From Ballerina to Brain Advocate: Alexandra de Roos on Resilience, Reinvention & Rising Again
- Jeremy Demate
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
At the intersection of science, storytelling, and service stands Alexandra de Roos—a former ballerina turned brain injury advocate who's redefining what it means to rise after loss. After a traumatic brain injury abruptly ended her dance career, Alexandra didn’t just pivot—she found purpose. Now a neuropsychiatry student, nonprofit founder, and statewide policy influencer, she’s using her voice to champion healing, equity, and innovation in the brain injury space. In this inspiring episode, Alexandra joins host Allison Walsh to share how she turned personal pain into powerful advocacy—and why she believes your age, title, or trauma doesn’t determine your impact.
For Alexandra de Roos, life was once all about ballet. As a professional dancer, she trained relentlessly—living, breathing, and believing in her dream of a professional dance career. But everything changed when she suffered a traumatic brain injury during a rehearsal, the result of a fall that caused significant neurological damage. In a moment, her identity, routine, and future were all thrown into question.
With her career on hold and her healing uncertain, Alexandra faced a choice: retreat or rise. She chose the latter. At just 16 years old, she founded The Blue Project, a global nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and using the arts as a vehicle for healing and education. What began as a deeply personal journey became a mission to serve survivors around the world.
Determined to make a difference, Alexandra booked a solo flight to Washington, D.C., armed only with her story and a vision for change. She met with lawmakers, shared her experiences, and quickly found herself connecting with national leaders and organizations like Brain Injury Florida. Her passion led her to join the Florida Brain Injury Advisory Board, where she now plays a direct role in developing policy and improving care for survivors across the state.
Through The Blue Project, Alexandra is pioneering the powerful intersection of creativity and science. By blending her love for the arts with her growing knowledge in neuroscience, she’s creating programs and resources that help survivors reconnect with themselves and the world around them—proving that art isn’t just expressive; it’s restorative.
Alexandra shares how her confidence had to be rebuilt from the inside out. No longer anchored in external accomplishments, she began defining herself by resilience, purpose, and identity. She credits her growth to daily, intentional progress and the belief that confidence comes from alignment—not achievement.
Today, Alexandra is a neuroscience student at the University of South Florida Honors College, on track to become a neuropsychiatrist. She’s also a former Miss Tampa and Miss Florida, using her platforms to advocate for women in STEM, promote youth-led nonprofits, and expand awareness around invisible injuries like TBI. Her leadership continues to inspire and impact lives across the country.
Words to Live By
“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.”
Stay Connected
Follow Alexandra on Instagram: @alexandra.deroos | @theblue.project
Visit her website: www.alexandraderoos.org
Learn More, Advocate Stronger
Explore these incredible organizations leading the way in brain injury support and education:
A Note from Allison
Alexandra’s story is proof that life’s most painful detours can become your greatest calling. Her resilience, boldness, and vision for a more compassionate world are a reminder that no matter how young—or how shaken—you may feel, your story matters. You can rise. You can lead. And yes, you can begin again.
Comments