Some dancers call them "fake ballerinas", and some dancers even put them down for lacking stage credentials to back up their success. Neither is okay. As a victim of growing up in the competitive dance world, it can be extremely dreadful.

Is the first place trophy really worth it? Is it worth all the of painful words and opinions of others?

I've won before, and the feeling is exhilarating. Knowing that your hard work paid off makes every negative aspect of it blur into the background, but losing is the hard part. Losing makes you want to stop completely. It sucks the motivation out of you.

While I was competing and trying my hardest to make a name for myself in the competitive dance world, other dancers were dancing for themselves. They were blossoming into humble dancers. They were improving every single day because their last class motivated them to be better in the next.

Being surrounded by positive words and working hard for yourself is much more exhilarating than working towards a first-place trophy that will eventually have no meaning to you.

We live in a world today with endless opportunities. You can easily make a name for yourself on Instagram. You can eventually get paid every day for doing what you have a burning passion for. The Brea Space, located in Brea, CA, creates dancers who dance for themselves.

Their mission states: "The Space is a non-competitive training facility geared toward young artists 12 and up who are serious about taking their training to the next level. We offer intimate classes that include Technique, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Jazz-Funk, On-Camera Work, Improvisation, Photography, Dance Workshops, Intensives and a Homeschool Program called LAUNCH. We believe in providing a neutral space for young artists to train and grow in a positive environment. The Space was born from about 25 years of professional experience in the Entertainment Industry. It's important for us as educators, parents, and leaders in this industry to make sure the students not only become better dancers but better people. We strive to give them the life skills and tools they need to be successful in their craft."

Krista Miller, the owner of The Brea Space, strives for dancers to find their inner self. She is fully geared towards bettering the dancer and their technique. Without the worries of winning a competition, she is able to be attentive to her students 100%. Her daughter, Autumn Miller, is known for her impeccable technique and humbling attitude. Autumn has booked many profitable jobs due to her dancing and character.

Isabella Bruno, a student at the Brea Space, can attest that she is grateful for joining such a humbling company. The dancers from the Brea Space share their dances through social media, where they are known best.

Watching their videos gives me the chills. It's amazing to watch such young people act so professional and dance the way they do. In class, everyone supports each other. In many videos, you can't hear the music due to the chanting and motivational words from the dancers on the perimeter of the studio.

Being an ex-dance competitor, it gladdens me to see that people can be this supportive of one another without throwing a competition into the mix.