I’ve always had a lot of different jobs, and I’ve always believed that this has enriched my life rather than detracted from it. I fell in love with fitness in my 20’s, so much so that after several years I completed my certification to become a personal trainer. It is deeply rewarding. When you connect with someone and help them change their life around, even only in the gym, it improves how they eat, how they sleep, and the confidence with which they go out in the world. It changes the relationships they have with their friends, family, and loved ones.

Being a courier fit right in as well: it’s incredibly flexible work, and - from a fitness trainer perspective - it’s paid cardio. Plain and simple. By the time I had done those two jobs for a few years, I was in pretty good shape, and I was approached for a few jobs as a model.

All of this has helped me to be a healthier, happier singer on and off the stage.

There is a mental health crisis among musicians, and it comes from the lifestyle. Musicians tend to be isolated in their work, under chronic stress, and constantly fighting job insecurity. It’s difficult to turn down a gig, even if it’s not the right one, and there are huge power imbalances in the workplace. Crucially, there is also the belief that doing anything outside of music - at all - means you are a failure.

I couldn’t disagree more.

I have worked as a cashier, a coffee salesperson, a construction worker, a bus boy, restaurant host, and waiter, as a personal trainer, a courier, a model, and as an editor for a music publishing company and as an orchestral contractor. Each of these jobs have allowed me to see the world in different ways, and they’ve given me the space and financial security to invest in my career as a musician and freely decide which opportunities to pursue.

There is also a lot of time between performances and productions! These days, when I have time off between shows, there is no shortage of meaningful things to do.

I’m conscious of the content that we as musicians share with the world, and I want help change the perception of what is possible when as a musician. I want people to be proud of the work that they do! All of the work. On my instagram and Facebook, I try and share the different aspects of my life, holistically and with compassion and care. I also try and include some tips and help with how to make it as a musician: how to book concerts, build a network, and how to reach out to others.

Follow me there, and together let’s celebrate and learn from each other.