Blair Ashwood is a professional dancer and dance teacher from Bellerive.

Where in Hobart do you live? I’m currently living on Alexandra Esplanade in Bellerive. It’s a great location and right on the beach.

What’s the best thing about Hobart? The best things about Hobart are the people and the lifestyle. Being able to plan a trip up the east coast that only takes two hours to drive to you feel like you’re on a holiday in a different country.

And the worst thing? I wouldn’t really say there’s a bad thing about Hobart but sometimes because Hobart is small, it’s more likely that people know your business. But that’s not always a bad thing.

Tell us a little about your work? I’m a professional dancer and dance teacher but also working as a fitness instructor. I’m currently working and teaching at Jenina’s Dance Workshop and as an F45 training, located across Tasmania. My dancing has taken me across the world touring throughout Japan, China and the US. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some big industry leading choreographers and famous celebrities.

How did you get into dancing? I started dancing at the age of nine at a small school in New Norfolk. After discovering that dancing was a massive passion of mine, I started to take things more seriously. From the age of 13 to 18, I was dancing around 18-24 hours a week. This was also on top of schooling and living 30 minutes away from where I was dancing. I moved to Sydney when I was 18 to complete my full-time year and straight after graduation I left Australia on my first professional contract in America.

What’s been one of your dance highlights? My biggest dancing highlight was working on The Late Show with David Letterman and Ben Stiller. This was something that completely changed my life and opened up many amazing opportunities. I was working as a dancer on the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus, touring across the country by train. Performing in sold-out arena shows and meeting celebrities such as Neil Patrick Harris, Alicia Keys and the cast of Grey’s Anatomy. Something that I will be forever thankful for.

Did you ever face any criticism as a male dancer? Do you feel that stereotypes are changing? When I was growing up I knew I was different. My brother was a very outdoors and active kid – always played football and cricket but that never interested me. I would always dress up and put on small production shows for my family friends. I’ve always loved music and the thought of being on stage. I was bullied throughout my schooling years for being gay and dancing. It was a difficult time in my life but at the same time I was extremely lucky to have a supportive family and dancing. Nearly 10 years on and I believe we have made incredible progress.

And you teach as well, what’s that like to be able to build younger dancers? Teaching children how to dance is one of the most rewarding things in my life. Being able to watch someone grow and achieve, not only as a dancer, but also a human is the most beautiful thing.

You also work as a personal trainer – do you think that helps your dancing? I started working in the fitness industry two years ago. This was something I never had planned. After my last dancing contract in Japan, I found a new love for the gym. When I was younger I would always be so scared to ever try something like the gym. I always found it was only meant for people who had big arms and a six-pack. When I started working for F45 this all changed. Painting a picture of someone and what they are meant to look like, and what they should be doing is so silly. Everyone is different and no one looks the same – stereotypes are stupid.

What’s your favourite Hobart eatery? My favourite place to eat is Criterion Cafe, on Criterion Street. It always has a great vibe and the food and coffee is amazing. Definitely check it out if you haven’t already!

Drink of choice and where do you head for it? My drink of choice would be a nice glass of red wine or a vodka, soda and lime. It all just depends on the mood and setting. The Den never disappoints!

Guilty pleasure? Salt and vinegar chips ha ha ha.

What do you never leave home without? My chapstick. Can’t have dried lips.

Quote to live by? You are born with nothing and you will die with nothing.