55. Cultivating Resiliency with Jazz Bynum

Jazz Bynum, a professional ballet dancer with Ballet West, shares her journey of living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) while pursuing a demanding dance career. She discusses the symptoms and injuries that led her to seek a diagnosis and emphasizes the importance of finding specialists who understand hEDS and the unique needs of dancers. Throughout the episode, Jazz reveals her strategies for maintaining her health and flexibility, including cross-training and specialized physiotherapy. She also touches on recent surgical advancements for hEDS patients that have improved surgical outcomes. Through openness about her condition on social media, Jazz aims to inspire other dancers to navigate their careers even amidst health challenges and underscores the importance of a strong support network. Her story highlights the resilience and adaptability required to manage chronic conditions in physically demanding professions.