Ballet, Back Braces, and Bravery: Strength Behind the Spotlight

[00:00:00] Dr. Rita Roy: Hi everyone. My name is Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the National Spine Health Foundation, and I’m your host for the Get Back to It Podcast where we tell real stories of healing and recovery. What does it mean to get back to it? It means overcoming a spine problem through treatments that work in order to return to the people and activities you love.

[00:00:22] Whatever that looks like for you, it means getting back to your life. We’re here to share the success stories of those who did just that. And some of these stories, you’re not going to believe.

[00:00:37] At the Get Back To it podcast, our goal is to tell stories of spinal champions who’ve been able to achieve a better quality of life through spinal healthcare. Today’s guest is Meredith Montana of New York City, a dancer whose spinal journey is as powerful as her performance is at a young age. She was diagnosed with scoliosis.

[00:00:58] A condition that soon threatened not only her health, but her future on stage, determined not to give up her passion. Meredith explored non-surgical options before ultimately undergoing a 15 level spinal fusion. Her recovery was rough, but her comeback has been even stronger today. She’s dancing on some of the biggest stages and using her story to inspire other scoliosis warriors to keep moving forward.

[00:01:27] Now you know what to expect. Let’s twirl and leap into Meredith’s story.

[00:01:36] Meredith began dancing when she was four years old. 

[00:01:41] Meredith Montana: My mom put me in ballet classes and I immediately fell in love As I continued my training, I loved the sense of freedom and the ability to express my emotions through music and movements. It has always been an emotional outlet for me. I also loved wearing the coffee.

[00:01:56] Costumes, especially anything with a skirt that twirl. I continued to advance a ballet and I was taking three to four ballet classes per week. 

[00:02:06] Dr. Rita Roy: However, at the young age of 11, Meredith was diagnosed with scoliosis. 

[00:02:12] Meredith Montana: I don’t really remember having any pain leading up to my diagnosis. It began as a mild 19 degree curve in my thoracic spine.

[00:02:20] The doctor wasn’t concerned about it yet, so he recommended to just wait and see if the curve progresses. 

[00:02:26] Dr. Rita Roy: What was originally a mild case, quickly turned severe when Meredith hit a growth spurt in the seventh grade. 

[00:02:34] Meredith Montana: I wanna say I grew two to three inches over the course of a year. My family is very tall, but I definitely began experiencing war back pain during that time.

[00:02:43] I now had a 68 degree curvature in my spine 

[00:02:48] Dr. Rita Roy: at this time. The doctors recommended surgery. Meredith’s parents. Were extremely hesitant about pursuing this. 

[00:02:56] Meredith Montana: My parents didn’t wanna make that choice for me in my teen years and potentially take dancing away from me. So we never got a consultation where they estimated how big of a fusion I would have as a ballerina.

[00:03:07] Spinal flexibility is integral to the art form. Any level of fusion would be detrimental to pursuing the art form at its highest level, and I wanted to avoid that for as long as possible. My parents and I also felt very blindsided by the medical system because my. Case progressed so quickly. There was no in-between.

[00:03:24] From diagnosis to recommending full spinal surgery, we were more interested in opting for a conservative treatment to give me time to process what was happening to my body. 

[00:03:35] Dr. Rita Roy: Sub Meredith began bracing her spine with the spine core brace. 

[00:03:40] Meredith Montana: This was a series of soft straps and it provided a lot of support While I was still able to dance, I wore it in dance class, even though I felt really self-conscious being the only one in the brace.

[00:03:51] It could be worn under clothes. But because the traditionally dance uniform is tight in a leotard, the brace had to be worn on top, so there was no hiding it. Luckily, I could hide it during the school day. I wore a lot of t-shirts and sweaters to cover it. In high school, I was also in the marching band, and I lived in Georgia, so having to wear a brace and 90 degree heat for eight hours on a football field was a special form of torture.

[00:04:14] But it did help support me and ease the pain more than anything, so I was fairly compliant in wearing it. 

[00:04:20] Dr. Rita Roy: Meredith continued to wear her brace and. Until she was a senior in high school. 

[00:04:25] Meredith Montana: Growing up with scoliosis and a brace during my teen years was incredibly difficult. I didn’t know anybody else with scoliosis, a brace, or anyone who had gotten the surgery.

[00:04:34] I felt completely alone and I didn’t have anyone to look up to. I had friends at school, but none of them could really relate to what I was going through. And of course, I had the odd, annoying comment from a classmate asking, what is that white thing in reference to my brace? Or Why does your back look weird?

[00:04:51] Middle and high school. School is a really tough place to be when you’re the only one with this condition. For example, when I was in the eighth grade, the creative director of the ballet studio I was dancing at sat me down and essentially told me that I would not be able to progress higher in the ballet company because of my spine.

