Meet Rachele Brooke Smith of The Disruptive Movement and Disruptive Apparel in Santa Monica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachele Brooke Smith.

Rachele Brooke, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and was a very competitive (and pretty stressed out) gymnast before getting into entertainment, but it never was the actual gymnastics that was my true love. I really just loved the performing aspect of it all. After breaking my hand during one of the best competitions of my life (and having to have surgery on it), I began to realize how truly unhappy I was, and even though it was ridiculously hard, and seemed almost impossible at the time to quit, I eventually did find the strength to so (I don’t think I will ever forget how sad and lost back then).

Around that same time, I went with my family to see the movie Center Stage by Nicholas Hytner. This particular film was so powerful for me, I had crazy goosebumps, chills, and so filled with inspiration, I literally couldn’t move. Even after everyone else had left the theater I was still sitting there with an overwhelming feeling of joy, passion, a little bit of fear, and lots of excitement. I just knew in that very powerful moment that I would never forget this experience. I knew right then and there that I wanted to be just like that girl that I watched light up that screen and inspired me so much. I went from feeling so sad, so lost, so alone to feeling more alive and full of joy and wonderment than ever before. I wanted to do everything I possible could and work harder than I ever had before to be able to move and change people the way that film had changed me. I wanted to act, dance, and perform more than anything and I wanted to do it for the rest of my life. After that moment there really was no looking back, I just knew that performing and storytelling was what I was born to do.

I barely slept all through high school because I was too busy dancing and acting all the time. Then the plan was to go to my dream college that had one of the best performing arts programs, then go to LA to follow my dream of being a lead actress. Fun fact, that plan failed big time and I didn’t get into my dream college (even though I had a 3.9 gpa, captain of the dance line, lead our school’s nonprofit activities, and was in student government all 4 years). After few weeks of complete devastation, confusion, and not knowing what to do next (I was all set up to go to ASU… however something inside me felt awful about making that move) I saw an opportunity to audition for a super intense performing arts scholarship program in LA… long story short, I last minute flew to LA with my mom, auditioned, got in (yay!!!!), and had 2 weeks to move and get all set up in this new crazy big city I knew pretty much no one and very little about (I mean other than what I saw in movies) During this very intense year program (which was one of the hardest but best things I have ever done) I couldn’t audition for anything or have an agent. As soon as I finished the program I got signed to a dance agency and tried to get in with an acting agency but got turned down and was very discouraged. A couple weeks later I saw a sign on the wall for auditions for the lead girl in Center Stage: Turn It Up (the sequel to the very film that changed me as a little girl).

My initial reaction was thinking there was no way this could have been happening. It seemed so surreal, almost not even possible. I will never forget the moment, sitting at home in my room after justifying all the reasons not to go, when I had this overwhelming feeling that I had to go. It was so powerful that it honestly felt like it pushed me out the door and to the audition. I had that feeling through the next month or so, and what seemed like a rollercoaster ride of emotions of my childhood dream being so close but yet so far away. I ended up having to go in 6 different times for that role then finally got the call that I booked the l. After what felt like forever I got a call from one of the agents that turned me down saying that Sony Pictures wanted to book me to play Kate Parker in Center Stage Turn It Up and that I would be leaving to film in Vancouver in a couple day (haahhhhhh… hahhhh. haaahhh… Ya that was me screaming in my car.. Probably not very safe for me to be driving right then.) It was a literal childhood dream come true, I was about to play the lead in the sequel to the movie that changed my life as a little girl, I was going to get to be “that girl” that inspired me so much. This crazy, beautiful, overwhelming, and to me somewhat miraculous experience was what has shaped my entire brand and company. All I want to do is to use this story to inspire others and be “that girl” to move and change anyone’s life I possibly can through the arts, performing, and storytelling.

Here is a video where I talk all about this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIEfBRizMeU.

After going through that experience, everyone kept asking me, “How did you do it? ” How did you land the lead role in the sequel to the film that changed your life when you were a little girl?” And what I realized was that if I wasn’t DISRUPTIVE for my big goals and dreams, for what I really wanted in my life (not what anyone else wanted for my life but what I wanted for my life) I would have never landed that role and or any of the several other amazing hit tv shows and films I have feel so blessed to be a part of.

