My roots versus the legend of the big world
Often, when I travel to international competitions, people ask me where I'm from. When I answer that I'm from Knurów, I see a slight confusion in their eyes. This small town in Silesia isn't associated by anyone with the cradle of street culture, like New York neighborhoods. However, for me, this is where it all began. Hip hop dance was born from a need for expression in difficult conditions, from a desire to show one's identity where the individual's voice is sometimes suppressed. Although I am separated from the cradle of this style by thousands of kilometers and a completely different history, the foundation remains the same - authenticity and hard work on one's own body.
I have often wondered if a dancer from a small town has to work twice as hard to gain respect in the eyes of the elite. My answer is: yes, but it is precisely this extra work that builds a character that cannot be bought or faked. When you don't have access to dozens of dance studios on every corner, you start to appreciate every minute spent in the studio. Every trip to a workshop becomes a mission, and every lesson a treasure that must be used to the maximum. My journey from ballet, where my grandmother took me when I was three, to the world championship, is proof that determination knows no administrative boundaries.
Respect in the dance world doesn't depend on a zip code, but on what you show in the circle. When I step onto the floor, I don't think about coming from a place no one has heard of. I think about all those hours I spent in the studio, about strained tendons and liters of sweat poured. This is my credential. In a culture that values truth, all that matters is how dedicated you are to your passion and how strongly you can inspire others with your energy.
A dancer's training as a path to freedom
My daily dancer's training is not just mechanical repetition of movements. It is a process of building awareness of every muscle. I specialize in a style that involves rapid contractions and relaxations, which requires incredible control and discipline. Many people think it's just improvisation and playing with rhythm, but behind every fluid movement lie years of strength and coordination exercises. In Knurów and my beloved studio, I learned that there are no shortcuts. If you want to be at the top, you have to train when others are resting.
When I joined a group of experienced artists, I felt a huge leap. Training with those better than yourself is the fastest way to develop. That's where I understood that hip hop dance is not just steps, it's a way of communication. I had to learn how to translate my emotions into body language in such a way that they would be understandable to a viewer in every corner of the world. My musicality and sense of rhythm, which judges often mention, are the result of thousands of hours of listening to music and analyzing every drum beat. This is exactly the element that allows a dancer from a small town to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best from big metropolises.
Discipline is key, especially when the body refuses to obey. I remember the European Championships, which I went to with an Achilles tendon injury. Every step caused me pain, but the desire to prove to myself and others that I could do it was stronger. That's when I realized that a winner's mentality is forged in the most difficult moments. Winning in such a state gave me more self-confidence than any other performance. It showed me that my roots and how I was raised – with respect for work and perseverance – are my greatest strength.
Local identity versus the global stage
I often encounter the opinion that to make a career in art, you have to escape to the capital or abroad. I believe that Knurów gave me something I wouldn't have gotten in a big city – peace and space to build my own unique style. I wasn't immediately exposed to all the trends, which allowed me to focus on what I feel inside. My dance is a combination of many techniques, from classical ballet, through contemporary dance, to raw street forms. This mix makes my expression different, non-obvious, and surprising for the audience.
Modern technology allows us to be part of a global community regardless of where we live. My social media videos reach hundreds of thousands of people. I see that young dancers from smaller towns find hope in my story. They write to me, asking how they should practice if they don't have professional schools nearby. I always tell them the same thing: your room, garage, or backyard is the best training room to start with. Your fire matters, not the mirrors on the walls. I myself conduct lessons online to share knowledge with those who have limited access to dance education.
Being a double world champion in 2025 is a huge honor for me, but also a responsibility. I represent not only Poland, but every small town where great talent lies dormant. When judges and the audience react to my performance with words of appreciation, I feel that every minute spent on training made sense. This is not just a sporting success; it's a victory of passion over limitations. My story shows that you can start with ballet in a small town and end up on the highest step of the podium at the most important competitions in the world, while maintaining your identity.
How to build self-confidence in a battle
Competition in dance is not just a display of skills; it's a clash of characters. Entering the circle during a competition, you must emanate confidence, even if you are trembling with emotion inside. For a dancer from a smaller center, this is often the most difficult stage – breaking the psychological barrier in front of people who train in famous, world-class schools. My way of doing this is to focus on the music. Music is fair – it sounds the same for a dancer from Paris as it does for a dancer from Knurów. If you can lose yourself in it and give it control over your body, all complexes disappear.
Creativity is another weapon I polish every day. In hip hop dance and techniques based on body isolations, it's important not to copy others but to create your own solutions. I look for inspiration everywhere – in movies, in people's behavior on the street, in nature. Thanks to this, my style is dynamic and full of energy, which attracts the attention of viewers and judges. During performances on TV shows, such as the Polish edition of a talent search, I saw how much people are moved by authentic joy in movement. This is something that cannot be practiced; it simply has to be felt.
For me, dance is a constant journey. I don't stop at the titles I've won. Every day is a new chance to become a better version of myself. My online lessons and group classes that I lead allow me to stay in touch with people and draw new energy from them. Seeing young people making progress thanks to my tips gives me incredible satisfaction. This is exactly what building a community is – exchanging experiences and mutually motivating each other to push our own boundaries, regardless of where we come from or what our address is.
The future and pride in one's origin
Looking to the future, I know that my roots will always be important to me. Knurów is my place on earth, where I can rest after intense trips and recharge my batteries. This is where I have my family, who have supported me since my first step in ballet shoes. This is where the people are who cheer for me at every next stage in TV shows or competitions. This local pride is an incredible drive. I want to show that being a world champion doesn't mean cutting oneself off from one's roots; on the contrary – it's a chance to promote one's region and show that there is huge creative potential in Silesia.
My advice to all dancers from small towns is simple: never let the size of your city define the size of your dreams. Work hard, be curious about the world, and look for inspiration, but above all, believe in your uniqueness. You will gain respect not by pretending to be someone else, but by being the most authentic version of yourself. Dance culture is a big family where the most important thing is what you bring to the circle with your presence and movement. I bring the energy of Knurów, the discipline developed over years, and the joy that has accompanied me since I was three years old.
In summary, the fight for recognition on the international stage is a process that never ends. Every performance is a new page that I write with my passion. I am not afraid of challenges because I know that my path has prepared me for everything. Hip hop dance gave me strength, and my background taught me humility and perseverance. I am proud of who I am and where I come from, and with this pride, I intend to continue conquering world dance floors, proving that true talent and hard work will always defend themselves, regardless of whether you start in Brooklyn or in Knurów.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a dancer from a small town have a chance for world success?
Of course. Success in dance depends primarily on discipline, hard work, and passion, not on where you live. Nowadays, thanks to the internet, you can learn from the best and show your talent to a global audience without having to move to a metropolis.
How to gain respect in the dance community?
Respect is earned through authenticity, respect for the culture, and constant development of your skills. The most important thing is what you show during the dance and how involved you are in the training process, not what school you come from.
How long do you need to train to become a world champion in dance?
It is a multi-year process that never ends. I have been dancing since I was three, and every hour in the studio brings me closer to perfection. Mastery is not just a result at a competition, but above all, daily work on body control, musicality, and mental strength.
What are the most important qualities of a good hip hop dancer?
Musicality, or the ability to interpret sounds, and one's own unique style are key. Equally important is discipline in training and openness to learning various techniques, which allows for building a rich movement vocabulary.