Ballet Science Blog

How does a professional ballet dancer go from the stage… to becoming a strength and personal trainer? 💪

In this Ballet Science Podcast clip, Shane Wuerthner shares his powerful journey from dancing with the Vienna State Opera, the San Francisco Ballet, and the Queensland Ballet to transitioning into the fitness world. Shane opens up about his struggles with patellar tendinopathy, walking down stairs backward to avoid knee pain, and relying on ibuprofen to get through class.

After retiring from his 12-year ballet career, he turned to strength training, not just to stay active, but to heal. That shift ultimately resolved his chronic knee issues and launched his career as a trainer and founder of Athletistry.