Why I Choose To Work With Performers…
(even though I know this *MAGIC* works for everyone!)
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I know (now) that when I was HUSTLING as an actress I was running myself ragged. I was always jumping from place to place, carrying around a bag that felt like it had multiple bowling balls inside. Lugging anything and everything I needed, or might need, for my day ahead – Work clothes, check! Audition outfit, check! Gym attire, check! Toiletries and make-up, check, check! A pair of shoes for each ensemble, CHECK! It also often held hair products, make-up, snacks, a book, a water bottle and whatever else the day called for.
Constantly running around NYC, and subsequently LA, lugging this monstrosity up and down multiple flights of stairs, in and out of trains and buses was exhausting. Finding a place to store it was challenging as well. (I learned the hard way to never set it down on the floor!) Racing from one place to the other to try and make it on time to every gig took its toll on me. I am only fully aware of this now, after the fact! Hindsight surely is 20/20!
Living under constant pressure isn’t good for anyone! No matter how serious or light that stress actually is, our bodies read and process it in the same way, whether we are being chased by a tiger or running late for work. Stress response signals are sent out no matter how dangerous the situation is, sending our Cortisol levels out of wack. The results can feel or look like a nervous stomach, a headache, fatigue, a skin flare up or over time, it can become something more serious like heart disease or diabetes. (See related articles below.)
If we are not fueling our bodies with what it needs to thrive - sufficient water, healthy whole foods, vitamins and minerals, quality sleep, thoughts and actions - we will suffer in some way AND we may not even be aware of the suffering as it is happening!
Back then, I thought I was being healthy but I had brain fog, was constantly tired and my skin would not calm down! Unfocused with constant breakouts and bags under my eyes wasn’t a great combo for booking work. It also wasn’t helping my confidence either. A friend recommended an awesome Naturopathic Doctor and I was in for a rude awakening.
What I thought was being “healthy”, was not! I was definitely not getting enough sleep, not allowing my body and mind enough quality time to rest and recharge. I was not eating enough throughout the day for the jam-packed days I was taking on. And, what I was eating wasn’t quality. This was the time I realized exactly how much sugar was added in a single, supposedly healthy, protein bar! I was consuming WAY too much sugar and not enough quality nutrients, along with way too much caffeine – in addition to late night alcohol consumption! My body was in a constant state of energy rush, followed by crash and burn! No wonder why my focus, energy levels and skin were suffering.
I am often reminded of that time in my life with Facebook memories (just about the only thing it’s good for - hindsight! ;) During those times that I felt tired, frazzled and pulled in every different direction, there was definitely a more beneficial way I could have been living! Oh how young Victoria plowed through life believing that was the “right” way! If only she paused and took a few minutes to evaluate and have awareness of how her actions impacted her overall health… and then made the necessary beneficial choices to support her body, mind and soul!
I now have awareness (and a few tricks up my sleeve) of what could have helped me back then and this is why I choose to work with performers. Our lives are unlike any others! We usually do not have a set routine schedule. As part of the scattered schedule that we do keep, it is immensely beneficial to be aware of what we are able to incorporate into that unconventional routine…
Improved time management skills – prioritizing tasks and stopping the constant icky stomach feeling of running late or not feeling prepared
Improved sleep habits – finding a way to get the quality sleep our bodies need despite having an inconsistent schedule
Improved eating habits – incorporating more quality foods at optimum times
Improved mindset - aligned thoughts and actions; health is wealth, inside and out!
All in all, overall AWARENESS! Only then can the small beneficial changes follow
Are we even aware of what we have learned to become accustomed to? We have been trained to “power through” but at what cost? Is how we are living, currently, working for us? We can’t afford to wait for *insert avoidable life-changing event here* to begin making incremental beneficial changes now.
I want to help performers live a happy, healthy life and avoid my mistakes. There is no reason for anyone to be unnecessarily (especially, unknowingly) treating themselves poorly and stressing themselves out! There is a healthier way to live, unique to each of us, and with minimal work, it is not difficult to piece together a solution.
I want to help performers be fully aware of exactly what is present and what is lacking in their lives – guide them in making incremental beneficial changes in order to feel grounded, balanced and aligned; help them learn to live and work joyously, with a clearer head, under less stress and chaos while attaining their health and career goals in a gratifying way that works for them!
Along with other positive changes, my brain fog is long gone, my skin is no longer aggravated and my energy is back baby! And, for the record, my life is not perfect – no life is (no matter what the internet tries to tell you!) Perfection is a myth! Though now, my life is night and day from what it was in the past. Even though I am years older, I am lightyears healthier and living more joyously – body, mind and soul!
Please reach out with any comments or questions. I welcome and look forward to hearing from you!
⚡️ Live Consciously! ⚡️
Related articles:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol
https://castingfrontier.com/blog/naomi-ackie-on-portraying-whitney-houston/
