With the return of the Olympics, a wave of sporting spirit and excitement sweeps through the world. This season, the grand stage of the Paris Olympics 2024 will welcome a fresh and exhilarating addition: breakdancing, officially known as breaking, poised to make its debut and dazzle the audience with its vibrant flair. As breakdancing makes its debut on the Olympic stage, young contenders are diving in with all their hearts, ready to unleash their full energy and flair!

Among the fresh faces making waves in breakdancing is Logan Edra, known by her stage name “B-girl Logistx.” This American breakdancer earned her spot at the 2024 Summer Olympics by clinching a bronze medal at the WDSF 2023 Pan American Championship. Now, she is poised to represent the USA with style and flair.

Edra began her dance journey at the tender age of 7. As an introverted child, her life took a dramatic turn when her father cleverly coaxed her into joining a dance class. Now, at 21, Edra reflects on how this serendipitous twist of fate led her to discover that dance has become the ultimate remedy for her soul and considers dance to be the best medicine.

But what accomplishments have catapulted her into the spotlight of the breakdancing world, earning her the honor of representing her country on this grand stage? Let’s uncover her remarkable journey!

Logan Edra and her journey to the Olympics

Logan Edra’s journey to the Olympics was far from effortless, marked by challenges and hurdles along the way. Yet, with unwavering determination and resilience, she continuously proved why she is deserving of her spot on this illustrious stage, showcasing her exceptional talent and dedication at every turn. After getting tricked into going to the dance class by her father, Herren Edra, it did not take much time for her to get completely hooked on the dance. “I told my dad I didn’t want to try it, that I was scared, but he wanted me to try it.”

From her early days of dancing and taking hip-hop classes to evolving into a professional breakdancer, her journey is nothing short of inspirational. Competing in breaking competitions at just 15 and claiming victory at the Silverback Open B-Girl tournament in Philadelphia in 2018 is a rare achievement indeed. By 2020, she had traveled to Singapore to win the Junior 7 Smoke Breaking Competition. Soon after, Edra moved to South Florida to further her dance career and open her own studio. Her list of accolades is impressive and far from exhaustive, including being the youngest and first American to win the Red Bull BC One World Final in 2021. Her journey is a testament to her remarkable talent and unyielding dedication.

And then came the WDSF 2023 Pan American Championship, where she qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Well, as the saying goes, ‘There’s more to it than meets the eye’, Logan Edra’s journey has more to it than her accomplishments do.

Logan Edra’s childhood challenges

“There were a lot of traumas and hardships I had to get through as a kid, but when I’m breaking, it helps me find release from those and balance. Breaking was born out of struggle, so I feel at home and like I belong when I’m dancing. When I break, I feel like a superhero. I feel empowered.” Edra’s childhood was marked by profound struggles, which she poignantly describes as ‘trauma.’ She endured the painful separation of her parents, grappled with depression and suicidal thoughts born from abuse, and even contemplated ending her life at 15. Yet, as the saying goes, “life has its own plans,” and from these dark moments emerged Logan Edra, now poised as one of the most promising future stars in the world of breakdancing.

At the age of 16, Logan Edra moved to Miami with her mother to “restart and heal” after she felt pressured by her dad to dance. “Then, it got to a point where I was just like, ‘Yo, I can’t be here, I can’t be home, like, I gotta go.’” “It became an unsafe environment for me.” She channeled her mental struggles into her dance, turning her personal challenges into a powerful force for her career. Logan Edra founded the ‘SELF’ program, a transformative initiative designed to guide students through their mental health struggles using movement, showcasing how dance can be a profound remedy for the soul.

“My relationship with breaking is very spiritual and also very tough.” Though her journey has been fraught with hardships, she has never wavered in her passion for dance. We eagerly anticipate her radiant debut on the global stage and look forward to witnessing the unfolding of her extraordinary story.