MY JOURNEY FROM ARTIST TO COACHING CONSULTANT

As I sit down to write about my journey from being an artist to becoming a coach, I reflect on the ups and downs of my life in the music industry. The highs were incredible, but the lows often felt crushing, and it was through navigating these peaks and valleys that I found my calling. Becoming a coach for other artists wasn’t just a career shift; it was a transformation—one that rooted itself in the very essence of my experience and personal growth.

Being an artist is a unique life path, full of passion, creativity, and often isolation. The music industry is notorious for its challenges, with many musicians struggling to sustain a living while dealing with erratic working conditions, anti-social hours, and the constant pressure to maintain a public image. As I moved through my career, I felt these strains acutely, realizing that what was missing for many of us was not just guidance, but a deeper understanding of ourselvesand how to navigate the emotional and mental challenges that come with this profession.

There is a proverb that says, “Prevention is better than cure.” This resonates deeply when applied to well-being, especially for artists. So often, we only seek help when the cracks are already too wide to ignore. In my own journey, I discovered this truth the hard way. Like many artists, I was guilty of pushing through the burnout, neglecting the warning signs, and not recognizing the emotional toll my lifestyle was taking.

I spent years grappling with exhaustion, financial insecurity, and internal battles about whether I was good enough. My art was my therapy, but it wasn’t a cure. Eventually, I found myself questioning the very identity that had always been so tied to my music. “Without music, who am I?” This was a question that haunted me for a long time. I knew I wasn’t alone—so many artists feel the same anxiety, the same fear of being forgotten or replaced in an industry that moves faster than we can sometimes keep up.

“Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.” — Charles R. Swindoll

This quote captures the essence of what I began to understand through my struggles. It wasn’t just about the industry or the external challenges; it was about how I responded to those challenges. Over time, I realized that my true growth would come from within—from mastering the inner game of my mind and emotions. As a pioneering hip-hop artist, I faced a volatile environment, and at times, I didn’t have the tools to manage my emotional state. I remember heading back to the studio, beating myself up after negative feedback, feeling my self-worth in the hands of industry moguls. But it was in those moments of introspection, of asking myself the tough questions, that I began to uncover the real issues.

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Jobs

I loved music deeply, but I found myself falling out of love with the industry and its demands. I had to rediscover not just my passion for music, but my passion for life. I wanted to help other artists avoid the same pitfalls I encountered. Through personal development and an intense journey of self-awareness, I learned that mastering the inner game was crucial not only for surviving in the industry but thriving in it.

That’s when I turned to coaching. The decision to become a coach wasn’t just about giving back to the community I loved; it was about helping artists develop the resilience and emotional intelligence to protect themselves in a field that can be so emotionally taxing. I trained and earned my qualification from the International Coaching Academy, using everything I had learned—both the struggles and the triumphs—as a foundation for my coaching practice.

“Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.” — Dr. Benjamin Spock

Trust is essential in both the music industry and personal development. Trusting others, yes, but more importantly, trusting yourself. Many of the artists I’ve worked with didn’t just need technical advice; they needed to believe in themselves again. They needed to reconnect with the music inside them, the part of them that was pure and untouched by external pressures.

When I reflect on the struggles I faced as an artist—feeling alone, misunderstood, and pressured to fit into molds that didn’t feel true to my identity—I realize that much of it could have been mitigated with the right support. Would I have benefitted from a personal development coach back then? Absolutely. But I also understand that my path led me here for a reason—to guide others through their journeys, to help them navigate the inner game of artistry.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

In the end, it’s not about the external markers of success—the awards, the recognition, or the number of records sold. It’s about having the courage to face yourself, to ask yourself what you truly want, and to develop the resilience to keep moving forward, no matter the challenges.

At Finding the Music Inside, I help artists discover their creative identity and instill the confidence to embrace authenticity. It’s not just about being better performers; it’s about becoming better human beings. We focus on the inner aspects of performance—the mental and emotional states that determine an artist’s success. And through coaching, we dismantle unhelpful beliefs, build resilience, and create strategies for thriving in an industry that is both rewarding and ruthless.

So if you’re an artist feeling lost, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next steps, know that you’re not alone. I’ve been there. But I’ve also come out the other side, and now, it’s my mission to help others find their way too.

Remember, “When your inner music complements your artistic performance, that is when we truly flow.” — Reynolds

Let’s find the music inside you.