Love love loved this Madison! I am yet to watch the challengers (can’t wait) but I think you captured the essence of competitive sport so well. I remember the cruelty of ballet when I was a child and never quite understanding (at the age of 6) why our teacher was so nasty to some and not to others. I remember so vividly her humiliating some of my peers they were too fat or danced like a frog and being genuinely aghast. Later in my life I sailed competitively for a 7 years and again coaches were so passionate and so hard on us. At the time you think it’s because you’re grown up and you need to do more press ups to win, but as an adult reflecting back we were so young. And now as adults, like you close the piece, you can’t help but think it’s because they envied our potential and possibility. When you’re that young so much of your life is waiting to be moulded and sport coaches cannot see anything but that.
I am glad you were not shipped off to Russia , we wouldn’t have your exceptional writing ! Wonderful , and helps as I reflect back to all the coaching and parenting I was given . Makes sense
I’m a bit late here, but can’t tell you how much I relate to this! I was also on a pre-professional ballet track, and then three years ago my family and I moved somewhere without a single ballet studio. It was—and is—extremely difficult for me to understand who I am without ballet, since that had literally been my life since I was three years old. This makes me want to watch Challengers now! (Also, not sure if you’ve listened to the podcast called The Turning: Room of Mirrors, but it’s a great listen, especially for people with some serious ballet backgrounds, and an amazing podcast regardless. I’d highly recommend!)
That must have been so difficult Remy! But you're definitely not alone. It's been one of the hardest challenges of my life to become so heavily invested in something, only for it to slip out of my life more than I want it to. Thank you so much for the podcast rec!!!
A fascinating comparison! Such a great read. I haven’t been able to get the movie out of my head; while there is a lot of heartbreak, the biggest one of all is Tashi and tennis imo. It sets the scene for all of the heartbreaks after.
I completely agree! Tashi’s falling out with tennis is truly a catalyst for all that follows. I haven’t been able to get the movie out of my head either
Love love loved this Madison! I am yet to watch the challengers (can’t wait) but I think you captured the essence of competitive sport so well. I remember the cruelty of ballet when I was a child and never quite understanding (at the age of 6) why our teacher was so nasty to some and not to others. I remember so vividly her humiliating some of my peers they were too fat or danced like a frog and being genuinely aghast. Later in my life I sailed competitively for a 7 years and again coaches were so passionate and so hard on us. At the time you think it’s because you’re grown up and you need to do more press ups to win, but as an adult reflecting back we were so young. And now as adults, like you close the piece, you can’t help but think it’s because they envied our potential and possibility. When you’re that young so much of your life is waiting to be moulded and sport coaches cannot see anything but that.
Ps I look forward to watching Challengers with this piece in mind!
I am glad you were not shipped off to Russia , we wouldn’t have your exceptional writing ! Wonderful , and helps as I reflect back to all the coaching and parenting I was given . Makes sense
I’m a bit late here, but can’t tell you how much I relate to this! I was also on a pre-professional ballet track, and then three years ago my family and I moved somewhere without a single ballet studio. It was—and is—extremely difficult for me to understand who I am without ballet, since that had literally been my life since I was three years old. This makes me want to watch Challengers now! (Also, not sure if you’ve listened to the podcast called The Turning: Room of Mirrors, but it’s a great listen, especially for people with some serious ballet backgrounds, and an amazing podcast regardless. I’d highly recommend!)
That must have been so difficult Remy! But you're definitely not alone. It's been one of the hardest challenges of my life to become so heavily invested in something, only for it to slip out of my life more than I want it to. Thank you so much for the podcast rec!!!
I always love reading your experiences within dance… and the comparisons to Challengers are so brilliant. Beautifully written my dear!
Thank you so much Samantha :)🫶
A fascinating comparison! Such a great read. I haven’t been able to get the movie out of my head; while there is a lot of heartbreak, the biggest one of all is Tashi and tennis imo. It sets the scene for all of the heartbreaks after.
I completely agree! Tashi’s falling out with tennis is truly a catalyst for all that follows. I haven’t been able to get the movie out of my head either
she did it again! such an excellent one ❤️
Thank u <33
Absolutely loved this read!
Thank you :)!!
Thank u :,,)!