Meet Elise Gross | Artist/Author/Dancer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elise Gross and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elise, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am originally from California, but since I was a baby I’ve been traveling. Right now, I have no “home” but I have found my home within myself. It’s definitely been a challenge at some points, but in the end, I feel like in the process of letting go, I’ve gained so much. I was raised Christian by a pastor as my dad, but when I was 15, I moved to a spiritual healing retreat center my family and some friends started. From there I started meditating and shifted my consciousness into a more spiritual perspective and openness about life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Since I was 9 years old, I have danced competitively, and now I am striving to be a professional dancer in the industry. I recently choreographed, danced, and directed a dance concept visual for an artists song called Jupiter. Movement as an art form is really my true calling, I find it so fascinating that dancers can portray a whole story with just embodiment and flow. Dance for me has saved my life. I feel pure, connected, grounded, and so creative when I move. So choreography wise, I’ve really found my style inside my own movement quality.

Music as a form of art, i’ve always had a passion for, mainly because of my brother. But when I was 15, I picked up a guitar one night for fun, and 30 days later I was playing live onstage for Nolans tour. I am working on my first single right now, It is dropping on November 17th! It was hard for me at first to get the courage to sing, but I just had to shift my mindset into something I call the “fuck it mindset” pardon my french. And you know I took my own challenge and am creating a song in 7 days. It’s such a beautiful and fun experience!

My book|journal How To Be Happy came out on November 6th. I wrote How To Be Happy after I overcame depression while living at a mindfulness retreat center. How To Be Happy is a guidebook to life beyond survival. Using modern language and an authentic voice, How to be Happy is not rooted in any particular religion or belief system. It combines everything Elise has learned and experienced from a genuine perspective on happiness that is relatable and inspiring to everyone. With colorful pages and affirmation cards, it’s a great way to start new conversations that bring people closer together.

Ultimately I really just want to be a vessel to spread love and inspire enlightenment and embodiment of your highest self.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start off at a sound bath outside in a beautiful nature spot. Then would go on a plane to Hawaii. I’ve always loved to travel and fly on airplanes, so we would fly to Hawaii. Then go jet-skiing, parasailing, and skydiving. Next just lay and meditate on the beach for some time. Eat some bomb vegan bowls and smoothies. Definitely would go on some trippy hikes and create some cool art. Would love to just dance in a field of flowers all day then fly home.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My brother!!! Shouts out to Nolan Gross, currently we are working on my first ever single that I am releasing in 7 days. I took my own challenge for my book How To Be Happy and I am going to create and release a song in 7 days. Nolan has produced my whole song and is literally my best friend. He is such a creative inspiring artist and I admire him so much.

Website: howtobehappy.co

Instagram: @elisegross

Twitter: @howtobehappyco

Facebook: @elisegross

Youtube: ELISE GROSS

Other: tiktok – elisegross_