[00:05:07] At this point, my curve was nearing 70 degrees and I was completely heartbroken. I decided at that point I wanted to change studios and focus more on other styles of dance like Jazz, tap, and contemporary. I continued this training throughout high school. And then transferred to a brand new studio my senior year where the owner saw my spine and told me that it wouldn’t limit me if I didn’t let it.

[00:05:30] That was a really big turning point for my mentality and my approach to dance. She saw me for more than my spine, and I will never forget that she’d pushed me to do competitive dance my senior year and replaced and had the best time, and I truly began to believe in myself for the first time. I definitely had pain, but I managed it with the brace and resting when I needed to.

[00:05:53] Dr. Rita Roy: At this time, Meredith also began Schroth therapy. 

[00:05:58] Meredith Montana: Schroth therapy is a very intense form of schooly specific movement. You essentially learn how to correct your curve and body as much as possible and then hold it while breathing for an extended period of time. I did a couple Schroth Intensivess in high school, and that was some of the hardest work that I’ve done.

[00:06:14] However, it has been proven to be extremely beneficial, both pre and post fusion for combating pain and promoting stability in my s sc body. I definitely don’t hate Schroth by any means, but it is very difficult and not necessarily fun. Of course, it’s the hardest things that tend to be the most beneficial.

[00:06:32] Dr. Rita Roy: Despite Meredith’s efforts to fight her scoliosis with non-surgical treatments, at 21 years old, she began to seriously consider surgery. 

[00:06:42] Meredith Montana: I went on to major in music. Musical theater at Brunell University. Finding that that is by far my favorite form of dance. I love storytelling. I love the emotion you’re able to convey, and I love the whimsical nature of musicals.

[00:06:55] In my junior year of college, I was cast as Dream Laurie in Oklahoma, the musical. This musical required me to do a 14 minute ballet sequence that is no joke. During the rehearsal process, I started having a lot more pain and found I was fatiguing really, really quickly. After the two week run of the show, I knew it was time.

[00:07:14] To start looking into surgeons. I was also struggling to have the energy and stamina for dance classes and other movement-based things in my college curriculum. I was waiting tables at that time, and I could hardly get through a five to six hour shift without extreme pain. 

[00:07:29] Dr. Rita Roy: Meredith decided to pursue care what Dr.

[00:07:32] Dennis DeVito of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. 

[00:07:36] Meredith Montana: Truthfully, I don’t remember a lot about my very first meeting with Dr. DeVito. I wanna say he originally told me that he would be fusing. T one to L one. I didn’t really have a reference for what that meant at the time, so I was okay with that. In the months leading up to the surgery, of course I was increasingly nervous, but I didn’t have any idea what to expect on the other side of the surgery.

[00:07:58] It really felt like stepping out into the great unknown. I didn’t have an opportunity to speak with anyone else who had gotten the surgery. In some ways it was a good thing because I didn’t really consider what could go wrong, but in a lot of ways I felt totally unprepared for how mentally challenging the surgery could be in the early recovery.

[00:08:14] Days I had my surgery at 21 at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, so they made an exception for me to be treated at that hospital. I felt welcomed and supported by the staff the entire time. Dr. DeVito did not have me do any sort of physical therapy or anything leading up to the surgery, likely because he knew I was a dancer and already had a lot of strength built into my body.

[00:08:35] He told me that he thought I would recover very quickly because of my dance training and flexibility. 

[00:08:40] Dr. Rita Roy: Meredith and Dr. DeVito planned her surgery for May 4th. 2015, so that she would have the maximum amount of time to recover over the summer before returning to school in the fall for her senior year of college.

[00:08:53] Dr. DeVito never made her feel like getting the surgery was the end of her dance career. Meredith had high hopes of taking her time to recover and then finding her way back to dance in whatever way was possible for her body. 

[00:09:08] Meredith Montana: I underwent a 15 level spinal fusion from T one to L three. They placed 24.

[00:09:14] Screws and two rods in my spine. Surgery was very, very difficult. Waking up was one of the most painful experiences of my life. But my first question was, how tall am I? Because at the time I wanted to be a radio city rock at more than anything, and I didn’t wanna be taller than their height limit of five, 10 and a half.

[00:09:31] Thankfully, I only grew two inches during the surgery, which meant I now stood at a loft. They have you stand up and walk around in mere 24 hours after the surgery. I think anyone else who has had the surgery can attest that it is genuinely the hardest part of post-op. I stayed in the hospital for four days after surgery and then I was discharged to recover at home.

[00:09:52] The first three weeks were absolutely the hardest weeks of my life. When you have the surgery, you essentially lose your independence. For the initial recovery period, I had to be helped to in and out of the bed to the bathroom, and if I wanted to go anywhere else in the. House. My mom was my rock during that time.

