Ep 52. Adwoa catches up with Michaela DePrince, soloist at the Dutch National Ballet, about facing up to trauma, the fight against discrimination, and the healing power of the arts.

On this week’s episode, I spoke to the incredible, inspiring Michaela DePrince. The epitome of poise and grace, Michaela is a dancer, author and War Child ambassador. She has overcome tremendous challenges over her lifetime, including grief, war, racism, bullying and more, all in the pursuit of  what she calls ‘her soul’ – her passion for dance.

What stands out for me is her unmistakable grit; a burning desire to prove critics wrong and succeed against all odds. But that dedication is not without a price, and we discuss the emotional and mental toll that it takes to keep performing in the face of a global pandemic, personal losses, and the trauma of racism.

This week’s episode is a timely reminder to us all to seek out the space we need to take care of ourselves. For Michaela, the arts and classical ballet provide an escape and a means of expression. I hope that with the new year, we can collectively make time to indulge in what grounds us.

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