Stop Worshipping the Stage
You ever notice how some artists crush rehearsal and then choke on stage?
It’s not talent. It’s not luck.
It’s because they put the friggin’ stage on a pedestal.
I’m seeing this unfold with a very talented artist who I follow on Instagram who’s absolutely building this particular show up like it’s the only thing in their life right now. Granted, cool. I like the focus, but - wow, unable to sit down and chat on a podcast. Really?
That’s not “dialled in.” That’s the furthest thing from it. That’s disaster.
If you tell yourself this is everything, don’t be surprised when your body flips into panic mode. You’re the one raising the pedestal, and then you wonder why you’re dizzy from the height.
Performance is not actually special. It’s like breathing. Energy moving through you. Also, this is certainly NOT exclusive to performance. If you’re out there putting a big to-do about anything in your life, you’re gonna experience similar feelings.
Think… Same body. Same practice.
The only difference is the story you’re telling yourself about the moment.
So if you want to stop freezing and start flowing? Normalize the stage.
Stop mythologizing the gig.
Three Ways to Take the Pedestal Down
1. Rehearse like it matters.
Full power in the garage. Don’t “half perform” and expect to flip the switch later.
2. Shrink the story.
Don’t call it “the biggest show of my life.” Call it Tuesday. Put the weight in your body, not in the words.
3. Think reps, not finals.
Every gig is practice for the next one. Crosby didn’t treat the Stanley Cup Final shifts like the Stanley Cup Final shifts… he treated them like every other game.
Here’s the punchline:
If you worship the stage, you get vertigo.
If you ground the stage, you get freedom.
Play like it’s normal.
Breathe like it’s normal.
Because it is.
🎤 I help musicians and all sorts of creative professionals move better and get their nervous system to chill TF out. And… if that sounds like you, I’d love to connect.
📩 Get at me. Let’s help you build a sustainable career in music (or whatever you do!) without compromise, on stage and in life.