# Misty Copeland on Trailblazing the Ballet World and Having No Regrets

An episode of [Work Friends](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1754999837), 13 Jul 2026, 1 h 02 min.

Audio: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6ab2d5d5b8c4cddd75742a28/e/114a882a-d5f0-44ca-8276-952fccf9c9d6/media.mp3

Misty Copeland is the truest definition of the trailblazer, most notably making history as the first Black woman to be promoted to a Principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. After 25 years with the company, she took her final bow last fall...and yet her life’s work has only just begun. Through the Misty Copeland Foundation and her role on the boards of Lincoln Center and other arts institutions, Misty today has a seat at the table to drive change and create a more inclusive future for all dancers. She joins us to share how, and takes us through her singular career journey. 0:00 - Introduction 2:18 - Healing from Hip Replacement 3:40 - Growing Up In Survival Mode 6:50 - Discovering Dance at 13 10:33 - My First Ballet Teacher Changed My Life 16:30 - Pursuing a Career & American Ballet Theatre 23:15 - Moving to New York at 17 24:24 - Do Dancers Get Career Advice? 29:12 - Injured The First Year at ABT 33:14 - How Prince Became Her Champion 37:32 - Pancaking Ballet Shoes 40:29 - Advocation For Yourself 43:46 - Promoted To Principle Dancer 52:32 - Taking a Final Bow 58:01 - Advice For Future Trailblazers 55:07 - The Misty Copeland Foundation & Retired Life 58:40 - Advice For Future Trailblazers 1:00:03 - Would You Rather? On Sali: Argent Double Breasted Blazer, Tank, and Single Pleat Trouser On Misty: Argent Slim Blouse and Soho Trouser Hosted by Sali Christeson @salichristeson Produced by Gina Marinelli @ginaalilbit Edited by Ryan Woldoff @c__biz Theme Song by Karina DePiano @sheplaysdepiano & Melanie Nyema @melanienyema Recorded at Podstream Studio @podstreamstudio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them.