Mark Ballas, a renowned dancer, opened up about a deeply personal experience during his time on Dancing with the Stars. His wife's miscarriage while he was competing added a new dimension to his life and performance.

Dancing Stars and Human Experiences: Mark Ballas' Story

Section 1: The Announcement and Pregnancy

Mark Ballas, now 38 years old, shared a significant moment with host Jason Tartick on his podcast Trading Secrets. He revealed that he decided to go back to a particular season and discovered that his wife was pregnant. This was a time filled with hope and anticipation. However, just a week later, they faced the heartbreaking news of a miscarriage. It was a heavy time for him as he had to continue with rehearsals. The emotions he went through during this period were intense.During the 31st season of Dancing with the Stars, Ballas was teamed up with Charli D'Amelio and went on to take home the Mirrorball trophy. But this personal tragedy added a layer of complexity to his achievements.

Section 2: Derek's Support

At that time, Derek Hough was one of the few people who knew about Ballas' situation. They have a special bond, almost like brothers, and have been there for each other through ups and downs. The Viennese waltz that Ballas and Charli performed was dedicated to this difficult time. Letting a yellow balloon float away symbolized the letting go of that pain. Ballas shared that Charli and a "close group" of support helped him get through this very hard and difficult time. It shows that even on a show like Dancing with the Stars, where people are focused on entertainment, there are real human experiences happening behind the scenes.Derek Hough's support played a crucial role. Ballas emphasized that having a good support system, with Derek being one of them, really had his back during this challenging time.

Section 3: Navigating the Week

The team behind Dancing with the Stars was great in helping Ballas navigate that week. It wasn't just a week of grief; it was a complex mix of emotions. He continued to think about that experience and realized that despite being on a big stage like Dancing with the Stars or Broadway, they are all human and have human experiences.Going from the heaviness of the miscarriage to providing the highest quality of competition and dancing was a remarkable journey. These moments taught him more about himself and made him appreciate the support he had.Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.