The Courageous Performer

What happens when you get hijacked by your emotions?

​​We all have those moments when our emotions can take over.

Anxiety. Anger. Grief. Overwhelm. Fear.

You know, intellectually, that the feeling will pass. But in the moment it can be very hard to see beyond it, and trying to simply "think positively" or shut the feeling down rarely, if ever, helps.

In our latest episode of The Courageous Performer Podcast, we are talking about what happens when emotions hijack us, and how we can acknowledge what we're feeling without letting it dictate what we do next.

We talk about:

• how to validate your emotions without getting caught up in the story that comes with them

• what the emotion can actually be telling you

• what to do when they truly feel bigger than you can handle

• why self-compassion changes the way we respond to difficult emotions

• and how remembering that you're not the only person who feels this way can be surprisingly powerful

This isn't about becoming someone who never gets overwhelmed, anxious or upset. (Wouldn't that be nice? 😂)

It's about getting better at noticing what's happening, understanding it, and choosing what you do with it.

This is one of those conversations that applies to all of us, whatever we do, in pretty much every area of our lives!

Take a listen using the links below.

And if you're someone who does one-to-one work, you might also be interested in our free online workshop this Saturday, 9-10.30am: The Joy of Being a Fearless Coach.

It's a chance to explore what it really means to be confident and courageous in your one to one work, and in your business, rather than simply trying to become "better".

And if something in this podcast stimulated you to want to take action and work with us, visit our website: Find Your True Voice

If you've ever felt caged by nerves, overthinking, or a fear that won't let up, this episode is for you.

Hattie is back with a closer look at the actual process she and Emily, her new business partner, use to help people move from fearful and tied in knots to free and fully themselves wherever the spotlight lands.

You'll hear:

• How the critical voice in your head isn't a sign you're broken.

• The real difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, and how a simple word ("yet") can shift everything

• That self-compassion has three parts, and the reason "common humanity" might be the most powerful one

• The neuroscience behind why it's genuinely never too late to change a habit (if a 92-year-old can change, so can you!)

This one gets personal, a little nerdy about the brain, and is full of the kind of hope you can actually put into practice.

Listen now and get ready to crack your own shell.

And ff you want to find out more about the way we work, visit our website at findyourtruevoice.co.uk

What's the real difference between a good performer and a truly great one?

In this episode, I reflect on what I learned at a recent conference with some of the world's leading voices in psychology and neurobiology. All of the presenters were polished, knowledgeable and engaging - but only a few created that deeper sense of safety, connection and authenticity that makes an audience lean in and truly listen.

Join me as I explore:

• The hidden factors that hold even confident performers back.

• The reason your relationship with judgement (both your own and others') shapes how you feel on stage.

• The key shift that transforms stage fright into genuine stage presence.

• Simple, practical steps to help you feel grounded, safe and authentic in your next performance or presentation.

If you've ever found yourself overthinking, second-guessing, or striving to "get it right" before stepping in front of an audience, this episode will show you a different way. It's about moving past performance armour and stepping into calm, confident connection. So you can share what you have to offer with freedom and authenticity.

✨ If you've got a performance or presentation coming up and today's episode really resonated, I'd love to help you put this into practice. I've created some short-term coaching options for exactly these moments — when you don't have months to prepare but still want to feel calmer, more confident, and more connected.

You can choose from:

• The Confidence Kickstart – 3 focused one to one sessions across 1–2 weeks

• The Performance Power Session – a 90-minute deep dive to shift what's holding you back

👉 If you'd like to find out more, just email me: [email protected] — I'd be happy to chat it through.

Ever notice how one critical remark can overshadow all the praise you've received?

For years, I let one critical comment overshadow every compliment I received. In this episode of The Courageous Performer Podcast, I share how I stopped letting negative feedback crush my confidence and started using it to grow. I'll walk you through the exact three steps I use to decide what to take on board—and what to let go—so I can perform with freedom and self-belief.

🎧 You'll hear:

• Why our brains are wired to focus on criticism over praise

• How to separate your self-worth from your performance

• Real-life examples of turning harsh feedback into constructive growth

• Simple ways to quiet the inner critic after a comment stings

• The mindset shift that makes feedback feel less personal and more useful

By the end, you'll know how to sift through criticism, keep the gems, and leave the rest behind—so you can keep showing up with courage and confidence.

This episode is for every performer who's ever felt they had to earn their right to be seen. Whether you're onstage, on camera, in the boardroom, or simply trying to show up as yourself - you'll find something here for you.

👉 Book a free Backstage Review with me: Backstage Review

Let's talk about how to let go of the fear and find the version of you that doesn't need to be fixed - just given space to perform

💛 Like, subscribe, and share this with someone whose inner critic is ruining their life!

Do your inner voices whisper things like: "You're not good enough." "You're going to mess this up." "You're too much… or maybe not enough?"

Welcome to the club. It's noisy in here.

