For musicians who’ve been at it 10, 20, 30 years and suddenly realize the old definition doesn’t fit the life they actually want now. If you’ve hit a point in your career where things look successful on paper but don’t feel like success anymore, this conversation will land. In this interview, we dig into redefining success as a musician—especially for players who’ve been at it 10, 20, 30 years and suddenly realize the old definition doesn’t fit the life they actually want now.I’m talking with violinist and coach Sarah Whitney, someone who has worked with a lot of mid-career pros who are quietly burned out, overcommitted, or feeling stuck in the identity they built years ago. What she’s seeing in the field right now is something most musicians don’t talk about publicly.Connect with Sarah through her mailing list to receive invites to online networking events and support: https://sarahwhitney.myflodesk.com/ngf2keppgs We get into things like:. What happens when the dream you chased in your 20s no longer makes sense in your 40s or 50s. Why so many musicians hide that they’re unfulfilled. How career “success” can start running your life if you’re not careful. How to take back agency instead of waiting for the phone to ring. What it looks like to make a real pivot without blowing up your life. How to reconnect with the part of you that actually wants somethingAnd honestly, we both share some of our own story here—leaving big gigs, turning down opportunities, walking away from identities that once defined us, and building something that fits our lives now.If you’ve been feeling that something in your career needs to shift… or if you’re wondering whether you’re “allowed” to want something different… I think this will reassure you that you’re not alone.Follow Sarah Whitney:Instagram: @theproductivemusicianWebsite: www.sarahwhitney.com🎻 If you want support developing your musicianship, confidence, and creative voice, join us inside Creative Strings Academy:https://christianhowes.com/academyCHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction & Guest Welcome00:39 Changing Definitions of Success03:12 Making a Career Shift: Letting Go and Starting New06:18 Agency and Taking Control of Your Career09:35 Personal Stories: Family, Priorities, and Change10:32 Inspiration, Burnout, and Redefining Busy14:54 Practical Steps for Musicians: Action, Mindset, and Strategy19:17 Closing & Guest Plugs