Dana Stephensen’s Journey: Elite Ballet, Twin Babies with a Wiggle, PND & Motherhood Identity Metamorphosis
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From centre stage, to an incredible natural twin birth - her "best performance" yet, navigating PND during record-length COVID lockdowns, to her identity metamorphosis – Dana Stephensen, professional ballerina and mother x3 shares her journey, lessons and what's next.
Dana shares:
- Her rise in ballet: dance 6 days a week, travelling the world to appearing in the movie Mao’s Last Dancer
- Becoming a mother, meeting Purple Wiggle Lachy Gillespie through an Australian Ballet X Wiggles collaboration
- Delivering twins vaginally, then battling postnatal depression (PND)- her tips for others
- An incredible return to professional ballet at 35 (after 2 pregnancies!) – proving mums can come back stronger
- Transitioning her identity after motherhood - where she's at now, what's next for Dana
Why Listen:
Whether you're deep in the trenches of newborn life and the identity shift, juggling the chaos of multiple children or simply love a good comeback story, Dana’s honest insights will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and empowered. This is an episode about strength and evolution – the quiet, unglamorous kind. A raw, real, and uplifting chat for parents, elite performance fans, and anyone navigating a new identity after children.
Follow Dana on Instagram
Twin tools Dana used:
- Twin Z feeding pillow
- My Brest Friend feeding pillow
If you have guest submissions (expert or parent story), ideas, feedback - please email [email protected] or message on Instagram.
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Podcast: Hey There Thrivival
Hey There Thrivival Podcast:
I'm Emily, a twin and twin mum. I have researched extensively, curating the most modern (frump-free) tips, efficiency hacks, expert advice - as well as the most recent research and data. Books, white papers, medical papers, online groups, articles - sifted through it all, for you.
Where available some links may be affiliate
11 episodes