Listen Again: Infertility in the Ballet World: The Taboo No One Talks About with Mathilde Froustey

What happens when one of the most disciplined bodies in the world can’t do the one thing everyone assumes it should? On this episode -- one of our most downloaded of all time -- Ali sits down with Mathilde Froustey, principal dancer at the San Francisco Ballet and widely considered one of the most extraordinary dancers in the world.Born in Bordeaux, France, Mathilde began dancing at just nine years old, training at the prestigious Marseille National School of Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet School before rising to the top of the international ballet world. Onstage, her body is her instrument — powerful, precise, and seemingly unstoppable. But behind the curtain, Mathilde has been fighting battles that almost no one in the dance world talks about. In this candid and emotional conversation, she opens up for the first time about her experience with infertility — a subject she says remains deeply taboo in professional dance. Mathilde shares what it was like to go through IVF while performing at the highest level, navigating intense body scrutiny, and hearing painful comments about her appearance during one of the most vulnerable periods of her life. She also talks about her past struggle with an eating disorder, the pressure dancers face to maintain a certain body type, and the silent toll of trying to build a family inside a culture that rarely makes space for it. “In the dance world, infertility is a taboo subject,” Mathilde says. Not anymore. This is a powerful conversation about perfection, pressure, and what it means to reclaim your body — both onstage and off. EPISODE SPONSORS: THE WORK OF ART BOOK SERIES Ali's Children's Book Series about IVF, IUI and Family Building Through Assisted Reproductive Technology The 3-book bundle is now just $49 (normally $79)! The latest book in the Work of ART series, “You Are a Work of ART," is for every kiddo born through ART -- and the people who love them. PHERDAL IG: @pherdal_science PherDal is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, sterile, at-home insemination kit designed to help people build their families in the comfort of home. Created by parents who’ve been there, PherDal is safe, simple, and affordable—putting more options in your hands as you grow your family. Explore at PherDal.com. Go to PherDal.com today and use code INFERTILEAF for $10 off. BELI IG: @belibaby Are you thinking about growing your family? Whether you're just starting to plan or are actively trying to conceive, preconception health is key. Beli has vitamins to help both women and men optimize their health before pregnancy. With essential nutrients like Folate, Iodine, and Zinc, Beli ensures your body is ready for this exciting next step. Give yourself and your future baby the best foundation for a healthy start. Visit Belibaby.com today and use code IAF15 for 15% off your first order. Advertising Inquiries: Privacy & Opt-Out:

You can listen to Listen Again: Infertility in the Ballet World: The Taboo No One Talks About with Mathilde Froustey online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Listen Again: Infertility in the Ballet World: The Taboo No One Talks About with Mathilde Froustey is an episode from Infertile AF by Alison Prato.

This episode is 62:31 long.

This episode was published on Mar 6, 2026.

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