The Balanced Ballerinas Podcast

This one is near and dear to my heart ballerinas!
You can view an entire transcript of this in blog form here: https://www.balancedballerinas.com/2021/10/28/you-are-absolutely-allowed-to-call-yourself-a-ballerina/
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I have followed Annabelle's adult ballet journey since she started regular classes in 2019 - Annabelle became a regular listener of the podcast and through her support, comments and sharing across social media we began chatting back and forth in our DM's... In fact, if I go back through them now we've had wonderful conversations about the positives and negatives of taking photos in class, the realities of taking class at home on Zoom, the importance of period positivity (especially amongst young dancers), what to call my 'Seniors' adult ballet class, which I eventually just called 'Beginners' for so many reasons (but thats a conversation for another time!) and we even had a conversation back in March of 2020 where Annabelle thanked me for giving her a shout out in one of my episodes and divulged that it was one of her unofficial ballet goals to become worthy of being the subject of a whole episode! So here we are! But seriously, I think Annabelle has some wonderfully balanced points of view when it comes to the world of adult ballet and in this episode we cover her famous hashtag #BornAgainBallerina, the concept of 'imperfect practice', how pole dancing has improved her ballet technique and the realities of training from home during a pandemic. Plus so many more relatable and random topics that I think you'll all love. I absolutely loved this conversation and adore the social media friendship that we've curated over the past few years and if you'd like to follow Annabelle's incredibly balanced journey with ballet you can find her on socials @annabellebrittle Enjoy and let us know if you loved this conversation by commenting on the Instagram post that accompanies this episode @balancedballerinas
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Get your FREE Balanced Ballerinas 'Intention Setting' worksheet HERE and start kicking GOALS: https://www.balancedballerinas.com/product/balanced-ballerinas-intention-setting-worksheet/
You can find more resources at www.balancedballerinas.com
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Every year I re-write a blog post dedicated to the pointe work. This year I thought I'd break it down into five important questions to ask yourself before beginning your pointe journey!
I'd like to thank Sarah Kiely from the Living Well Studio who conducts the majority of my students pre-pointe assessments. Sarah is a constant source of inspiration and wealth of knowledge and I have pulled information from her teachings for this episode.
Sarah was actually one of my early guests on the #BalancedBallerinas podcast and if you haven't listened to episode #22 I recommend diving back into the archives.
In this episode I also recommend listening to episode #40 with the amazing Josephine Lee from @thepointeshop who is an expert pointe shoe fitter. Fitting pointe shoes is a fine art and students should never just buy pointe shoes online without a professional fitting.
THE FIVE QUESTIONS WE EXPLORE IN THIS EPISODE...
Am I being realistic with my dreams to study pointe work?
Am I willing to have a professional pre-pointe assessment and pointe shoe fitting?
Am I going to be okay if I don’t get the green light for pointe shoes?
Am I willing to run my own race and listen to my teacher?
Am I ready to dedicate a huge amount of energy and effort to this endeavour?
You can find the accompanying BLOG POST to this episode here:
https://www.balancedballerinas.com/2021/08/20/the-five-most-important-questions-to-answer-if-you-want-to-start-pointe-work/
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You can find more resources at www.balancedballerinas.com
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Louise grew up in country Lismore before heading to Brisbane’s Queensland Dance School of Excellence (QDSE) to finish school in full-time dance training. What I love most about Louise’s story is that although she started ballet late (12 years old is considered late in the world of ballet!) she was smart enough to realise that this disadvantage in the professional world of ballet didn’t rule her out completely in having a career within the industry…
After her first pre-pointe assessment, Louise always gravitated towards a fascination with physiotherapy and knew if she entered that space she wanted to remain in the dance world. The product of excellent parenting, Louise kept her academic grades high, contacts close and set out to complete her university studies and secure her dream role of working as a resident physiotherapist with Queensland Ballet whilst also building her own private practice – the pre-pointe physio. It sounds like a clear path, but there were a few twists and turns along the way which I’ll leave up to Louise to tell…
In this conversation we cover Louise’s personal journey from dancer to dance physiotherapist. And Im sure it will inspire any young dancers listening to keep up their academic studies. This story highlights the importance of education in young dancers and the beautiful possibilities that await anyone still wanting to be part of the ballet world if they decide a career as a professional dancer isn’t for them.
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Get your FREE Balanced Ballerinas 'Intention Setting' worksheet HERE and start kicking GOALS: https://www.balancedballerinas.com/product/balanced-ballerinas-intention-setting-worksheet/
You can find more resources at www.balancedballerinas.com
Instagram @thebalancedballerina Podcast @balancedballerinas Facebook - Balanced Ballerinas (ensure you join the *SECRET* Facebook group too!)

