In this episode of The More Elephant Podcast, I sit down with Jamal Sims. Jamal’s story begins in Southern California, where he taught himself to dance by recording MTV videos on old-school VHS tapes and studying Soul Train on Saturday mornings.

What started as a kid emulating moves in his living room turned into a remarkable career that includes performing with Michael Jackson, choreographing for Usher and Madonna, going on tour with Miley Cyrus, shaping films like Aladdin and Encanto, and building a creative family with RuPaul.

We dig into how manifestation has guided his path. From childhood dreams to Emmy nominations, Jamal talks about what it meant to have a father who supported him without hesitation, even when he was dancing with RuPaul in Las Vegas at a time when that kind of acceptance was far from guaranteed. He explains why soul is at the heart of everything he creates and why authenticity matters more than flashy moves.

Jamal also shares the joy and challenges of transitioning from dancer to choreographer to director, and how loyalty, resilience, and vision have fueled his success. Whether he is creating choreography for Miley in front of a stadium crowd, reimagining classics for Disney at the Hollywood Bowl, or directing for television, Jamal continues to lead with passion and purpose.

This conversation is about much more than dance and choreography. It is about courage, identity, purposefulness and the power of staying true to yourself while creating art that moves people on every level.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Jamal’s choreography stands out not just for technical precision, but for the groove, feeling, and storytelling that bring movement to life.
• From dancer to choreographer to director, Jamal shows that growth comes from curiosity, patience, and being willing to bet on yourself.
• His father’s simple words — “Is he paying you? Then I’ll see you in Vegas” — gave Jamal the confidence to step fully into who he is.
• Jamal built his foundation by learning choreography off MTV and Soul Train, proving that resourcefulness and consistency can take you far.
• and more…