[00:10:08] There were nights she literally slept in the bed with me to hold pillows in place so that I would be more comfortable. About two weeks in, I remember having a full breakdown about how unfair everything felt. It was unfair that I had to get the surgery. It was unfair that I had scoliosis, and it was unfair that I had to spend my summer at 21 years old in bed, relying on my mom to take me to the bathroom while all my friends were out drinking for the first time and celebrating.

[00:10:33] Thankfully, around week three. Started to get a lot better. I was able to get out of bed and on my own again, and a sense of independence, and I started noticing my pain decreased dramatically. My mental health also improved dramatically when I started noticing that clothes fit better and my energy was increasing day by day by three months in, the doctor let me do some very light exercise at the ballet bar.

[00:10:56] No jumping of course, but I felt good enough to go out with my friends, and I felt like I was a part of my own life again. 

[00:11:03] Dr. Rita Roy: Meredith had to take a six month pause. From dancing to recover, but she was back on stage by Christmas for her university’s Christmas cabaret. She choreographed and performed a number with a close friend.

[00:11:18] Meredith Montana: About one year after my surgery, I graduated from Brunell University. I moved to New York City about a month after graduation to pursue a career in the performing arts. I got picked up by an event entertainment company for dancing pretty soon after I moved and they offered to teach me how to stilt walk.

[00:11:34] I figured it would be fun. So I did, and it quickly became one of my main sources of income. I’ve since networked into many exciting opportunities, and I am now a full-time freelance performing artist. In the last few years, I have danced for Cher in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Walked in New York Fashion Week and still walked for an Apple plus TV show among many other fun events.

[00:11:56] My overall scoliosis pain has reduced a lot, and I utilize monthly maintenance, like massage, chiropractic work, and physical therapy to stay mostly pain free. It is my hope to provide strength and inspiration for the scoliosis warriors with big dreams following behind me.

[00:12:16] Wow. Wow. Wow. Meredith. Oh my 

[00:12:20] Dr. Rita Roy: gosh. 

[00:12:22] Meredith Montana: What 

[00:12:23] Dr. Rita Roy: a story. Oh my gosh. I just, I am so excited to be talking to you today and. I just, I just can’t even believe the story is just absolutely incredible. It’s just, um, you know, your strength, your perseverance, your grit, your determination, sharing your vulnerability with us and our audience here.

[00:12:47] I’m, I’m so grateful that you’re, you’re doing this with us and you’re, thank you so much telling your story. I mean, I’m looking at you. I mean, I, this is, I mean, I just see this. Gorgeous young girl who’s a dancer, who’s healthy and felt like you would never do. Thank you. What you’ve been through, and I, yes.

[00:13:06] You know, I, I, I, I find myself, um, you know, saying that sometimes when I meet you, people who’ve been through the scoliosis thing and. Just are determined to not let it slow you down at all. And it’s just, it’s amazing. There’s so many things in your story that I, I, I wanna talk more about. Um, you know, I just, yes, thank you so much.

[00:13:27] We started out, we, we hopped on this call today and you said, oh, yeah, I had to do a stilt walking thing at, you know, my call time was 6:00 AM this morning. And I’m just like, what, what is that even? Oh my gosh. How do you even get on those things? And yes. And you’re, it’s quite life. My gosh. Um, so, so what’s it like, so you’re, you’re almost 

[00:13:48] Meredith Montana: 10 years out from your surgery now, right?

[00:13:51] Yeah, yeah. I just actually had my 10 year spine anniversary, May 4th. So yeah. Congratulations. It was exciting. Can’t, 

[00:13:58] Dr. Rita Roy: it was the fastest 10 years of my life. Yeah. Yeah. So much happened. Well, you were still in college when you had your surgery. 

[00:14:04] Meredith Montana: Yeah. You know, I 

[00:14:05] Dr. Rita Roy: just, one of the things that I’m just struck with here that we glossed over.

[00:14:09] Kind of quickly as we’re getting through your story, just that journey from being a young girl being told you have this problem, you have to wear that brace. And it’s yucky. I mean, I’m just imagining that, I’m imagining the marching band. I don’t know what instrument you played or drumline or whatever you were.

[00:14:26] Saxophone. Saxophone, yeah, saxophone. It’s heavy. 

[00:14:30] Meredith Montana: And the brace and those wallet, and it has a neck strap too, so it pulls the neck down. Strap. It was bad, like I should not have been playing the alto saxophone. Um, but I loved it. I was such a, I was, I would never pick any other instrument. I loved playing and.

[00:14:47] Yeah, but it was also that in addition to with the brace that I wore, there was under layers and then the brace and then clothing overlay on top and the clothing and those, 

[00:14:55] Dr. Rita Roy: those marching band uniforms are like nylon and wool and yes, special kind of torture as you say. But yes. Um. But you know, interestingly, saxophone is actually really good exercise for lung capacity.

[00:15:06] Yes. Which is something that gets compromised as those curves are, are setting in. So definitely you’re actually helping yourself in so many ways that maybe you didn’t even think about Absolutely. Doing that. Yeah. And, and so in doing those activities, you, you sort of described that while the brace was just so uncomfortable and kind of embarrassing.

