In this episode, Ash Butterss sits down with yoga and meditation teacher Kristian Crowe, whose story is one of reinvention, dharma, and finding peace after years of striving. From a decade-long career in musical theatre to life in a Melbourne ashram, Kristian shares what it means to walk away from the roles we’ve outgrown and come home to ourselves.

Kristian reflects on his early identity as a performer, living for applause, feeling disconnected, and secretly unraveling behind a perfect smile. He recounts the turning point when, after touring internationally and landing a dream role, he realised that success hadn’t brought the wholeness he expected.

What followed was a complete transformation. In this conversation, Kristian opens up about the grief of letting go, the power of yoga and meditation, and how returning to India for teacher training changed everything. He now teaches from a place of deep inner connection, moving beyond performance and into true service.

The episode highlights are:

00:00 Introduction to Authentic Living

02:58 Kristian's Journey into Yoga and Meditation

06:05 Transformation in India: Immersive Meditation Training

11:55 Navigating Relationships and Personal Growth

17:56 The Struggles Behind the Smile: A Performer’s Story

24:10 Ego Death and Embracing a New Identity

30:10 The Healing Journey Through Yoga and Self-Acceptance

34:15 The Evolution of Teaching and Learning

39:10 Non-Striving in Practice

44:51 The Power of Stillness

49:21 Compassion Through Self-Understanding

53:16 Navigating Intimate Relationships

58:10 Balancing Material Needs and Spiritual Practices

You can connect with Kristian via Instagram and through his website here. 

To access your free guided meditations, head to the Freebie Page on Ash’s website ⁠https://www.ashbutterss.com/free-resources⁠

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