At a tender age of 3, Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy fell in love with dance and has been passionate about it ever since. “I don’t remember wanting to do anything else,” says the 31-year-old pro Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) choreographer and mom to two-year-old Rome—whom she shares with husband and fellow DWTS hunk Valentin Chmerkovskiy.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Utah, Jenna would often tag along to her older sisters’ dance classes. “My mom would always tell me to join in,” Jenna recalls. Inspired by her sister Stacy, now director of Center State Performing Arts Studio in Orem, Utah, Jenna’s dance journey was nurtured by her siblings. She was trained in jazz, contemporary, and Latin ballroom—the dance styles she still loves.

Jenna has won numerous awards, including three-time National Contemporary Winner and represented the U.S. at the 2012 World Latin Dance Champions. In 2013, she landed a spot on So You Think You Can Dance and later became a fan favorite on Dancing With the Stars. After winning her first Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in 2018 and her second last year with Joey Graziadei, Jenna’s transformation became clear—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. “I tapped back into things that made me happy and successful,” she shares.

Recently, Jenna sat down with our sister magazine, FIRST for Women (buy your copy here!), to talk about her mental health journey and how she stays confident, happy and full of energy!

Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy talks mental health

FFW: In 2015, you posted a photo comparing your body then and now, saying, “I love both of them…the difference is, the girl on the left didn’t trust herself.” How did you gain that personal trust and boost your self-confidence?

Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy: It took many years. I started taking care of myself internally and cared less about my outward appearance. When I focused on my mental health, nutrition and what fueled me, I noticed a shift—not just physically, but in how I carried myself with confidence. I wanted to walk tall, open to receiving things. Putting work into myself from the inside created a real change.

FFW: What was the turning point for your journey toward physical and mental health?

Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy: A breakup in 2015. I was living for someone else and didn’t know how to be happy by myself. I was terrified to be alone. That heartbreak crushed me, but it made me vulnerable and open to change. I’m grateful because it pushed me to work on myself and find happiness solo. Change is hard, but necessary.

FFW: What did you do to work on your mental health?

Jenna: I went back to my roots—the fundamentals my parents taught me about happiness and success. Therapy was huge for me; it gave me wisdom and guidance. I surrounded myself with good friends and kept open communication with my then-husband about my feelings. I read self-help books and listened to podcasts that emphasized life, worth, and positivity. Focusing on a “cup half full” mindset changed how I viewed everything.

FFW: Which self-help books helped you most?

Jenna: I recommend Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends Upon It by Kamal Ravikant. It’s a short book about a daily commitment to loving yourself by looking in the mirror and saying “I love you” five times a day. It completely changed how I valued myself. Whenever I feel low, I revisit it.

FFW: Do you actually say those words to yourself in the mirror?

Jenna: Yes, I committed to the challenge. At first, it felt uncomfortable, but it became a beautiful daily ritual.

Jenna shares her fitness and nutrition secrets

FFW: When you won your first Mirrorball Trophy in 2018, many saw your physical transformation.

Jenna: I stopped weighing myself. Growing up as a dancer, I was obsessed with the scale, but I decided I didn’t need a number to feel good. It’s about how I feel, not the digits. The last time I weighed myself was during pregnancy, and that was shocking!

FFW: Do you dance every day now? Is it exercise, mental health, or fun?

Jenna: I dance weekly, not daily unless I’m on Dancing With the Stars. For me, dance is creativity and fun. It’s full body exercise but never feels like a workout.

FFW: What other forms of exercise do you enjoy?

Jenna: Pilates is my favorite—strengthening and stretching. I love hot Pilates for the sweat and burn. I do it several times a week. I used to run a lot, but it wasn’t sustainable. I found the “3-12-30” treadmill workout—3 mph speed, 12 incline, 30 minutes—that works every muscle. I read while doing it to stay distracted. Sometimes I do HIIT classes with my husband because I like to be competitive and it’s fun to work out together.

FFW: What healthy snacks do you enjoy?

Jenna: Macro protein bars are great. Protein is essential to my lifestyle. I also like crunchy snacks like carrot sticks with ranch, rice cakes with peanut butter, and dates. I believe in moderation—if I want chocolate at night, I have it without guilt. Moderation lets you have it all.

FFW: You avoid coffee and caffeine?

Jenna: Yes, I start my day with water, then kombucha instead of coffee. My husband drinks hot lemon water in the mornings, which we both love. Kombucha has natural probiotics, great for digestion.

Jenna’s talks self-care, family and positivity

FFW: With a busy life and little one, how do you find “me time”?

Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy: I enjoy workouts that fulfill me physically but right now I’m really into reading—it helps me shut off my brain. When watching TV, I’m distracted by phones and emails, but reading demands focus. I also love mid-day dates with my husband—lunch or brunch when it’s quiet. It feels special and refreshing.

FFW: Laughter is said to boost health. How important is it to you? What made you laugh recently?

Jenna: Laughter is so important. My husband is hilarious and keeps me laughing with his one-liners. Recently, my son said “of course” in a very grown-up way—it stopped me cold and had me laughing. Who is this little boy?

FFW: You once mentioned “Brain Positivity.” How do you reward yourself with positivity?

Jenna: I feel rewarded just having a positive mindset. I grew up a worrier and tend to imagine worst-case scenarios. Shifting to a glass half full outlook makes life lighter and more manageable. We care for our bodies, but mental health needs that same effort.

FFW: How do you show gratitude for life’s blessings?

Jenna: Showing up for people is huge for me. Gratitude means having an open heart and serving others naturally. This morning, I looked at my son and felt immense gratitude—I said a prayer thanking the universe for this moment and the beautiful child I get to raise. I think sharing those feelings with the universe is key.