What is it really like to train at one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world? In this video, I sit down with Joy Womack (the first American woman to graduate from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy) to discuss the realities of elite ballet training, injury, mental health, body image, performance pressure, and the physical demands of professional dance.

Joy shares her incredible journey from early training in the United States to studying in Russia at just 15 years old, dancing professionally across multiple countries and ballet systems, and eventually building a freelance career and nonprofit organization in France.

We also discuss:

• The differences between Russian, French, and American ballet training
• The mental health challenges dancers face transitioning into company life
• Stress fractures, overtraining, and recovery
• Strength training and conditioning in ballet
• Ballet identity and life beyond the stage
• What today’s young dancers need most

Whether you are a dancer, teacher, parent, healthcare professional, or simply fascinated by human performance, this is an incredibly insightful and honest conversation about the realities of ballet at the highest level.

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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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