In this episode of The Courageous Performer Podcast, I share the story of how I spent decades trying to outperform my inner critic—and how that voice still managed to stop me singing for nearly 20 years. And it didn't just affect my performances, it shaped how I saw myself everywhere.

I genuinely believed the answer was to try harder, work smarter, and be better. Turns out, I was making things worse not better, like trying to make it easier to climb a mountain by adding bricks to my rucksack.

🎧 You'll hear:

The reason your inner critic gets so loud in the first place

Why self-criticism feels like a safety strategy (but actually backfires)

The uncomfortable but powerful first step to quietening the noise

And what happens when you stop protecting yourself, and start really performing

This episode is for every performer who's ever felt they had to earn their right to be seen. Whether you're onstage, on camera, in the boardroom, or simply trying to show up as yourself - you'll find something here for you.

👉 Book a free Backstage Review with me: Backstage Review

Let's talk about how to let go of the fear and find the version of you that doesn't need to be fixed - just given space to perform

💛 Like, subscribe, and share this with someone whose inner critic is ruining their life!

Ever noticed how you can receive ten lovely compliments… and one slightly arched eyebrow… and somehow that's the bit that sticks?

In this episode, I'm talking about the sneaky pull of external validation—the kind of feedback we long for but often don't believe when we get it. I share what I've learned (often the hard way) about how needing a certain response from your audience, your peers, or even your loved ones can throw you off balance—and how things change when you start valuing your own opinion just a little bit more.

This one's especially personal, as I reflect on grief, vulnerability, and the surprising ways old thought patterns can creep back in when life shakes you. It's not about pretending you don't care—it's about learning how to care differently. And kindly.

So if you've ever twisted yourself into knots trying to please everyone, or felt lost when praise didn't land the way it should have, this one's for you. And if you'd like some practical tools to help let go of that need for praise and reconnect with your authentic performer self, join me on 8th May for my workshop: The Joy of Being a Fearless Performer.

Do you ever feel like the harder you try to control your performance, the more things seem to go wrong?

In this episode of The Courageous Performer Podcast, I explore why control isn't the solution—it's the problem.

I'll share insights from a coaching session with a performer facing a high-stakes audition, unpack how the need for control creates tension and self-doubt, and show you what actually works: creating headspace. When you shift your approach to preparation, you gain the freedom to respond, adapt, and truly enjoy performing.

If this is something you'd like to explore further, I'm running my Free Your Voice Live event in April, where I'll guide you through my step-by-step process to move from panic to presence—so you can perform with confidence, ease, and authenticity.

Tickets are £40 for the whole day, but early bird tickets are just £20—and they include access to my online course. You can find all the details here: Free Your Voice Live

Listen now and learn how to trust yourself, free your voice, and perform at your best.

We all feel embarrassed or vulnerable at times—even those of us who teach confidence for a living! In this episode, I share two personal stories that pushed me to confront my inner critic and navigate the uncomfortable feelings of self-doubt. Learn the tools I use to overcome embarrassment, fact-check fears, and embrace my imperfect, authentic self. If you've ever struggled to put yourself out there or felt like you had to be perfect, this episode is for you. Let's explore why being real—not perfect—is the key to confidence and connection.

I'll walk you through the tools I use to climb out of those moments, including:

• Sitting with uncomfortable feelings (instead of avoiding them)
• Telling yourself your "shitty story" to uncover and fact-check fears
• Showing kindness to yourself and reframing imperfections as strengths

Join me as I explore how these tools helped me turn vulnerability into connection and discover why authenticity always wins.

Connect with Hattie:

If you want to get in touch you can reach me here:

Website: www.findyourtruevoice.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Handling criticism is tough for any performer, whether you're on stage or in the boardroom. In this episode of The Courageous Performer, I explore how to transform feedback - both external and internal - into a powerful tool for growth, rather than a source of self-doubt.

We'll discuss:

• How to quiet that harsh inner critic that often holds us back.
• Three essential questions to ask yourself when facing feedback: Is it kind? Is it more about them than me? Do I agree with it?
• Practical tips for using feedback to improve without losing confidence or motivation.

Tune in if you're ready to make peace with feedback, build resilience, and step into every performance with greater self-assurance. This episode is perfect for singers, actors, public speakers, and anyone looking to find strength in vulnerability.

Connect with Hattie:

If you want to get in touch you can reach me here:

Website: www.findyourtruevoice.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Do you feel like each performance is a pass-or-fail test of your worth? In this episode of The Courageous Performer Podcast, Hattie Voelcker explores why it's so common for performers to tie their value to their achievements on stage—and how this mindset creates unnecessary pressure that can make performing a struggle rather than a joy.

Hattie dives into practical strategies to help you separate who you are from how well you perform, reducing performance anxiety and building resilience. Learn how to stop viewing every performance as a "make-or-break" moment, and start seeing it as an experience for growth, learning, and enjoyment.

Tune in for insights, stories, and tips that will help you create a healthier, more sustainable relationship with performing, whether you're singing, acting, speaking, or dancing.