The Stage Strong Podcast

The Stage Strong Podcast

By: Rory Phelan

Language: en

Categories: Health, Fitness, Arts, Performing

This is a private podcast for the Stage Strong community to help you build blockbuster confidence and find structure in the unstructed life of performing. These episodes will help you build your knowledge around health, nurition and habits!

Episodes

The Recharge Roundtable - How To Conquer January
Jan 08, 2026

In this episode, we shared our experiences and insights on navigating the transition into January. Rather than feeling the need to drastically overhaul our lives, we explore practical strategies for building sustainable habits, managing overwhelm, and prioritising rest and recovery.

Whether you're feeling motivated to tackle new goals or struggling to regain your momentum, this drop in offers a number of perspectives on making meaningful progress one step at a time. Tune in for relatable stories, actionable tips, and the encouragement to approach the new year with a balanced, achievable mindset.


Duration: 00:52:15
The 7 Day Reset
Jan 05, 2026

If anyone is feeling out of rhythm after Christmas, then this episode is absolutely for you. I am walking you through a realistic 7-day plan to rebuild routine, confidence, and consistency.

Enjoy! 

Duration: 00:17:22
Reset, Regulate, Rebuild
Dec 29, 2025

Coming out of the Christmas period can bring guilt, emotional overwhelm, and pressure to “make up for lost time.” In this episode I explore how to release shame, regulate emotions, and return to training with clarity and self-trust.

Enjoy, and Happy New Year! 

Duration: 00:19:06
Between Christmas & The New Year: What Stays, What Goes, What’s Next
Dec 22, 2025

Duration: 00:53:59
Navigating the Holiday Hustle: Balancing Work, Wellness, and Intentions for the New Year
Dec 17, 2025

In this week's drop-in session we discuss navigating the holiday season. We dive in on finding balance, managing burnout, and setting meaningful intentions for the New Year. We look at creating a roadmap for entering 2026 feeling recharged and focused. Whether it's maintaining nutrition, prioritising self-care, or aligning personal and professional goals, lets finish the year strong and start the new year with clarity and purpose.

Duration: 00:56:59
No More Excuses: Staying Aligned Through the Holidays
Dec 15, 2025

Chocolate, parties, late nights - December is full of distractions. This episode I'm exploring how to stay committed, grounded, and consistent through the festive chaos.

Duration: 00:19:04
Reset, Refocus, Rebuild: What has this year taught me?
Dec 08, 2025

In this episode I'm inviting you to reflect on your year, release what’s holding you back, and set powerful new fitness goals for the year ahead.

Enjoy! 

Duration: 00:22:12
Embracing Flexibility: Mastering the Holiday Balancing Act
Dec 04, 2025

Duration: 00:09:45
Through the Loneliness, Through the Discomfort
Nov 30, 2025

In this episode, I talk about the loneliness that often shows up this time of year and the resistance that hits right before a workout. You’ll learn simple, practical tools to move through both kinds of discomfort - and discover the stronger, more grounded version of yourself waiting on the other side.

Enjoy!

Duration: 00:20:25
Navigating the Festive Season: Boundaries, Self-Care, and Staying Motivated
Nov 24, 2025

The holiday season can be a joyful but also overwhelming time of year, especially for performers with busy schedules. In this episode we dive deep into strategies for navigating the festive period with intention and self-care. 

We discuss the importance of setting boundaries, managing expectations, and finding moments of joy amidst the chaos.

Whether you're juggling panto rehearsals, family obligations, or just trying to enjoy the holidays, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you make the most of this special time of year.

Duration: 00:54:51
Cold Mornings, Dark Nights, Strong Discipline
Nov 24, 2025

This week I'm exploring a short guide to staying motivated and disciplined with your fitness routine through cold mornings, dark nights, and seasonal dips in energy.

Enjoy! 

Duration: 00:19:03
Guided Decompress - Letting the Day Go
Nov 17, 2025

Unwind with this 10-minute guided decompression designed to help you release the day and prepare your mind and body for deep, restful sleep. Through gentle breathing, grounding, and calming visualisation, this episode creates a peaceful space to slow down, switch off, and ease into the night. Perfect for anyone needing a quiet moment to settle, reset, and drift into bedtime.

Enjoy and happy sleeping! 

Duration: 00:06:51
Rewriting the Narrative: Nick's Journey - From Overwhelmed to Empowered
Nov 13, 2025

Duration: 00:56:33
Tough Love or Self-Compassion? Finding the Sweet Spot in Your Fitness Journey
Nov 10, 2025

Are you being too soft on yourself, or too hard? In this episode, we unpack the difference between discipline and self-sabotage. You’ll learn how to spot when you need a kick of tough love, when to back off, and how to train your inner coach to motivate, not humiliate.

