For our Season Three bonus episode, we speak again with the divine Dana Stephensen. Dana and I initially spoke about 18 months ago, and in that conversation we covered Dana’s journey into the Australian Ballet, managing her hyperthyroidism and weight gain. We talked about promotions, meeting her now husband Lachie becoming a mom and returning to the stage. This time I speak to the newly retired Dana, who after 19 years dancing with the Australian Ballet gave her farewell performance at the Royal Opera House in London. In this hugely inspiring episode, we reflect on the depth and the bravery of Dana speaking about postnatal depression after the birth of her twins, how she returned to the stage as a mom of three and clawed back both her confidence and sense of self. But we also talk about the struggles of juggling tour life with Lachie and her three children and how she came to the decision to retire before finally turning to her thoughts for the future.

Dana now lives in Brisbane and is settling into life with her husband Lachie and their three children. While she's newly retired from the Australian Ballet, Dana made a surprise appearance with the company in their Brisbane season of “Swan Lake.” You may catch her here and there as she continues to guest with the company. For Australian Ballet tickets and show times, head to their website, australianballet.com.au, or you can find them on Instagram at @ausballet. And to follow all of Dana’s adventures, you can find her on Instagram @danastephensen.

We are thrilled to be sponsored by Energetiks. Energetiks specialise in creating sustainable, world class dancewear for the stars Energetiks is offering Talking Pointes listeners a 20% discount [available until the end of March 2024]. Listen for the code in the episode. Shop their extensive range online at energetiks.com.au or energetiks.com if you’re listening from the US. T&Cs APPLY. @energetiks @energetiksusa

Talking Pointes is produced on the lands of the Gadigal and the Wanegal peoples to whom we pay our greatest respects. Talking Pointes is produced by Fjord Review. Remember to subscribe to get the latest episodes as soon as they're released. If you like us, please leave a five-star review.

Your host and producer is me, Claudia Lawson, with additional production by Penelope Ford and Clint Topic. Sound production and editing is by Martin Peralta at Output Media. For the latest in all things dance, head to fjordreview.com.