[00:15:27] It actually helped with pain, right? It did. Yeah. So it 

[00:15:32] Meredith Montana: did make it worth it to me. Yeah. To wear, especially as a teenager, it was kind of like, you know, eye roll. I don’t wanna wear it. But at the same time I was like, I’m gonna feel better if I do. Yeah. So I definitely, I. I was fairly compliant with it and my parents were also very understanding on days if I needed a break and that kind of thing.

[00:15:50] Yeah. And thankfully I did have a lot of supportive friends during high school too. So 

[00:15:55] Dr. Rita Roy: yeah, I really lucked out overall. That’s amazing. That’s amazing. And you know, you talk about this journey from classical ballet training and transitioning to. Musical theater. I think there’s a, there’s actually a musical about, you know, chorus Line.

[00:16:11] Yeah. Right. Talk about people like making that transition from ballet to musical theater. Yes. Um, that’s, that’s, that’s a tough transition for some people. And, um, you know, you were at such a young age to, to be pouring so much of your heart and soul into classical ballet training and then. To have that tough conversation.

[00:16:30] What was that like for you at that time? 

[00:16:32] Meredith Montana: Yeah, it was, it was really, really tough and it took me several years to kind of come to terms with the reality that ballet at like a really high level with fusion is. Just, it’s gonna be really tough depending on the size of the fusion. I won’t say it’s impossible.

[00:16:48] Um, yeah, I know. I’m, I hope someday that there’s a girl out there who gets to have a smaller fusion and gets to go on to have a belly career, but that is not my experience with Yeah. My, the severity of my curve. Um, right. So yeah, after we had that conversation with the creative director, um, I. Didn’t wanna stop dancing obviously.

[00:17:10] It was just, it’s such in my heart and soul. And, um, my mom was like, what if we try other styles? So we found a different studio in the area and, um, then I kind of realized how much fun. I had fun doing jazz and tap and got, I got to like show my personality a little bit more. And also I just, I’m such a show tune, girly.

[00:17:29] I love the show tunes. Yeah. So once I started hearing some musical theater bops, I was like, oh, this is actually, I think I almost like this better. So it definitely became, has become my main love. I still love ballet, of course, but yeah, going on to major in musical theater was definitely the right 

[00:17:45] Dr. Rita Roy: move for 

[00:17:45] Meredith Montana: me.

[00:17:45] Yeah, 

[00:17:46] Dr. Rita Roy: that’s that’s amazing. All those years of dancing, you know, dancing, uh, it, it, it. Especially you think of all the athletics that kids can do when they’re young, but dance in particular is very focused on flexibility, extension, alignment, and core strength, and all of that stuff that you were doing was helping your body again.

[00:18:09] Yes. You know, I always 

[00:18:11] Meredith Montana: like, every time that I talk about dance and my experience with dance, I always say that dance saved me in so many ways. Like mm-hmm. Not just, mm-hmm. Emotionally, not just in that sense of like having an emotional outlet, but also physically because there’s so many aspects of dance that naturally combat what scoliosis does to your body.

[00:18:28] Um, there’s a lot of information coming out now about, uh, scoliosis patients have poor spatial awareness and all of dancing is. Learning where your body is in space. Yeah. And also like learning to elongate in ballet is a huge part of, of scoliosis STR training. So there’s a lot of things that, it was almost like we were treating it without realizing we were treating it.

[00:18:50] Right. Right. Um, in addition to the emotional outlet, I truly believe dance is one of the best things you can do when you have scoliosis. So. That’s incredible. I’ll die on 

[00:19:00] Dr. Rita Roy: that hill. Yeah, that’s incredible. That’s, that’s amazing. And so, you know, again, just all those years of being fit in that special way, having that alignment and balance and extension and all those things that you do in dance, you know, in, in, in an unpredictable way, unintended consequence kind of way, prepared you for that moment when you got to be 21 years old and.

[00:19:26] Your, your surgeon is looking at you and saying, yeah, we don’t need to prehab. You’ve been pre rehabbing your entire life, basically. 

[00:19:33] Meredith Montana: So true. Yeah. It, it was a good feeling knowing that. All of that did pay off in a big way and was very helpful. And then to continue after surgery, be able to continue after surgery was Yeah.

[00:19:45] Amazing as well. 

[00:19:46] Dr. Rita Roy: Yeah. And to be able to bounce back, I mean, those first couple of weeks, very difficult. Very, very difficult. Yeah. But then when you look back and it, you’re like, you know what, three weeks is just not a long time in the scheme of things. So true. And to be up and going and moving and progressing and never, never looking back.

