40 Inspiring Misty Copeland Quotes on Grit & Grace

Misty Copeland, the trailblazing principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, is more than just a dancer; she is a symbol of perseverance, grace, and breaking barriers. Her journey from a late start to international stardom provides a wealth of wisdom. We've compiled 40 of her most powerful quotes on discipline, identity, and the relentless pursuit of dreams, all designed to fuel your own ambitions.

Misty Copeland Quotes on Perseverance and Discipline

"You can start late, look different, be the minority, and still be the best."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: A reminder that success is determined by effort and quality, not by starting position or appearance.

"Determination and hard work are the ingredients to success."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Emphasizes that persistent effort and resolve are the fundamental requirements for achieving goals.

"I wouldn't be where I am today if I had not been given the support and encouragement to walk through the doors, and the opportunity to make mistakes."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Highlights the necessity of mentorship, encouragement, and the freedom to learn from failures in professional growth.

"I think the more positive you are and the more you focus on the positive, the more that comes back to you."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Encourages maintaining an optimistic outlook to attract positive outcomes and opportunities.

"Failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Re-frames mistakes not as endpoints, but as necessary steps on the path toward achievement.

"The one thing I have is the heart of a champion. I will never give up."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Focuses on the internal fortitude and unwavering commitment required to overcome long odds.

"If you put out into the universe what you want, it will come back to you."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Promotes setting clear intentions and trusting the process of manifestation through action.

"I realized that the hardest part of being a role model is not being perfect. Nobody’s perfect."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Offers comfort in authenticity, showing that vulnerability and humanity are essential aspects of inspirational leadership.

"What makes you unique is what makes you beautiful."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Encourages self-acceptance and celebrating individual differences, especially in fields focused on rigid uniformity.

"Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Connects inner strength and self-belief with the critical role of a supportive community.

"Being a black woman, I've always felt like my body was the thing that would keep me from doing what I wanted to do, but it's been the thing that has made me unique and different."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: A powerful statement on turning perceived obstacles or differences into sources of strength and uniqueness.

"Your body is the most important thing you have. You have to take care of it."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Highlights the necessity of physical self-care and maintenance for sustainable high performance.

"I knew that being a black principal dancer with ABT was bigger than me."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Discusses the responsibility and profound impact of breaking historical barriers for future generations.

"Every single day, you'll have moments where you feel like you can't do it."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Normalizes feelings of doubt, assuring readers that internal struggle is common even among high achievers.

"If you're willing to put in the work, you can accomplish anything."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: A straightforward testament to the power of effort over innate talent.

Quotes on Redefining Barriers and Identity

"Dance is a sport, but it's also an art. I play a character, and I have to act. I have to play against type sometimes."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Explores the duality of dance, recognizing both the rigorous physical demands and the necessity of artistic, emotional interpretation.

"The advice I would give to aspiring dancers is to never give up on your dreams."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: A timeless message of encouragement, urging continuous pursuit despite inevitable roadblocks.

"I remember being told that I shouldn't wear light colors because they would make me look bigger."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Reveals the restrictive and often toxic standards of traditional ballet culture and the need to reject them.

"The ultimate goal is to connect with people, to make them feel something, to make them feel like they're not alone."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Defines the higher purpose of art and performance as a tool for emotional connection and community building.

"I want to make sure that the next generation of dancers, regardless of color, doesn't have to face the same challenges I did."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Expresses a commitment to advocacy and ensuring greater equity and inclusion in the arts.

"Believing in yourself is the first secret to success."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Places self-confidence and internal validation as the critical starting point for any successful endeavor.

"It is important to find the courage to do what you want to do."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Highlights that taking action often requires overcoming internal fears and societal pressure.

"My goal is to show people that you can be successful in ways you never thought possible."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Inspires listeners to broaden their definition of success beyond traditional or expected paths.

"If you're happy with yourself, then you're going to be more confident in the work that you're doing."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Links personal contentment and self-acceptance directly to professional output and confidence.

"I don't fit the mold. And I'm okay with that."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: A declaration of self-acceptance and rejection of predefined boundaries or expectations.

Inspirational Quotes on Strength and Growth

"I feel like I've started a new chapter in my life and I'm still writing it."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Provides perspective that personal and professional growth is an ongoing, evolving narrative.

"Being a role model is great, but being a mentor is better."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Distinguishes between passive influence (role model) and active involvement (mentorship) in helping others succeed.

"It's never too late to start something new."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Offers motivation to those who feel constrained by age or past missed opportunities.

"With confidence, you can reach the stars."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: A concise maxim illustrating the limitless potential unlocked by self-assurance.

"If you are not making mistakes, you are not trying hard enough."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Encourages taking risks and viewing errors as indicators of ambitious effort.

"My life is a constant evolution. I'm always trying to figure out how I can be better."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Stresses the value of continuous self-improvement and avoiding stagnation.

"I had this vision, and I never let go of that, and I still have it."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Underlines the necessity of having a clear, guiding vision for long-term ambition.

"The struggle is what makes the triumph that much sweeter."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: A classic perspective on valuing the difficulty of the journey as much as the outcome.

"I learned to dance by watching Mariah Carey videos."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Offers a relatable example of unorthodox self-teaching and finding inspiration outside conventional sources.

"We can't be afraid to change things up and follow our intuition."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Advocates for listening to one's inner voice and adapting strategies as needed for personal fulfillment.

"I embrace the fact that I’m unique and I’m different."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Reinforces the theme of embracing distinctiveness as a key to personal power.

"I want to be an example that you don't have to be perfect, or have the perfect background, to achieve your dreams."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Provides reassurance that imperfect origins and real-life struggles do not disqualify one from greatness.

"Find a way to make it happen, even if it feels like the whole world is against you."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: A call to intense self-reliance and creative problem-solving in the face of systemic opposition.

"Dance is about communication. It's about expression."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Clarifies the fundamental role of dance as a medium for emotional transfer beyond mere technique.

"I’m honored to be in this position, but I won’t take it lightly."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Shows humility and serious dedication to the responsibility that comes with achieving a pioneering status.

"Hard days are always going to be there. But, if you stick with it, you will see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Provides a message of hope and consistency, emphasizing endurance through tough times.

"You have to be diligent and disciplined and surround yourself with people who believe in you and believe in your journey."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Underscores the combined importance of internal discipline and external positive support.

"It is really about finding your voice and knowing that what you have to say is important."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Encourages confidence in self-expression and the validation of one's perspective.

"My job is to be an American Ballet Theatre dancer. But my purpose is to always remain myself."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: Differentiates between professional role and authentic personal identity, prioritizing self-truth.

"When you focus on the good, the good gets better."

Author: Misty Copeland

Benefit: A succinct lesson in the amplifying power of positive focus and gratitude.

The Final Word

Misty Copeland’s quotes offer a comprehensive blueprint for not just succeeding in a demanding field, but for challenging the field itself. Her words resonate with anyone who has faced pressure to conform, proving that authenticity, backed by relentless work ethic, is the most powerful performance of all. Let her wisdom guide your next great leap.