The Mind Over Finger Podcast

When the world feels heavy and your body is bracing, it is weirdly easy to start treating music like it has to justify itself. You practice anyway. You show up anyway. But inside, you are carrying pressure, tension, and that quiet question most musicians do not say out loud: how do I keep doing this without burning out or breaking down? In Episode 250, I sit down with Dr. Brianne Borden and Claire Howard, co-owners of Yoga for All Musicians, for a conversation that is equal parts grounding, honest, and immediately useful. · Why "just focus on the music" is not always possible, and what to do when the world follows you into the practice room · The simple check in skill most musicians never learn, and why it changes everything from practice choices to injury prevention · How classical music culture trains disconnection, and what trauma informed teaching and cueing can actually feel like · A reframing of expectations that sounds small, but hits hard once you try it in real life · A short centering plus neck and shoulder reset you can do before you play, especially if you live in jaw and shoulder tension If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality. Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE Yoga for All Musicians · Website: https://www.yogaforallmusicians.com/ · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogaforallmusicians/ · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YogaforAllMusicians · Their podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/uif3r1ampypupkhj12tzgzpvx · Their app: o Android: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fit-by-wix/id1552621043 o Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fit-by-wix/id1552621043 Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/ THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

In this episode, we unpack how unrealistic expectations quietly overload your brain, tighten your body, and slow your progress. And more importantly, how to reset them so they actually work for you. You'll learn: • Why high standards are not the problem but misaligned expectations are • How pressure and perfectionism interfere with learning • A simple expectation audit you can use before practice or performance • How to shift from "I should" to "What can I do today?" • A powerful on stage reframe that turns anxiety into expression If you've been pushing hard but not feeling better, this one will help you breathe, refocus, and move forward with clarity. If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality. Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/ THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

What if your path takes longer than you thought it would? What if you don't win the job straight out of school. Or even straight out of your twenties? And what if that's not failure, but just a different kind of success? In this episode, I sit down with Bill Denton, Principal Trumpet of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, to talk about what it really means to stay in the game. Bill won his job at 50. Before that? He taught high school band, drove to gigs, kept showing up, and stayed connected to his playing through real life, not a perfect timeline. This conversation is for anyone who's ever wondered: · Am I too late? · Is it still worth it? · What if my career doesn't look like theirs? Tune in to hear what long-term commitment really looks like, how to stay ready without burning out, and why your timeline doesn't have to match anyone else's. Whether you're navigating auditions, comparison, or just the quiet pressure of being "on time," this one's for you. Find out more information about Bill on his website: https://dentonliumusicacademy.com/bios/ If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality. Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/ THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

When practicing feels impossible, it's not because you're lazy or undisciplined. In this episode, I walk you through the simple mindset shifts and practical strategies that help you stop pushing and start showing up with more ease, clarity, and self-respect. You'll learn: · Why waiting for motivation doesn't work · A five-step mental reset to ease into practice · How to reduce friction and make your routine feel lighter · A quick trick to spark momentum on low-energy days · How to leave a session feeling proud—even when it wasn't perfect If you've been feeling stuck or resistant, this episode will help you reconnect with your purpose and make practicing feel more doable again. If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality. Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/ THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

What does it really take to grow as an artist without burning out? In this powerful conversation, I'm joined by bestselling author and performance expert Brad Stulberg to explore what excellence actually means, and how we can pursue it in a way that feels deeply fulfilling, not exhausting. Brad's new book, The Way of Excellence, offers a grounded and practical roadmap for anyone looking to sustain high-level work over time. Whether you're navigating auditions, refining your craft, or questioning how to stay connected to music in a chaotic world, this episode is for you. You'll learn how to: · Redefine excellence as a process of becoming, not a fixed destination · Align your ambition with your core values for a stronger sense of purpose · Balance self-discipline with self-kindness, especially when motivation is low · Use the "brave new world" mindset to face fear and uncertainty · Build emotional resilience so you can keep showing up when it counts · Stay consistent without getting stuck in hustle or burnout · Create progress that's sustainable, satisfying, and deeply your own This episode is a must-listen for musicians who want to stay inspired, grounded, and intentional in the way they grow. Brad brings wisdom from elite performers across fields — and his insights will help you rethink what excellence can look like in your own musical life. Tune in and take away practical tools to support your artistry, your mindset, and your well-being. Grab The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World HERE! If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality. Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE Brad Stulberg Grab The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World HERE: https://amzn.to/4jWCsd1 Website: https://www.bradstulberg.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradstulberg/ X: https://x.com/bstulberg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-stulberg-009b168b/ Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/ THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.