Ever wondered why some weeks feel like you have boundless energy resources whilst others are completely flat? Well your menstrual cycle might have something to do with that!
Firstly, whilst I am an expert in ballet I am in no way an expert on health. However I have always been incredibly interested in how nutrition can impact my students and optimise their technique and training. One of the reasons why I started the Balanced Ballerinas Podcast is because it gives me the opportunity to pick the brains of experts in relation to dance science and nutrition and expand my knowledge in these areas.
I’d like to thank Dr Stephanie Potreck who has run her trained eye over this information I’m about to share with you. Her assistance and feedback was crucial to avoid the spreading of misinformation. I hope this post inspires you to get to know your body better and visit www.ausdancersoverseas.com for more comprehensive guides and courses that support dancers.
In this episode we cover the menstrual, follicular, ovulation and luteal phase of our cycle and explore some tips for taking class and setting goals that are in alignment with our needs during each phase of the cycle. If the episode inspires you to be more #periodpositive I'd love to hear from you!
Find the original BLOG POST HERE: https://www.balancedballerinas.com/2021/07/04/tips-for-taking-class-and-setting-goals-in-line-with-your-menstrual-cycle/
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Get your FREE Balanced Ballerinas 'Intention Setting' worksheet HERE and start kicking GOALS: https://www.balancedballerinas.com/product/balanced-ballerinas-intention-setting-worksheet/
You can find more resources at www.balancedballerinas.com
Instagram @thebalancedballerina Podcast @balancedballerinas Facebook - Balanced Ballerinas (ensure you join the *SECRET* Facebook group too!)

Today's guest is the gorgeous Jojo from Adult Ballet Collective, Adult Ballet Club and Ballet With Jojo. I'm sure you've heard of at least one of those, but they're so much more than just the instagram handle! Jojo started ballet at the age of 23 and is the poster girl for adult ballerinas everywhere, proving it's never too late to begin your ballet journey.
Jojo and I share some very similar beliefs; first of all that ballet is for EVERYONE and secondly that adult ballerinas come with the most incredible life experience which shapes their bodies and minds in a way that allows them to move with such maturity, depth and ambition. We also whole heartedly believe that ballet is a LIFESTYLE and that ballet can truly turn your world upside down (for the better of course!) by enhancing your life, sharpening your focus and getting clear with your priorities. This is why I feel connected and drawn to Jojo and why we've been working quietly behind-the-scenes together to bring you some pretty cool offerings!
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Get your FREE Balanced Ballerinas 'Intention Setting' worksheet HERE and start kicking GOALS: https://www.balancedballerinas.com/product/balanced-ballerinas-intention-setting-worksheet/
You can find more resources at www.balancedballerinas.com
Instagram @thebalancedballerina Podcast @balancedballerinas Facebook - Balanced Ballerinas (ensure you join the *SECRET* Facebook group too!)

