Back in Performer Shape at 43: My Artist Reset Story
At 43, I feel stronger, more confident, and more creatively fulfilled than I did at 23 not because of some crash diet or quick fix, but because I completely redefined what it means to live as a performer.
This post is for the artists, musical theatre performers, and creatives who’ve hit a wall - physically, emotionally, or professionally - and are wondering if it’s too late to reclaim their energy, passion, and self-worth.
Spoiler: It’s not.
1. Burnout Happens. Even to Passionate, High-Achieving Performers
I used to be the kind of performer who danced regularly in shows, trained consistently, and didn’t think twice about my stamina or schedule. But after grad school, I entered higher ed as a musical theatre professor. I became tenured, taught full time, directed, and worked 60+ hour weeks.
From the outside, it looked like success. But inside, I was disconnected from my body, my joy, and my artistic identity.
I stopped dancing. I gained weight. I was emotionally and physically depleted. I had nothing left to give to myself or my career.
Eventually, I hit a tipping point. I left academia and walked away from the title and stability I had worked so hard for because it no longer aligned with the life I actually wanted.
2. I Rebuilt My Life Around Longevity, Not Hustle
Once I gave myself space to breathe, I asked a question I hadn’t considered in years:
What kind of life do I want right now?
I didn’t want to chase perfection. I wanted to feel strong, connected, and creatively alive not just perform onstage, but enjoy the life I was building offstage too.
That meant:
Changing how I eat and shop for food
Prioritizing nutrition and fueling my energy
Creating movement routines I could do anywhere
Building our home gym in California and staying consistent while traveling with Peloton classes
Focusing on community, positivity, and flexibility in my fitness, not pressure
This wasn’t a quick-fix challenge. It was an identity shift.
3. I Didn’t Do It Alone, And You Don’t Have To Either
My husband (a former BFA Musical Theatre Chair at Boston Conservatory) and I both experienced intense burnout. Over the last few years, we’ve rebuilt our lives together prioritizing health, joy, and alignment over titles and hustle.
He’s lost over 30 pounds. I’ve returned to a strong, grounded version of myself. And we both feel more alive, more creative, and more connected than we did in our twenties when we first met performing on cruise ships.
4. Performer Confidence Comes From Alignment, Not Perfection
This transformation wasn’t about fitting a certain body type or chasing casting approval. It was about walking into an audition room and feeling like myself again.
As I transition more into on-camera work like commercials, print, TV/film, I’ve learned that confidence at this age isn’t something you “earn.” It’s something you reclaim by showing up fully as who you are, not who you think they want.
For my clients (especially those over 35), we talk about this a lot:
👉 You can’t approach your career the same way you did at 23 …because you’re not that person anymore.
And that’s a good thing.
5. You Control How You Show Up, And That’s Where Your Power Is
Today, I feel stronger in my body. I have the stamina to perform. I know what fuels me. And I surround myself with people and practices that support my goals not sabotage them.
That’s why I’ve booked more callbacks.
That’s why I landed my first Amazon commercial.
That’s why I’m showing up for my clients and my career in a way that’s genuine, healthy, and sustainable.
I still face rejection. I still get nervous. But now I walk into the room knowing that I’m aligned with who I am not chasing who I think I need to be.
Start Your Own Reset
If this resonates with you, I want to offer you something that helped me reconnect with my purpose and energy as a performer:
📥 Download the free 5-Minute Daily Performer Reset Ritual
👉 [here’s the download link]
It’s simple. It’s powerful. And it’s helped me and my clients realign with our energy, our creativity, and our goals one day at a time.
Need Support on Your Journey?
This is the exact work I do with my coaching clients - performers, creatives, and multi-hyphenates navigating burnout, reinvention, and next-level clarity.
🎭 [Book a 1:1 coaching session here]
💻 [Subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly tools + support]
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to go back in time. You just need to move forward with intention.
Because the artist you’re becoming is worth showing up for.
Ashlee Espinosa, MFA is a professional actress and creative business coach helping performers and artist-entrepreneurs build bold, burnout-free careers onstage and off.
With over two decades of experience and a unique bi-coastal perspective, Ashlee blends mindset, marketing, and business strategy to help multi-hyphenate artists grow their impact without sacrificing their well-being. Through 1:1 coaching, free weekly resources, and digital tools, she helps creatives design careers that feel as good as they look.
