I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, into a family of renowned and respected hula dancers. My earliest memories revolve around hula and a deep love of dance that continues to shape my life today.
In 2007, I was crowned Miss Hawaiʻi and went on to compete in the 2008 Miss America pageant. That same year, July 5th was proclaimed “Ashley Layfield Day” in recognition of my service as a performing arts teacher and motivational speaker. Later in 2007, my sister Jonelle (Miss Hawaii USA 2008) and I co-founded The Heartbeat Movement, a nonprofit dance program for individuals with special needs—a project I remain deeply proud of and committed to.
I moved to New York City in 2010 and quickly earned a spot on the NBA’s Nets dance team. Over the next four years, I worked as a professional dancer and appeared in commercials for VH1, TLC, and the Cooking Channel.
In 2014, I relocated to Los Angeles, continuing to work as a model and dancer—including performances with Megan Thee Stallion—while discovering a new passion for fitness. Over the past decade, I’ve trained with some of the top names in the fitness industry and helped sculpt Hollywood’s leading actresses for major film and TV roles.
Through my experience in dance, fitness, and the entertainment industry, I’ve seen firsthand how punishing and unrealistic many fitness standards can be—especially for women. I believe fitness should be empowering, not limiting, and that women should be encouraged to strive for strength and wellness rather thinness.
That belief led me to create the ALT Method: a refreshing, dance- and Pilates-inspired workout approach that’s accessible, effective, and rooted in strength, confidence, and joy for all fitness levels.
To learn more or support The Heartbeat Movement, visit www.theheartbeatmovement.org.
