From Tragedy to Trailblazer
in Dance and Disability Empowerment
By Rachel Sokol
Some stories break you, others build you—Chelsie Hill's did both, and in the process, she built a movement. Back in 2010, Chelsie was a typical 17-year-old high school student who loved spending time with friends, dancing, and living it up in Monterey, California. Then life took an unexpected turn. After leaving a party with friends, she got into a car with a drunk driver. That driver ended up crashing, leaving Chelsie clinging to life. Rushed to the hospital, doctors told Chelsie she was paralyzed from the waist down and wouldn't walk again. Turning tragedy into triumph, Chelsie focused on ways she could still dance, even from a mobility chair.
A determined and immensely hard-working Chelsie has redefined what dance looks like; in 2012, she launched the "Rollettes," an internationally recognized wheelchair dance team and empowerment collective. Today, Chelsie's a professional dancer, entrepreneur, wife, mother, reality TV star, and community leader. Friendly, warm, and endlessly approachable, she also leads the Rollettes Experience in Los Angeles, founded the Boundless Babe Society (a virtual mentorship platform), and the Boundless Talent Showcase.
Whether she's spearheading dance events, spending time with her daughter, Jaelyn, or mentoring teenagers, Chelsie Hill glides through life with grace and optimism, inspiring others to do the same.
She spoke with Preferred Health Magazine about her current projects, bonding with teenagers,
and more.
PHM: Your story really resonates with teens. Why do you think that is?
CH: I love speaking to teens because it reminds me of why this (accident) happened to me. A lot of people don't really understand that part of it, but for me, I'm like…there has to be a reason why this happened to me. Also, I love how innocent teens are at that stage and how vulnerable they are. I remember being in high school and feeling like that was the end all, be all, and college just seemed so far away. High school felt like everything. I understand now why my parents were the way they were, being where I am in my life. I've just learned that high school is such a vulnerable stage, and I'm even more grateful for having incredible friends and family to help me get where I am today.
PHM: Teens and their parents often thank you for speaking at high schools to raise awareness about drunk driving. Can you believe that in 2025 people are still drinking and driving?
CH: It blows my mind that it's still happening today. People truly don't think anything will happen to them until it does. I was a product of that, too, so I get it. But we also didn't have social media back in 2010 when my accident happened. There was MySpace back then, but nothing like the constant presence of social media today to help spread awareness. I think about the chain of command in high schools; we have to start from the top with the school districts to make programs like Every 15 Minutes mandatory. Some schools will implement this program only every 4 years, but it should be every year. I want more students to hear these stories. I never go into a school talk saying "don't drink," because if you tell a kid not to do something, they'll probably want to try it. I go in sharing my story, showing pictures and videos, and I hope students learn from my experience.
PHM: What is Every 15 Minutes?
CH: The Every 15 Minutes program goes into high schools and stages a car accident in front of the school. Two cars are involved, alarms sound, and students watch paramedics, firefighters, and police respond. The drunk driver is "arrested," someone is taken away in a stretcher, and the scenario is re-enacted. Leading up to the staged accident, they show videos of pre-gaming, going to parties, and then the crash. The Grim Reaper shows up to pull students, representing that every 15 minutes someone dies from a drunk-driving accident. It's such a powerful program.
PHM: What projects are you currently working on?
CH: Since 2012, I've run a dance camp for women in wheelchairs. I started competing in dance when I was five and always wanted to be a professional dancer. When I was on Push Girls I reached out to girls on social media…six of them said yes! My dad said, "let's keep reaching out to more people." That's when I started the Rollettes dance team.
I moved to Los Angeles in 2014, connected with choreographers, and eventually launched The Rollettes Experience, an all-women's wheelchair empowerment weekend. In 2017, I invited about 32 people to attend.
My then-manager asked what I wanted next, and I said, "I want to empower more women." He told me, "I'll get a ballroom if you can get 100 women in wheelchairs to come dance."
I thought he was crazy. But thanks to the power of social media…we ended up with 115 women from 14 countries the following year. Sitting on that stage, looking out at them all, while holding my microphone…I still get chills. That's when I knew the Rollettes Experience was so much bigger than me. Today, over 300 women in wheelchairs come every year. We have dance classes, coffee chats, art classes, pool parties… it's the most incredible four days. I love all the charity work I do, but Rollettes Experience is what I live and breathe—next year the goal is to have an East Coast event.
PHM: You were featured in "Push Girls" on The Sundance Channel. Would you ever film another reality show?
CH: Being part of Push Girls was life-changing. I'm incredibly thankful it literally landed in my lap. At this stage, knowing what social media is now, I would 1,000 percent do another show. Push Girls was the only reality show about women in wheelchairs, about spinal cord injury, female empowerment, and sisterhood. Even today, people still bring it up. I'm a CEO, run a nonprofit, a mom, a wife, a wheelchair dancer, and I have fun, outgoing friends.
My life is normal, but also very interesting. I can't wait for a show that truly represents the disabled community—people with physical disabilities, injuries, or chronic illness—and educates the world about it.
PHM: Which choreographers inspire you?
CH: Paris Global, Ian Eastwood…when I was first injured, I wanted to be trained by them. Now, I also love Hamilton Evans, G Madison, Cedric Botelho, Richard Elszy, and Chris Scott, who choreographed Wicked and taught at our convention.
Does your daughter Jaelyn like to dance?
CH: She's two-and-a-half, in dance classes like Happy Feet and baby gymnastics.
I want it to be something she enjoys, not something I pressure her into. Dance taught me teamwork and shaped who I am, so I hope she follows that path,
but it's entirely up to her.
PHM: Tell me about your wheelchair and the importance of investing in a good one.
CH: It's incredibly important to have the right wheelchair. Many people think you just get one from the hospital, but your body changes and insurance only provides a new one every five years. I use a TiLite ZR by Permobil… it's incredible. I've had it for over 10 years. The cushion is critical; I sit 12 to 18 hours a day and do pressure releases to prevent sores, which can be deadly. I use a Roho air cushion and it's like sitting on a cloud. I also use a SmartDrive power-assist device, which reduces pushes and protects the shoulders. I actually found tears in both my shoulders this year, so it's very important.
PHM: How do you travel with your wheelchair, especially when flying?
CH: Traveling is fun, even with a disability. Once you know the extra steps and communicate your needs, it's easy. Always notify airlines in advance, request an aisle chair, bring medical equipment as carry-on, and ensure your wheelchair is tagged with a gate claim ticket. Many airlines even have wheelchair closets to store the chair to prevent damage.
PHM: What's the biggest misconception about wheelchair users?
CH: There are so many things people don't realize we can do. Yes, we may not be able to walk down the aisle, but I can with leg braces. I may not be able to run on the beach, but I can go zip-lining. I remember when I was on Push Girls one of my mentors said to me: "I may not be able to do it walking, but I can still do it." I wish people would change their mindset a bit and not judge a book by its cover, but that's also the fun of it – we get to educate a lot of people.
To learn more about Chelsie Hill and the Rollettes Experience visit www.rollettesexperience.com/
