Following Your Dreams Despite Challenges: Anastasia Martynova

By Tallie Dameron

Anastasia Martynova, Founder of National Integrative Wellness and Resource Center, had the incredible experience of being a backup dancer in a music video by Valdensefilms Cine. Martynova grew up as a child with special needs so she knows how it feels to be doubted or excluded from activities.

While facing challenges daily growing up, she decided to change her outlook on life and achieve what others thought was impossible. Being a part of this music video was just one of her many accomplishments. Martynova is now a successful entrepreneur, teacher, and yoga instructor.

“I felt happy and proud that I was chosen during auditions and could participate despite my health challenges,” Martynova said.

Her passion for dancing started at a young age and has always been something she enjoyed doing. From dancing as a little girl, to becoming a certified Zumba instructor, it meant the world to her to be chosen to dance in this music video. As someone who has been excluded from activities in the past, Martynova explained that it felt amazing to not be labeled with disabilities and given the chance to perform and express her passion for dancing.

“Before coming to the auditions, I felt scared of the possibility of rejection but I decided to proceed and just give it a try,” Martynova explained.

As of 2012, over 38.4 million Americans, were living with a disability, according to the Annual Disability Statistics Compendium. The discrimination towards individuals with disabilities still continues to negatively affect the opportunities and lives of people with disabilities. Treating disabled individuals differently can give them a negative attitude towards others and life itself. It is important that we try to understand how disability discrimination is affecting other individual’s lives in a negative way. No one should be excluded from activities because they have a “disability.”

Anastasia Martynova is proof that nothing should stop someone from reaching their goals in life. Out of all the other people who auditioned to be in the music video, she was chosen. Here is a link to the video for those who want to check it out!