No barriers for Bernice as she shines on the dance floor

Bernice Mene is an inspiration for tall woman everywhere. Many can recall the harsh words of their childhood dance teacher - "you are just too tall to be a dancer."

But Mene has been breaking the stereotype with a vengeance as she spins and waltzes her way across the dance floor in TV One's Dancing with the Stars.

However, her height was one of the reasons Mene initially said no when asked if she would take part in the show, along with fears that it was another bad reality show, and her heavy work and sports commitments.

But after the producers convinced her that it was a serious dance show, she decided to put herself out there and try something new. She just didn't realise how much hard work it would involve, she said.

"It is more physically demanding then I thought it would be and it has given a whole new outlook on dance sport. I didn't think my body would be so sore, I've had black toes and my back aches."

Nonetheless, Mene and partner d'Artangan Kennedy have been impressing the judges more with each passing week.

"It dawned on me what I had done and I had an internal battle of why didn't I say no."

"It has been a huge challenge and quite an eye-opener, as you get to a stage where you are comfortable and never push yourself out of your comfort zone."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY