Ep. 024: The Performance Anxiety Special with Therapist Olivia James

Break the Record

English - August 27, 2021 17:49 - 48 minutes - 65.9 MB - ★★★★★ - 2 ratings
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Previous Episode: Ep. 023: Break the Record Coaching is Here! What Does The Future of Artist Mental Well-being Look Like?

Next Episode: Ep. 025: Intro to Release Planning & How to Get Over Feeling "Too Salesy"

In this episode of Break the Record Podcast, Anna sits down with therapist and performance coach, Olivia James, to discuss different techniques and specific tools that artists and performers can use to get ready for big events and special performances. Olivia explains that regulating the central nervous system is essential to handle anxiety, but not all techniques will work for everybody because each person is different. Olivia also shares simple tips to deal with performance anxiety, detailing the importance of having a community of people who have dealt with the same problems in the past. Tune in!

Key Highlights

Olivia talks about the importance of preparing and getting ready for the performance by using awareness techniques; Olivia shares specific tricks and techniques to regulate the central nervous system ( fight-flight-freeze response); Olivia also explains that every individual is different so not all techniques to get rid of performance anxiety will work for everyone, that’s why is so important to find a method that works for you; Olivia shares actual at home tips to handle performance anxiety, and also how important is to surround yourself with people who has had the same kind of issue;

Powerful Quote by Olivia

“Sometimes performance anxiety can strike with somebody who has never had that problem, and that in itself can become a torment.” – Olivia James “The more you prepare the less likely it is your mind will go completely blank because the neural pathways of what you want to do will be so much stronger.” – Olivia James

Episode Resources

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk

Blind to Betrayal: Why We Fool Ourselves We Aren’t Being Fooled by Jennifer Freyd and Pamela Birrell