Backstage: 5 Things I Learned From Getting a PhD

Backstage is a Ballet Science bonus series featuring short reflections on lessons learned as a professional ballerina, and how biomechanics and research later helped explain them. Quick insights at the intersection of studio experience and science.I went from spending my days in a ballet studio to a biomechanics lab. While those worlds may seem completely different, getting a PhD taught me some surprising lessons... not just about science, but about my body, learning, failure, and performance.In this video, I share five things I learned from getting a PhD as a former professional ballerina, and how those lessons completely changed how I think about ballet training and movement.In this episode, I talk about:Why discipline is not the same as understandingHow failure is part of the learning process, not a verdictWhat biomechanics taught me about adaptability and anatomyWhy mental load and cognitive fatigue matter in dancersWhy ballet and science don’t compete... they belong togetherIf you’re a dancer, a student, or someone navigating a nonlinear career path, I hope this video reminds you that unconventional journeys aren’t a weakness... they’re a strength.Follow Ballet Science:WebsiteInstagramFacebookX