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The odds may have been against Cody Rigsby and Cheryl Burke at the beginning of Dancing with the Stars Season 30. But now, the duo is advancing to the semi-finals. The Peloton instructor has learned a lot over the eight weeks he and Burke have performed together. But one aspect of Rigby’s Dancing with the Stars experience stands out. The fitness guru wants to be more compassionate with himself, thanks to DWTS.

Cody Rigsby and Cheryl Burke smile for the camera in the 'Dancing with the Stars' ballroom
Cody Rigsby & Cheryl Burke | Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images

‘Dancing with the Stars’ has taught Cody Rigsby self-compassion

Rigsby spoke with Burke in the “Dancing in my Living Room???!!!” episode of the Pretty Messed Up podcast. Together, they talk about getting the coronavirus (COVID-19) during the DWTS season and Rigsby’s experience being on the show. 

During their chat, Rigsby reveals the most significant takeaway Dancing with the Stars has given him. “I’ve learned that I’m not as compassionate with myself as I am with other people,” he tells his DWTS partner and two-time Mirrorball Champion. 

Rigsby, a Peloton trainer, says his life is about uplifting others. But being on the show has taught him he needs to treat himself the same way. “I really need that self-compassion, so that is something that I learned that I need more of and that I’m going to work on,” he says. 

Cody Rigsby thought about quitting ‘DWTS’ after testing positive for COVID-19

In a Nov. 9 interview with Page Six, Rigsby admits he thought about quitting the show early on in the season. “I remember talking to my boss or a friend of mine and I was like, ‘Should I just quit? Should I not do it? Like, I have COVID, it’s going to be so crazy,'” Rigsby told the outlet. “She was like, ‘No, do this. It’ll feel like a memory in two weeks and you’ll get through.'”

After he and Burke tested positive, they had to work with each other remotely. Learning ballroom dance can be challenging face-to-face. Burke and Rigsby had to defy the odds this season. 

Instead of giving up, the Peloton celeb showed himself some compassion. “I mean, it was just a thought,” he elaborated. “Those thoughts pop in your head. A part of you, the inner saboteur, is going to tell you to quit. It’s going to tell you that you can’t do it.”

At this point, Rigsby is “so glad” he stuck with the ballroom dance competition. “You have to hold ground and push back from that ego and keep pumping.”

Cheryl Burke and Cody Rigsby are going to the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ semi-finals 

Rigsby and Burke performed a Paso Doble to “Black Cat,” earning their first 10s of the season during Janet Jackson Night. After an emotional elimination, Rigsby and Burke are among the six couples advancing to the Dancing with the Stars semi-finals.

Cheryl Burke drops to the floor as Cody Rigsby covers his mouth after learning he is safe on 'Dancing with the Stars'
Emma Slater, Jimmie Allen, Cheryl Burke, Cody Rigsby | Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images
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‘Dancing with the Stars’: Jenna Johnson and JoJo Siwa Have a ‘Better Understanding’ Than Any Male Partner

In addition, the following couples will perform in the Nov. 15 episode of Dancing with the Stars: 

  • JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson 
  • Amanda Kloots and Alan Bersten 
  • Melora Hardin and Artem Chigvintsev
  • Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach
  • Suni Lee and Sasha Farber 

Two couples will be eliminated during next week’s semi-finals. The Dancing with the Stars Season 30 finale will air on Nov. 22, 2021.

Watch Dancing with the Stars on ABC Monday nights at 8 PM EST. 

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