Life is about more than making it to the top of the corporate ladder. It’s about passions, interests and yes, even happiness.

Patrice Tanaka was on the top of the world in her industry, public relations. But she was in a funk. Living and working in New York City on 9/11 had a profound affect on her. She couldn’t stop thinking about the people who woke up that morning, went to work and expected to return home for dinner. They didn’t.

She knew she had to find something more in life. So, at the age of 50, she decided to try something new — ballroom dancing. She says it changed her life in ways she never imagined.

She writes about her experiences in her new book, “Becoming Ginger Rogers: How Ballroom Dancing Made Me a Happier Woman, a Better Partner and a Smarter CEO.”

Patrice, who is the co-chair and Chief Creative Officer for CRT/tanaka — recognized as one of the top and most creative PR and marketing agencies in the world — says ballroom dancing brought joy back to her life.  

She says she learned how just one hour a week could change every other aspect of her life, especially her work life. She realized that a CEO needs to inspire his or her employees and when she was burned out, she was failing in that department.

She offers tips for finding your true passion in life.

Ready for more dancing? Click here to meet a 64-year-old who discovered dancing a few years ago and is now burning up the dance floor and taking home top prizes at prestigious competitions.