SELF-HELP

The Ballerina Mindset: How To Protect Your Mental Health While Striving for Excellence

by Megan Fairchild

Penguin Life. Dec. 2021. 176p. ISBN 9780143136040. pap. $17. SELF-HELP

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Fairchild (host of the podcast Ask Megan), who became a New York City Ballet principal dancer after only three years with the company, shares the lessons she learned as a ballerina and aims to make them useful to readers who aren’t dancers. She uses examples of her own professional and personal revelations, like diversifying her interests by pursuing an MBA, and learning to see the strengths of her short stature, rather than focusing on the obstacles it set up. Fairchild is conversational and directly addresses readers, though the book’s decision to pull out and highlight relevant quotes is repetitive and more distracting than helpful.

VERDICT Encouraging and full of common-sense advice, Fairchild’s book will help readers trying to fulfill their true potential. Even those who aren’t pursuing ballet will find it helpful.

Reviewed by Bree Jennrich, Kirkwood P.L., MO , Sep 01, 2021

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