NuGo Athlete of the Month: Madison Russo

Madison Russo, a ballet dancer from West Palm Beach, Florida, has been dancing since she was five. She started dance because her mom was a professional ballet dancer and she was constantly at the studio with her. Her mom actually didn’t want her to start dancing because of how hard the profession is both mentally and physically, but she is happy she allowed Madison to start and find her passion. “I dance because it feels right, it really is a way of expression, and as hard as it gets from time to time, I really could not imagine my life without it,” said Madison.

At the age of 15, Madison moved away from home, her friends, and family to train full-time at the Houston Ballet Academy in Houston, Texas on a full merit scholarship. She spent half a year in the highest level of the professional program and then a year and a half as a trainee with the second company. This year she started her first year as a full-fledged member of the Houston Ballet’s second company. She has performed in various main company performances such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, & Mayerling, along with various featured roles and soloist roles within the Academy.

Her greatest achievement so far would be doing the Bolero solo girl in Stanton Welch’s Brigade performing alongside Houston Ballet II while she was just a trainee. She also is very proud of winning the Fernando Bujones Living Memorial Award at the 2014 American Dance International Ballet Competition.

Her current goal is to try to get into the Houston Ballet main company or to get a job with another major ballet company and become a professional ballet dancer.

Madison’s favorite bar is the NuGo Family Vanilla Yogurt because it tastes just like a rice crispy treat.

“I absolutely love NuGo bars because they taste like dessert, but totally keep the calories and ingredients in check to keep me looking and feeling my best, along with including the right amount of protein to keep me fueled throughout my long days! They taste so so so good, and are a nice size so they help you to stay fuller longer, which I need when many of my days go from 9:00 am to 6:45pm!”

In addition to dance, Madison enjoys cooking. She cooks all the time, including lots of baking, and making many different types of food. She would love to create her own food blog once she finishes high school. Follow Madison on Instagram!