Sunny Choi, a former promotions executive, has bravely stepped out of her comfort zone to pursue her passion for breakdancing. Her dream? To represent the U.S. on the first-ever Olympic breaking team. This pivot from a successful corporate career into a highly competitive and unpredictable field demonstrates her commitment and love for breakdancing.
However, her journey has not been without obstacles. Despite an initial victory over Vanessa from Portugal, Choi faced disappointment at a recent meet in Paris. She was eliminated from the quarterfinals, leaving her standing for future competitions uncertain. A spot in the knockout stage eluded her, leading to questions about her future and highlighting the sport’s volatility.
Choi’s decision to pursue breakdancing was considered amazing — and significant.
Breaking barriers: Sunny Choi’s odyssey
As the former director of global creative operations at the high-profile cosmetics company Estée Lauder, she was well-acquainted with the risks of venturing into a high-stakes, physically demanding field. Despite all this, her passion for breakdancing, which emphasizes complex movements and acrobatics, was too great to resist.
Aged 35, Choi faces personal considerations in her breaking journey. She grapples with balancing her intense training schedule with her future plans for motherhood. This late entry into the sport has brought unique challenges, including managing her physical stamina and avoiding injury while planning a family.
Despite these challenges, Choi remains dedicated to her breakdancing career. She plans to establish her own dance studio in Queens, New York, where she can nurture the next generation of breakdancers. Driven and humble, Choi continues to train and improve her skills daily, hoping to inspire budding breakdancers with her passion and persistence.
Bringing her experience and understanding of personal branding in dancing, Choi plans to guide up-and-coming dancers. She’s been setting aside funds from her previous role to support her lifestyle as she navigates this exciting, uncharted territory in the breakdancing world.
