How This Professional Dancer Turned Fitness Entrepreneur Preps for a Workday

What's the first thing you do when you get out of bed in the morning? A well-rounded morning routine sets the tone for the day and gets you prepped—both mentally and physically—before you dive into a packed schedule filled with emails, chores, happy hours, workouts, and more. Our series Morning Person profiles those who have mastered the art of the morning routine.

Tune in every week here and on our Instagram to learn exactly how the pros get it all done before the sun comes up, from their go-to breakfasts to their a.m. workouts.

As someone who has recently started exercising regularly to help keep the pandemic- and news-related anxieties at bay, I can fully attest to the importance of finding a workout or fitness instructor who brings you joy and motivates you to move. When I first learned about DanceBody, the dance-inspired cardio and toning workout class, I knew that it was just the exact boost of foolproof fun and liveliness that I’d been missing in my routine.

At the helm of this growing fitness empire is former professional dancer turned founder and CEO Katia Pryce, who is known for her high-voltage energy and limitless supply of positive vibes. After sweating through one of her classes, I was interested in learning about how Pryce preps herself to be "on" and to continue to motivate her clients through live and on-demand workouts. While there is no singular secret, Pryce really has perfected her morning routine down to the minute.

Keep reading to see how she sets her day for success (and plenty of dancing!).

6:45 A.M.

I wake up and am instantly grateful that I have Slip pillowcases to keep my hair from becoming a tangly mess. It's helpful because I never "do” my hair before I go to work, but I also don’t want it to look completely wild. 

I’ve also loved tracking my sleep cycles on my Fitbit. I’ve learned so much about my sleep habits, and it gives me something different to be competitive with myself on: getting a good sleep score! I’m a night owl, so waking up is always a struggle.

Once I'm up, I'll slide into my tried-and-true favorite UGG slippers. My dancer's feet are always a bit cranky first thing in the morning, so I try to make them happy.

I start every day petting my dog-child, Baby Rox. It puts me in a good mood instantly—emotional support from animals is real! She stays in bed even after I get up, as she inherited my sleep-in skills.

7:05 A.M.

Every single morning for years, I’ve added collagen to my coffee. I swear it enhances my hair, skin, and nails. If I don’t have to teach right away, I also indulge in adding Laird’s creamer, which is, hands down, the tastiest thing ever and also great for you.

If I have stressful calls or meetings that day, I'll also add a few drops of CBD stress tincture from Homestead Apothecary that I got at a local health spot called Kollectiv to level me out.

7:10 A.M.

I have to get my blood flowing immediately (of course, while still in my pj's) in order to turn my brain on and get my energy flowing. I do a simple stretch sequence that touches every part of my sleepy bod for a wake-up pep talk.

As a dancer, rolling out your feet daily is imperative. If the fascia underneath your feet gets too tight, you’re more susceptible to injury. No one has time for that! I keep my fascia nice and loose by rolling out every morning. I love the vibrating foam roller from Hyperice. It’s legitimately the best lazy person’s foam roller! It jiggles and forces your muscles into relaxing.

Also, this amazing human named Julian, someone I have never even met in person, sent me this gorgeous mala when I opened my Tribeca studio. The more I hold my stones and crystals, the more I feel their energy, so I have them on every table. Especially right now, dealing with so much stress and uncertainty, it’s important to stay connected to my true purpose.

7:25 A.M.

Time to get going! I start working pretty much right away with emails, Slack, docs, and Instagram. All of it happens as soon as I can get my fingers on my devices. Since I’m an entrepreneur, it really isn't "work”—it’s "life.” There is no off button, just a pause.

While I’m at my computer, I have my face roller sitting out on my marble table so it gets good and cold. This helps get my blood flowing. Plus, I pretend I’m rolling out all the new wrinkles.

8:10 A.M.

Once I’m ready to head to the DanceBody studio, I dry-brush my entire body, stroking upward 10 times in each area, toward my heart, to give my body the final wake-up call it needs. I have poor circulation, so I try anything and everything to increase my blood flow.

After a splash of water, I apply BeautyRx Triple Vitamin C Serum. It’s so luxe and sinks right in. Immediately after, I apply sunscreen, followed by the smoothest moisturizer, EltaMD Barrier Renewal Complex, and topped off with Erborian CC cream. I’m a new devotee after finding Erborian from a makeup artist at Blushington. It’s basically a filter, and it’s necessary. 

After that, I spritz it all down with a refreshing face mist from Amore Pacific. It smells so good! Then I apply Supergoop’s setting mist with sunscreen, which makes sure everything stays on and protected. I also use Kai's deodorant, which smells amazing and is natural. I won’t use anything else.

The final touch: Highline Wellness CBD essential oils. I wear it like perfume on my neck and wrist pulse points.

8:30 A.M.

Time to water my little plant babies, thank them for not abandoning me, and praise their resilient abilities. One of the best stores to find a new plant baby is Sprout Home in Williamsburg.

I grab a Splendid Spoon smoothie before jetting out the door. My favorite is the Mango Guava Smoothie.

9 A.M.

I’m in the studio and finally ready to make all the magic. These days, you can find me on DanceBody Live or filming on-demand content. 

Up next, Why the CEO and Co-Founder of This Beauty and Wellness Startup Became a Morning Person