From Ballerina to Brain Advocate: Alexandra de Roos on Resilience and Reinvention
In this powerful and inspiring episode, host Allison Walsh sits down with Alexandra de Roos, a trailblazing student, dancer, nonprofit founder, and future neuropsychiatrist who’s transforming pain into purpose. After a life-altering brain injury ended her dream of a professional ballet career, Alexandra didn’t retreat—she rose. From founding a global nonprofit at age 16 to advocating for traumatic brain injury (TBI) research on Capitol Hill, Alexandra’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless purpose. Through The Blue Project, she’s merging the worlds of neuroscience and the arts to advocate for healing, equity, and education for brain injury survivors everywhere. Whether you're chasing a new dream, rebuilding after a setback, or searching for your "what’s next," this episode will leave you inspired to keep going—and to believe in the power of starting over.
She Believed She Could™ Podcast · alexandra de roos, Allison Walsh
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Show Notes
When life threw Alexandra de Roos an unimaginable curveball—a traumatic brain injury that drastically shifted the trajectory of her life — she didn’t let it define her. She let it refine her.
In this inspiring episode, host Allison Walsh welcomes Alexandra de Roos, a student researcher, nonprofit founder, and fierce TBI advocate, to share her extraordinary journey of turning personal pain into powerful purpose. Alexandra founded The Blue Project, blending her passion for neuroscience and the arts to drive awareness, research, and healing for brain injury survivors.
From lobbying on Capitol Hill to shaping the future of mental health as a future neuropsychiatrist, Alexandra’s story reminds us that the end of one dream can be the start of something even bigger.
✨ Tune in for a conversation about courage, healing, and what’s possible when you choose to rise.
💡 Key Takeaways
→ How Alexandra turned a devastating injury into a new life mission
→ What it takes to start a nonprofit as a teenager
→ Why the arts play a critical role in neurological healing
→ How showing up (even scared!) led to national opportunities
→ The truth about confidence—and why it's all about knowing who you are
→ The power of 1% growth every day and building a community through advocacy
🛠️ Resources & Links
Connect with Alexandra:
📲 Instagram: @alexandra.deroos | @theblue.project
🌐 Website: www.alexandraderoos.org
Learn more about traumatic brain injury awareness:
💬 Quotes to Remember
“Confidence is knowing who you are—beyond what you do.”
“Just because life doesn’t go to plan doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful.”
“Start with small goals. Then stack them. That’s how you move forward.”
“There’s no age limit on impact—and no expiration date on dreams.”
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