In this week’s solo episode, I’m tackling a topic that comes up often for dancers: comparison.

I dive deep into why comparison is a natural human instinct - rooted in evolutionary survival - and how it’s especially amplified in the world of ballet, where mirrors, corrections, and casting are constant. Rather than trying to eliminate comparison, this episode is full of empowering tools to reframe it into a source of motivation, self-awareness, and growth.

🩰Why comparison is more than just a bad habit, and why it's especially common among dancers

🩰A simple mindset shift that can make comparison less painful and more productive

🩰My advice on handling social media in a way that supports your growth

🩰Using your unique strengths to stand out in a competitive environment

🩰Practical tools (and journal prompts) to turn comparison into clarity and confidence

Blog Post: thebrainyballerina.com/blog/from-insecurity-to-inspiration-navigating-the-comparison-game-in-dance

Join the Conversation
Head to my Instagram @TheBrainyBallerina and join my channel “Career Guidance for Dancers” to participate in future episode polls and get exclusive career tips straight to your inbox.

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode I sit down with Royal Danish Ballet Principal Ballerina Holly Dorger - a childhood friend whose dance journey has taken her from suburban Michigan to the royal stage of Copenhagen.

Holly’s path has been anything but predictable. From training at the School of American Ballet with dreams of joining New York City Ballet, to unexpectedly being offered a contract abroad, Holly opens up about how she began her professional career at 18 with the Royal Danish Ballet.

She shares candid reflections on everything from finding personal healing through dancing roles such as Giselle to what it’s like to be knighted by the Queen of Denmark. We talk about the challenges of building a life in a foreign country, what it's like to grow artistically over nearly two decades as a professional, and how she brings authenticity and emotional depth to every performance - especially the ones rooted in human experience and vulnerability.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to build a career abroad, channel personal pain into performance, or face the question of "what’s next?" after reaching the top, this conversation is a must-listen.

Key “Pointes” in this Episode

🩰Holly's early days training in Michigan (where we first met!)

🩰Moving to NYC at 14 to train at the School of American Ballet

🩰The path that led her to Copenhagen and the Royal Danish Ballet

🩰Her favorite roles (hello, Giselle, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and anything Balanchine)

🩰Processing personal heartbreak through performance

🩰The perks of dancing in a European ballet company

🩰What it was like to be knighted by the Queen of Denmark

🩰Facing the reality of forced retirement and dreaming of what's next

Connect with Holly:

WEBSITE: Www.HollyDorger.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/hollydorger

Links and Resources:

Visit the Ballet Help Desk: https://ballethelpdesk.com/

Get your copy of The Intentional Career Handbook

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

Join me today as I sit down with Nancy Paradis, a seasoned choreographer, artistic director, and educator with a rich career spanning classical ballet and the commercial dance world. She also leads LA Dance Moves, an innovative company blending dance, music, art and media to create inspiring works.

In this inspiring episode, Nancy takes us through her remarkable journey in the dance world - a path that began with just one ballet class a week and led to a professional career spanning over five decades.

She opens up about how her dance beginnings were anything but typical, and how she made the bold leap from limited training to dancing professionally. Nancy shares what it was like to leave home at a young age to pursue her passion, and her experience as one of the original members of the Richmond Ballet.

We dive into the moment she first stepped into a jazz class and how that experience opened her eyes to a new style, far removed from the rigid structure of classical ballet. Nancy also recalls her very first professional gig - a short 10-day contract that paid enough for her to buy her first car!

Balancing motherhood and a demanding dance career is a challenge many dancers face. Nancy talks candidly about when she felt secure enough in her career to take a step back and focus on her family, and how she managed to return and evolve as a performer, choreographer, and teacher.

She discusses the key differences between company life and commercial work, and shares valuable insights into what it takes to sustain a long-term career in the ever-changing world of dance.

With over 50 years of experience, Nancy offers heartfelt advice for aspiring dancers, reveals the kind of energy she strives to foster in her classes, and the lasting impact she hopes to have on her students. Plus, for anyone curious about what makes a dancer stand out to a director - Nancy lets us in on her secret. She even shares rarely discussed business tips that every dancer should hear.

Connect with Nancy:

YOUTUBE: Nancy Paradis (LA Dance Moves)

WEBSITE: ladancemoves.com

INSTAGRAM: @ladance_moves

Links and Resources:

Aloha Nutrition Bars: 20% off using code: BRAINYBALLERINA

Ballet Help Desk Website

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.