Namita Nayyar:
Which event in your breakdancing journey acted as a catalyst in your metriotic rise as a leading Break Dancer?
Vicki Chang:
It was an event called Break Free thrown in Texas after some of the Covid lockdown restrictions had been lifted, so it was one of the first events that started happening again. It was a series of events that included international dancers and that was the beginning of when I started flying myself out around the United States and internationally to enter individual 1v1 events.
Namita Nayyar:
You had a memorable sporting participation with your performance as the winner of the gold medal at USA National Championship 2022. Tell us your experience at this iconic breaking competition for women event and what you learned here to make you move further in your break dancing career.
Vicki Chang:
This is the event that qualified me to be on Team USA. The format of the event was organized the way that, at the time, the Olympics’ competition was supposed to be formatted, so it was clear that it was a different type of competition. Typically, breakers usually only have to dance for 10 rounds throughout the entire day. However, for this event and other international qualifying events for the Olympics, breakers would dance between 15-19 rounds.
Namita Nayyar:
You must have a coach who has been a catalyst who helped you pave the way to rise in your career with discipline and a never stopping attitude. Elaborate about his/her influence on your professional sporting life?
Vicki Chang:
Traditionally, breakers do not have coaches. There are usually mentors in a very casual way, and everyone in the community typically helps anyone who asks for help at practices. Because of this, it is a very personal journey that looks different for everyone.
For the Olympic qualifying run, I had a personal life/fitness coach, who was instrumental in programming my workouts and giving life advice, but I would not consider him a breaking coach. I also was able to utilize a sports psychiatrist through Team USA, who was great at helping me maintain composure and work through the ups and downs of the qualifying process.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you do that helps you in staying calm ahead of competitions?
Vicki Chang:
Meditating in the morning, and breathing exercises that reduce stress. Something my sport psychologist suggested that helped a lot was to accept that I was nervous instead of trying to get rid of the nervousness, because it meant that I cared, and I could use it as adrenaline into helping my performance in the competition.
Namita Nayyar:
Break Dancing needs exceptional flexibility of one’s body. What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Vicki Chang:
In addition to my dance practice schedule (typically 5-6 days a week, 2-3 hours a day), my workout schedule during what I would consider the “off season” is 4 days a week. Because I’m training mostly for explosiveness and strength, I do a lot of plyometrics, such as box and depth jumps, speed push-ups, and lateral jumps. My strength workout consists of exercises like dumbbell rows, overhead presses, weighted step ups, and Cossack squats.
Of course, core strength is also important, so I do exercises like hamstring curls, planks, lateral plank leg lifts, and leg lifts.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you train your abs? One secret to your toned body.
Vicki Chang:
Core workouts include Romanian Deadlifts, dead bug exercises, planks, Russian Twists with weights, and bicycle sit ups. I think the secret is the not-so-special tip to be consistent and follow a workout schedule that works with your lifestyle.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Vicki Chang:
Yes, I eat a specific amount of protein and carbohydrates daily, and time them so that it helps with recovery. I also try to eat a lot of fruits and leafy greens. My protein intake usually came from chicken, fish, and tofu, with rice or noodles for the carb. After competition days, I would usually drink a protein shake and use electrolytes for rehydration.
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