It came as no surprise to Jay Shetty to hear his guest, Lindsey Stirling, admit that this year she is leaning into the word magic.
In Shetty’s mind, the world-renowned musician, known for charting her course with unique instrumental expression, personifies the word.
It’s not just a ‘sit back and wait for it to fall in your lap’, kind of magic. As Stirling unpacks what has brought her to this point, it is clear that the star is reaping the benefits of deep heart work, honesty with herself, and the bravery to step into who she fully is.
Stirling’s unique musical and performance style has captivated audiences worldwide. Her electric violin – and her feet – dance to the rhythm of the music she writes. They also dance to the rhythm of the moon through seasons of bright and hopeful and seasons of dark and quiet.
Stirling is learning that leaning into her true self is the best and most hopeful way to feel alive. As she shares some of her story with Jay Shetty in this episode of On Purpose, it is easy to be encouraged by her passion for life and her commitment to find beauty in the mundane.
Doors Opened, Doors Slammed Shut
Sitting in a backstage bathroom of the hit television show America’s Got Talent, Lindsey Stirling was tempted to never pick up her violin again. It had taken a lot of bravery to get this far, and now it looked like the ride was over.
A moment of vulnerability and belief in her own vision had brought her to the show. She bravely showcased her unique style of music and performance to the judges for several weeks. Like so many others who reach that level, Stirling believed this was her big break.
Instead, Stirling was buzzed off the stage and humiliated by remarks from the judges. It had been too hard for many to catch her musical vision. She was tempted to end her career before it had even started.
“I talked with people and tried to share the vision,” she told Jay Shetty, as she looks back on her early days, “but no one got it. I had the magic inside and believed so strongly that it could happen. When you believe it can happen, even if what you believe would seem impossible, you can still make it happen.”
She didn’t give up. Stirling had fine tuned the art of listening to her gut and staying true to herself. Chin up, violin humming, and creative juices flowing, she moved forward with her music career anyway.
She tells Jay Shetty that she is thankful for her experience on America’s Got Talent – thankful she didn’t win. Free from the contractual obligations that come with a TV show victory, Stirling was able to strike out on her own.
