BREAKING THE BOUNDARIES OF BALLET.

When you think of ballet, you might picture the graceful poise of a principal dancer on stage, the perfect execution of every leap and pirouette. But, what you maybe don’t think about is the journey that dancer has been on to even get to that stage. The story of hours of dedication, resilience, grit, and a relentless pursuit of perfection, even though it may not even exist.

In the recent episode of the Creative Nowhere Land podcast, we get the pleasure of sitting down with Lachlan Monaghan, Male Principal Dancer for The Birmingham Royal Ballet. Lachlan’s journey is extraordinary and inspiring every step of the way..

BECOMING ELITE!

I don’t want to give it all away, but at an early age, Lachlan found dance. Overcoming the hurdles of a young man wanting to dance and having the resilience to follow his passion. Lachlan fell in love, first of all, with Tap. (Which is pretty crazy due to the level at which Lachlan now performs!) Ballet wasn’t even his first love. It was an art form he stumbled upon, and eventually, one he developed an incredible talent for despite his initial resistance.

At just 16, Lachlan got the opportunity to audition for the prestigious Royal Ballet School in London (This is a great bit of the podcast, by the way!) and was successful. Lachlan made the bold decision to leave his native Australia, his family, friends, girlfriend and everything he knew and travel to the other side of the world to train at the prestigious Ballet School. That is a brave move for any 16-year-old.

Then came the hours and hours of training and work and battling not only injuries but also the inner demons of self-doubt. And it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Lachlan was once told he’d never make it to the pinnacle of his profession, let alone become a principal dancer. But, undeterred, he has proved his naysayers wrong, carving out a place for himself in the world of elite ballet. His story is one of resilience and determination—a testament to the power of passion and persistence, like many of the guests we’ve had on the podcast. I hope you’re getting the theme!

RENAISSANCE MAN & BLACK SABBATH

And it’s these hurdles that have, in some way, led Lachlan to become a bit of a Renaissance Man. Told he might not make it, Lachlan expanded his creative pursuits and became much more versatile. And let’s talk versatility. Lachlan isn’t just an elite-level dancer. He’s a choreographer, a teacher, a pianist, a talented singer, and—wait for it—a performer who took to the stage in Sydney with his own one-man show, not once, but twice and with different shows! Renaissance man? Creative polymath? You decide when you listen to the episode.

With the bravery to explore these other avenues of creativity, Lachlan seemingly opened the door and was promoted to Principal Dancer. One of the highlights of our conversation was Lachlan’s experience performing in Black Sabbath: The Ballet. Once again, Lachlan’s bravery to step up and out of his comfort zone led to stepping onto the stage, not just to dance, but to sing a solo in front of a sell-out crowd, including none other than Sharon Osbourne and Tony Iommi. Talk about pushing boundaries. The most exhilarating performance of his career, a moment that showcased Lachlan’s ability to blend his passions and embrace the unknown.

BEHIND THE LENS!

Beyond the stage and performing, Lachlan is an incredibly talented photographer. He has a knack for capturing the unseen. His photography offers an intimate glimpse behind the curtain of the ballet world—raw, real, and utterly captivating. It’s just another way Lachlan channels his creativity, continually exploring new ways to tell stories and share his world.

LACHLAN MONAGHAN - CNL PODCAST

This episode is brimming with inspiration. Lachlan’s story is a reminder that self-belief and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone can lead to extraordinary things. Whether you’re a creative, a dreamer, or just someone who needs a little motivation, this one is for you. Check out Lachlan on social media via the links below, where you can see a glimpse into the life of a world-class dancer and his incredible photography work, that I’m trying to convince him to turn into a book.

LACHLAN MONAGHAN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lachlanmonaghan/

LACHLAN MONAGHAN PHOTOGRAPHY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lachlense.photography/

So, what are you waiting for? Listen now and get inspired by Lachlan Monaghan’s incredible creative journey.

Thank you for taking the time to read the blog and be sure to sign up for the newsletter to know when the next podcast goes live and to stay up to date with everything happening here in Creative Nowhere Land. Until next time…

EXPLORE. INSPIRE. CREATE.