Body Image and Performance: Can They Coexist?

For Dancers and Figure Skaters Who Often Feel Divided Between Health and Performance

What happens when the body you need for performance doesn’t match the one you think you should have? If you’re a dancer or figure skater, you’ve probably felt this tension before. You need power, strength, and stamina—but you also face constant pressure to be light, lean, and visually “ideal.” That pressure doesn’t just come from coaches or judges—it can creep into your own thoughts, quietly convincing you that shrinking your body is the path to success.But here’s the truth: body image and performance CAN coexist. In fact, a healthy relationship with your body is often the missing piece in reaching your full potential.

When Aesthetics Start to Undermine Performance

In performance-based sports like figure skating and dance, aesthetics have long been held up as a standard...

Olympic skater Gracie Gold shared openly about this struggle, saying:“I was trying to be the skinniest, thinnest skater. But I was miserable and undernourished. And my skating suffered.”

Dancer Misty Copeland, a principal ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre, has said:“My body seemed to offend people. But I wasn't going to let that stop me from dancing at the highest level.”

What the Research Says

Recent studies support what many athletes commonly experience firsthand:A 2023 systematic review of body image in athletes found that although athletes overall may report fewer body image concerns than non-athletes, those in aesthetic sports—like dance and figure skating—are at higher risk for body dissatisfaction. The authors emphasized the need for targeted prevention efforts, especially in sports where visual appearance is part of performance.

A 2024 longitudinal study looked at body image across different levels of athletic involvement and found that while competitive athletes often start with better body image than non-athletes, the pressure to maintain an "ideal" athletic look can backfire. Over time, even those with initially positive body image were more likely to develop disordered eating behaviors if they internalized appearance-related expectations.

A New Way to View Your Body: From Control to Respect

So what if your body didn’t need to be controlled but supported?What if:- Instead of asking, “How small or thin can I be?”  You asked, “How powerful can I feel?”- Instead of pushing through hunger or fatigue to appear “disciplined,”  You fueled consistently so your body could perform and recover?Tiler Peck, principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, once said:“You can’t perform at your best if you’re not taking care of yourself. You have to find that balance—mentally and physically.”

Practical Ways to Support Both Body Image and Performance

Here are a few ways to start shifting the focus without abandoning your goals:

For Skaters:

- Prioritize meals and snacks on training days.

- Choose practice outfits that feel supportive.

- Track performance gains (like jump height), not weight.

For Dancers:

- Unfollow comparison-heavy content.

- Take intentional breaks from the mirror.

- Celebrate wins like sustained energy or improved focus.

For Both:-

- Surround yourself with supportive professionals- Remind yourself that your body is not a project. It’s your instrument.

You’re Allowed to Feel Strong AND Be at Peace with Your Body

You don’t have to choose between being a strong performer and having a healthy body image.The two can totally coexist, but it might take unlearning old beliefs, setting boundaries with toxic messaging, and getting support that aligns with your values.If you’re stuck in this push-pull between performance and body image, know that it's not hopeless and you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Ready to Find Peace with Your Body and Reach Your Potential?

I work with athletes who want to fuel their bodies, feel confident in their performance, and stop letting food or body image get in the way. If you’re ready to reconnect with your body -and your sport, reach out. I’d love to support you.

References:

 de Bruin, A. P., & Bakker, F. C. (2023). Body image concerns among athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Body Image, 44, 101972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.101972

Zimmermann, P., et al. (2024). Body image in sports contexts and its relation to eating disorder risk: A longitudinal study. Body Image, 46, 102031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.102031