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Published Sep 14, 2019

Facing Loss, Dreaming Big, and Becoming a Superstar with Lindsey Stirling and Lewis Howes

Violinist and performer Lindsey Stirling delves into overcoming personal loss, pursuing creative passions, and transforming public failures into growth, offering profound insights on resilience, dreaming big, and the mental strength required to succeed.
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Episode Highlights

  • Public Failures

    Lindsey Stirling shares her harrowing experience on America's Got Talent, where she faced harsh criticism from the judges. Despite the public humiliation, she used this failure as a stepping stone to improve her craft. Stirling emphasizes the importance of perseverance and believing in one's potential, even when the world says otherwise 1.

    I knew this moment was going to make me. And then I walk out on that stage, perform, get X'd in the middle of my performance. So embarrassing already. Then I get torn apart by the judges. Literally. Tears are happening behind my eyeballs. Like, I'm, like, trying not to sob on stage.

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    Her journey from being told she wasn't good enough to touring the world is a testament to her resilience and vision 2.

       

    Health Challenges

    Stirling opens up about her battle with anorexia, which began in her early twenties. She describes the early signs of the disorder and how it took over her life during college. Through therapy and intentional mental practices, she managed to regain control and maintain a healthy mindset 3.

    I was like, 21 or 22 when I realized I had anorexia. I sensed, like, looking back, signs of it from the time I was a child, like six, seven. I had memories from eight years old feeling fat.

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    Stirling emphasizes the importance of hope and self-awareness in overcoming self-doubt and mental health challenges 4.

       

    Mental Strength

    Stirling discusses the mental fortitude required to deal with self-doubt and build confidence. She contrasts different types of winners in sports, highlighting the importance of surrendering to a higher power for strength. This approach, she believes, adds an extra element of power 5.

    There's a lot to be said about the amount of calmness when you can hand it over to the universe or to hand it over to God and say, like, you know what? I really believe a lot. And it's meant to be or it's not meant to be.

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    Her passion for performing and entertaining is evident, as she describes the joy and fulfillment she gets from connecting with her audience 6.

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