Ballet Science

Ballet is physically demanding, but what about the mental side of dance? How can dancers manage performance anxiety, perfectionism, and the psychological challenges of injury and career transitions?

In this Ballet Science Encore, I'm revisiting my conversation with Lauren Ostrander McArdle, a former professional ballerina with a master's degree in sport and performance psychology and expertise in mental performance consulting.

Lauren shares how her experience as a professional dancer shaped her interest in performance psychology and explains practical strategies dancers can use to build confidence, develop resilience, and navigate the mental challenges of a ballet career.

Ballet Science Encore: Every so often, I revisit one of the most informative conversations from the Ballet Science archives. These Encore episodes feature timeless advice that remains just as relevant today, often in a shorter, curated highlights format.

Watch the full-length original interview with Lauren Ostrander McArdle here.

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Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

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Logo photo: Richard Calmes

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds are reinvested back into Ballet Science.

What does it really take to build a successful career as a professional dancer? It's about more than technique, auditions, and getting hired.

In this episode, I'm joined by Caitlin Sloan, founder of The Brainy Ballerina, to discuss how aspiring professional dancers can navigate the transition from training to a sustainable dance career.

After nine years as a professional dancer, Caitlin now helps dancers develop the career-planning skills, mindset, and strategies they need to pursue professional opportunities with confidence.

Whether you're a pre-professional dancer preparing for auditions, a dance student planning your future, or a teacher helping students navigate their next steps, this conversation offers practical advice for approaching a dance career more intentionally.

Join Ballet Science Backstage on Patreon for ad-free access to podcast episodes, educational videos, workouts, stretching content, digital downloads, and more... all in one place. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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E-mail: caroline@ballet.science

Connect with Caitlin Sloan:
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Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

Filming Equipment Affiliate Links:
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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
Additional Photos Provided By: Caitlin Sloan

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds are reinvested back into Ballet Science.

What happens when ballet becomes part of cancer recovery? In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I’m joined by Anna Wassman-Cox, a former professional ballet dancer, two-time breast cancer survivor, and founder of Onco-Ballet.

Anna shares her deeply personal experience of returning to the ballet barre during cancer treatment... and how ballet gave her a space to step away from the uncertainty of cancer and simply be a dancer again.

Anna also shares the story of one Onco-Ballet participant who went from using a walker to performing an entire ballet piece.

Importantly, Anna discusses the distinction between the promising experiences participants are reporting and the need for more rigorous research to understand the effects of ballet and dance in cancer recovery.

Join Ballet Science Backstage on Patreon for ad-free access to podcast episodes, educational videos, workouts, stretching content, digital downloads, and more... all in one place. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Now!⁠⁠⁠⁠

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E-mail: caroline@ballet.science

Connect with Onco-Ballet:
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Performance (October 2026)

Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

Filming Equipment Affiliate Links:
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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
Additional Photos Provided By: Anna Wassman-Cox

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds are reinvested back into Ballet Science.

What happens when a cancer diagnosis changes the body you've spent your entire life training?

In this episode, I sit down with former professional ballet dancer Abigail Simon to talk about her experience being diagnosed with breast cancer after a career that included American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey, and Broadway.

Abigail shares what it was like to go from preparing to return to dancing after having a baby to suddenly navigating a breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, fertility preservation, chronic pain, and major changes to her body.

We also talk about something that is especially important for dancers: the need for medical care that considers not only survival, but quality of life and the physical demands of returning to dance. Abigail discusses her rehabilitation, body image, learning to move differently, and ultimately finding her way back to the stage... including performing again en pointe.

We also discuss the emotional aftermath of cancer, losing a sense of purpose, the importance of mental health support, and how dance and community helped Abigail rebuild her life.

Abigail is now continuing to dance, teach, coach, and work with Onco-Ballet, a community for people affected by cancer who want to dance.

Join Ballet Science Backstage on Patreon for ad-free access to podcast episodes, educational videos, workouts, stretching content, digital downloads, and more... all in one place. ⁠⁠⁠Join Now!⁠⁠⁠

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Connect with Abigail Simon:
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Instagram⁠
Onco-Ballet

Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

Filming Equipment Affiliate Links:
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
Additional Photos Provided By: Abigail Simon

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds are reinvested back into Ballet Science.

Pointe training is one of the most demanding aspects of ballet... but are we teaching it in the most effective way?

In this episode, I’m joined by Lynne Charles, former principal ballerina (Hamburg Ballet, Bejart Ballet Lausanne, Ballet National Roland Petit), teacher, ballet mistress, and the current Director of English National Ballet School. Lynne is also the founder and creator of 4Pointe, a somatic approach to pointe training that emphasizes foot articulation, strength, alignment, mobility, and mindful movement.

Lynne shares what inspired her to develop 4Pointe and why she believes pointe training needs to evolve alongside the changing demands placed on dancers today.

Lynne also explains why she believes dancers should spend more time developing the skills they need before going onto pointe... and why simply putting on pointe shoes and practicing variations isn't the same as properly training a dancer for a career on pointe.

Whether you're a dancer, teacher, parent, or simply interested in the science and mechanics of ballet, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how pointe training could evolve.

Join Ballet Science Backstage on Patreon for ad-free access to podcast episodes, educational videos, workouts, stretching content, digital downloads, and more... all in one place. ⁠⁠⁠Join Now!⁠⁠⁠

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E-mail: caroline@ballet.science

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Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves.

Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.

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Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
Additional Photos Provided By: Lynne Charles
Photos by: Amber Hunt

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