At some stage, most of us will experience rejection - but one ballerina is showing us all that when the powers that be say you're not good enough, you shouldn't give up on your dreams.
Misty Copeland is the third black female soloist to dance for the American Ballet Theatre.
In the above video, Misty shows breath-taking strength as she dances en pointe while a composite of the rejection letters she received over the years plays in the background.
As the talented dancer leaps across the room, the voiceover reads:
"Dear Candidate. Thank you for your application to our ballet academy. Unfortunately you have not been accepted. You lack the right feet, Achilles tendons, turnout, torso length, and bust. You have the wrong body for ballet and, at 13, you are too old to be considered."
We bet those academies feel a little stupid now.
The video is part of sports clothing brand Under Armour's 'I Will What I Want' campaign. The campaign celebrates both the inner and outer strength of women, showing that with the right amount of determination, we can make our dreams come true.
"Misty Copeland is a game changer," said Leanne Fremar, Under Armour, senior vice president and executive creative director, when Misty signed to the brand in January. "Just as Under Armour is changing our consumer's expectations around performance gear by infusing it with style and design, Misty is changing the world's view of what it means to be a world-class ballerina. She brings a modern athleticism to a very traditional art form and pushes the boundaries of the status quo definition of the word 'athlete.'"
SEE ALSO:
Fitness Tips: How Men Can Benefit From A Ballet-Inspired Workout (VIDEO)
Ballet Dancing Is Not For Wimps: This Slow Motion Video Shows Off Insanely Hard Moves
Here's a look at a few of Misty's first promotional photos with Under Armour. Fierce!
