Daily Inspiration: Meet Jen Marchain

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Marchain.

Hi Jen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m an adult ballet dancer with 15 years of performance experience and a lifelong connection to movement, having begun dancing at the age of eight. As a founding member of the Leigh Purtill Ballet Company, I have been fortunate to bring vivid storytelling and character work to principal roles including The Apothecary in Sweet Sorrow, as well as featured performances in A Zombie Ballet and as the Ringmaster in Circus of Worldly Wonders. As a Qigong practitioner in training, I continue to explore the healing power of embodied practice—drawing on dance and mindful movement as sources of resilience, artistry, and wellness. I’m also a cervical cancer survivor, and my journey has deepened her commitment to movement as a pathway to recovery and renewal.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Along the way, I have navigated significant setbacks with determination and grace. Following cancer surgery, I made the difficult decision to step away from dance to focus on healing—an interruption that tested my identity as an artist and required patience as I rebuilt strength, stamina, and trust in my body. During the pandemic the entire company was forced to pause, quieting the stage and reshaping how dancers could train and connect. Yet that stillness also opened a new door: an opportunity to reimagine how the work could live beyond the theater, broadening the company’s reach through new formats and audiences and reaffirming movement as both art and lifeline.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My proudest role is being a single mother to two amazing adult boys. I’m also a dedicated healthcare professional at Kaiser Permanente with nearly 20 years of experience supporting teams and advancing the care experience. bring a focus on empathy, communication and compassion work to help strengthen our clinician’s connection with patients.

What makes you happy?
Spending time with family and meeting new people fills me with happiness. I also love to read, write and of course dance or movement for my body. I also draw a lot of happiness being of service to others in a way where I can be a mentor or guide.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leighpurtillballetcompany.org/

Image Credits
(1 & 2) Raul Parades. (4&5) Katie Ging