[00:20:03] I mean, there was never. It was always forward movement. Forward momentum, forward recovery. Absolutely. That’s just awesome. Thank you. Um, I wanna touch a little bit about something that you mentioned in your story about your family feeling a little blindsided. By the healthcare system. Yeah. Talk to me a little bit more about that and what that, that what you mean by that.

[00:20:26] Meredith Montana: Yeah. Um, so we got the diagnosis, I was like 10 or 11. I don’t remember specifically. Um, but was it, was it your, your primary 

[00:20:33] Dr. Rita Roy: care doctor 

[00:20:34] Meredith Montana: who diagnosed that it was just a routine forward bend? 

[00:20:37] Dr. Rita Roy: Yeah. 

[00:20:37] Meredith Montana: Yep. Physical check and they were like, oh yeah, you’ve got like, it looks like you’ve got like a small 19 degree ish curve, like they sent us for x-rays, but again, they were like, ah, it’s under 20 degrees, don’t worry about it.

[00:20:50] Just we’ll wait and see. And that’s always the classic. I call it the kiss of death for scoliosis because Oh, you just, you’re not monitor you like you’re sort of monitoring. Yeah. But again, with girls, we hit a growth spurt at that time. Shortly after like 11 to 13 is when you really start growing. Yeah.

[00:21:07] And again, if you come from a tall family or if you just, your body grows quickly, um, things can get really bad really fast. And I am, I know from speaking with many other school warriors, um, I know I’m not the only one with this story who felt. Blindsided by going from, oh, don’t worry about it. Wait and see to, oh, by the way, you need full, major spinal surgery now.

[00:21:29] Yeah. Um, and I just wish that there was, I just wish that wait and see wasn’t a thing. Yeah. That shouldn’t be a thing. Yeah. We should just start treating, like once it’s diagnosed, start treatment. 

[00:21:39] Dr. Rita Roy: Well, that’s one of the things that we are so passionate about doing here at the National Spine Health Foundation is getting your voice out there.

[00:21:46] Right. And connecting. Patience to patients so that people can share their stories and learn from each other because the healthcare system is limited. Right? That’s true. There are just limitations of the delivery of care and so many people work on that, but it just is what it is, right in, in so many ways.

[00:22:06] It’s designed to do a certain kind of thing, but there’s all this other stuff in between. Informing yourself, advocating for yourself, learning, educating, and that really comes from organizations like ours that kind of fill that gap or intend to fill that gap. Um, absolutely. We partner with another organization called the Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation.

[00:22:29] Yes. And, um, we love our friends at, at setting scoliosis straight, and they are, um, they are a two phased organization with the HARM study group, where they’re doing evidence development research, looking at outcomes and making recommendations on, on the treatment, um, for, for scoliosis patients. Yeah. Oh, that’s amazing.

[00:22:50] And so, yeah. And so looking at things like, well, what is the right recommendation to tell a patient and what is the science. How does the science inform us on how to talk to patients about these things? Yeah. And then, and then having a platform like ours to then message it out and get it out there. So again, I’m so, so grateful, um, for you to come to our podcast and to, to.

[00:23:12] Make yourself available and share your story and help others learn. Um, of course, because of course we’ve, we’ve gotta be partners in that, in that healthcare journey. It’s true. It takes, it takes a 

[00:23:22] Meredith Montana: village, a very, very big village to do all of that. And yeah. Thank you so much for having me, for, for giving me, giving my story a voice as well.

[00:23:31] Dr. Rita Roy: Yeah. I, I think that, you know, it’s, it’s interesting when you think about, when I think about, um. Scoliosis for young people. So adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, which is what it sounds like. You had it just Yes. Don’t know why I got it, but I did it. It it does affect young girls more often than boys, right?

[00:23:52] It does, yes. It’s like. I think it’s like 80 something, 

[00:23:55] Meredith Montana: like 80% more common in girls. It’s, yeah. And it’s, that’s scary. ’cause that, in my opinion, that pushes it into a women’s health issue and it needs to be addressed as such, you know? Right, right. We really need to be screening women like more heavily and really monitoring and paying attention.

[00:24:11] ’cause Yeah, and thinking about this, it can happen so 

[00:24:13] Dr. Rita Roy: fast. Yeah. And I, I just think that, you know, for you, Meredith. Along that journey, did you see a s spine expert along the way, or did did anybody tell you to do that? Uh, aside from, I guess, was it chiropractors that you were seeing or what, what, what were some of the healthcare people involved in your journey?

[00:24:33] Meredith Montana: Yeah, so we started with the primary care, that’s who diagnosed it. And then, um, we went to an orthopedic surgeon at one point, like on the initial just consultation and we didn’t really like him. That was when my mom was like, I don’t really wanna go through with this right now. I just don’t feel comfortable with the surgery.

[00:24:52] Um, so even, so even early, 

[00:24:54] Dr. Rita Roy: early on, surgery was discussed for you? Yes. 

