Iain Mackay: Leading The Royal Ballet School

Iain Mackay — former Principal Dancer of the Birmingham Royal Ballet and now Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet School — joins Sir Andrew Strauss and Dr Pete Lindsay to explore what performance, pressure, and purpose look like in one of the world’s most demanding art forms. From growing up in Glasgow and hiding his ballet lessons to leading one of the most prestigious schools in the world, Iain’s story is one of courage, authenticity, and constant reinvention. In this conversation, Iain shares the turning points that shaped his career — the lessons from a life on stage, the psychology behind elite performance, and what it takes to build the next generation of artists and leaders. You’ll learn: How an unlikely start in Glasgow led him to the world stage Why mindset and resilience matter as much in the arts as in sport What his grandfather taught him about confidence and perspective How elite ballet mirrors elite sport in discipline, feedback, and teamwork Why self-belief and authenticity are key to long-term success How he managed imposter syndrome after becoming a Principal Dancer What stepping off stage taught him about identity, purpose, and leadership Why he believes the next generation of dancers must balance tradition with innovation Iain’s journey is a rare glimpse behind the curtain of world-class performance — where art meets athleticism, and mindset defines mastery. About Iain Mackay. Iain Mackay is Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet School and a former Principal Dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Over a 20-year international career, he performed leading roles in some of ballet’s most iconic productions, before dedicating his focus to developing the next generation of performers. About Mindflick At Mindflick, we help leaders, teams, and athletes unlock performance through mindset. Our performance psychometric and platform have supported Olympic champions, world-class teams, and Fortune 500 companies to think differently, adapt faster, and perform when it matters most. Learn more: www.mindflick.co.uk Follow us on LinkedIn Hosts: Sir Andrew Strauss & Dr Pete Lindsay Guest: Iain Mackay, Artistic Director, The Royal Ballet School Producer: Mindflick Ltd If you found this episode valuable, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who leads, coaches, or performs under pressure.