Duration: 00:19:01
'I'm Stuck' - Recognising and Finding The Courage to Reach Out
Nov 03, 2025

When you’re stuck, it’s easy to go quiet and try to push through. In this episode, we explore how to reach out, let yourself be seen, and rediscover momentum - in your training and beyond.

Enjoy! 

Duration: 00:21:10
Navigating Relationships in the Industry - Mindset Masterclass
Oct 31, 2025

This masterclass we explore the unique challenges and dynamics of relationships within the performing arts industry. From navigating friendships and creative partnerships to managing romantic relationships as a performer, Frankie provides practical insights and strategies to help attendees build stronger, more fulfilling connections. Drawing from her extensive experience working with clients in the arts, Frankie delves into topics such as effective communication, managing expectations, and resolving conflicts - equipping participants with the tools to cultivate healthier, more balanced relationships both on and off the stage.

Duration: 00:56:24
Navigating Rehearsals, Goal-Setting, and Overcoming Overwhelm - Weekly Drop In
Oct 30, 2025

In this episode we addresses common challenges faced by the community, including juggling rehearsals, setting effective goals for the new year, and managing feelings of overwhelm!

Duration: 00:53:59
Deserving, Disappointment, and the Dance with the Ego
Oct 27, 2025

In this episode, I explore the tension between what we feel we 'deserve' and what life actually gives us. You’ll learn how to manage disappointment, catch the “shoulds” that fuel self-pressure, and begin mastering, rather than being ruled by, the ego. A gentle reminder that your worth isn’t something to earn, but something to remember.

Enjoy! 

Duration: 00:20:19
The Burning Toast Theory - Finding The Balance Between Grace & Toxic Positivity
Oct 20, 2025

This episode explores the Burning Toast Theory. The idea of not letting small frustrations ruin your day - and how to find a healthy balance between letting things go and acknowledging real emotions, avoiding the trap of toxic positivity. It’s about practicing grace and honesty in everyday moments.

Enjoy! 

Duration: 00:17:34
Seeking & Listening to My Inner Voice
Oct 13, 2025

As performers we are often consumed by external validation, rejection, opinions. In this episode I explore how we can turn down the volume on the external noise and increase our inner voice. 

Enjoy! 

Duration: 00:22:59
Self Care - Identifying & Prioritising
Oct 05, 2025

Self care, a bit of a buzz word at the moment, but how many of us actually know what our own individual self care needs look like? In this episode we explore ways of identifying those needs and how we can prioritise them, even when life gets stressful....Enjoy!  

Duration: 00:20:51
More Than A Performer
Sep 29, 2025

In this episode, I explore the question “How do I want to be remembered?” Performers often let the theatre industry define their worth, but true legacy goes beyond roles and your CV.  I reflect on finding your own voice, separating your values from others’ expectations, exploring hobbies outside of performance as this is about crafting a life and identity that the spotlight can’t touch. I also speak into a topic someone brought to me, around navigating jealousy in friendships. 

Enjoy! 

Duration: 00:19:53
Overcoming Excuses and Embracing a Growth Mindset
Sep 26, 2025

Duration: 00:47:50
Post-Audition Reflection & Release
Sep 22, 2025

This 10 minute episode guides you through gentle breathing, compassionate self-talk, and reflective moments to help you release tension, reframe the audition, and reconnect with your confidence and creativity. Enjoy! 

Duration: 00:10:08
Perspective: Learning To Celebrate Your Own Wins
Sep 16, 2025

Duration: 00:11:17
Curtain Call for 2025. Body, Mind & Momentum
Sep 14, 2025

We're heading into the final chapter of 2025 and in this episode I'm going help you navigate the last few months of the year, explore how your emotions might change as we head into winter, and how we can end the year feeling reset, ready for 2026 whatever it may bring. Enjoy! 

Duration: 00:19:36
Progress Over Comparison - Me vs Me
Sep 08, 2025

In this episode I'm talking into the differences between helpful comparison and discouraging comparison. You'll then want to grab a piece of paper and pen, as I'm taking you through a guided weekly review/journal for you to reflect on your week. 

Enjoy! 

Duration: 00:20:29
Trusting the Process: Duncan Burt Hotseat - 27kg Down & Reaching His Dream Physique
Sep 02, 2025

Duration: 00:59:24
Audition Pep Talk & Breathing Exercise
Aug 31, 2025

A 10 minute audition pep talk, guided breathing exercise and visualisation. 

Go smash it, and thank you for taking this time for you - you’ve already smashed it! 

Duration: 00:09:15
Motivation vs Discipline: The Key to Unlocking Your Fitness and Mindset Goals
Aug 30, 2025

Welcome to our first Live Mindset Masterclass with Frankie and myself. 

Today we are diving into Motivation vs Discipline. Whats the difference and how can we use this to unlock our fitness and mindset goals. 

