Q&A with Jenn Todling

 

Photo by Mary Lanaghan

 

 

Jenn Todling is the author of the new memoir Dancing on My Own Two Feet: A New Life One Step at a Time. She is an adjunct instructor at the University of Denver and an executive coach, and she lives near Boulder, Colorado.

 

Q: What inspired you to write this memoir?

 

A: I’ve wanted to write a book ever since I left my marriage and moved to NYC. At first, I imagined it would be more of a thought leadership book, inspired by my years as a corporate leader. When I arrived in the city, I started a blog to capture my new adventures, and I’d toy with book ideas over the years, but they didn’t materialize.

 

During the pandemic, something clicked. With almost a decade of distance from my story, I felt this strong pull to put it into words. I started small, taking a travel writing class, and then I joined a six-month memoir writing program.

 

When I began writing scenes for the first time, I was hooked. Reliving all the missteps, heartbreaks, adventures, and moments of joy was such an unexpectedly fun process.

 

Q: The writer Lori Mihalich-Levin said of the book, “Jenn paints for us a gorgeous picture of how dance can be a vehicle for building a life and exploring the world.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: Lori has been such an important part of my writing journey. She was one of the first people to encourage me to write a memoir and even connected me to the writing program I ended up joining. Her support, especially as a fellow working mom juggling so much, meant so much to me.

 

Her description feels like she truly captured the heart of my story. Yes, there are some tough and vulnerable parts, but ultimately, dance brought me back to myself. It gave me the chance to see the world, traveling to over 30 countries in just a few years, and helped me reconnect with who I am.

 

Dance reminded me that our passions are a part of us, even when we push them aside or lose touch with them for a while.

Q: Did you base the book entirely on your memories, or did you do any additional research?

 

A: I had a lot of personal writing to draw from, which was such a gift. The blog I started when I moved to NYC was a great way to reconnect with how I felt navigating new experiences at the time. I also kept a journal during my travels, which helped me recreate some of those moments in the book.

 

For earlier memories, I went back to a treasure chest of keepsakes from my childhood—things like poems, photos, and other little mementos that helped fill in the blanks. I even reached out to family and friends to hear their perspectives on some of the events I wrote about, which added another layer to the story.

 

Q: What impact did it have on you to write the book, and what do you hope readers take away from it?

 

A: Writing this book was such a deep and personal process. I think anyone who’s written a book will tell you it’s a labor of love, but writing a memoir takes it to another level.

 

The hardest part for me was going through the developmental edits—it wasn’t just about refining the writing, but also reflecting on my life choices. That process forced me to ask tough questions and helped me find peace with some of the decisions I made, even the ones that caused a lot of pain.

 

I hope readers walk away feeling inspired to trust their instincts and find the courage to leave situations that don’t serve them.

 

I also hope it encourages people to reconnect with their creative side. In a world that often prioritizes productivity, I’ve found that creativity—especially dance for me—can ground us and even make us better leaders, partners, and people.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m working on a second memoir inspired by a mother-daughter trip to the Azores, Portugal, back in 2017. This one focuses on defining and pursuing a “chosen life”—what it means to create a life that feels true to you. It covers my decisions to step away from my public accounting career and find a new path while moving back to Colorado to be closer to family.

 

This fall, I’m also launching a Soulful Leadership Academy, which combines my passions for leadership coaching, teaching, and dance to help others lead with more creativity and authenticity.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I love connecting with readers and helping others find ways to express their soul in their work and life. If you’d like to connect, you can reach me at jenntodling.com. For I believe the world needs who we were made to be.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb