Meredith Montana

Did someone say #lifeofashowgirl? Because I’ve BEEN ready for this moment. 💃🏼 Swipe to the end for my OG showgirl look😉 Which one is your fav?✨ #showgirl #dancer #glam #glamazon #feathers #glitter #taylorswift #ts12

Sometimes you gotta hype yourself up a little cause damn it’s easy to forget how far you’ve come against so many odds. When I first got diagnosed with scoliosis, the doctor’s first recommendation was to take one less dance class a week (I was taking ballet 3x a week at this point). In hindsight, that makes no sense because I swear that dance is the ONLY reason my body is still incredibly functional today. Movement is healing. Thank God I didn’t listen 🙃 Please get second and third and fourth opinions when it comes to this condition. The information most doctors have is limiting at best. And don’t even get me started on the mental health side of this. I’m so grateful to (now) know an entire community of scoliosis warrior queens who are fighting to make a difference and empower a generation of Scoli warriors who know they can do anything (looking at you, @strengthandspine , @laura.g.dpt , @kerrygreenofficial and SO many others). Together we can make it better for those following. 💚 • • • #scoliosis #spinalfusion #dancer #nyc #scoliosiswarrior

“You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should’ve been dealt. You have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you’re holding.” Standing here at 6 years post spinal fusion feels so surreal. It’s hard not to think of my life as a strict before and after, because this surgery made so much possible. A career, not only in dance, but in New York City. Modeling. Traveling. New friends. Confidence. Community. Every single day that I get to wake up and move is a celebration of what this body is capable of. It would be easy to sit back and wish things were different and wish I didn’t have to deal with this condition. It would be easy to be at war with the mirror but there is no triumph or peace in that, which is why i will always choose to celebrate this strange and wonderful body. I’m SO ridiculously grateful to have @devynreneewhite and @mitchell_martin in my life to help me create some celebratory art for this milestone. Six years in, and I really, really, love being bionic⚡️ • Please follow both @thepeanutgalleryart and @mitchmartinphoto to support their art, hopefully there will be more spine paintings to come✨ • • • #scoliosis #scoliosiswarrior #spinalfusion #scoliosisawareness #spineversary #scoliosisstrong #scoliosissurgery #scoliosisexercise #scar #bodypositivity #celebration #bodypaint #bodypainting #dancer #bionic #iamtitanium

Just changing the scoliosis/spinal fusion narrative for adults who have been living with this condition in silence for FAR too long, nbd 💁🏼‍♀️ We had over 60 attendees, 6 exhibitors, and so many heartwarming community moments. With every passing moment and conversation, you could feel the energy and excitement building. There were so many moments along this journey where I questioned my sanity for deciding to plan a conference essentially by myself. But I’ve had a vision that won’t leave me alone, and the saying goes “if it’s your calling, it will keep calling”. I can’t wait to see where this journey leads. We’ve got some exciting event announcements coming soon, stay up to date by following @the_bionicproject . 💚

Why do they always put the hotel toilet paper holders BEHIND you??😭 👙: @popflex_active #scoliosis #spinalfusion #scoliosisawareness

Pt. ✌🏼 My whole job is to entertain. To attract attention and be a spectacle. AND SOMEHOW IT STILL DOESNT WORK SOMETIMES. People are generally preoccupied. Whether it’s with their phone, their friends, or even their own thoughts, they aren’t looking around hunting for spinal asymmetries. You know that saying about “if you think about a white car, suddenly you’ll see white cars everywhere”? This is the same scenario, in reverse. People aren’t expecting anyone to have scoliosis (except maybe those of us who have lived this journey in isolation and wistfully look at everyone else’s beautiful spines wishing it were their own. Been there too my friend), so they’re not going to pick out a bit of asymmetry in a crowd. Having this experience repeatedly at gigs for the last decade has truly rearranged my perception of what is truly noticeable. And once again, if someone does make a comment, that is on them. It is not a reflection of you. Your spine is beautiful when you decide that it is. 💚 #scoliosis #spinalfusion #scoliosisawareness #bodyimage

Throwing in my personal experience with body image, thanks to @laura.g.dpt for opening up the conversation around this topic. I definitely dealt with self consciousness as a teen and well into my 20’s. I did all the usual tricks to hide my scoliosis: baggy clothes, long hair, very strategic photo angles. But, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found so much peace through modeling and doing artistic photo shoots. I’ve reconciled a lot of insecurity by just putting my whole spine out there and realizing the world doesn’t come to a screeching halt. People aren’t paying attention. It’s scary at first, but it’s been worth it every time. And if someone does say something negative, that’s a reflection of their character, not yours. No one can shake you if you’re rooted in the belief that you’re allowed to exist, exactly as you are. 🌿 #scoliosis #spinalfusion #scoliosisawareness #confidence

just micro dosing a ballet barre throughout my day nbd

11 years with a spinal fusion and it all led here. I’m so grateful to share this space and build something that’s never existed before. Thank you all for trusting me and supporting @the_bionicproject , I can’t build a community without you. This is just the beginning. 💚💚💚 #spineversary #spinalfusion #scoliosis

One of my favorite things @kyra_condie said at BioniCon: “I see my spinal fusion as a comma in my life, not a period. I had a spinal fusion, and then I went on to be an Olympic rock climber”. Both things can be true: you can have a spinal fusion, and go on to do great things. This diagnosis and surgery doesn’t have to hold us back or be the end of our dreams. I’m proud to be blazing a trail for the women following behind us. 💚 #scoliosis #spinalfusion #scoliosisawareness #dancer #model

Photos and videos from the first ever adult scoliosis conference are rolling in! 🥹😭 I’ve been laughing and crying and reliving so many stunning moments from the most magical weekend. I can’t believe we did it. We have a space, an event, a place to call OURS. BioniCon. A place where those of us living with scoliosis and spinal fusions can feel normal. Where we’re the majority. Where we can celebrate our spines instead of hiding them. There’s no going back now. 💚 Make sure you’re subscribed to @the_bionicproject ’s email list for upcoming event dates, and of course, next year’s BioniCon. I also have a special announcement coming on my spineversary, May 4th🥰 I can’t wait to keep building this thing together 🫶🏼 #scoliosis #spinalfusion #scoliosisawareness #community #bionic

Send this to your spinal fusion bestie🥰💚 #scoliosis #spinalfusion #scoliosisawareness #community