In this episode of The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, we sit down with Natalie Butt—a 24-year-old former Radio City Rockette who is trading the stage for a career in mental health as she pursues her Master of Social Work at Rutgers University.

After spending four years performing in one of the most demanding, precision-driven environments in dance, Natalie shares what it’s really like to step away from a lifelong dream and rebuild her sense of self from the ground up. Together, we unpack the intersection of high achievement, perfectionism, and mental well-being, exploring how to separate who you are from what you accomplish.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Navigating Major Life Transitions: Grieving and letting go of a career, community, and identity that once defined you.

• Perfectionism & Self-Worth: Unlearning the pressure to constantly perform and finding value outside of external accolades.

• Asking for Help Before the Breaking Point: Why so many people wait until a crisis to seek support—and how we can make therapy feel more approachable and proactive.

Whether you're contemplating a career pivot, struggling with perfectionism, or trying to figure out who you are outside of your daily hustle, Natalie’s grounded perspective offers encouragement and practical insight for anyone starting a new chapter.