🎙️ Muscle Music Presents: A Nervous System Revolution for Artists 🎶

In this episode, Ruby Rose Fox dives deep into one of the most common struggles for artists—rumination—and introduces a transformative tool called "It’s Totally Possible."

Designed for performers battling stage fright, anxiety, perfectionism, and mental chatter, this episode unpacks how the autonomic nervous system drives our fears and how we can reclaim control. Ruby explores the concept of affective realism, the art of silencing mental noise, and the power of matching nervous system tools to the right state.

Learn practical techniques to prepare for auditions, performances, and those high-pressure moments when your mind won’t stop spiraling. Whether it’s calming your nerves with “Wild Style” affirmations or grounding yourself with “Nervous System Style” strategies, Ruby offers actionable insights to help you step into your role as a nervous system leader.

This episode is packed with wisdom from Superplay, personal anecdotes, and even insights inspired by Trevor Moawad’s It Takes What It Takes.

If you’ve ever struggled with overthinking or wanted to approach your art with more ease and joy, this is the episode for you.

💡 Try the "It’s Totally Possible" tool, share your experiences, and let’s start 2025 with grounded confidence.

📚 Find more tools in the Leadership Library or through Ruby’s app and book, Superplay.

💌 Connect with Ruby at MuscleMusic to share your journey.

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Podcast Description for Episode #6:

In this episode, host Ruby Rose Fox takes us on a deeply personal journey, recounting a pivotal moment in her life as an artist and performer—the story of the avocado. This raw and introspective narrative introduces two key concepts foundational to artistic and personal growth: Nervous System Supremacy and Co-regulation. Ruby challenges the ways we’ve been taught to suppress, ignore, or "fix" our nervous systems, exploring how cultural frameworks, self-help ideologies, and even art itself can perpetuate harmful patterns.

Through her lens as an artist who has navigated preservation mode, life fright, and the seductive pull of Superplay, Ruby unpacks the myths surrounding dysregulation, emotional pain, and the pursuit of connection. She reflects on how hyper-focusing on art as a form of escape ultimately led to isolation and collapse—and how re-learning to value the full spectrum of the nervous system became her path to healing.

With honesty, humor, and a touch of Leonard Cohen, this episode is a compassionate invitation for artists to embrace their humanity, dismantle shame, and build stronger foundations for both their craft and their lives. Whether you're seeking a better understanding of your nervous system or simply looking for inspiration, this conversation is a reminder: go to the people you love first. Then, go to art.

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Podcast Summary: Chapter One: Taming of the “Woo!!”: Mastering Energy and Excitement

In this episode, Ruby dives into the complexities of mastering energy and excitement as an artist. She begins by acknowledging the artist’s natural inclination towards extremes, exploration, and pushing limits. Celebrating the exhilarating moments of success after an audition, Ruby explores the concept of ecstasy, rooted in the Greek word "ekstasis," which means "standing outside oneself." Artists experience this state as a vital part of their creative process, often losing themselves in the energetic flow of creativity.

Ruby introduces the idea of "body budget leaks" (BBLs), where excessive metabolic energy expenditure can lead to a depletion of one’s physical and mental resources. Drawing from Lisa Feldman Barrett’s research on "body budgets," Ruby debunks the myth of unlimited energy, emphasizing the importance of managing one’s daily energy reserves wisely to avoid burnout and fatigue.

She uses vivid metaphors such as an oversized pool toy taking up the entire pool, symbolizing how unchecked excitement can overwhelm and drain one’s energy. Ruby explains how our nervous systems can be thrown off balance by both negative and positive experiences, highlighting the need for tools to manage these fluctuations effectively.

Throughout the episode, Ruby encourages artists to distinguish between healthy excitement and detrimental energy leaks, often stemming from trauma or unresolved emotional issues. She stresses the importance of regulating the nervous system to maintain equilibrium, essential for sustainable growth and well-being in artistic pursuits.

Ruby discusses the profound impact of somatic memory on artistic expression, describing how unresolved trauma can manifest in dysregulated behaviors and extreme emotional responses. She shares personal insights and tools for artists to recognize and address these patterns, fostering a healthier relationship with their creative energy.

In conclusion, Ruby invites listeners to embrace a practice of neutrality with big life moments, advocating for a balanced approach that supports long-term artistic fulfillment and well-being. She offers practical exercises like the Capacity Rocketship tool to help artists manage excitement and maintain equilibrium in their creative journeys.

Join Ruby as she navigates the intricate balance between artistic passion and personal well-being, providing invaluable insights and tools for harnessing creative energy effectively. Discover how mastering energy and excitement can transform your artistic practice and enhance your overall life experience.

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