[00:24:57] Meredith Montana: Okay. Yeah. Um. It was Yeah. Thrown around. ’cause uh, mine did continue to increase very quickly. Um, when I found the spine cord brace, I was working with Dr. Deutchman. Um, he was, and Dr. Laia, I think he’s Scully Fit now. Okay. Um, but I worked with both of them.

[00:25:14] Um, they both were kind of doing some more experimental, especially for me with a case so severe. They were both very much like. Here’s the reality of your situation. Yeah. Um, it’s very severe, so we’re not gonna sugarcoat anything, but we’re gonna do what we can to try and help as much as possible. Um, so I worked with both of them.

[00:25:33] They’re the ones I think that I really saw the most throughout my middle and high school years. Yeah. Um, I did also see a chiropractor during that time. I still see a chiropractor. Um, so yeah, there’s, there’s been a lot of people along the way. I had sharp, intensive, like I talked about, um. Yeah, there’s been a lot of, lot of people.

[00:25:55] Dr. Rita Roy: Yeah. Yeah. Having that support around you is so important and a care team that you trust and that you enjoy. Yes. True. Um, because you’re gonna be spending time with them. And, you know, when you go to these sessions, they’re, they’re giving you, they’re, they’re working with you, but they’re also giving you techniques to, to do at home.

[00:26:12] Yes. And it’s sort of like, okay, we’re gonna do our thing when we’re here together. You gotta go home and do your thing too. Right. So we’re part of a team. Right. That’s. Yes. That’s always, always a challenge, I think, um, for people. And I think, yeah, but I think young, young women who are dancers that are going through this, it’s just, just something about that dancer, um, mentality that’s just very rules based, right?

[00:26:36] Like, yes, I’m told I need to do this. So true. I’m told I need to do this, I need to do this. Yeah. Um, I just think it’s a different kind of mind. Um. 

[00:26:45] Meredith Montana: Yeah, we’re very mechanical, very, and also like being, so we we’re constantly analyzing our body and, and you know, learning how to use our body to create stories, create shapes, create Right, you know, movement phrases, right?

[00:26:58] So in a way it’s, it’s almost like learning a way to, to help manipulate your own body and, and help it, you know, stand better, get stronger, and yeah. And when you’re diagnosed with something and facing something as scary as surgery, you know, it’s, it’s easy. To kind of be motivated and be like, oh, I should probably do my exercises, or I should probably show up for PT today.

[00:27:21] Dr. Rita Roy: Yeah. Um, yeah. But you know, as you’re saying that, I’m thinking, um, I. Literally body language. It’s, it’s literally a language. Yes. And just like you would practice your French or German or whatever with your flashcards and you’ve gotta go home and practice that so that you can speak. It’s kind of the same is true for dance.

[00:27:39] You’ve got to practice that. You’ve gotta do those exercises so that you can speak the language. Absolutely. And the language of movement. Yeah, that’s, that’s a cool way to think about that. What do you think you would say to a young dancer who is newly diagnosed with scoliosis? What would be some of the, the things that you have, I know you do some of this work, you do some mentoring, which is awesome.

[00:28:04] Mm-hmm. Talk to us about some of that work that you do and some of the things that you share with young. Young dancers. 

[00:28:10] Meredith Montana: Yeah. Yeah. I, um, I have been so fortunate to go to HIE Con every year. I am very close with HIE Bears, the organization. Cool. They provide little teddy bears, uh, with little, uh, scoliosis braces and it’s just so wonderful.

[00:28:24] Um, Lauren is amazing and she heads up all of that, so she’s had me come out and speak at Haiti Kahn for the last two years, and I’m actually going back in a month, so I’m very excited for that. Nice. But just being able to be in a room with a bunch of young girls and some boys too, of course, um, that have scoliosis and many, many, many of them are dancers.

[00:28:45] And just getting to share my experience with their parents, with them, and just give them a sense of like ease of mind of, oh, you know, this doesn’t have to be the end of your story if you don’t want it to be, you know? Yeah. I, I feel like I. Do kind of have a worst case scenario and I still am able to find a way to dance and I still have been able to work around my body in a lot of ways and um.

[00:29:09] Yeah, I just, just an opportunity to be a beacon of hope in that sense, because I didn’t have that when I was younger. I was very much just like hoping for the best and like, yeah, I knew what I wanted. I knew that I didn’t wanna give it up 

[00:29:21] Dr. Rita Roy: and um, and it was harder, yeah. Harder for you 10 years ago? Harder to find connection, right?

[00:29:28] I mean, I think, yes. You know, the internet is, is, is just, you know, social media, all of these platforms. Podcasts didn’t really take off 10 years ago. No. There’s nothing like now, you know, so yeah. There’s, there’s so many more ways to connect. That’s, that’s amazing. Absolutely. 

[00:29:44] Meredith Montana: Yeah. I, I loved just chatting with, with parents and, and.

