Career Transition with Lauren (Baznik) Spahr

Lauren (Baznik) Spahr is a former ballet dancer who previously worked with Ballett Zurich. She has held many different careers after transitioning out of a career in ballet. From pastry arts, to real estate, and teaching ballet classes, she has found her latest role and path most fulfilling, as an office manager at a trading firm in downtown Chicago. The determination and resilience that ballet instilled in her has carried her through experimenting her many passions in order to turn the page in the next chapter of her career.

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You’ve had some very diverse experiences since the end of your dance career. What have you gained from this exciting time? 

Lauren Baznik: I have had quite a few different experiences. What I've gained from all of it is the realisation that there's passion and enjoyment to be found beyond dance. I feel like that's one of the hardest things: transitioning from something that's part of your identity to a completely new phase. After years of working in a company or even just training extensively, stepping away from that world allows you to discover your individual self outside of being a dancer.

Through these experiences, I've come to understand that the work ethic and dedication instilled by dance are transferable to many other areas. I realised that because of this, there’s a lot of potential to be successful at all these different things. A lot of the tools that I had from my dance career really helped shape me as a person, even in environments like the corporate world.

How did you come to make the decision to stop dancing in a professional capacity?

Lauren: There were a few factors involved. In general, it was that I'd lost that love and passion for it. I knew things were coming to an end when, during morning company classes, I was no longer enjoying myself. And I used to love class - that hour and fifteen minutes once gave me so much joy. When I found myself wanting to leave halfway through barre, this signaled that it might no longer be right for me. 

Also, some difficult family experiences put things into perspective and made me reflect on what I really wanted to do - I kept asking myself, “Are you passionate about this? Are you passionate about other things?” I began to recognise that the reason I was so miserable in ballet class was that there were so many other things that I wanted to try. So it was a mixture of all those things. As any dancer knows, if you don't love it, it's extremely difficult to do because it goes beyond a job - it becomes your identity sometimes. 

I had to make dance less of who I am as a being and more something I was passionate about. I needed to show people that I'm actually a person with feelings and thoughts outside of the ballet studio.

You’ve worked in gastronomy and real estate - two notoriously difficult “hustle”careers: did your dance background prepare you for this? 

Lauren: Absolutely. I’ll touch on culinary first: even before finishing my last dance contract, I was already enrolling in culinary classes at a new culinary school that had opened near where I grew up. I visited months before the season even ended because I was just so excited about it and wanted to see what it looked like.

The moment I walked in, I knew I needed to do this next. I was so excited about the program and about going back to school. It was easy enough to make that transition and register for the program because I had already been through the American school system and I had my high school diploma. 

As far as the culinary industry goes, it is definitely a hustle career. Pastry, which is what I did, involves super early mornings, and it’s a lot of heavy lifting. It’s a very physical career, which I hadn’t really pictured at first. What really resonated with my dancer side was the artistic element - decorating and creating beautiful pastries, having full creative control.

Also, baking and pastry work is incredibly precise. My type-A self loved following every single step of the recipes, measuring and weighing everything carefully, and having something come out perfect. In dance, I struggled with the subjective nature of the arts, and this gave me the opportunity to do something a little more objective (yet still artistic) where there were tangible rewards for hard work. 

As for real estate, it's a completely different field but still a "hustle" job. It's very people-oriented, and I’m very chatty, so that suited me. While less artistic, it requires strong organisational skills and essentially running your own business. I initially did real estate part-time while teaching dance and completing my pastry course. Also, I was working in Chicago, my hometown, so I was around friends and family. 

It was nice to see how all my worlds combined, and real estate was a rewarding career where I could help people. I also really enjoyed representing myself. One usually works under a real estate company, but you can run your business however you want, so however hard you work is typically how you end up being paid. 

How much has networking played a role in your professional life since dance?

Lauren: It’s impacted nearly every decision I've made, in every career, in terms of actually having connections and people that you know. For example, when a new restaurant was opening in Chicago, I got a position through a connection with a former colleague who was set to be the head pastry chef. She reached out to me directly, asking me to come and help open it. A lot of my jobs were coming through that way. 

I think dancers really know how to present themselves and how to read a room, which is perhaps a lesser-known skill that we’ve curated. 

Lauren: It definitely is. In general, dancers are very articulate and I feel like we connect with people on a deeper level. Maybe that’s because we're used to expressing ourselves in a different way. I have found all these little skills very helpful, and it’s surprising how transferable they are. 

You’ve gradually been completing a bachelor’s degree in organisation behaviour alongside your work. What are your top time-management tips for work/study balance? 

Lauren: Balancing work and study has been difficult, and I’ve been learning the hard way, especially as I approach the end of my degree and have increased my course load. In terms of time management, I like that old fashioned thing of putting everything down on paper. When I get home from work, I make a schedule outlining all my classes and assignments, and then prioritise the tasks for each night of the week. This helps me break down the workload into more manageable segments. My full-time job ends at 3 PM, and there’s no flexibility in that schedule, so I organise the rest of my time around that. 

Are there any other things that you think make dancers such great hires in a “regular” workplace?  

Lauren: Dancers have undergone such a high calibre of work and training which people outside the industry don’t always realise. Also, many of us have been through the experience of relocating our entire lives halfway across the world, as teenagers, to pursue this passion. That really sets you apart mentally. We had to think about life skills (things like getting a visa, paying rent, keeping the lights on) years before others did. That resilience just becomes a part of you, and you can apply that to any career. We’re so adaptable, and having those problem solving skills and the ability to work under pressure really puts us so far ahead of the average applicant. It's helped me immensely for all the different positions that I've been in.  