And that realization was what lead me to create The Disruptive Movement and DisruptiveApparel.com.

Has it been a smooth road?
WOW! Is there even such a thing? I don’t think I have ever heard a single “person of impact” story that was ever struggle free!

However, I do love to reframe any seemingly negative thing and see how fast I can shift it into something productive… so rather than feeling overwhelmed by problems… I choose to not have problems anymore, I just have puzzles I get to solve.

As an actress there are several “Puzzles” to be solved on a regular basis such as… how to keep being brave and vulnerable after being told no over and over again to dream jobs (especially when you are so so close to getting them you can almost taste it). What has helped me with this, has been disrupting any sort of belief that auctions are to book jobs… now auditions are just games for me. A game to see how connected, authentic, and open to creativity and possibility I can be. I only win the game if I really show up in that way. If I book the room I win and that is my only focus. When I disrupted my old thinking patters of worrisome thoughts like “what if they don’t like what I do” to “Wow! I am so freaking lucky I get to go play make believe right now… I get to celebrate this life right now… I get to do what I love right now…. man, I am so lucky! How could I celebrate this life and this characters story to the very fullest?” That’s when everything started changing for me! Not only did I start booking way more roles but I also was just a way more fulfilled happy energized person!

When I became extremely passionate about my cause and decided to throw myself into entrepreneurship (something I knew very very little about) that came with extreme challenges like I hadn’t felt in a long time!!! Ones that left me stressed out, wiped out, and a face full of tears on a very regular occasion.

So many challenging lessons to be learned as CEO of a new company (especially when you are also a full-time actress and performer) but some of the most valuable have been that team and community is everything and as a leader it is your job to be brave enough to reach out to people and inspire them with your “why” every day.

I also often struggled with not feeling like I know what I am doing… This was extremely frustrating at first until I had to learn that no one really knows what they are doing… that there is a lot of trial and error involved and the ones who succeed are the ones who are brave every day, who are open to new ways of thinking and doing things, who never allow themselves to stay stuck and or in a victim mindset for too long and always take consistent faithful forward action towards their mission and their vision,

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Disruptive Movement and Disruptive Apparel story. Tell us more about the business.
Ridiculously comfortable. Sweat resistant. Eco-friendly empowering apparel. Made to help you feel ready for anything.

Disruptive Apparel is more than just a brand, it’s a visual movement with a message. Powered by super comfy inspirational gear with insanely cool content, each piece celebrates and empowers those who think differently, view life through a creative lens, crave being a part of something bigger, and who disrupt negativity for positive change. All apparel encourages “disruptive thinking” and creative living to empower entertainers and entrepreneurs to discover their inner & outer strength, celebrate their unique gifts and talents, and create a passion-filled extraordinary life. Sexy. Smart. Soulfully Successful. #BeDisruptive

We also do online challenges at DisruptiveDare.com where we help people game-ify their goals and their life in a super fun, supportive, like-minded community.

If you are looking for a way to inspire and connect your team or your community like never before, your search is over!

We at “The Disruptive Movement” offers Disruptive Workshops led by Rachele Brooke Smith, lead actress in movies such as ‘Center Stage’ and ‘Bring It On’.

Every workshop includes movement, creativity, and Disruptive Thinking with students of all ages. Whether you have a large group or a small class, Rachele has the perfect Master Class to match that’s fun, empowering, team building, and life changing. Students are empowered to:

• Disrupt all limiting beliefs
• Build ridiculous confidence
• Create a passion-filled extraordinary life
• Strengthen their power within and develop their individual talents and abilities

All this while having so much fun that the students won’t even realize they’re expanding their mind, energizing their bodies, and igniting their life!

AND WE NOW OFFER, Customized apparel for your event or team.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.disruptiveapparel.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @disruptive_movement @rbrookesmith
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/disruptiveapparel www.facebook.com/rachelebrookesmith.com
• Twitter: www.instagram.com/rachelebsmith.com www.instagram.com/disruptive_app

Image Credit:
Stephen Duncan Peters

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