In this inspiring episode of the Artist Recovery Podcast, host Rich Wright sits down with Sydney May, a professional ballerina whose story of resilience, artistry, and healing will move you as much as her performances do.
Sydney’s journey began with a childhood full of movement—living across the U.S. and even briefly in Japan—before finding her artistic home in Dallas. From discovering ballet at age nine, to training at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, Sydney’s path has been shaped by passion, mentorship, and powerful life experiences. But her story isn’t just about perfect pirouettes—it’s about facing the raw realities behind the stage lights.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Family, loss, and resilience: Sydney opens up about losing her father during high school—and how dance became both her outlet and her challenge.
The perfectionism trap: Insights into how anxiety and imposter syndrome affect artists, especially in competitive spaces like ballet.
Breakthrough moments: From being waitlisted at Juilliard to securing leading roles with professional companies.
The dark side of ballet: Industry pressures, injuries, and the “right vs. wrong” paradox that shapes dancers’ identities.
💡 Viral Moments to Watch For:
Sydney recalling the first time she got pointe shoes at just nine years old—a milestone every dancer remembers.
The heartbreaking yet powerful reflection on her father’s passing and how it reshaped her perspective on permanence and control.
Her candid admission of slapping herself in frustration during practice, revealing the intense perfectionism so many artists face.
A touching story about a 6-year-old student asking, “Are you mad at me?”—a mirror of Sydney’s own childhood anxieties, turning into a healing full-circle moment.
The incredible “miracle” story of being hired by her company post-college in the middle of the pandemic, after months of uncertainty.
🌟 Why This Conversation Matters:
Sydney’s journey isn’t just for dancers—it’s for anyone navigating self-doubt, resilience, or the search for meaning in creativity. Whether you’re an artist, a teacher, or someone chasing big dreams, her story offers both hard truths and hopeful takeaways about persistence, self-belief, and community.
Connect with Sydney:
https://www.instagram.com/sydkneemaii/
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Always remember, Listen to your Heart and Be Kind to Your Mind! -Rich Wright
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Sep 30 20252 h et 3 min