75 episodes
Life After Ballet | Megan Fairchild on Retiring, Motherhood, and What Comes Next
2026/09/15 | 49 mins.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 in the Balanchine and Robbins repertoire, Megan recently retired from NYCB and moved to France with her family.
We talk about ballet longevity, how her understanding of her body changed throughout her career, and what she learned from dealing with neck pain and adapting her strength and conditioning. Megan also shares her experience becoming a mother while continuing to dance at the highest level, returning to the stage after having children, and learning to balance motherhood and a demanding professional career.
We also talk about dancer identity after retirement, moving to France, pursuing education outside of ballet, and why Megan believes dancers need to stop comparing themselves to one another and focus on what makes them exceptional.
Megan offers an incredibly honest perspective on what it means to be a professional ballet dancer, and what it means to become a whole person beyond the studio.
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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: Megan Fairchild
Photos by: Erin Baiano
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 an accomplished ballet dancer decides to leave the stage... and pursue medicine instead?
In this Ballet Science Encore episode, I'm revisiting one of the most valuable conversations from the Ballet Science archives with Dr. Miko Fogarty, former professional ballet dancer and international competition winner who made an extraordinary transition from the stage to podiatric medicine.
Now a foot and ankle surgery resident, Miko offers a unique perspective on dancers' feet, pointe work, injury prevention, and the connection between dance and medicine.
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.
Listen to my original full-length interview with Miko Fogarty here.
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Connect With Ballet Science:
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E-mail: caroline@ballet.science
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.
Filming Equipment Affiliate Links:
Microphone
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Mic Stand
Prompter
Large Key Light
Small Key Light
Eve Flare Light
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. The Truth About Ballet Training: What Every Parent Needs To Know | Ballet Help Desk
2026/09/01 | 1h 25 mins.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 training “arms race,” injury and recovery, pointe readiness, body image and nutrition, teacher red flags, school culture, transparency, choosing the right ballet school, post-graduate programs, and how parents can better support their dancers.
We also talk about finding a healthy balance between supporting a dancer’s dreams and taking a realistic, long-term view of their career.
If you’re a ballet parent, dancer, teacher, or simply interested in the world of ballet training, this conversation is for you.
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!
Want Ballet Science updates sent to your inbox? Join My E-mail List
Connect With Ballet Science:
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E-mail: caroline@ballet.science
Connect with Ballet Help Desk:
Website
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
Pop Filter
Mic Stand
Prompter
Large Key Light
Small Key Light
Eve Flare Light
Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
Additional Photos Provided By: Ballet Help Desk
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 great ballet training look like... and how should dancers develop from their earliest classes through pre-professional training?
In this episode, I’m joined by legendary ballet educator Darla Hoover (Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, School of American Ballet, New York City Ballet, Ballet Academy East) for a fascinating conversation about teaching ballet at every stage of a dancer’s development.
Darla shares her decades of experience teaching everyone from young beginners to professional dancers, including her own training with the School of American Ballet and her years as a professional dancer and educator.
Darla’s philosophy is ultimately about much more than producing professional dancers. She believes ballet can teach discipline, dedication, focus, passion, and lifelong lessons that dancers carry with them wherever life takes them.
Whether you’re a ballet teacher, parent, student, aspiring professional, or simply interested in how great dancers are developed, there is so much wisdom in this conversation.
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!
Want Ballet Science updates sent to your inbox? Join My E-mail List
Connect With Ballet Science:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
X
Amazon Storefront
E-mail: caroline@ballet.science
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
Pop Filter
Mic Stand
Prompter
Large Key Light
Small Key Light
Eve Flare Light
Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
Additional Photos Provided By: Darla Hoover
Headshot by: Kyle Froman
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 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, I’m joined by Rachel Fine, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist, former professional dancer, and founder of The Healthy Dancer®. Rachel shares practical, evidence-based advice to help dancers properly fuel their training while avoiding restrictive food rules and nutrition misinformation.
Whether you are a young dancer, parent, teacher, professional, or adult recreational dancer, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can put into action.
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!
Want Ballet Science updates sent to your inbox? Join My E-mail List
Connect With Ballet Science:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
X
Amazon Storefront
E-mail: caroline@ballet.science
Connect with Rachel Fine:
Website
Instagram
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
Pop Filter
Mic Stand
Prompter
Large Key Light
Small Key Light
Eve Flare Light
Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
Additional Photos Provided By: Rachel Fine
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.
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About Ballet Science
The Ballet Science Podcast is hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., a former ballerina turned biomechanics researcher. Each week, we bring science into the ballet studio, exploring the intersection of ballet, dance science, and human movement. Topics include injury prevention, biomechanics, strength, nutrition, mindset, and performance. Discover how the science of ballet can help dancers (and anyone who moves) perform and feel their best.
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