BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 67 What happens when an accomplished ballet dancer decides to leave the stage… and pursue medicine instead? In this Ballet Science Encore, I revisit my conversation with Dr. Miko Fogarty, a former professional ballet dancer and international competition winner who made an extraordinary transition from the stage to podiatric medicine. Now…
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…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 53 Why do ballerinas destroy brand new pointe shoes before dancing in them? In this episode, we explore the fascinating science, biomechanics, and artistry behind breaking in pointe shoes. From bending the shank and crushing the box to darning, rosin, jet glue, and sewing ribbons with dental floss, professional ballet dancers…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 47 How do ballet dancers balance on their toes in pointe shoes? Learn the science and anatomy of pointe work, including ballet biomechanics, pointe shoe mechanics, and how dancers safely balance their center of mass on their toes in ballet technique. If you’ve ever tried standing on your toes, you know…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 43 What happens to your feet after a long day of ballet… and can recovery shoes really help? I sit down with Kunal Moudgil, co-founder of Ance Recovery Sneakers, to break down the science behind recovery footwear, and what it means for dancers. We talk about: If you’ve ever come home…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 33 Blisters are often treated like a rite of passage in ballet… but from a biomechanics perspective, they’re actually important feedback about how your foot is interacting with your shoe. If you’ve ever tried to dance with a painful blister, you know how much it can affect balance, confidence, and technique….
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 25 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. In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Jessica Aquino, DPT, ATC, a physical therapist and athletic trainer specializing in…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 23 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…
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,…
Discover how new vs. worn (dead) pointe shoes impact a dancer’s balance, muscle activity, and injury risk in this Ballet Science Podcast episode. Former professional ballerina and researcher Caroline Simpkins breaks down the latest research on pointe shoe biomechanics, sway, and ankle stability. Learn why replacing worn shoes matters for performance, safety, and longevity in…
