Vicki Chang, 33, is breaking barriers and redefining her career path as she transitions from a restoration ecologist to a full-time breakdancer.
Known in the breaking community as “La Vix,” Chang’s journey from high school volleyball player to Olympic hopeful is a testament to her dedication and passion for dance.
Chang told Newsweek her introduction to break dancing began at the University of California, Berkeley, where she sought a new hobby after realizing her height—5 foot, 4 inches—limited her prospects in college volleyball.
Determined to avoid the freshman 15, a term referring to new college students gaining weight, and inspired by Fox’s hit show So You Think You Can Dance, she ventured into the world of breaking. At first, she sought instruction at an open session that felt intimidating, but she quickly developed a profound bond with the art.
“I fell in love with the music and the community of people that break,” Chang said. “It was a really good creative outlet.”
What started as a pastime quickly evolved into a life-changing passion. Despite pursuing a career in restoration ecology—her field of study at Berkeley—Chang dedicated two to three hours daily to practice, striving to balance both worlds. After nearly a decade, a pivotal conversation with her boss prompted her to reconsider her priorities.
“My boss told me, ‘While we know you love working for the environment, we see your true passion is dance—you should really go for it,’ ” Chang said.
Chang said that the transition to full-time dance was smoother than anticipated, thanks to savings. However, making a living as a dancer in the United States remains challenging. Chang describes dance as not just a career but also a form of meditation and personal expression, offering her a sense of freedom integral to her well-being.
With the 2024 Paris Olympics underway, Chang is thrilled about breaking’s inclusion as an Olympic sport. She, however, does acknowledge the debates within the community about judging a dance form that is inherently artistic and subjective.
“There’s a debate within the community whether it’s even able to be judged objectively,” she said, drawing a parallel with rhythmic gymnastics, which also blends artistry with competition.
Chang’s journey through Olympic qualification has been marked by trial and error, with significant changes in the process midway. The adjustment from viewing breaking as an art form to approaching it as an organized sport has been challenging but necessary.
“Halfway through the qualification process, the organization changed, and the process was different,” she said. “There were a lot of growing pains, especially because we wanted outside forces to take us more seriously.”
To prepare for the Olympics, Chang focused on rigorous training, including upper body strength, core exercises, weight lifting, and plyometrics, while also managing the mental aspects of competing on a global stage.
For aspiring breakers, Chang offers encouraging advice: “It’s good to have an open mindset and explore different things that you feel are right for you. It is difficult and there’s a big learning curve in breaking. But don’t get discouraged because everything in life that’s good is going to be difficult at first.”
The inaugural breaking events at the Olympics are set for August 9 and August 10.
Newsweek reached out to the Olympics and they said breaking is a great addition to the Games and fits the vision of youth-focused, urban sports.
“The World Dance Sport Federation has done an outstanding job bringing together the breaking community on the Olympic journey and we are sure it will be an incredible sport on the Olympic stage in Paris,” the Olympics media relations said.
As Chang embraces this new chapter, her story serves as an inspiration for those pursuing their dreams, blending passion with perseverance to reach new heights.