Have people generally been impressed or indifferent about your dancer past? 

Lauren: People are usually impressed. In America, the arts aren't typically at the forefront of people's minds, so their initial perception of ballet is often quite elementary. They might envision someone in a pink tutu twirling around with a wand. When I tell them I was a professional dancer, they always ask more about it, and they’re always impressed. 

When I include the fact that I had to move out to Europe for it, for which I needed to graduate high school early, they really start to understand what was involved. Even my current boss was so surprised that my parents allowed me to move to Europe at 17 - it’s hard for people to wrap their minds around that. It's this life experience and the ability to take care of oneself that truly impresses people.

In job interviews, I always mention my dance background and I generally get a very positive response. While most people can't fully comprehend what we do as professional dancers, they are impressed by what we’ve achieved and the skills we've acquired.

Did you face any mental/emotional challenges when you left the dance profession?

Lauren: Absolutely. I think that’s the hardest part and the biggest hurdle for any dancer transitioning out of this career. It's extremely emotional and taxing. For me, it was particularly challenging as I was quite young when I made the transition.

My identity was so intertwined with being a ballet dancer. Everyone in my family and friends outside the ballet world identified me as a dancer. When I stopped dancing, it felt like there was this void. People were confused and didn't understand. It took me years to show myself as who I am beyond dance. I had to learn to say, "Yes, I was a ballet dancer, it was my career and passion, but I'm Lauren! I'm a whole person."

The most difficult part was detaching that label from my identity. While always being an artist at heart, I had to make dance less of who I am as a being and more something I was passionate about. I needed to show people that I'm actually a person with feelings and thoughts outside of the ballet studio.

Coming back to the States and being home was challenging. I had people constantly asking, "What do you do now?" I found myself saying, "I'm figuring it out, please stop. I'm still me. I'm just not dancing in the studio every day." That aspect was difficult, transitioning out of something I was so passionate about.

Interestingly, I was so mentally and emotionally exhausted that I felt a huge weight off my shoulders when I stopped. This was both fortunate and unfortunate. It made the transition easier in some ways, but it also meant I struggled to maintain a love and healthy relationship with dance as I was leaving. I was distraught and defeated.

So, it was both good and bad. Good because it helped me transition, but bad because I wanted to retain my love and passion for dance. Unfortunately, I felt like it was all drained from me. I've slowly started to get it back, but it's nothing like it was when I was dancing professionally.

I think it’s hard for any dancer to truly figure out their identity outside of dance because it is so all-consuming, but I believe that there must be a way to improve this. 

Lauren: I agree, and I believe it's becoming increasingly possible. Organisations like Pivot Pointe are recognising this challenge and are there to help. I think that perspectives are shifting. For example, many people are starting to think about their transition steps years before they reach the point of mental and emotional exhaustion. They’re realising that it’s okay, or even beneficial, to pursue other passions, which makes that transition period more sustainable. It also enables dancers to maintain a healthy relationship with dance while simultaneously preparing for life beyond the studio. By doing so, dancers can avoid feeling like they’ve been thrown into the deep end when their dance career ends. 

Be proud of your past. Your journey as a dancer is special and something no one can take away from you. Keep in mind where you started and how hard you worked to get there. This same determination and resilience will help you so much in your new chapter.

What has been your driving force throughout your professional life?

Lauren: It’s changed over time. Currently, as an office manager at a trading firm, I find a lot of joy in organising things daily. My perspective on professional life has shifted; I love my work, but it's no longer all-consuming.

The driving force for my career now includes more practical aspects like travelling the world and saving for retirement. While these might seem like boring adult things, they genuinely excite me. I'm fortunate to genuinely enjoy my job, which isn't always the case in the corporate world. I look forward to going to work each day and seeing my colleagues.

What motivates me now is building financial security and creating a fulfilling life. I got married last year, bought a condo in the city, and we have a dog. These life events, along with travelling, spending time with friends, and going on holidays, have become central to my goals. So I feel like that’s what now drives me professionally. I know that I work hard, and I’m advancing my career, but I’m also financially compensated for that. So then I’m just able to enjoy life, which I definitely was when I was dancing, but it was different: as a dancer I was more focused on the immediate future - the upcoming season, friendships, and living in the moment. Now, my perspective has shifted to building a life with my partner and our small family, including our puppy. It's a different point of view.

Do you have any other advice for dancers who are considering a career transition or who are about to embark on this journey?  

Lauren: I’ve got different advice depending on which stage of your career transition you're in. If you’ve just started thinking of an idea, I would start exploring it more. The more time you give yourself in this transition the more prepared you are, the easier the transition will be. It will also feel more natural and less like something you “have” to do. Don't feel ashamed about thinking of other passions or post-career plans - it's actually a very smart approach. Begin exploring your passions and considering your finances. Think about what retirement looks like for you, both financially and geographically. Early planning leads to a smoother transition and greater happiness when the time comes.

For those about to embark on the transition, remember that you have all the tools needed to be successful. Don't doubt yourself. You have a valuable skill set that a very small percentage of the entire world has. The discipline, work ethic, and life experiences you've gained as a dancer prepare you for your next steps in ways you can't yet imagine.

Be proud of your past. Your journey as a dancer is special and something no one can take away from you. Keep in mind where you started and how hard you worked to get there. This same determination and resilience will help you so much in your new chapter. 

^{All images courtesy of Lauren (Baznik) Spahr}