Eating Disorders & Body Image Struggles in the Ballet Industry with Ballet Dancer, Laura Annikal

The Full of Beans Podcast

In this week’s episode, Han is joined by Laura Annikal. Laura is a professional ballet dancer and sociology graduate, who has faced the pressures of body image and eating disorders in the ballet world, inspiring her to write a thesis on the subject. In ballet, where thinness is equated with success, dancers often conform to harmful body standards at the expense of their well-being. Many eating disorders go unnoticed or untreated, due to a lack of education among teachers and directors. She is dedicated to promoting body acceptance and addressing eating disorders in the ballet community, advocating for valuing health over thinness.

This week, we discuss:

• Laura's experience of developing an eating disorder and how the body standards enforced in ballet led to disordered behaviours.
• The impact of disordered eating on Laura's dancing, as well as her mental and physical health.
• The way Laura perceived her eating disorder, as she didn't have anorexia or appear emaciated, but rather struggled with bulimia.
• The different pressures put on men and women at ballet school, and how this can impact the development of disordered eating.
• The change required within the dance profession to make it more accessible, reduce the pressure to confirm to certain body types, and avoid dancers developing eating disorders and disordered eating.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.