Dancing on the Edge: Francesca Hayward, Principal Ballerina at the Royal Opera House talks about Burnout After her Debut Performance of Swan Lake and Finding Balance

In this episode, Jean sits down with Francesca Hayward, the principal dancer at the Royal Opera House, to discuss one of the most significant challenges she has faced in her illustrious career—burnout. Ballet may look graceful and effortless on stage, but behind the scenes, it demands immense physical, mental, and emotional strength. Francesca opens up about how pushing herself to the limit for years led to a period of deep exhaustion, both physically and emotionally, shedding light on the often-hidden struggle with burnout in high-performance careers.

Burnout is defined as a state of extreme emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion, typically brought on by prolonged stress. It can leave a person feeling detached, drained, and unable to perform even the simplest of tasks. While it’s often associated with corporate jobs, burnout affects all kinds of professions—especially those, like ballet, that require intense dedication and discipline. Recent studies show that nearly 52% of workers feel burned out, and in high-pressure environments like the arts, this can manifest in serious physical and emotional symptoms.

For Francesca, the intense preparation for her debut as the lead in Swan Lake—a dream role for any ballerina—was the tipping point. Eventually, she sought help from a therapist, who diagnosed her with burnout and recommended physical therapy to release the tension she had been holding in her body for so long. Francesca’s story highlights how burnout isn’t just about feeling tired—it’s about being stretched beyond your limits, often to the point where recovery feels impossible. But with the right support, recovery is possible. Her experience reminds us that even in the pursuit of greatness, taking care of ourselves must come first.

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Host: Jean Campbell

Guest: Francesca Hayward

Executive Producer: Jean Campbell

Producer: Wicked Child Studio, Hailey Rovner Malach

Composer: Eduardo Vella