We Don’t Know What’s Coming Next, But We Know What Matters

Amanda Herring’s Journey: Strength, Faith, and the Power of Community

Life has a way of reminding us—sometimes gently and sometimes with a force we never saw coming—that we are not in control. We make our plans, chase our dreams, and build careers filled with passion and purpose. Many of us—especially in the dance world—live a workaholic lifestyle, pouring ourselves into every detail of our journey. Then, in an instant, something happens that shifts our entire perspective.

Amanda Herring: A Life of Dedication

My friend and Gold Alliance leader, Amanda Herring, is one of those people who truly understands what it means to dedicate herself fully. As a longtime studio owner, she knew what it was to sacrifice, to show up every day for her students, her family, and her friends. But she also evolved, moving on from studio ownership to embrace the role of The Recital Lady, producing the annual recital for her former school because she loves bringing professional-level shows to small-town Mississippi. Amanda is one of those rare souls who leads with love, who lifts others up even when carrying her own struggles. I’ve seen her strength in moments when her children needed her most, and now, I see it again as she faces something no one should ever have to face.

A Diagnosis that Changed Everything

A few days ago, Amanda shared an update on her health. What was once thought to be a benign tumor has turned out to be Stage 4 Glioblastoma—an aggressive, relentless form of brain cancer. In her words, “How long, you may be wondering. We just don’t know right now. But God loves me and has a plan for my life. I want to live every day I have to the fullest, maybe even eek out a year or so, getting to love, serve, laugh, travel, and be a light.”

Amanda has always been a light, and even in this unimaginable moment, she continues to be one. She isn’t asking for false hope or empty reassurances. She’s asking for prayers. She’s asking us to rally. She’s asking us to stand with her in the trenches, where life is raw and real, where faith and fear exist together.

What We Can Learn from Amanda

Reading her words, I’m reminded of something we all need to remember: we don’t know what’s coming next. We can map out our futures, set our goals, and work ourselves into exhaustion, believing we are building something permanent. But life doesn’t work that way.

So, what do we know?

We know that friendship matters—that lifting each other up, in times of triumph and in times of heartbreak, is what keeps us going.

We know that our work is only part of our story. Dance, business, success—they all matter, but they aren’t everything.

We know that love and faith will carry us when nothing else can.

Now We Stand with Amanda

Amanda’s journey is a reminder that we don’t get to choose our challenges, but we do get to choose how we walk through them. She’s choosing to live fully, to love deeply, and to embrace her journey with grace and dignity.

If there’s one thing we can all take away from her strength, it’s this: Fly, don’t fear. Keep evolving, keep showing up for yourself and for others, and never take a single day for granted.

Amanda, we’re with you. Always. 💜