Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Concepcion.
Hi Mia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Recognizing that my purpose sits at the intersection of community, dance, and therapy took some trial and error. I explored a path that wasn’t quite right for me, but it taught me a lot. As a New Jersey transplant and a COVID-era graduate, I wasn’t sure how to build a career in mental health during such an uncertain time, and I had even stepped away from dance for a bit.
Things shifted when I moved to Rocky Mount. While I loved teaching grammar and writing, I realized my real passion was helping people understand their feelings. That experience shaped me into a more grounded, attuned (and still very new) therapist, and ultimately pushed me to pursue my MSW at UNC Chapel Hill after completing my Teach for America term.
Now, I’m learning how to hold space for both dance and therapy and exploring ways to bring the two together. I’ve discovered that I genuinely love teaching dance, not just for the movement but for what it unlocks in people, especially adolescents. Teaching reminds me that I have purpose. My students challenged me to be better because I’m an example for them—it’s almost like looking into a mirror. I’m teaching them how to rise, how to build confidence, and how to believe in themselves. That’s where community becomes its own form of therapy, and dance becomes the tool that helps students step into who they’ve always hoped to be.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
What made my journey hard was realizing that I had changed, and that I could no longer rely on my old desires to guide me. I had to learn to trust this new version of myself.At the time, I was navigating several life transitions at once and adjusting simply because I had no choice. I was in survival mode. I had moved eight hours away from New Jersey into a completely different culture, all while figuring out how to be a good teacher, managing my time and energy, and trying to find my people. It was one of the most transformative, yet at times loneliest, years of my life.
I was also learning how to be with myself until the right people came along. That meant creating my own adventures: taking solo trips to Raleigh, bringing my journal to dinner, and staying open to whatever came from being alone. When people ask how I became so outgoing, that’s honestly the reason—I had to learn to show up for myself first.
Fast forward to now, and some of those same struggles have resurfaced. It reminds me of my teaching years—stepping into something new and unfamiliar—but this time, I’m doing it with a lot more hope and with people around me who truly align with where I’m headed.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m currently a provisionally licensed therapist (LCSWA) practicing psychotherapy. Most of the clients I work with are between 21 and 44, and I support people navigating depression, anxiety, body image, and self-esteem concerns, among other challenges. Outside of therapy, I’m a dancer who teaches and choreographs. I’ve taught at studios and led a few classes over the past two years, and while I recently took a break from teaching to get settled into my new career, I still dance and create often. I hope to start teaching classes again in the new year. My goal is to eventually learn how to merge my two passions, dance and therapy, to help people access another language of healing, one that can reach places words don’t always touch.
I’ve also been branded a little differently in this community. The joy and positivity I’ve always been known for are still recognized, but now my nickname reflects it too. Here in North Carolina, most people call me Sunshine, whereas back home I was simply Mia. I’m also known for my passion for dance. I think that joy and optimism are what truly set me apart. I stay genuinely curious about people and aim to see them for who they are. I love celebrating others, and I’m not afraid to tap into my childlike joy and curiosity, something I hope stays with me no matter how old I get.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunshiiiineeee22
