Burnout & Redefining Success as a Performer
There was a chapter in my life when I believed that working 60+ hours a week meant I was doing it right.
Full-time musical theatre professor.
Directing shows at night.
Performing regionally all summer.
Even secretly teaching part-time at a second university.
And you know what? It was praised.
People said, “You’re killing it.”
“Living the dream.”
“Making it happen.”
But the truth?
I was bitter.
Exhausted.
And totally disconnected from the reason I became an artist in the first place.
🚨 The Hustle Trap No One Talks About
In our industry — especially in musical theatre — burnout isn’t just common. It’s often applauded.
We wear exhaustion like a badge of honor. We chase visibility, validation, and income with everything we’ve got.
But what’s the point of “living the dream” if you have to numb out just to survive it?
This realization hit me hard. And eventually, it hit my husband too — a musical theatre educator who was chairing one of the top BFA programs in the country.
We both reached a breaking point. And we knew: something had to change.
🌱 Redefining Success as an Artist
Success used to mean constant output.
A stacked resume.
More shows. More credits. More income.
But now?
Success looks like sustainability.
Like waking up with energy and a sense of purpose.
Like doing creative work that feels good — not just looks good on paper.
This shift didn’t happen overnight.
But it started when I finally asked myself:
What if the pace I was taught to keep… was never meant for me in the first place?
💛 You’re Not Lazy — You’re Evolving
If you’ve been feeling off… tired… like you're doing all the right things and still feel disconnected — I want you to know:
✨ You’re not lazy.
✨ You’re not falling behind.
✨ You’re not broken.
You’re just waking up to a new rhythm.
A new season.
A new definition of what this artist life can look like.
And that’s not failure … that’s growth.
🎥 Watch the Full Video
If you want to hear the full story including the moment my husband and I decided to step away from hustle culture for good — watch this week’s video:
👉 [Burned Out & Done: Why I Walked Away from Hustle Culture]
📥 Want a Creative Reset?
I created a free 5-minute daily ritual to help you reconnect with your voice, your energy, and your creative rhythm without the burnout.
✨ Grab the free Performer Reset Ritual here.
💬 Tell Me in the Comments:
Have you ever hit burnout as a performer?
What are you redefining right now?
You’re allowed to build a career that feels as good as it looks.
Ashlee Espinosa, MFA is a professional actress and career coach helping performers and artist-entrepreneurs build sustainable careers—onstage and online.
With over two decades of experience and a unique bi-coastal perspective, Ashlee blends mindset, marketing, and business strategy to help creatives grow their impact without burnout. She splits her time between performing, coaching 1:1 clients, and building digital tools for the next generation of artist-leaders.
