53. Ballet without Brutality: Tanya Trombly's Bulletproof Approach to a Dance Career

Tanya Trombly, a freelance ballet dancer with over 20 years of professional career experience and founder of Bulletproof Ballerina, sits down with me today to discuss how her stubbornness and tenacity has helped her vision and goals become a reality.

We chat about what it’s like to go through the mental and physical challenges that come with relying so much on what you look like and how Tanya overcame those challenging obstacles in order to get to a much healthier place in both her life and career.

Much of the work that Tanya focuses on revolves around helping other dancers build confidence around the bodies that they were born with. Tanya shares that she feels as though she wasted so much time trying to change her body and now she wants to educate other ballet dancers on how to nourish their bodies rather than deplete them.

Key “Pointes” in this Episode :

Early Dance Days: How growing up at a more casual studio was a better fit than a ballet conservatory Dance in College: Why Tanya chose Mercyhurst University Transition to the Professional World: Why Tanya didn’t think she’d make it as a ballerina and what helped her land her first professional contract Freelancing: What it takes to sustain a 20+ year career as a freelancer in NYC Health and Fitness: Why Tanya has built a business around these concepts Self-destruction vs. Nurturing: How Tanya is helping other dancers heal Business Growth: How dance has helped Tanya grow her business What the Future Holds: Tanya shares her big dreams she is currently pursuing

Connect with Tanya:

INSTAGRAM: @bulletproof_ballerina

WEBSITE: bulletproofballerina.com

Links and Resources:

Set up ticketing for your next event with DRT (Make sure to mention that The Brainy Ballerina sent you!)

Get your copy of The Intentional Career Handbook

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

The Brainy Ballerina Podcast is a podcast for aspiring professional ballet dancers who want to learn what it really takes to build a smart and sustainable career in the dance industry.

Former professional ballerina turned Dance Educator and Career Mentor Caitlin Sloan peels back the curtain of the professional dance world with open and honest conversations about the realities of becoming a professional dancer.

Along with sharing her industry knowledge, Caitlin interviews top dancers, educators and experts in the dance industry who share their stories to inform, motivate and inspire you to pursue your dance career with confidence.

Tune in each week for actionable tips and advice to empower you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in a professional dance career on your terms.

• No. of episodes: 57
• Latest episode: 2025-06-02
• Arts Performing Arts

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