After Class: The Adult Ballet Podcast

If you’ve ever walked out of ballet class replaying every mistake in your head — the turn you fell out of, the combination you messed up, the step that just won’t click — you’re not alone...
As adult dancers, we often hold ourselves to incredibly high standards. And while that drive can be a powerful motivator, it can also quietly take the joy out of dancing, and even sabotage our progress.
In this episode, I’m joined by Kirsten Kemp, a high-performance mindset coach who works specifically with dancers, to talk about how perfectionism shows up in ballet training and what to do instead.
We talk about why perfectionism can derail your class experience, what’s happening in your brain when you spiral after messing up, and simple tools you can use in the moment to reset and stay engaged.
Kirsten also shares her perspective on “mentally budgeting” for mistakes, how to set realistic expectations without lowering your standards, and how to stay motivated even during seasons of slow progress.
If you’re someone who cares deeply about improving but often find yourself  frustrated, discouraged, or defeated, this episode is your road map to renewed confidence and joy!
👉🏼 Connect with Kirsten: 
Website: kirstenkemp.com
Instagram: @kirsten_theconfidentdancer
✨ This Episode is Sponsored By:
Apolla Performance:
Compression socks designed for support, recovery, and injury prevention for dancers. 
Shop here: https://rstr.co/apollaperformance/thebusybunhead
Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

In this episode, I'm sharing some of my favorite ballet hacks. The tips, tricks, and discoveries that have made my life as an adult dancer easier and more comfortable.😄
Some I figured out on my own, some were passed along by teachers or fellow dancers, and all of them are just too good not to share, like:
The game-changing nipple cover option for those who want a little extra coverage
Using toe spacers in your ballet slippers (NOT just for pointe shoes) to reduce bunion discomfort
The waistband modifications that will change how you feel in your tights 
How to turn convertible tights into stirrup tights so you can wear the brands you actually love
A simple spray that fixes heel slippage in pointe shoe (plus a bonus tip that makes it even more effective)
A hack for healthier, happier hair (while you dance) 
PRODUCTS MENTIONED 🔗
Nipple Covers by Cakes (grippy version)
Toe Spacers by Russian Pointe (size medium)
Spray Rosin by Bloch
Hair Mask by RCA Skincare (use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your order!)
EPISODE SPONSOR ✨
Frenchies Hairpins
The official brand for ballerinas who love a good hair moment! Shop premium hairpins and new luxury scrunchies in real silk and luxurious velvet.
https://frenchieshairpins.com | Code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off!
Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

You've conquered the basics en pointe.... So now what? This is the final episode in my three-part series on the adult pointe journey with Julie of Broche Ballet, who has coached hundreds of adult dancers (myself included) through their pointe journeys.
In this episode, we talk about how to build a sustainable, realistic training plan around a busy adult life, why short frequent practice sessions are so effective, the recovery habits that will support your body for the long haul, how to work through the fear of learning new steps, and why play might be the single most important ingredient you're missing.
If you've ever felt like you're stuck in a rut, wondering how to actually reach your goals, this is the episode for you. It's the perfect way to close out this series, and I think it's going to change how you think about your own pointe journey. 🩰
Disclaimer: This episode is NOT a substitute for an individual evaluation, so make sure you're approved by a qualified teacher and fitted by a professional before going on pointe. It's also not medical advice, so please consult a licensed medical professional about any injuries or pain.
CONNECT WITH JULIE & BROCHE BALLET👇🏼 
Instagram: @brocheballet 
Website: brocheballet.com 
Free Pointe Readiness Self-Assessment: https://app.brocheballetonline.com/pointe/self-assessment
Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

You've got your pointe shoes and you've survived the first few months, but now you're in that weird in-between phase: still clutching the barre but dreaming of center, wondering if what you're feeling is normal or if you should be further along by now. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. 
I'm back with Julie of Broche Ballet for part two of our three-part series on the adult pointe journey, and this episode digs into the messy middle: what those first few months in pointe shoes actually feel like, how to finally let go of the barre, and how to tell if a problem is your strength or your shoes. I also ask Julie how to know when a pair of pointe shoes is really dead, why she's an advocate for a dedicated pointe barre, and what "banana feet" versus "biscuit feet" means for getting over the box.
If you've been feeling discouraged by lack of progress in pointe journey, you're not alone! But there is a way through it.... Ready to push past the plateau? Let's get into it. ☺️
EPISODE SPONSOR ✨ 
O'Mara Sprung Floors | A family-owned business building sprung floors for dancers for over 30 years. Featuring a Marley non-slip surface over a professionally engineered sprung floor with 70% shock absorption, they're designed to protect your body so you can dance safely from the comfort of home! 
Shop at sprungfloors.com | Use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your ballet practice floor!
CONNECT WITH JULIE & BROCHE BALLET👇🏼
Instagram: @brocheballet
Website: brocheballet.com
Free Pointe Readiness Self Assessment 
Disclaimer: This episode is NOT a substitute for an individual evaluation, so make sure you're approved by a qualified teacher and fitted by a professional before going on pointe. It's also not medical advice, so please consult a licensed medical professional about any injuries or pain.
Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

For so many adult dancers, pointe is the dream, whether you're returning to it after years away or dreaming about it for the very first time. But how do you actually know if you're ready? And if your teacher says not yet, what does that actually mean?
This is part one of a three part series on the entire adult pointe journey, and I'm joined by Julie of Broche Ballet, who has coached hundreds of adult dancers (myself included) through the process of going en pointe.
We get into adult pointe readiness in detail: whether adults are even "allowed" to go on pointe, the four different types of adult dancers who approach pointe (you'll probably recognize yourself in one), the four indicators of pointe readiness, what's actually going on when a teacher says "not yet", why pointe might be safer than you think, and Julie's honest take on demi pointe shoes.
If you've been quietly dreaming about pointe shoes for years, or you're already en pointe and want to understand your own journey better, you're going to LOVE this conversation with Julie. 🩰
Disclaimer: This episode is NOT a substitute for an individual evaluation, so make sure you're approved by a qualified teacher and fitted by a professional before going on pointe. It's also not medical advice, so please consult a licensed medical professional about any injuries or pain.
Connect with Julie & Broche Ballet👇🏼
Instagram: @brocheballet
Website: brocheballet.com
Free Pointe Readiness Self-Assessment: https://app.brocheballetonline.com/pointe/self-assessment
Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com