Shane Wuerthner is the founder of Athletistry. A Brisbane, Australia-based ballet coaching program that helps ballet dancers take their ballet and conditioning to the next level. Since 2020, Athletistry has been working with dancers of all ages around the world via zoom in private and semi-private coaching sessions.
For more information on Athletistry visit Athletistryballetclub.com
Here we sit down with Ashley, to know a bit more about her journey as a ballet coach.
Q. Tell us a little more about your journey as an entrepreneur – how did you get started? What inspired you?
Shane: After a 12-year professional ballet career in Europe, The United States, and Australia, Shane transitioned into a career as a fitness professional and master ballet coach. Starting out in small church halls with adult ballet classes, Athletistry has grown over the past 2 years to become an international ballet coaching program.
Inspired by the desire to demystify ballet and teach with an anatomical understanding of the body, Shane’s goal is to help dancers unlock their artistry through a masterful understanding of technique and anatomy.
Q. What’s one thing in your routine that you do consistently that has made a huge difference in your personal or business life?
Shane: Daily practice and mindset work are what have helped me to grow and in turn help others.
Q. Who are your mentors and inspiration? and what knowledge or insight did they give to you that was valuable?
Shane: My teacher Anatoli Kucheruk at The Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC guided me with a complete understanding of ballet technique which provided me with the necessary insight and ability to have a professional dance career.
It was this international career that helped me to realise how many dancers struggle with understanding their own technique and lead me to create Athletistry to answer their questions and challenges.
Q. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Shane: There isn’t a single day that stands out more than the rest.
For me, each day is an opportunity to help my students improve and achieve their dreams.
Q. How do you market your business, and which tactics have been most successful?
Shane: The greatest investment in my business has been in learning to share my craft consistently on social media. Without this consistent effort of time creating videos and posts to help my clients, I wouldn’t be able to reach the more than 40k followers we’ve been able to help.
Q. What has been your biggest failures or challenges?
Shane: The biggest challenge I’ve faced over the past few years would have to be adapting to an ever-changing business and coaching landscape.
From zoom sessions to face to face private lessons constantly trying to adapt to different formats of learning is a challenge I face constantly to be able to deliver the best for my clients.
Q. How did this failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?
Shane: Being adaptable is essential to success and has allowed me to help my students to learn this lesson so they are ready when they head out into the extremely competitive ballet world.
Q. If someone was to create a TV show about you, what would it be about and what would it be called?
Shane: Ballet demystified. Let’s break down the barriers to this beautiful art form and educate society on the cultural and physical aspects of what ballet truly is.
To keep up to date with Shane and his journey, connect with him on Instagram.
