For senior Natalie Gerig, strength in dance is no longer defined by endurance or perfection. Instead, it has become about awareness and learning how to respect her body. Gerig manages low iron and an autoimmune condition, reshaping how she dances and how she defines strength itself.
In addition to low iron, Gerig has autoimmune-mediated orthostatic hypotension, an exercise-induced condition that causes her blood pressure to drop while dancing. As she moves through a routine, the effects of her condition gradually intensify.
“The best way for me to explain it to someone who hasn’t experienced it is that as I dance, I slowly start to become less aware of my surroundings,” Gerig said. “At the start of this condition, that was a very scary feeling.”
Now, performing requires more than technical skill or mental grit; it demands that Gerig constantly monitor her body. She must balance the normal nerves most dancers experience with the added stress of knowing her body may struggle afterward. That awareness adds another layer of pressure, forcing her to stay alert to physical warnings while still performing.
These challenges have changed how Gerig understands strength. Earlier in her dance career, she believed strength meant pushing through pain without hesitation. However, over time, she has learned that listening to her limits, prioritizing her health, and allowing herself to step back have become acts of strength rather than weakness.
“I’ve learned that taking care of my health allows me to show up more fully in everything I do,” Gerig said. “And that rest and recovery are just as important as hard work.”
Taking care of her body has allowed Gerig to continue dancing in a healthier and more sustainable way. Her condition also played a role in her experience of being moved from varsity to junior varsity after her sophomore year. That transition was mentally difficult and brought feelings of self-doubt. However, her junior year became an important turning point.
“…being on JV forced me to change my mindset,” Gerig said. “It helped me separate my dance life from my worth as a person.”
With the support of her junior year teammates, she was provided a level of love and acceptance she needed.
“They made me feel loved as a person no matter my status,” Gerig said. “I truly believe God placed them in my life for a reason.”
This year, earning her spot back on varsity took on a new meaning. It was a validation of her perseverance and personal growth. Having navigated the mental and physical setbacks of her condition, Gerig has stepped into her senior year with a mission to provide the same support she was once given.
“It gave me a new goal of being the senior that the underclassmen feel they can come to with their problems,” Gerig said.