When a listener of the @balancedballerinas pod asked me to do an #AMA I must admit that I had to google what that meant. Apparently it means #AskMeAnything and it's supposed to be spontaneous, off the cuff and very honest. Sounds like fun!
My first honest admission? I missed last weeks podcast deadline because I have too many tabs open on my brain. There are so many topics I want to cover and big issues I want to tackle. So feeling paralysed, I didn't release an episode.
To get back on schedule I needed something a little self indulgent and dare I say 'basic', so an #AMA it is! Thanks for everyone who sent in questions and I hope everyone enjoys my honest ramblings about what I'm currently watching and reading, my favourite playlists for ballet class, why I don't wear a leotard when teaching, how long I've had my studio for and much more...
Love, Georgia
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You can find more resources at www.balancedballerinas.com
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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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Get your FREE Balanced Ballerinas 'Intention Setting' worksheet HERE and start kicking GOALS: https://www.balancedballerinas.com/product/balanced-ballerinas-intention-setting-worksheet/
You can find more resources at www.balancedballerinas.com
Instagram @thebalancedballerina Podcast @balancedballerinas Facebook - Balanced Ballerinas (ensure you join the *SECRET* Facebook group too!)

Born in Darwin, Meryl began ballet classes at a young age before heading to The Australian Ballet School. Shortly after being accepted into the company, Meryl took a leave of absence to work as a Principal dancer with the infamous Pina Bausch in Germany.
Eventually craving to be artistically challenged even more, Meryl then spent time between Germany and Australia appearing in television series for ABC television before finally returning to Australia to continue her love for choreographing as the Director of the Meryl Tankard Company in Canberra before moving onto the Director of Australian Dance Theatre in Adelaide.
Meryl's work is nothing short of varied and colourful; creating Bolero for the Lyon Opera Ballet, commissioned by Tiffany & Co to produce a piece for New York's Museum of National History, she was also responsible for Nikki Webster's debut and the entire Deep Sea Dreaming piece in the Sydney Olympic Games opening ceremony, a piece titled Ocean Dance to welcome the Dalai Lama to Australia, the choreography for Broadway's Tarzan The Musical and finally but not even close to covering it all worked with Sydney Dance Company, The Australian Ballet, Sydney Opera House and Netherlands Dance Theatre.
Honestly, what you just heard only scrapes the surface of Meryl Tankard's credits. I haven't even mentioned achievements like a Helpmann Award in 2000 or Officer of the Order of Australia in 2019. I've just chosen a handful to share with you as otherwise this would be a very long episode!
I think todays story is a beautiful example of following your gut and that 'chance encounters' often take time and patience... and aren't really 'chance' at all! It was obviously wonderful sitting down for a conversation with Meryl Tankard however it was an honour simply meeting her. Much respect.
Please enjoy this conversation and don't mind a little background noise as we were recording in the art gallery and a small child decided to run circles around us as we recorded...
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Get your FREE Balanced Ballerinas 'Intention Setting' worksheet HERE and start kicking GOALS: https://www.balancedballerinas.com/product/balanced-ballerinas-intention-setting-worksheet/
You can find more resources at www.balancedballerinas.com
Instagram @thebalancedballerina Podcast @balancedballerinas Facebook - Balanced Ballerinas (ensure you join the *SECRET* Facebook group too!)

In today's episode I share the most valuable lesson my mother taught me (in celebration of mothers day!) and I also read a very popular blog post that I wrote recently; It's not about choosing ballet over boys, it's about choosing yourself...
This original blog post which was adapted for this episode can be found here: https://www.balancedballerinas.com/2021/04/30/its-not-about-choosing-ballet-overs-boys-its-about-choosing-the-right-boy/
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Get your FREE Balanced Ballerinas 'Intention Setting' worksheet HERE and start kicking GOALS: https://www.balancedballerinas.com/product/balanced-ballerinas-intention-setting-worksheet/
You can find more resources at www.balancedballerinas.com
Instagram @thebalancedballerina Podcast @balancedballerinas Facebook - Balanced Ballerinas (ensure you join the *SECRET* Facebook group too!)