to make, torn between the two dreams she had nurtured. But Strictly only asked for Amy and she couldn’t bear to make him give up on his dream, even though he encouraged her to take the Strictly opportunity.
At the time, they were working several jobs to afford dance lessons in LA, and a spot on Strictly would have been incredible. Despite receiving contrasting advice from friends and family, Amy knew she had to follow her heart, standing by Ben and their shared dream. Her Crohn’s Disease—which could cause flare-ups at any time—added another layer of uncertainty, risking her ability to even make it to the championships.
After calling Strictly in floods of tears, the production team agreed that continuing with the British Championships was the right move. In 2017, Strictly came calling again, and Amy admitted that joining the show was life-changing.
However successful her career may look now, Amy shared that there were also dark moments along the way. Being hospitalised for six weeks and missing Blackpool due to her Crohn’s disease was one of the hardest moments in her life.
Dr Reena then asked Amy for advice for others starting out in any industry. For Amy, it’s simple: “You don’t need to compare yourself to others; you’re only in competition with yourself.”
Amy’s day-to-day is incredibly goal-focused, with a balance between personal goals and career objectives. A significant focus has been building up her hugely successful dance academy and expanding it even further, alongside creating her dream home and marrying her husband, Ben. She describes herself as Strictly ‘through and through’, and it’s clear she has found her ideal role in the show.
Her daily schedule is often vastly contrasting. She frequently travels across the country for her multiple projects. Media appearances are also part of the package.
Being super organised is key to managing it all. Amy acknowledges that she’s lucky to have the support of her agent and PAs, who help manage her schedule, allowing her to focus on what she truly enjoys.
The biggest luxury, however, is finding a few minutes in the day to have a cup of tea, gather her thoughts, and relax—whether that’s watching the world go by, diving into a good book, or catching up with her family. Amy concludes that family always makes everything better.
Dr Reena and Amy agreed that it’s often the simple things in life that make a big difference.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Dancing is my happy place – It brings me joy and peace.
Trust your instincts and follow your heart – Make decisions you can stand by and live with.
Loyalty, trust, and dedication – Always demonstrate these qualities; they will take you far.
Stay true to yourself – Don’t let others sway your decisions.
Seize every opportunity – Never stop pushing for what you want to achieve.
Step outside your comfort zone – Growth happens when you challenge yourself.
Compete only with yourself – Focus on your own progress, not comparing yourself to others.
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