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: @thepointeshop
Facebook: @thepointeshop
YouTube: @thepointeshop
Watch Full Interview on YouTube
Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
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.
Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. Each week, we will explore the intersection of science and ballet—from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between.
If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.
Logo Photo Credit: Richard Calmes
Performance Photos Provided Courtesy of Miko Fogarty
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.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
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.
Throughout this episode, I’ll be referencing a physical model of the hip that I have with me in the studio. I highly recommend checking out the video version of this episode, so you can follow along visually and get the most out of today’s discussion.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, host Caroline Simpkins — 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:
This episode is perfect for dancers, teachers, and anyone curious about how science and ballet intersect to improve health and performance.
Caroline Simpkins, Google Scholar
Lise Worthen-Chaudhari, Google Scholar
Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
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:
Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
Discover the mental health challenges faced by professional ballet dancers in this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast. We dive into depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and sleep disturbances, exploring how high-pressure dance environments impact emotional well-being. Discover the latest research findings, practical strategies for coping, and ways dance companies can support their dancers’ mental health.
Publication discussed in this episode:
Logo photo: Richard Calmes
Discover the vital role of the menisci in knee anatomy and why they matter for dancers. In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, former ballerina turned researcher Caroline Simpkins explains how the menisci support shock absorption, stability, and injury prevention—essential knowledge for dancers, athletes, and anyone who moves.
Throughout this episode, I’ll be referencing a physical model of the knee that I have with me in the studio. I highly recommend checking out the video version of this episode, so you can follow along visually and get the most out of today’s discussion.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
What do the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the knee actually do—and why are they so important for dancers? In this Ballet Science Podcast episode, Caroline Simpkins breaks down how these soft tissues work together to power movement, protect the knee, and prevent injuries. You’ll learn how quad dominance develops, why hamstring and glute strength matter, how tendon overuse leads to jumper’s knee, what the ACL, MCL, and other ligaments really do, and why forcing turnout from the knees is a recipe for injury. Whether you’re a dancer, teacher, or just curious about movement science, this episode gives you practical tools for performance, strength, and long-term joint health.
Throughout this episode, I’ll be referencing a physical model of the knee that I have with me in the studio. I highly recommend checking out the video version of this episode, so you can follow along visually and get the most out of today’s discussion.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
Discover the inner workings of the knee joint in dancers with the Ballet Science Podcast! In this episode, Caroline Simpkins breaks down the bones of the knee—the femur, tibia, and patella—as well as the menisci, cartilage, and growth plates. Learn how proper alignment, technique, and body awareness protect your knees, prevent injuries, and support long-term movement health. Perfect for dancers, teachers, and anyone curious about anatomy in motion.
Throughout this episode, I’ll be referencing a physical model of the knee that I have with me in the studio. I highly recommend checking out the video version of this episode, so you can follow along visually and get the most out of today’s discussion.
Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
Dive into the anatomy of the foot and ankle with Ballet Science! In this episode, we explore the key muscles, tendons, and ligaments that keep your feet strong, balanced, and injury-free. Learn about the gastrocnemius and soleus (calf muscles), peroneals, tibialis anterior, intrinsic foot muscles, Achilles tendon, FHL tendon, extensor tendons, ATFL, deltoid ligament, and plantar fascia. Perfect for dancers, athletes, and anyone interested in foot mechanics, injury prevention, and improving stability and control.
Throughout this episode, I’ll be referencing a physical model of the foot and ankle that I have with me in the studio. I highly recommend checking out the video version of this episode, so you can follow along visually and get the most out of today’s discussion.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Logo photo: Richard Calmes
Explore the incredible structure of the human foot with Ballet Science! In this episode, Caroline Simpkins, former ballerina turned researcher, breaks down the 26 bones of the foot, including the hindfoot (talus and calcaneus), midfoot (navicular, cuboid, and cuneiforms), and forefoot (metatarsals and phalanges). Learn about the medial, lateral, and transverse arches, the sesamoid bones, and how foot alignment impacts balance, jump power, and overall performance in dance. Perfect for dancers, teachers, and movement enthusiasts seeking to enhance their technique, prevent injury, and comprehend the biomechanics behind every step, jump, and pointe.
