My Story

My name is Leila Sadr. I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, and immigrated to the U.S. at 21. I grew up in an overly religious household, which came with its own set of challenges—especially as a sensitive, expressive, and artsy child. From a young age, I pushed against the restrictions placed on me. I would remove my hejab at family gatherings and dance freely, using movement as a way to process the intense emotions I often carried.

It was through dance that I first began to express myself—and I vividly remember the curiosity in my mother’s eyes as she watched me move. She even wanted to learn from me. That moment gave me a confidence I had never felt before, and it encouraged me to keep sharing my love of dance with those around me💃🏽

In middle and high school, I began teaching different styles of dance to women in my community, and I started hosting peer circles at school—spaces where students could honestly share how they were coping with the academic and social pressures placed on us.

Looking back, the thread of my purpose was already woven through those early years. But it took me many more years—and a lot of deep trauma work—to recognize that truth clearly. Now, I see how every part of my journey has brought me into alignment with my purpose: guiding others back to their own truth through embodied healing, vulnerability, and connection🐘