Whitney Leavitt Reflects on Dancing Journey Ahead of DWTS Debut (Exclusive)

Whitney Leavitt is ready to step into a moment beyond her wildest dreams.

The mom of three, 32, will make her Dancing with the Stars debut Tuesday evening, cementing her love of dancing that began while growing up in Utah.

“Dance was such a big part of our community. Some of my favorite memories are late-night practices with friends, long weekends at competitions, and the pure joy of performing on stage,” Whitney recalls to PEOPLE, adding, “Dance was and still is always my creative outlet and my happy place.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Family was also a big part of her journey as a dancer, with both her parents and her siblings cheering her on at competitions, sitting in on her practices, and more.

“When I was growing up, my family was everything when it came to my dance journey. My parents spent countless hours driving me to rehearsals and competitions, sitting through long weekends of performances, and cheering me on whether I won or lost. Their belief in me made me believe in myself,” she says.

As she got older, Whitney admits “dance took a backseat.” She married husband Conner Leavitt in 2016, with the couple welcoming their oldest, daughter Sedona, in 2019.

“When I became a mom, I was so focused on my kids and family that I didn’t realize how much I missed that part of myself,” she admits.

That all changed when Leavitt joined a local group of moms making videos on TikTok. She couldn’t have known then where MomTok and later,  The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, would take her.

“TikTok was such a surprise blessing because it gave me a way to bring dance back into my life in this fun, low-pressure way. Joining MomTok reminded me of that joy I felt as a little girl — just moving, laughing, and connecting with others through dance,” she says.

“In a lot of ways, TikTok prepared me for DWTS because it reignited my love for performing and gave me the confidence to step back into the spotlight.”

The moment that Leavitt finds herself in, getting ready to show off her dancing chops on one of TV’s biggest and brightest stages, has her looking to her family once again.

“Now, stepping into this new chapter with DWTS, that support means even more. My family rallies around me in a different way — my husband and kids bring me so much strength and joy. It’s a full-circle moment for me,” she shares.

“I went from being the little girl on stage waving to my parents in the audience, to now having my own kids watching me and hopefully seeing what it looks like to chase a dream with courage and heart. Knowing they’re proud of me keeps me going, even on the hardest rehearsal days.”

Leavitt’s TikToks showing her preparing for this moment, while also relishing in its joy, are a show of where her mind and heart are as she takes the dance floor.

“Going into this competition, my mindset is all about gratitude and growth. I’m a mom first, and my kids are always watching me, so I want to show them what it looks like to be brave and to chase your dreams — even when it’s scary,” she says.

“As an influencer, I’m used to sharing my life online, but this stage is so much bigger. It’s live, it’s vulnerable, and there’s no editing or do-overs, which is both terrifying and exciting,” she continues.

“I keep reminding myself that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m here to push myself, to soak up every moment, and to honor the little girl who fell in love with dance all those years ago. No matter how far I go in this competition, I hope people see my heart and my passion — not just for dance, but for continuing to grow and dream big.”

Dancing with the Stars season 34 premieres Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and simulcast on Disney+. The show streams the next day on Hulu.