Throughout this episode, I’ll be referencing a physical model of the foot and ankle that I have with me in the studio. I highly recommend checking out the video version of this episode, so you can follow along visually and get the most out of today’s discussion.
Logo photo: Richard Calmes
In this episode, I share my journey with papillary thyroid cancer, which began while I was still dancing professionally and preparing to dance the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. Now, as a researcher and a cancer survivor, I want to help others recognize the early signs and know what to expect if they receive a papillary thyroid cancer diagnosis.
Logo photo: Richard Calmes
In today's special episode, we reflect on a major moment in the dance world. After nearly thirty years of unforgettable performances, the great ballerina Gillian Murphy has taken her final bow with American Ballet Theatre, marking the end of a truly extraordinary era.
Gillian's retirement closes a chapter defined by technical brilliance, emotional intensity, and a stage presence that left an indelible mark on ballet. Her final performance in Swan Lake was far more than a farewell—it was a living masterclass in grace, endurance, and transformation.
Watch this episode on YouTube (including my video footage from Gillian Murphy's final curtain call)
Logo Photo: Richard Calmes
Today, we’re diving into a powerful piece of research that takes a closer look at how body image and nutrition knowledge intersect in the lives of collegiate dancers. The study we’re exploring is called “Negative Body Image and Limited NutritionKnowledge among Collegiate Dancers Signals Need for Screening and Support.” It was published in the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science in 2024, and it brings up some eye-opening findings that are worth discussing.
Publication discussed in this episode:
Watch this episode on YouTube
Logo photo: Richard Calmes
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 ballet.
Publication discussed in this episode:
Logo photo: Richard Calmes
Discover how classical ballet can improve balance, coordination, and reduce ataxia in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, Caroline Simpkins dives into a 2018 study on a targeted ballet program for women with mild to moderate MS.
Learn how adapted ballet combines motor learning, neuroscience, and expressive movement to enhance mobility and overall well-being. Perfect for dancers, therapists, or anyone interested in movement-based rehabilitation.
Publication discussed in this episode:
Logo photo: Richard Calmes
Discover how professional ballet dancers walk differently from non-dancers in this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast. Caroline Simpkins, former ballerina and researcher, shares her 2023 biomechanics study on step length, step width, cadence, and dynamic balance. Learn how ballet training influences movement strategies, walking speed, and step frequency, and what this tells us about balance, stability, and fall prevention. Perfect for dancers, movement enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the science behind human movement.
Publication discussed in this episode:
Logo photo: Richard Calmes
Join the Ballet Science Podcast with Caroline Simpkins, former ballerina and researcher, as we wrap up our two-part series on pointe readiness. In this episode, Caroline shares her personal perspective as a ballet teacher and researcher, explaining what teachers look for before allowing dancers to begin pointe work.We cover key factors including:
Whether you’re a dancer, teacher, or parent, this episode blends science and real-world ballet experience to give you a clear understanding of what it truly means to be ready for pointe.
Logo photo: Richard Calmes
Discover what it truly takes for a dancer to start pointe work in this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast. Host Caroline Simpkins, former ballerina turned researcher, dives into the science of pointe readiness, exploring the physical requirements, common screening tests like the airplane test, relevé test, and pirouette/topple test, and potential injuries related to early pointe training. Learn how age, strength, balance, and alignment impact a dancer’s ability to safely go on pointe, and why a gradual, well-monitored approach is essential.Drawing on a 2022 systematic review in the Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, this episode highlights research-backed strategies for teachers, dancers, and parents to assess readiness and reduce injury risk. Perfect for ballet students, teachers, and anyone curious about the biomechanics behind pointe work. Follow along for practical insights that bridge the studio and science.
Publication discussed in this episode:
Watch a supplemental video on YouTube - Pointe Readiness Tests
Logo photo: Richard Calmes