117. From Professional Ballerina to PhD with Caroline Simpkins of Ballet Science

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, former professional ballerina Caroline Simpkins shares her inspiring journey from professional ballerina to earning a PhD in biomechanics and creating Ballet Science, a platform dedicated to making dance research accessible to dancers, teachers, and educators.

After dancing professionally for 12 years, Caroline found herself facing burnout, uncertainty about her future, and a life-changing thyroid cancer diagnosis at just 29 years old. That experience became the catalyst for reimagining her career, leading her from ballet to scientific research and ultimately to a mission of improving dancers' health through evidence-based education.

In this episode, Caroline shares what it was really like to step away from performing, explore careers in healthcare and academia, and advocate for ballet research in spaces where dance wasn't always understood.

Whether you're beginning to think about life after performing or simply looking for reassurance that your next chapter can be just as meaningful as your first, this conversation offers practical advice and plenty of hope.

Key "Pointes" in this Episode

* Caroline's journey from professional ballet dancer to PhD

* Why she chose to leave performing after a 12 year career

* How a thyroid cancer diagnosis reshaped her career path

* The challenges of pursuing ballet-related research in academia

* How to communicate the value of dance to people outside the dance world

* The transferable skills dancers bring to any profession

* Why adaptability matters more than having the "perfect" career plan