"The compassionate approach isn't to say, 'This is too hard, let's just avoid it.' It's to turn towards that difficulty and find a way through."
"Taking a more compassionate approach is really helpful for managing some of the distress that will come up somewhat inevitably through some of those things that people like freelance dancers will face."
In this episode, Courtney Walton, a researcher and psychologist, discusses the importance of self-compassion in performance-oriented environments such as elite sports and performing arts. He explains how self-compassion can help performers manage distress, overcome perfectionism, and foster a supportive community. Courtney also shares practical strategies for developing self-compassion and highlights the need for compassionate approaches within training environments.
Timestamps:
- 00:02 – Introduction to Courtney Walton and her background
- 00:32 – Courtney’s work in elite sports and performing arts
- 01:28 – Experience at a dance school and its impact on her research
- 02:22 – Discussion on self-compassion in performers
- 03:16 – Defining a compassionate approach
- 05:12 – How understanding the brain helps in managing distress
- 06:38 – Compassion-focused therapy in practice
- 08:06 – The role of self-compassion in handling criticism and comparison
- 10:24 – Addressing resistance to self-compassion
- 11:20 – Misconceptions about self-compassion
- 14:17 – The analogy of compassionate vs. critical teaching
- 17:22 – Developing self-compassion as a skill
- 20:02 – Practical exercises for nurturing self-compassion
- 23:44 – The impact of compassionate meditations on performers
- 27:11 – The role of compassion in combating perfectionism
- 32:48 – Community support and self-compassion for freelancers
- 38:08 – Future research directions in compassion and performance
Check Courtney's website here
