Ep. 20: Dance, Disability, and Determination with Marisa Hamamoto

In this inspiring episode, we’ll hear from Marisa Hamamoto- professional dancer, disability inclusion advocate, and founder of Infinite Flow Dance. Marisa shares her incredible journey of resilience, from surviving a spinal stroke to reimagining dance as the universal and inclusive art form that it was meant to be.

Through her experiences as a late-diagnosed autistic and a stroke survivor, Marisa discusses the challenges she faced within the dance industry, her realization that dance belongs to everyone, and how she built an inclusive dance company that bridges gaps and fosters belonging.

Marisa’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, self-discovery, and the belief that inclusivity objectively makes the world a better place. As she continues the metaphorical dance between roles as a founder, artist and advocate, Marisa and Infinite Flow remain a beacon of what’s possible with determination and a drive towards change.

Key Topics

• Turning Pain into Purpose: Marisa shares how her spinal stroke, which initially left her paralyzed from the neck down, became a pivotal moment in her life. She later returned to dance with a renewed perspective and a mission to create an inclusive space.

• Reimagining Dance & Disability Inclusion: Infinite Flow Dance challenges traditional notions of dance by featuring a diverse cast of disabled and nondisabled dancers. The company operates on the belief that dance is a universal language that belongs to everyone.

• The Power of Representation & Self-Identity: Marisa highlights the importance of self-identification over medical diagnoses, recognizing that not everyone has access to an official diagnosis. Infinite Flow embraces dancers across a broad spectrum of disabilities, from mobility impairments to neurodivergence, chronic illness, and mental health conditions.

• Overcoming Industry Biases: As an Asian-American dancer, Marisa faced systemic challenges within the professional dance world, including biases about body type and racial representation. These experiences fueled her commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse dance community.

• Lessons in Resilience & Leadership: Marisa shares her journey of building Infinite Flow from the ground upstarting without funding, strategy, or a blueprint but driven by passion and purpose. She reflects on how leadership, adaptability, and staying true to one’s mission are key to creating meaningful impact.

For interviewee bio, references, and full transcript, click here: https://shorturl.at/G5ww6