[00:29:47] The girls who are like, you know, what, what do you recommend for dance? And I’m able to tell them and tell them things that I didn’t get to hear until I was way older. So 

[00:29:55] Dr. Rita Roy: yeah, it’s 

[00:29:56] Meredith Montana: been really valuable just for me, almost like healing my inner child too, like knowing that I’m doing what I can to, to help the next generation too.

[00:30:04] Oh, 

[00:30:05] Dr. Rita Roy: that’s really beautiful. That’s, that is so awesome. Thank you. I love that. I love that. I think that, you know, I, I had a, a daughter who went through dance training growing up, and I, I think that, um, you know, you, you sort of get your heart set on one form of dance and Yeah. You have to realize that there’s just, there’s so much in that world of expression, right?

[00:30:29] Yes. And so I think many people start out in classical ballet, and that’s a great place to start. Gives you so many fundamentals and whatnot. And I remember telling my daughter every classical ballet career ends, it ends because of a foot. It’s so true. Or an ankle, or a hip, or a something. Yep. And you don’t know if it’s gonna end at, at 10 years old or 15 years old, or 20 or 40.

[00:30:49] It’s gonna end at some, you know, so it’s, it’s just, yeah, having the awareness that there are other opportunities and it may not be exactly what you think now. Mm-hmm. But there are lots of different ways. To, uh, participate and I think that’s what your story is. So great. Thank you. As shining a light on is just find the path.

[00:31:10] It’s there. 

[00:31:11] Meredith Montana: Yes. That’s how I felt about moving to New York City and finding event entertainment. I, I had no idea that that world existed, but up here in New York City, luxury events and festivals and corporate. Type events are a huge thing and I’m able to make a living as a performing artist and it’s almost even better than what I originally had envisioned because I can choose when I work.

[00:31:32] So if I’m having a rough pain week or I’m having, you know, a tough time, I can be like, actually, I think I should take off. Like, that’s, let’s not do that gig. I’ll find a cover or just not do it. You know? So that’s awesome. It’s not like overly, it can be overly demanding, and if I overbook myself, at least it’s.

[00:31:48] On me. Mm-hmm. And not like the demand of a job that I signed up, like a ballet company, you know what I mean? Yeah. Company or you’re, you’re, you’re, you’re in a musical performance at Yes. Eight 

[00:31:57] Dr. Rita Roy: shows a week or whatever, and Yes, 

[00:31:59] Meredith Montana: yes, yes. I do think, like, I still would love to do that at some point, but I do think it’s gonna be very, very taxing if I do get to that level.

[00:32:07] So, yeah, it would be. It would be a lot. And that’s, that’s okay. But I am very happy where I am and I found amazing opportunities. And exactly what you said, there’s so much out there that I had no idea existed. Yeah. And I’m able to perform in a way that fulfills me and also, you know, values my body. 

[00:32:24] Dr. Rita Roy: Yeah.

[00:32:25] Can you tell me a little bit about your current, um, job on, on stilt performing? Like, I’m so fascinated by that. I just dunno anything about that. 

[00:32:35] Meredith Montana: Thank you. Yeah, it’s very, it’s kind of like an under. Sort of industry. Um, yeah, we do a lot of Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties. And when I say that, I don’t want you to think like tiny children’s birthday party.

[00:32:48] These things are like million dollar affairs. Like it’s crazy these parties. So we’re, you know, they have us come in and we’ll be like, greeting and like these crazy costumes. Wow. Um, I do a lot of, I do like show grilling work as well as like there’s dance related ones. I did one bat mitzvah where it was Barbie themed.

[00:33:07] And they built a huge Barbie dream house in the venue. And then I was, oh my gosh. I got cast as Barbie. Oh. So we did a choreographed dance number and, uh, on stilts? No, not on stilts. This was on the ground. Oh, I’m just performing. Okay. Yeah. I was like, what? This was just, yeah, regular dance. Okay. Okay. But I got to be the lead in that.

[00:33:24] And it was like a whole, it was basically an imitation of the movie scene where she’s like, oh my gosh. Dancing and doing the, the go-go disco night. Yeah. Oh my gosh. I’m so. So much fun. Yeah. And it’s like, that is, it is such a valid way to perform and, and it, it still counts. Like it’s all performing, it’s all still, it’s, yeah.

[00:33:41] Like one of it’s easy to, for people to be like, oh, well, like, I haven’t heard of anything that you’ve been in. And it’s like, well, I’m still making a living, being an artist. And that really is the whole point at the end of the day. Right, right. Um, so yeah, a lot of these events, it’s just freelancing. Um.

[00:33:56] Yeah, think like live entertainers. I work with a lot of aerialists, a lot of circus artists. Wow. Um, so it’s just we are, we’re like the spectacle. We come in and we make the, we give the wow factor to a lot of, um, big events. Yes. So we also do parades, festivals. All kinds of things. Oh my gosh. I’m gonna 

[00:34:15] Dr. Rita Roy: have to get myself invited to one of these things so I can Yes.

