This is a series that celebrates new beginnings. Through it, we discover and tell stories of people who have seen the potential of another life and took a leap of faith to reinvent themselves in their personal or professional lives. What does it take to start over? What new discoveries about life and self have they made on this journey? Our first guest is Alison Carroll, professional ballerina-turned-entrepreneur who is now the co-founder of BalletBody.
A Life reInspired:
Alison Carroll
“I grew up only ever doing ballet and since I stopped dancing professionally, I’ve discovered that there is so much more to life than the four walls of a ballet studio. To never stop learning, to have empathy, compassion and to build meaningful relationships is something I’m constantly striving for rather than nailing that perfect pirouette for myself nowadays.”
How have you reinvented yourself or your life?
Alison: I started learning ballet from the age of four, and eventually went on to train professionally overseas full-time before returning and joining Singapore’s national ballet company where I performed professionally for close to a decade. After hanging up my pointe shoes full time, I decided to embark on a teaching journey, which eventually led me to reinvent myself — going from performing artist to entrepreneur by opening my own ballet studio for adults, BalletBody. Even though I’ve “reinvented” certain aspects of my life, ballet is what has and will always be a part of me.
Was it an easy or difficult decision in the beginning?
Alison: Was it an easy decision to stop dancing full time? Yes and no. While I absolutely loved being on stage and enjoyed the life of a professional ballerina, I felt it was time for me to move on.
I wanted to leave on a high and not have to stop because of age or wear and tear of my body. While the decision to stop was bittersweet, it has led me to the opportunity to share my passion and love for ballet with adults who never had the chance to pursue it as a child, or who simply want to learn the art now while reaping the physical and mental benefits of it.
What did you discover about yourself on this journey?
Alison: Oh, I’ve discovered so much. I wouldn’t say it has changed me much, but it has definitely helped me grow as a person especially with my self confidence. Going from being in the ballet studio for eight hours a day rehearsing, standing in front of full mirrored walls, you are constantly being told what to do, and when to do it, and what’s not right with your ballet technique. Don’t get me wrong, ballet is an elite sport/art, much like training for the Olympics, and that kind of regimental training is absolutely necessary if you were to become a professional. But think of it as a nine-to-five job, except with constant movement, and once your job is done for the day, you get to go home and switch off.
Being an entrepreneur now means I never really switch off mentally — and that’s okay because I enjoy my new career, and over the years I have slowly learned how to deal with the ups and downs that come with running a business. I’ve discovered my love for teaching and for growing with my team of like-minded individuals. I grew up only ever doing ballet and since I stopped dancing professionally, I’ve discovered that there is so much more to life than the four walls of a ballet studio. To never stop learning, to have empathy, compassion and to build meaningful relationships is something I’m constantly striving for rather than nailing that perfect pirouette for myself nowadays.
What has been the greatest challenge or lesson?
Alison: To have the discipline to know when to rest and reset. I find this extremely challenging, my mind is on a constant go-go-go mode, and I have to make the conscious effort to pull back. One thing that has helped is scheduling in intentional time for myself with no distractions.
What has been the best thing about this new beginning, or “second life”?
Alison: Being able to go from performing on stage for an audience to creating a safe space for adults who were inspired by that performance by teaching and showing them that ballet is something you can enjoy by practising it, too.
What or who are you most grateful for in the course of this new path?
Alison: My business partner, Lisha. We were friends and colleagues for over 10 years. We both know how rare it is to find a business partner who is also a friend, but also has the same vision and values for the business. We complement each others’ strengths and weaknesses, and I think that is what has helped us in having a strong relationship to run our business. It takes two hands to clap, and there will be no BalletBody if it were just me alone.
Can you tell us what some of your daily eco-friendly practices are?
Alison: I believe there is no action too small that will make a difference. It might not seem like much, but I always try to have a small reusable tote with me in my bag in case I purchase something that won’t fit into my bag and requires using a plastic bag, or making the conscious effort of saying “no” to having my items put in a plastic bag when they can just be hand held. Every little action counts in us being kinder to our planet.
What is your favourite reBynd item? How do you see yourself using/styling it? How would you re-purpose any part of the packaging?
Alison: The “Carry On” Basic Card Holder in Linen/Earth — I love the warm neutral tones. We live in an age where going cashless is preferred, so having the option of only taking my cards out with me and maybe just folding a couple of cash notes in for emergencies is great. It helps that the design is so slim, light and compact, allowing it to fit into even the tiniest of bags!
