Two 23-year-old ballet dancers from Sweden have transitioned from the stage to the tech world by developing their first mental health app. Over the past two years, they have dedicated their time outside of performances to create a wellness startup, despite lacking any technical background.
Their motivation stems from the challenges they and their fellow dancers face, including injuries, burnout, and mental health issues. They recognized a clear link: when individuals feel better mentally, they perform better in their art and daily lives.
Initially, the duo faced hurdles such as unsuccessful attempts to hire developers due to limited funding and the frustration of searching for ideal partners. Realizing that progress was stalling, they took matters into their own hands and built a basic prototype of their app. Although the initial version is rough around the edges, they report that it is functional and has begun to show positive results.
Now, they are reaching out to the Reddit community for constructive criticism on their app. They are particularly interested in what features users find beneficial, what aspects need improvement, and what changes would encourage daily use. They emphasize their desire for honest feedback over praise, aiming to refine their offering based on real user experiences.
The dancers are eager to share their journey and welcome anyone interested in testing the app to comment for a chance to join their first user group. They hope to gather valuable insights that will help them enhance their app and better serve those in need of mental health support.
With the growing awareness of mental health issues, especially in high-pressure environments like performing arts, this initiative represents a proactive approach to creating tools for wellness. By leveraging their experience in ballet and their commitment to mental health, these dancers are not just performing but also innovating in a field that impacts many lives.