Ava Flynn on finding confidence and power through dance in heels

After a 15-year break from dance, Ava Flynn returned to the studio not just to move, but to heal. What began as a quiet step back into ballet became a powerful journey of self-love, empowerment, and rediscovery. Now a passionate advocate for dancing in heels, Ava shares how movement helped her reclaim her body, her confidence, and her identity. In this candid conversation with GLAMOUR, she opens up about childhood insecurities, womanhood, and why embracing imperfection is the most beautiful part of it all

GLAMOUR: Tell us about your journey through dancing.

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Ava Flynn: I started dancing when I was five years old and continued all the way up until I went to university. Then, life happened: I graduated, moved to a new home, had kids, got married and dance fell away for about 15 years. Then, seven years ago, my life fell apart. I didn’t know how to start putting the pieces back together. So, I went back to what I knew — dancing. I picked up adult ballet classes and it’s grown from there. Dancing is a way for me to be human and move my body the way it likes to move.

GLAMOUR: How has dancing contributed to your self-love journey?

Ava Flynn: I grew up in the era when models like Heidi Klum and Kate Moss graced the runways. I remember thinking very negatively about my body because I knew I was never going to be that thin. I was the biggest girl in ballet class during my childhood — and leotards hid nothing. There were remarks about my body from children and adults alike. No one around me loved my body, so I also grew to despise it. My return to dance has allowed me to slowly enjoy my body again, especially after having three kids. It’s helped me relearn what I love about being able to move the way I do. The sense of freedom that I can achieve while dancing in heels has helped me regain my confidence as a woman. It has made me love myself in ways I haven’t ever experienced before.

GLAMOUR: What does empowerment through dance mean to you, especially when dancing in heels?

Ava Flynn: Dancing in heels can be a powerful way for women to step outside their comfort zones. I always tell people, “Don’t ever be afraid to do something poorly.” For me, empowerment isn’t captured in a perfect video from dance class, it’s in the moments that are hard, the classes I struggle to get through but refuse to give up on. I may not leave those sessions feeling great, but I know I showed up and pushed through. And that matters.

Yes, I absolutely value the classes that leave me feeling accomplished and uplifted. But the ones that have driven the most personal growth are those challenging days when I couldn’t quite execute the choreography the way I wanted to.

That growth process, especially within a supportive environment like a dance class, is an incredible way for women to tap into the raw power they already possess. And let’s be honest, it’s a major confidence boost to realize you can do what other dancers do... only you’re doing it in 10 cm heels!

What does dancing in heels mean to you on a personal or emotional level?

Ava Flynn: My favourite part about dancing in heels is that it’s always there—it’s my stability. No matter what’s happening in my life or how uncertain things feel, dance remains constant. The moment I step into the studio, I get to leave everything else behind. For that hour or two, I don’t have to worry about anything. Whatever I’m feeling that day is allowed to move through me, like water. When I dance, I’m free to be fully myself. Just me.

Original article appeared on GLAMOUR's May Issue: OUT NOW