If you have ever wondered:
💭 "Why do I feel like I am performing a version of myself that is slowly suffocating me?"
💭 "How do I separate who I am from what I do?"
💭 "What does it take to stop chasing approval and start living from purpose?"
- this episode is for you.
In this raw, honest and deeply human conversation, Tess and Layne welcome Josh Piterman - the first Australian to perform both Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and the Phantom in the original West End production of Phantom of the Opera - for a conversation that goes far beyond the stage.
Josh opens up about the defining moment that launched his West End career: singing Nessun Dorma on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, a performance that found its way to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron McIntosh within two weeks. But behind the marquee billing in London was a man quietly unravelling - running on scarcity, performing for a producer's approval, and placing every measure of his worth in achievement and outcome.
He shares the full story of his three-part wake-up call: the feather (burnout), the brick (a fractured larynx mid-rehearsal), and the train (a surfboard that hit the same spot months later, silencing him for a year) - all while his father was diagnosed with brain cancer and he was performing the most emotionally gruelling role of his career.
You will hear about:
- Why burnout is inevitable for high performers who ignore the signals their body keeps sending
- How to find your authentic self through early childhood play and the bliss body
- The shift from first mountain (achievement) to second mountain (contribution) - and why it changes everything
- The science of heart coherence breathing and how it builds emotional resilience from the inside out
Links text
Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasses
https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/awake-collective-sales
Get Awake's transformative book: Know Yourself Grow Yourself to live a happier more purposeful life.
https://www.penguin.com.au/books/awake-academy-9781761345869
Follow Layne on Instagram @Laynebeachley
Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer
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Sponsor our podcast https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact
Book us for a workshop https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact
https://open.spotify.com/track/1vuf0jxcfB7Ry8qeSr7pBp
Disclaimer
The A Wake Up Call podcast is created for general informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The stories, tools, and insights shared are designed to support your wellbeing journey - not to replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. In fact, we believe therapy is non-negotiable in life.
If you're experiencing a medical or mental health condition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you've heard on this podcast.
Your wellbeing matters. Take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember the real wake-up call is listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you.
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