[00:34:18] See there. Well, I think what, what’s the expression that, that they say that, um, when you’re, when you’re a dancer or performer, you perform to express, not to impress, but it’s exactly sounds like you know, a little bit of the things that you’re doing or doing both of those things like impressing with the wow factor and also expressive in, in the movement and connecting to whatever audience is there and, and, um, absolutely conveying that.

[00:34:42] Just, that’s just awesome. So excited. Thank you so much. So, okay, so Meredith, so we’re, we’re winding down here in this conversation, you have an Instagram account called Bionic Ballerina? Yes. How’d you come up with that name? 

[00:34:57] Meredith Montana: I think, I think one of my friends came up with it, to be honest. It’s great. One of my dance teachers at the time.

[00:35:03] Um, cool. I don’t feel like I came up with that. And yeah, it was, I fell in love with it. Somebody said it and I was like, that’s cool. I’m keeping that. I love it. I love it. And it’s just become kind of, it’s also become a nickname. Some people just will refer to me as bionic ballerina and I will respond to it.

[00:35:21] So, 

[00:35:23] Dr. Rita Roy: um, that’s, that’s really fun. But yeah, I 

[00:35:25] Meredith Montana: just, I love that it pays homage to where I came from and my, my first love and, um. Yeah, in my fusion, so yeah, 

[00:35:33] Dr. Rita Roy: I do love that. I do love it because there’s so much in that name. Bionic ballerina. How can you be that? Because you think of. Ballet is just ultimate fluidity.

[00:35:42] And bionics wouldn’t, but it’s like there’s a story here. Yeah, absolutely. Check it out. So I, I love it. I think it’s awesome. I’m, I’m so, I’m so inspired by that and I know so many others are as well. Just, just sort of in closing, just um, you know, a, a sort of a, a, you know, tip of the hat to your mom and your family supporting you on this journey.

[00:36:04] I think that’s such an important thing for so many people to. To understand that getting through these spying journeys takes a support system, whatever does whatever support whatever, um, you know, sort of love and support is around you. And, um, you know, I think, um, not only, I, I loved, I was so touched in your story where you shared about your mom physically.

[00:36:27] Being laying in bed with you and supporting you with those pillows. Yeah. And what a metaphor that is for your mental health as well as well, it really 

[00:36:35] Meredith Montana: was. Yeah. She, she truly was my rock through all of that. I’m so grateful, I’m so lucky to have her. Yeah, 

[00:36:42] Dr. Rita Roy: that’s great. And I’m, I’m sure that for the listeners out there thinking about, you know, who is it?

[00:36:47] In your tribe, in your, in your community, that’s going to be your support person. Um, they’re there and you need them. And that’s true. You can celebrate them when you’re, when you’re on the other side of it. So that’s great. Absolutely. Yes. 

[00:37:02] Meredith Montana: We still talk about how happy we are that we don’t have to do that ever again.

[00:37:07] She always is like, may always just reminds me of when we were in the trenches, but I’m so glad we got through it, you know? Yeah. 

[00:37:12] Dr. Rita Roy: Yeah. Well, June, um, every year, June is scoliosis awareness month, and so Yes. You know, it’s kind of fun to, to think like, okay, every May is your thing, and you know, June is. The celebration month, anniversary date, and yeah.

[00:37:28] And looking forward And celebration. Yeah. And celebration. And celebration. Um, Meredith is there, is there any closing comments or words of wisdom you’d like to share with our audience today? 

[00:37:39] Meredith Montana: Um, yeah, I think my biggest. Encouragement, just to the general scoliosis community, is to not give up on your dreams.

[00:37:47] I think that there’s, there’s a way if you, if you want it bad enough and you want it, you know, there’s always a way to find, um, maybe a different path than you traditionally expected or, you know, envisioned for yourself. But I think it’s possible, um, don’t let scoliosis hold you back. 

[00:38:08] Dr. Rita Roy: I love it. That is awesome.

[00:38:11] That is awesome. Well, again, I just, Meredith, I am, I’m so, so grateful, um, to you. Thank you for sharing. Thank you so much. Your incredible journey with us, your resilience, your grace, your commitment, um, commitment to your passion, to, to pursuing your career. Our really, really, really just inspiring and thank you, not just for dancers, but really for anybody facing their own uphill battle.

[00:38:38] Uh, you are living proof. A diagnosis does not have to define your destiny. At the National Spine Health Foundation, something we believe in most is providing hope for recovery through sharing stories of success and expertise. It isn’t always easy to find someone to relate to, even though a hundred million people suffer from neck or low back problems each year.

[00:39:03] To hear more stories of spinal champion recovery and. Educational materials about spine health, visit us@spinehealth.org. If you’re interested in supporting our show financially, you can contribute at the link provided. Thank you.