Performer’s Personal Athletic Best: Aesthetics, Performance, and Longevity for Performers

Performer’s Personal Athletic Best: Aesthetics, Performance, and Longevity for Performers

In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art, Jennifer sits down with Courtney Butler, Head Athletic Trainer for Orlando Ballet and Sports Medicine Supervisor at Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, and Katelyn, Registered Dietitian and Performance Nutrition Specialist working with Orlando Ballet performers. Together they tackle one of the biggest conversations facing performers today: how to balance aesthetics, performance, recovery, and longevity in a healthy and sustainable way. From nutrition and hydration to strength training, recovery, and body image, this episode provides practical advice for artists looking to support their bodies at a higher level.  In this episode: ✨ Performance vs. aesthetics  ✨ Finding your personal athletic best  ✨ How to build the right support team  ✨ Why most performers are under-fueling  ✨ Strength training myths for circus artists  ✨ Protein: how much you really need  ✨ Easy protein sources for training and travel  ✨ Hydration vs. electrolytes  ✨ Sugar, performance, and recovery  ✨ Active and passive recovery strategies  ✨ Injury prevention and longevity  ✨ The importance of sleep and rest days  ✨ Immediate action steps performers can take today Whether you're a circus artist, dancer, aerialist, acrobat, or performer looking to support your body for the long haul, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can start implementing immediately. Thanks so much for listening to The Artist Behind the Art. This podcast exists to support performers in building sustainable, aligned, and castable careers — beyond just the skills. ✨ Work With Me: Own the Stage Act Creation Mentorship I’m currently building the next round of Own the Stage: Act Creation Mentorship. If you feel like you have the talent—but when it comes to act creation, something just isn’t fully clicking—this is for you. Most of the time, it’s not a complete overhaul.  It’s a few missing tools and a few shifts in how you’re approaching the process. That’s what takes you from second-guessing your work  to becoming the artist who is ready to go for the opportunities you actually want. If that resonates, I’d love to connect. 📩 Email me at jennifer@aretementorship.com 📲 Or DM me on Instagram at The Artist Behind the Art 🎙 Follow the podcast on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theartistbehindtheart/ Remember — you already have what it takes.  The question is: are you ready to prove it to yourself? Until next time — show up big and own the stage.

Email Communication Tips Every Performing Artist Should Know

In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art, Jennifer breaks down one of the most overlooked, but career-defining, skills for performers: email communication.  From contracts and travel logistics to casting follow-ups and rehearsal communication, the way you show up in your inbox says a lot about how you show up professionally. This episode covers the practical habits and communication shifts that help artists build trust, stay organized, and support the career they’re working so hard to build. In this episode: *  Why email communication matters in circus careers  *  How to write stronger subject lines  *  Reply vs. Reply All  *  Response time expectations  *  How to organize responses clearly  *  Why emotion and email don’t mix  *  Email signatures, file naming, and professional presentation  *  What materials every artist should have ready  *  Small communication habits that quietly build trust and reputation  Whether you’re auditioning, touring, negotiating contracts, or reaching out to casting. This episode is full of practical advice you can immediately apply. Thanks so much for listening to The Artist Behind the Art. This podcast exists to support performers in building sustainable, aligned, and castable careers — beyond just the skills. ✨ Work With Me: Own the Stage Act Creation Mentorship I’m currently building the next round of Own the Stage: Act Creation Mentorship. If you feel like you have the talent—but when it comes to act creation, something just isn’t fully clicking—this is for you. Most of the time, it’s not a complete overhaul.  It’s a few missing tools and a few shifts in how you’re approaching the process. That’s what takes you from second-guessing your work  to becoming the artist who is ready to go for the opportunities you actually want. If that resonates, I’d love to connect. 📩 Email me at jennifer@aretementorship.com 📲 Or DM me on Instagram at The Artist Behind the Art 🎙 Follow the podcast on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theartistbehindtheart/ Remember — you already have what it takes.  The question is: are you ready to prove it to yourself? Until next time — show up big and own the stage.

Circus Competitions vs Festivals with Julian McTaggart: What Artists Need to Know

