The Courageous Performer

Good vs Great: Perform with Confidence & Authenticity

What's the real difference between a good performer and a truly great one? In this episode, I reflect on what I learned at a recent conference with some of the world's leading voices in psychology and neurobiology. All of the presenters were polished, knowledgeable and engaging - but only a few created that deeper sense of safety, connection and authenticity that makes an audience lean in and truly listen. Join me as I explore: * The hidden factors that hold even confident performers back. * The reason your relationship with judgement (both your own and others') shapes how you feel on stage. * The key shift that transforms stage fright into genuine stage presence. * Simple, practical steps to help you feel grounded, safe and authentic in your next performance or presentation. If you've ever found yourself overthinking, second-guessing, or striving to "get it right" before stepping in front of an audience, this episode will show you a different way. It's about moving past performance armour and stepping into calm, confident connection. So you can share what you have to offer with freedom and authenticity. ✨ If you've got a performance or presentation coming up and today's episode really resonated, I'd love to help you put this into practice. I've created some short-term coaching options for exactly these moments — when you don't have months to prepare but still want to feel calmer, more confident, and more connected. You can choose from: * The Confidence Kickstart – 3 focused one to one sessions across 1–2 weeks * The Performance Power Session – a 90-minute deep dive to shift what's holding you back 👉 If you'd like to find out more, just email me: hattie@findyourtruevoice.co.uk — I'd be happy to chat it through.

The Three Steps I Use to Take the Sting Out of Negative Feedback

Ever notice how one critical remark can overshadow all the praise you've received? For years, I let one critical comment overshadow every compliment I received. In this episode of The Courageous Performer Podcast, I share how I stopped letting negative feedback crush my confidence and started using it to grow. I'll walk you through the exact three steps I use to decide what to take on board—and what to let go—so I can perform with freedom and self-belief. 🎧 You'll hear: * Why our brains are wired to focus on criticism over praise * How to separate your self-worth from your performance * Real-life examples of turning harsh feedback into constructive growth * Simple ways to quiet the inner critic after a comment stings * The mindset shift that makes feedback feel less personal and more useful By the end, you'll know how to sift through criticism, keep the gems, and leave the rest behind—so you can keep showing up with courage and confidence. This episode is for every performer who's ever felt they had to earn their right to be seen. Whether you're onstage, on camera, in the boardroom, or simply trying to show up as yourself - you'll find something here for you. 👉 Book a free Backstage Review with me: Backstage Review [https://calendly.com/findyourtruevoice/backstage-review] Let's talk about how to let go of the fear and find the version of you that doesn't need to be fixed - just given space to perform 💛 Like, subscribe, and share this with someone whose inner critic is ruining their life!

Is Your Inner Voice Sabotaging You? How I Stopped the Sabotage and Found Confidence

Do your inner voices whisper things like: "You're not good enough." "You're going to mess this up." "You're too much… or maybe not enough?" Welcome to the club. It's noisy in here. In this episode of The Courageous Performer Podcast, I share the story of how I spent decades trying to outperform my inner critic—and how that voice still managed to stop me singing for nearly 20 years. And it didn't just affect my performances, it shaped how I saw myself everywhere. I genuinely believed the answer was to try harder, work smarter, and be better. Turns out, I was making things worse not better, like trying to make it easier to climb a mountain by adding bricks to my rucksack. 🎧 You'll hear: The reason your inner critic gets so loud in the first place Why self-criticism feels like a safety strategy (but actually backfires) The uncomfortable but powerful first step to quietening the noise And what happens when you stop protecting yourself, and start really performing This episode is for every performer who's ever felt they had to earn their right to be seen. Whether you're onstage, on camera, in the boardroom, or simply trying to show up as yourself - you'll find something here for you. 👉 Book a free Backstage Review with me: Backstage Review [https://calendly.com/findyourtruevoice/backstage-review] Let's talk about how to let go of the fear and find the version of you that doesn't need to be fixed - just given space to perform 💛 Like, subscribe, and share this with someone whose inner critic is ruining their life!

The Sweet Poison of Praise: Why We Crave It but Don't Believe It

Ever noticed how you can receive ten lovely compliments… and one slightly arched eyebrow… and somehow that's the bit that sticks? In this episode, I'm talking about the sneaky pull of external validation—the kind of feedback we long for but often don't believe when we get it. I share what I've learned (often the hard way) about how needing a certain response from your audience, your peers, or even your loved ones can throw you off balance—and how things change when you start valuing your own opinion just a little bit more. This one's especially personal, as I reflect on grief, vulnerability, and the surprising ways old thought patterns can creep back in when life shakes you. It's not about pretending you don't care—it's about learning how to care differently. And kindly. So if you've ever twisted yourself into knots trying to please everyone, or felt lost when praise didn't land the way it should have, this one's for you. And if you'd like some practical tools to help let go of that need for praise and reconnect with your authentic performer self, join me on 8th May for my workshop: The Joy of Being a Fearless Performer [https://live.findyourtruevoice.co.uk/joy].

From Panic to Presence: How Headspace Transforms Performance

Do you ever feel like the harder you try to control your performance, the more things seem to go wrong? In this episode of The Courageous Performer Podcast, I explore why control isn't the solution—it's the problem. I'll share insights from a coaching session with a performer facing a high-stakes audition, unpack how the need for control creates tension and self-doubt, and show you what actually works: creating headspace. When you shift your approach to preparation, you gain the freedom to respond, adapt, and truly enjoy performing. If this is something you'd like to explore further, I'm running my Free Your Voice Live event in April, where I'll guide you through my step-by-step process to move from panic to presence—so you can perform with confidence, ease, and authenticity. Tickets are £40 for the whole day, but early bird tickets are just £20—and they include access to my online course. You can find all the details here: Free Your Voice Live [https://live.findyourtruevoice.co.uk/] Listen now and learn how to trust yourself, free your voice, and perform at your best.