Miko Fogarty’s Journey from Ballet Dancer to Doctor

ByCaroline Simpkins, Ph.D. October 28, 2025August 22, 2026

BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 22

Former ballet star Dr. Miko Fogarty joins the Ballet Science Podcast to share her journey from elite performer (“First Position,” YAGP, Birmingham Royal Ballet) to a foot & ankle surgery resident specializing in podiatric medicine.

We cover injury prevention, why dead pointe shoes raise risk, alignment tips that protect feet, knees, and hips, and how expert pointe-shoe fitting keeps dancers healthy. Plus: career transition advice, biomechanics insights, and clinician-teacher collaboration.

Anatomy | Biomechanics | Injury Prevention

Knee Anatomy for Dancers: Bones Explained
ByCaroline Simpkins, Ph.D. October 28, 2025August 14, 2026
Discover the inner workings of the knee joint in dancers with the Ballet Science Podcast! In this episode, Caroline Simpkins breaks down the bones of the knee (the femur, tibia, and patella) as well as the menisci, cartilage, and growth plates. Learn how proper alignment, technique, and body awareness protect your knees, prevent injuries, and…
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Anatomy | Injury Prevention

Spine Anatomy For Dancers | Muscles, Tendons, Ligaments
ByCaroline Simpkins, Ph.D. December 21, 2025August 21, 2026
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 30 Your spine doesn’t move on its own. An entire team of muscles, tendons, and ligaments makes ballet possible, and most dancers are only using half of them. In Part 2 of the Ballet Science spine series, Dr. Caroline Simpkins (former professional ballerina, PhD in biomechanics) breaks down how the spinal…
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Anatomy | Injury Prevention

Herniated Discs in Dancers | Recovery, Rehab, & Returning Stronger
ByCaroline Simpkins, Ph.D. December 28, 2025August 21, 2026
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 31 A herniated disc can sound terrifying for dancers, but it is not a career-ender. In this final episode of the Ballet Science spine series, Dr. Caroline Simpkins (former professional ballerina, PhD in biomechanics) breaks down what a herniated disc actually is, why it often develops gradually rather than from one…
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Injury Prevention | Pointe

When Is a Dancer Ready for Pointe? Ballet Teacher & Science Insights
ByCaroline Simpkins, Ph.D. October 25, 2025August 14, 2026
When is a ballet dancer ready for pointe and what do ballet teachers look for? In this video, I break down the factors ballet teachers consider before allowing dancers to begin pointe training in ballet class. From ankle strength and core stability to emotional maturity and technical proficiency, pointe readiness is about much more than…
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Dance Research | Injury Prevention | Pointe

What’s Happening Inside A Pointe Shoe? | PointeSense
ByCaroline Simpkins, Ph.D. June 28, 2026August 20, 2026
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 56 Have you ever wondered what is actually happening inside a pointe shoe? In this episode, I sit down with Christine Fernandez and Kaitlyn Kumar, engineering students from Johns Hopkins University and co-founders of PointeSense, a wearable technology designed to provide real-time feedback during pointe work. Using pressure sensors and motion…
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Anatomy | Injury Prevention

Knee Anatomy for Dancers: Menisci Explained
ByCaroline Simpkins, Ph.D. October 28, 2025August 14, 2026
Discover the vital role of the menisci in knee anatomy and why they matter for dancers. In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, former ballerina turned researcher Caroline Simpkins explains how the menisci support shock absorption, stability, and injury prevention… essential knowledge for dancers, athletes, and anyone who moves.
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Miko Fogarty’s Journey from Ballet Dancer to Doctor

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