I feel like todays episode will be as impactful as my one with Ally. Both Dr Nicola Keay and Dr Stefanie Potreck are pioneers and huge advocates of dancers mental and physical health around the world. And whilst Ally's episode comes with lots of personal stories and heartfelt messages, Nicky and Stephanie have brought all the facts to further strengthen that message. The dance world typically views 'getting your period' as a sign of unwanted weight gain or the end of the 'ideal pubescent body type' that especially the ballet world seem to be obsessed with. But these two amazing women have had enough and are spreading the message that periods are not only a marker of health but also crucial to mindset, recovery and performance.
Let's start with Stephanie who is a former dancer turned doctor and sports nutritionist specialising in the treatment of relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) and amenorrhea (which is the medical description for the absence of menstrual periods). Steph also offers a wonderful webinar called LEAP (with another former guest of the podcast, psychologist Philippa Ziegenhardt, hello Philippa!) that assists students and parents with the transition to living, eating, adjusting and performing when training overseas. Honestly, what a fantastic offering. Even though I didn't move overseas, the move from Queensland to Victoria for my own training was enough of a huge task, draining both physically and mentally and I would have loved to have a program like this.
And Nicky, well she is an Honorary Clinical Lecturer in Medicine at the University College of London, research fellow in the department of Sport and Exercise Science at Durham University, a member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine and a speaker on Dance Endocrinology for the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science. On top of all this Nicky is also a qualified ballet and pilates teacher and her aim is to redefine optimal health and fitness for the individual.
LEAP Program with Philippa and Stephanie: https://here2help.lpages.co/leap-overseas-landing-page-2021/
Stephanie's work: https://ausdancersoverseas.com/fuel-for-performance/
Nicky's work: https://nickykeayfitness.com/
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