How far can someone go without having “the ideal conditions”? Viengsay Valdés wasn't born with the perfect body for ballet. She had a receding hairline due to alopecia caused by hair pulling in gymnastics, feet that didn't naturally open outward, and misaligned muscles from pedaling a bicycle—a transportation solution that ended up working against her. She was told she had the hands of a pianist, and perhaps that's why she loves the violin and piano. But dance was her thing.