Competitions or festivals— What are the main differences? And more importantly…  are you choosing the right one for where you are in your career? In this episode, I sit down with Julian McTaggart to break down what these experiences actually look like—on stage, behind the scenes, and in how they impact your growth as an artist. We talk about:  – what rehearsal time really looks like – how to prepare when you only get minutes on stage – the role of networking (and why it matters more than you think) – and how to use both competitions and festivals strategically If you’ve ever thought about doing either—this is a conversation you need to hear. 🎧 Episode out now on The Artist Behind the Art 💾 Save this for when you’re planning your next step  🔁 Share with an artist who’s navigating their path right now Thanks so much for listening to The Artist Behind the Art. This podcast exists to support performers in building sustainable, aligned, and castable careers — beyond just the skills. ✨ Work With Me: Own the Stage Act Creation Mentorship I’m currently building the next round of Own the Stage: Act Creation Mentorship. If you feel like you have the talent—but when it comes to act creation, something just isn’t fully clicking—this is for you. Most of the time, it’s not a complete overhaul.  It’s a few missing tools and a few shifts in how you’re approaching the process. That’s what takes you from second-guessing your work  to becoming the artist who is ready to go for the opportunities you actually want. If that resonates, I’d love to connect. 📩 Email me at jennifer@aretementorship.com 📲 Or DM me on Instagram at The Artist Behind the Art 🎙 Follow the podcast on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theartistbehindtheart/ Remember — you already have what it takes.  The question is: are you ready to prove it to yourself? Until next time — show up big and own the stage.

The Art of Reflection: Post-Show Questions for Stronger Performances

What you do after a performance matters just as much as what happens on stage. In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art, Jennifer breaks down how to evaluate your act after a show in a way that actually leads to growth—without spiraling into overthinking or self-criticism. You’ll learn: *  How to reflect on your performance with clarity  *  The key questions that reveal what’s working (and what’s not)  *  How to separate emotion from objective evaluation  *  What to focus on to improve your act faster  *  How to turn every performance into progress  If you want to refine your act, grow as an artist, and make each performance stronger than the last—this episode is for you. Thanks so much for listening to The Artist Behind the Art. This podcast exists to support performers in building sustainable, aligned, and castable careers — beyond just the skills. ✨ Work With Me: Own the Stage Act Creation Mentorship I’m currently building the next round of Own the Stage: Act Creation Mentorship. If you feel like you have the talent—but when it comes to act creation, something just isn’t fully clicking—this is for you. Most of the time, it’s not a complete overhaul.  It’s a few missing tools and a few shifts in how you’re approaching the process. That’s what takes you from second-guessing your work  to becoming the artist who is ready to go for the opportunities you actually want. If that resonates, I’d love to connect. 📩 Email me at jennifer@aretementorship.com 📲 Or DM me on Instagram at The Artist Behind the Art 🎙 Follow the podcast on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theartistbehindtheart/ Remember — you already have what it takes.  The question is: are you ready to prove it to yourself? Until next time — show up big and own the stage.

Trust the Process: From First Contract to Consistent Work

We’ve all heard it: you have to get through 100 no’s before your first yes. But what no one talks about… is what happens after that first yes. In this episode of The Artist Behind the Art, Jennifer dives into the reality of building a sustainable career as a circus artist—especially the space between contracts. The part of the journey where doubt creeps in, questions start stacking, and the path can feel uncertain. This episode is about learning to trust the process, understanding what’s actually happening behind the scenes of your career growth, and how to use the “gap” to your advantage. In This Episode, We Cover: *  Why the time between contracts is normal (and necessary)  *  The truth about consistent work in circus (it’s not just talent)  *  How reputation is built—and why it matters more than you think  *  The qualities that actually get you rehired  *  The challenge of being both an artist and your own business  *  What to do when you feel stuck, uncertain, or behind  *  How to stay visible and relevant in the industry  *  Why refining your materials can change how casting sees you  *  How to use the “gap” as a period of growth, not failure  *  The role of side hustles in supporting a sustainable career  Key Takeaway You’re not just trying to get work—you’re building a reputation. And that reputation is built through: *  how you show up  *  how you collaborate  *  how consistently you perform  *  and how you handle the moments in between  Consistent work isn’t immediate.  It’s earned through trust over time. Reflection Prompt Ask yourself: *  How am I showing up in every rehearsal, show, and interaction? Join the Conversation If this episode resonated with you, share it with another artist who’s navigating the in-between. And connect with the podcast here:  👉 Follow on Instagram: @theartistbehindtheart Thanks so much for listening to The Artist Behind the Art. This podcast exists to support performers in building sustainable, aligned, and castable careers — beyond just the skills. ✨ Work With Me: Own the Stage Act Creation Mentorship I’m currently building the next round of Own the Stage: Act Creation Mentorship. If you feel like you have the talent—but when it comes to act creation, something just isn’t fully clicking—this is for you. Most of the time, it’s not a complete overhaul.  It’s a few missing tools and a few shifts in how you’re approaching the process. That’s what takes you from second-guessing your work  to becoming the artist who is ready to go for the opportunities you actually want. If that resonates, I’d love to connect. 📩 Email me at jennifer@aretementorship.com 📲 Or DM me on Instagram at The Artist Behind the Art 🎙 Follow the podcast on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theartistbehindtheart/ Remember — you already have what it takes.  The question is: are you ready to prove it to yourself? Until next time — show up big and own the stage.