33. Conquering the Wall: A Round Table Discussion

Do you live with a hypermobility disorder? Whether you have a connective tissue disorder like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Marfan syndrome, or a hypermobility spectrum disorder, you are not alone. These conditions affect millions of people worldwide and disproportionately impact performing artists such as dancers, gymnasts, circus artists, and more. What do these have in common? Bodies that rely on aesthetics as well as maintaining peak performance. So how do you continue forward as your condition poses challenges to what you want to do? And when your health derails your career plans, how do you recover from that? We sat down with several athletic artists living with EDS, to hear their stories. We chatted with Marimba Gold-Watts, a former dancer and now Pilates trainer and teacher at Alvin Ailey; Mariana J. Plick, a circus artist; Kyle Thompson, a former elite baseball player and competitive cheerleader; and Cailey Brandon, a former dancer and now Pilates trainer. Our panelists discuss the early days, when things were “easy”, and the point at which it became difficult. They share how their hypermobility disorders may have gone undiagnosed for a long time, lending itself to seemingly random and frustrating multiple injuries. Many identified with “hitting the EDS wall”, and the sharp turn their health seemed to take at that point. We hear emotional stories, and lots of wisdom for other people also struggling with hypermobility disorders. The panelists also shared their hope, reflecting on ways that their disorders have made them even stronger right now, and revealed what advice they would offer to their younger selves if they had the chance. Filled with “Oh my goodness, me too!” moments, as well as words of gut-level truth, this is an episode filled with bravery. You won’t want to miss it. #hypermobility #heds #zebrastrong #hypermobilitydisorders #ehlersdanlossyndrome #hypermobileathletes #hypermobileartists #hypermobiledancers #hypermobilitymd #bendybodies #bendybodiespodcast #bodiesinmotion #jennifermilner

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