BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 68 What does it take to build a long, sustainable career in professional ballet… and what happens when that career comes to an end? In this episode, I’m joined by Megan Fairchild, former principal dancer with New York City Ballet. After an extraordinary career performing some of the most iconic works…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 67 What happens when an accomplished ballet dancer decides to leave the stage… and pursue medicine instead? In this Ballet Science Encore, I revisit my conversation with Dr. Miko Fogarty, a former professional ballet dancer and international competition winner who made an extraordinary transition from the stage to podiatric medicine. Now…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 66 Ballet training can be an exciting (but often complicated) journey for dancers and their families. In this episode, I’m joined by Brett and Jenny from Ballet Help Desk, who share insights from their experiences as ballet parents and from hearing directly from families navigating the dance world. We discuss the…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 65 What does great ballet training look like… and how should dancers develop from their earliest classes through pre-professional training? In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I’m joined by legendary ballet educator Darla Hoover (Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, School of American Ballet, New York City Ballet, Ballet Academy East)…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 64 What should dancers eat before ballet class? How much should they be eating? What about carbohydrates, hydration, recovery, and snacks during long rehearsals? In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I’m joined by Rachel Fine, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist, former professional dancer, and founder of The Healthy Dancer®….
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 63 Can ballet support recovery after breast cancer? A new qualitative research study explored the experiences of women who participated in a 16-week classical ballet program after breast cancer treatment. Rather than measuring strength or flexibility alone, researchers asked a different question: What was the experience actually like? In this episode,…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 62 Is it “normal” for ballet dancers to lose their periods? A new 2025 study of elite dancers from the Paris Opera Ballet found that 71% had experienced at least one menstrual cycle disorder during their careers. In this episode, we break down the research, discuss what these findings mean for…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 61 Professional ballet dancers perform incredible athletic feats every day… but what happens when a head injury threatens their career? In this episode, I sit down with Courtney Shealy, a professional dancer with American Ballet Theatre (ABT), to discuss her journey from a young dancer in Florida to one of the…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 59 Professional ballet careers are incredibly rewarding… but they are also short. What happens when the curtain finally closes? In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I sit down with Aurora Dickie, soloist with Staatsballett Berlin and graduate student in dance science, to discuss one of the most important (and…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 58 Can being too flexible actually increase your risk of injury? Many dancers are praised for their flexibility, but hypermobility isn’t always an advantage. In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Linda Bluestein (Hypermobility MD and Bendy Bodies Podcast), physician, former ballet dancer, and internationally…
