Discovering Joy Through Movement: How Salsa Dancing Can Transform Your Life
In our fast-paced, digitally-dominated world, we often forget the healing power of physical connection and movement. David Schafran’s journey from burned-out tech entrepreneur to passionate salsa dancer and founder of Somo Loco dance immersions highlights how embracing dance can dramatically transform our mental health and overall sense of well-being.
Photo Courtesy of Inna Shnayder
David’s story begins like many in the startup world—building a promising healthcare technology company with major Silicon Valley investment. On paper, he was living the entrepreneurial dream. But internally, he was suffering. Years of high-stress work without emotional outlets left him feeling “gray on the inside”—isolated, depressed, and disconnected from himself and others. Despite practicing meditation and yoga, something crucial was missing from his wellness routine.
The turning point came unexpectedly when a friend invited him to a salsa dancing event. David describes the moment as a revelation: “It just struck me so quickly. I was like, this makes me feel so happy because it’s so joyous and flavorful and juicy.” This experience planted a seed that would eventually grow into a complete life transformation. After leaving his company, ending a relationship, and turning thirty all in the same week, David followed his intuition to pursue salsa dancing seriously.
What started as casual classes in Boston evolved into a five-month immersion in Medellín, Colombia, where David danced three to six hours every day. The impact was profound. He describes salsa as providing three essential elements that had been missing from his life: joy, flavor, and affection. Unlike solitary wellness practices like meditation, salsa dancing offered the interpersonal connection he craved—a way to express himself fully while connecting authentically with others.
Photo Courtesy of David Schafran
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of David’s story is how dancing salsa wasn’t just a hobby or diversion—it was genuinely therapeutic. Research supports this experience, showing that dance can significantly impact mental health by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety while increasing feelings of joy and connection. As David puts it, “Dance should be reimbursable by insurance… your doctor should be able to prescribe dance if you have depression.”
Through his company Somo Loco (which means “we’re crazy together”), David now offers personalized dance immersion experiences in Colombia and Barcelona. These programs provide one-on-one instruction tailored to each participant’s background and goals, whether they’re experienced dancers or complete beginners who believe they have “two left feet.” The transformations he witnesses in participants mirror his own journey—people rediscovering confidence, radiance, and aliveness through movement and music.
The lesson in David’s story extends far beyond salsa dancing. It reminds us that wellness isn’t always found in quiet solitude or clinical settings. Sometimes, the medicine we need most is rhythmic movement, human connection, and the permission to express joy without reservation. In a culture that often prioritizes productivity over pleasure, David’s journey is a powerful reminder that movement, music, and connection aren’t luxuries—they’re essential ingredients for a flourishing life.
