Are you chasing perfection...or pursuing excellence?

In this episode of the MindfulOpus Podcast, I dive into one of the most common — and costly — mindsets musicians face: perfectionism. On the surface, perfection can feel like a motivator. But in reality, it’s a trap that leads to performance anxiety, burnout, and a loss of joy in music-making long-term.

I’ll share why perfection isn’t sustainable, and how excellence becomes the foundation for a career and life you can sustain. Along the way, I’ll bring in science-backed facts, and offer the Excellence over Perfection Framework that I use with 100% of my clients, to help you in how you show up in the practice room and on stage.

I’ll share five key concepts that can change how you approach your practice and your performance:

1. High Score vs. Perfect Score — why shooting for less than 100% unlocks consistency and flow.
2. Curiosity vs. Shame — how to meet mistakes with experimentation instead of self-criticism.
3. Growth vs. Fixed Mindset — shifting from proving yourself to improving yourself.
4. Inner Coach vs. Inner Critic — why your self-talk shapes your entire experience.
5. Resilience vs. Burnout — how excellence supports a sustainable, healthy, creative career.
   
   

And as a takeaway, I share a practical thought experiment that helps you spot the trap of perfection — and step confidently into excellence instead.

My hope is that by the end, you’ll see that letting go of perfection doesn’t mean lowering your standards — it means pursuing them in a way that actually lasts.

TIMESTAMPS

(04:18) 1st concept: high, not perfect score

(05:43) 2nd concept: curiosity vs. shame

(07:35) 3rd concept: growth over fixed mindset

(10:18) 4th concept: inner-critic vs. inner-coach

(12:48) 5th concept: resilience vs. burnout

(16:03) Thought experiment

Also - Come say hi! @mindfulopus on Instagram, or mindfulopus.com

In the classical music world, we’re often taught that struggle is the price of greatness. That if you just sacrifice a little more—your health, your time, your relationships—you’ll finally get the result you’ve been chasing.

But what if our artistry didn’t have to come at the cost of our humanity?

In this debut episode, I take you behind the curtain of my own journey - and when my biggest win also became your biggest wake-up call. From grueling childhood auditions in France, to winning my dream job at 21 and facing career-threatening injuries, I share how burnout forced me to find a new way forward.

You’ll hear how yoga, mindfulness, and coaching gave me a path back to health, balance, and presence—and why I now believe well-being isn’t optional, but essential for creating both great art and a fulfilling life.

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with:

• A new perspective on why “grind culture” is unsustainable in classical music.
• A definition of well-being that goes beyond “getting by.”
• Three simple reflection questions you can use today to check in with your own well-being.
  

Reflection Questions from the Episode

1. Where in my life am I neglecting my well-being the most?
2. How is this affecting me—both on stage and off?
3. What’s one small shift I can make that feels manageable and sustainable?

Also - Come say hi! @mindfulopus on Instagram, or mindfulopus.com