Hello and welcome to another episode of the Perception Podcast with me your host Caroline Partridge. In today's episode, I have the absolute pleasure of talking to the immensely talented dancer, circus artist, aerialist and teacher Natalie Nicole James, Natalie shares her remarkable journey: from how at an early age she used dance to help her process the trauma of losing her mother, to her escape from domestic violence, and her ensuing fight for justice and a better life. We also discuss Natalie's experience of balancing the demands of career and motherhood, first as an emerging artist of just 18 and then again as an established performer of 35. Please join me as we look a life through a different lens. KEY TAKEAWAYS Natalie used dance as an emotional outlet after losing her mother at a young age, discovering it helped her process trauma. Escaping domestic violence, Natalie moved cities to protect herself and her young daughter, beginning the fight for justice. While pursuing her arts degree, Natalie simultaneously battled housing issues, a legal case, and raising her child alone. Natalie advocates for organisational learning to better support marginalized students with empathy. Returning to perform in her hometown years later, Natalie inspired the next generation, seeing her success. Natalie emphasises that healing takes time, learning to let go of resentment and focus inward is part of the healing process. Having a second child in a secure relationship makes Natalie feel positive but she still recognises that she is evolving in her identity. BEST MOMENTS "I just decided that my daughter's watching me. Like she's pretty close to my age. And so at times when I didn't see a certain value in my own self or life, I would look at her." "You are a woman of iron! You're a woman of, you're a woman of, Mental! You're breath taking courage, honestly." "To have come full circle, actually, you know, to come full circle and to come back and to kind of go, here I am in all my amazing power is so incredible." "I took, I basically, I pursued a case against the council whilst I pursued a case against my daughter's dad, whilst doing my degree, whilst raising my daughter, and I was knackered." "I remember one of my feedback was ‘shouldn't be able to get away with things just because she's talented’ this was like one of the teachers. But I'm thinking, and my perception, so this is the perception that I had coming towards me from others." ABOUT THE GUEST Biog & Interviews Natalie Nicole James https://thefword.org.uk/2012/04/natalie_james_i/ http://blog.dancedirect.com/2017/04/ http://thebritishblacklist.co.uk/after-10-years-dancer-natalie-james-discusses-her- return-to-this-years-breakin-convention/ https://www.thestage.co.uk/features/interviews/2019/movement-circus-natalie-james- aerialist/?l BBC Radio 4 - Midweek, Chris Boardman, Bella Merlin, Rex Pickett, Natalie Nicole James. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07dly5l  Socials & Contact Instagram & Facebook @natalienicolejames https://www.instagram.com/natalienicolejames/   ABOUT THE HOST Bio Caroline Partridge is a unique and creative individual. She is an actress, puppeteer, educator, and artist with funny bones. She loves a story and is an expert at conveying wit and wisdom with warmth, understanding, and empathy.   CONTACT METHOD FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/caropartridge LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-partridge-03131520 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/partridge_caroline This show was brought to you by Progressive Media