Ballet Science Blog

In this Ballet Science Podcast clip, Dr. Caroline Simpkins sits down with Miko Fogarty—internationally acclaimed ballerina, “First Position” star, and now podiatrist—to reflect on the standout moments of her ballet career.

Miko shares the personal highlights that shaped her as a performer, including:

• Her unforgettable Youth America Grand Prix performance of Kitri from Don Quixote, featured in First Position, and the electric audience reaction.
• Dancing the iconic Sugar Plum Fairy at Pas de Deux, set to her favorite Tchaikovsky adagio.
• The rigorous preparation and career-defining experience of competing in the Moscow International Ballet Competition, where she performed seven solos across three rounds and ultimately won the gold medal.

From studio to science lab—this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast dives into how new vs. dead pointe shoes change lower-extremity biomechanics and muscle activity in professional ballet dancers. Dr. Caroline Simpkins, a former ballerina turned researcher, is joined by Dr. Jessica Aquino, DPT, ATC, a physical therapist and athletic trainer specializing in dance medicine, sports medicine, and performing arts medicine.

We break down what “dead” pointe shoes really are, how Dr. Aquino measured differences using 3D motion capture, force plates, and EMG, and what those findings mean for stability, torque at the ankle, tibialis anterior activation, injury risk, and performance. You’ll hear practical guidance for dancers, teachers, and directors on when to retire a pair, why not to perform in a brand-new shoe, and how to think about break-in versus break-down. We also look ahead to pressure sensors, new materials (polymer shanks, 3D-printed options), and how sports-science methods can inform pointe shoe design—without losing the classical aesthetic.

Thinking about becoming a pointe shoe fitter? In this Ballet Science Podcast clip, Josephine Lee, master pointe shoe fitter and founder of The Pointe Shop, breaks down what it really takes to start a career in pointe shoe fitting.

Josephine explains why pointe shoe fitting is one of the most rewarding jobs in the dance world, the difference between pointe shoe fitting theory and hands-on practice, and why both are essential for keeping dancers safe, strong, and supported. She also shares insights into The Pointe Shop’s training program, including the extensive hours of experience required before a fitter can work independently.

If you’re passionate about ballet, dancer health, and the science behind technique, this clip gives you a clear roadmap to entering the world of professional pointe shoe fitting.

Watch Full Interview Here: https://youtu.be/e64y3EOUsk0

Former professional ballerina Lauren Ostrander McArdle, MS (Sports Psychology), joins the Ballet Science Podcast to unpack the mental side of dance—how to manage perfectionism, channel nerves, and build a reliable pre-performance routine.

We delve into injury psychology, explore identity beyond ballet, and discuss practical sport psychology tools that dancers can utilize in class, auditions, and on stage.

Master pointe shoe fitter Josephine Lee (The Pointe Shop) joins Dr. Caroline Simpkins to demystify pointe shoe fitting—from shoe anatomy (box, shank, vamp, wings, platform) to how fit impacts technique, foot health, and injury risk.

We cover common fitting mistakes, why pain is a red flag (not a rite of passage), spotting dead shoes, drying/rotating pairs, when jet glue helps, and why a professional fitting—in person or virtual—matters. Plus: trends in materials and emerging tech.

Follow The Pointe Shop:

• Website: https://thepointeshop.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepointeshop
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/thepointeshop
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@UCx476uTUgWw7HbMNB0KSoEQ

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.

Welcome to The Ballet Science Podcast, where we bring science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities perform their best—both on stage and off. In this episode, host Caroline Simpkins, a former ballerina turned researcher, continues our series on hip anatomy and explores the soft tissues that power every ballet movement—muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

You’ll learn how the hip flexors, extensors, abductors, adductors, and deep rotators work together to create turnout, extension, balance, and control. Caroline breaks down how the glutes, hamstrings, and rotator muscles stabilize the pelvis, protect the joints, and enhance performance.

🎧 Listen to the full episode to discover why the hip joint is truly the center of movement in ballet—and how science can make your training smarter and safer.

Welcome to the Ballet Science Podcast, where dance meets science! In this episode, host Caroline Simpkins, a former ballerina turned researcher, breaks down the anatomy of the hip joint and explains how your bones, pelvis, and femur work together to support every turnout, arabesque, and développé.

Learn how your unique hip structure affects turnout, flexibility, and alignment — and why understanding your bone anatomy can help prevent injuries like hip impingement and labral tears. Perfect for dancers, teachers, and movement enthusiasts who want to move smarter, not harder.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the hip joint is and how it functions in dance
• How the pelvis and femur create turnout and stability
• Why bone structure—not flexibility—can limit turnout
• How to find safe, efficient alignment for better performance

In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, host Caroline Simpkins, PhD — former ballerina turned researcher — shares highlights from the 2025 International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) Annual Conference in Las Vegas. Caroline recaps her award-winning study on ballet as a tool for fall prevention in older adults and walks through her top five favorite sessions, covering:

• Neurologic dance training as medicine (Lise Worthen-Chaudhari, PhD)
• Scoliosis and dance injuries (Chelsea Teel, DPT)
• Menopause and dancer health after 40 (Amanda Blackmon, DPT; Brooke Winder, DPT)
• New vs. dead pointe shoes and biomechanics (Jessica Aquino, DPT)
• Music, movement, and Parkinson’s rehabilitation (Elinor Harrison, PhD)

This episode is perfect for dancers, teachers, and anyone curious about how science and ballet intersect to improve health and performance.

Why do ballet dancers, who train for hours daily, often face weaker bones and stress fractures? In this Ballet Science podcast episode, Caroline Simpkins explores new research on bone turnover, estrogen metabolism, and training demands in elite female ballet dancers. Learn why dancers may experience more bone breakdown than bone building, what this means for injury risk, and how science can help protect bone health and extend dance careers.

Publication Discussed in this Episode:

Bladt, F., Varaeva, Y. R., Retter, G. J., Courtney, A., Holloway, P. A. H., Frost, G., … & Abel, R. L. Pilot Study of Bone Turnover Biomarkers, Diet, and Exercise in Elite Female Ballet Dancers. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 1089313X251315812. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1089313X251315812