What’s your current favourite “re” word?
Alison: You’ve inspired me with your questions on reinventing myself, so it’ll have to be “reInvent”!
Photography by Hosanna Swee
Alison Carroll
“I grew up only ever doing ballet and since I stopped dancing professionally, I’ve discovered that there is so much more to life than the four walls of a ballet studio. To never stop learning, to have empathy, compassion and to build meaningful relationships is something I’m constantly striving for rather than nailing that perfect pirouette for myself nowadays.”
Alison: I started learning ballet from the age of four, and eventually went on to train professionally overseas full-time before returning and joining Singapore’s national ballet company where I performed professionally for close to a decade. After hanging up my pointe shoes full time, I decided to embark on a teaching journey, which eventually led me to reinvent myself — going from performing artist to entrepreneur by opening my own ballet studio for adults, BalletBody. Even though I’ve “reinvented” certain aspects of my life, ballet is what has and will always be a part of me.
Was it an easy or difficult decision in the beginning?
Alison: Was it an easy decision to stop dancing full time? Yes and no. While I absolutely loved being on stage and enjoyed the life of a professional ballerina, I felt it was time for me to move on.
I wanted to leave on a high and not have to stop because of age or wear and tear of my body. While the decision to stop was bittersweet, it has led me to the opportunity to share my passion and love for ballet with adults who never had the chance to pursue it as a child, or who simply want to learn the art now while reaping the physical and mental benefits of it.
Alison: Oh, I’ve discovered so much. I wouldn’t say it has changed me much, but it has definitely helped me grow as a person especially with my self confidence. Going from being in the ballet studio for eight hours a day rehearsing, standing in front of full mirrored walls, you are constantly being told what to do, and when to do it, and what’s not right with your ballet technique. Don’t get me wrong, ballet is an elite sport/art, much like training for the Olympics, and that kind of regimental training is absolutely necessary if you were to become a professional. But think of it as a nine-to-five job, except with constant movement, and once your job is done for the day, you get to go home and switch off.
Being an entrepreneur now means I never really switch off mentally — and that’s okay because I enjoy my new career, and over the years I have slowly learned how to deal with the ups and downs that come with running a business. I’ve discovered my love for teaching and for growing with my team of like-minded individuals. I grew up only ever doing ballet and since I stopped dancing professionally, I’ve discovered that there is so much more to life than the four walls of a ballet studio. To never stop learning, to have empathy, compassion and to build meaningful relationships is something I’m constantly striving for rather than nailing that perfect pirouette for myself nowadays.
Alison: To have the discipline to know when to rest and reset. I find this extremely challenging, my mind is on a constant go-go-go mode, and I have to make the conscious effort to pull back. One thing that has helped is scheduling in intentional time for myself with no distractions.
What has been the best thing about this new beginning, or “second life”?
Alison: Being able to go from performing on stage for an audience to creating a safe space for adults who were inspired by that performance by teaching and showing them that ballet is something you can enjoy by practising it, too.
What or who are you most grateful for in the course of this new path?
Alison: My business partner, Lisha. We were friends and colleagues for over 10 years. We both know how rare it is to find a business partner who is also a friend, but also has the same vision and values for the business. We complement each others’ strengths and weaknesses, and I think that is what has helped us in having a strong relationship to run our business. It takes two hands to clap, and there will be no BalletBody if it were just me alone.
Alison: I believe there is no action too small that will make a difference. It might not seem like much, but I always try to have a small reusable tote with me in my bag in case I purchase something that won’t fit into my bag and requires using a plastic bag, or making the conscious effort of saying “no” to having my items put in a plastic bag when they can just be hand held. Every little action counts in us being kinder to our planet.
What is your favourite reBynd item? How do you see yourself using/styling it? How would you re-purpose any part of the packaging?
Alison: The “Carry On” Basic Card Holder in Linen/Earth — I love the warm neutral tones. We live in an age where going cashless is preferred, so having the option of only taking my cards out with me and maybe just folding a couple of cash notes in for emergencies is great. It helps that the design is so slim, light and compact, allowing it to fit into even the tiniest of bags!
What’s your current favourite “re” word?
Alison: You’ve inspired me with your questions on reinventing myself, so it’ll have to be “reInvent”!
Photography by Hosanna Swee