Duration: 00:53:42
Weekly Drop In - The 1% Method
Aug 26, 2025

Duration: 00:35:32
Weekly Drop In - Working Hard But Not Seeing The Results?
Aug 19, 2025

Duration: 00:36:37
Weekly Drop In - Working Hard But Not Seeing The Results?
Aug 19, 2025

Duration: 00:14:28
Boundaries for Performers: Health, Fitness & The Stage
Aug 17, 2025

In this episode we’re exploring how to identify, set and stick to boundaries when it comes to our health, fitness & our wonderful, yet complex industry.  

Grab a cuppa, a pen and paper and enjoy!   

Duration: 00:18:41
Slower Days, Stronger You: Thriving Through Breaks & Setbacks
Aug 10, 2025

This week we're exploring how to keep your wellbeing on track when life throws you curveballs like, stress, illness or schedule changes. We'll be covering staying active when you're sick, coping with stress eating, getting that exercise 'buzz' without the gym and finally how to navigate a break in work. 

Enjoy! 

Duration: 00:22:34
Rejection, Resets & The Power of The Pause
Aug 03, 2025

We’re talking about three things that show up constantly for performers:

Handling rejection after auditions  Learning how to pause especially when it comes to nutrition Finding the balance between holding yourself accountable and avoiding guilt if you miss a workout

Enjoy! 

Duration: 00:19:04
Weekly Drop In - RPE/ Tempo & Managing Daily Snacking
Jul 22, 2025

Duration: 00:14:28
Building Your Dream Transformation
Jun 17, 2025

In today’s episode, we break down the exact steps you need to take to achieve your dream transformation - without falling into the common traps that derail most people. From building momentum to staying consistent when motivation dips, we’re cutting through the noise to give you a clear, sustainable path forward.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been stuck in a cycle of stop-start progress, this episode will give you the tools, clarity, and confidence to move forward without burnout or confusion.

Duration: 00:34:51
Building Back Your Motivation
Apr 29, 2025

Welcome to today’s Stage Strong drop-in session. I know this one’s going to resonate with a lot of you because today we’re talking about something we all face at some point – BUILDING BACK YOUR MOTIVATION.

If you’ve fallen off the bandwagon, lost your momentum, or just feel like you’re not where you want to be with your goals – don’t worry, you’re not alone. We’re going to dive into how you can reignite that drive, get back in alignment with your goals, and start moving forward with purpose again.

Duration: 00:18:02
Navigating a Hectic Work/ Rehearsal Schedule
Mar 19, 2025

Duration: 00:19:36
How to Maximise Your Results
Mar 12, 2025

Welcome back to the Stage Strong podcast.

Today we’re diving into a topic that I know will resonate with so many of you – “how to maximize your results”. 

Whether you're in the gym, training at home, this is all about making sure you're getting the absolute most out of every session.

We’re going to cover some key principles today:

Pushing yourself in sessions, including strategies like progressive overload and drop sets.Celebrating failure as a sign of growth.Balancing your training progress with proper nutrition and macros.And finally, the importance...

Duration: 00:14:55
Balancing Nutrition When You Can't Track - The PCG Method
Feb 12, 2025

Today we're diving into a topic that I know many of you have been curious about: managing your nutrition without relying on tracking apps like MyFitnessPal. Specifically, we'll focus on mastering your plate layout using the PCG method!

Duration: 00:14:22
Balancing Your Weekly Calories - Managing Double Show Days/ Tech
Feb 06, 2025

Today we're tackling something that I know many of you are dealing with – managing your nutrition during those crazy double-show days and tech weeks. You know those days when you're running on adrenaline, maybe grabbing whatever food you can find between shows, and wondering how to keep your energy stable? We are going to solve that today!

Duration: 00:16:11
Supplements & Creatine - What Should You Be Using?
Jan 29, 2025

Welcome back to the Weekly Drop-In. Each week, we dive into any issues you're facing and break down fitness, nutrition, and everything in between.

Today, we’re tackling a topic that often feels overwhelming—and a bit expensive—supplements.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a shelf full of protein powders, creatine, or pre-workouts, wondering, “Do I really need this?”—you’re in the right place!

By the end of this session, you'll know exactly which supplements are worth your money, which ones are overrated, and how to make informed decisions for your fitness...

Duration: 00:21:50
Building Consistency In Your Training & Nutrition
Jan 22, 2025

Today’s focus is building consistency in your training and nutrition. Consistency is the key to long-term success, and it’s something we can all work on no matter where we are in our journey. By the end of this session, you’ll leave with five simple, actionable steps to start creating positive momentum

Duration: 00:33:48
Setting Goals and Intentions for 2025
Jan 08, 2025

Duration: 00:21:28
The Ultimate Guide to Christmas
Dec 17, 2024

In today’s training we’re going to cover how to best navigate through Christmas, the winter period and come out of this year in the best shape of your life both physically and mentally.

Duration: 00:37:44