Who You’re Around Shapes What You Can See
I’ve been reading PUSH: Unlock the Science of Fitness Motivation to Embrace Health and Longevity by Dr. Jordan D. Metzl, a sports medicine physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. I kept thinking about a story from the book.
He came from a family of doctors — his parents, siblings, all MDs. During training, he struggled with memorization and found the path difficult. But one thing made the difference: he could see the path clearly.
He was surrounded by it. He had models for what success looked like every day. That visibility changed what felt possible.
If his family had worked in a different field, his trajectory could have looked very different.
It made me think about my son Max.
He’s growing up surrounded by music — rehearsals in the house, musicians in our circle, chamber music sessions, concerts, and me coaching students through auditions and performance prep.
He doesn’t have to imagine a musical life. He sees it constantly.
I didn’t grow up with that.
My parents worked in high tech. No musicians in my family. No direct model for this path.
I had to find my community later — slowly, through festivals, conservatory, and eventually a circle of musicians asking the same questions and building similar lives.
That changed everything.
So here’s the question:
Can you SEE your path to success?
Are you surrounded by people living the kind of musical life you want to build?
Do you have models for not just excellence, but sustainability, creativity, and real-world careers?
If not, the environment you’re in might be limiting what you think is possible.
Because environment isn’t just support — it’s perception.
It shapes what you believe you can become.
It affects motivation, direction, and what you think is realistic when inspiration fades.
The Fire Horse practice recipe
We’re in the Year of the Fire Horse in Chinese astrology — a symbol of courage, momentum, and forward movement.
But that energy only works when it’s grounded.
Boldness without stability leads to burnout. Stability without movement leads to stagnation.
Here’s how to work with it in practice:
1. Set your foundation — get stable
∙ Feet grounded, body relaxed
∙ 3 slow breaths to reset focus
∙ Choose one clear intention (sound, phrasing, technique, posture)
This is your base before any work begins.
2. Take forward motion — be bold
Choose one challenge passage.
∙ Experiment with rhythms, groupings, and phrasing
∙ Change color and character intentionally
∙ Gradually increase tempo toward overspeed
∙ Return to your original intention and notice what shifted
3. Train and trust — balance
Train: slow, precise, technical work
Trust: full run-throughs, speed, expression, letting go
Train deliberately → Trust confidently → Repeat
4. Fire Horse reflection
∙ Where did I feel grounded?
∙ Where did I feel bold?
∙ What will I try differently next time?
Write one clear action for your next practice.
Harness the Fire Horse energy: move boldly, stay grounded, and practice with clarity.
If you’re looking for an environment where you can actually SEE your path — where musicians are building sustainable, real careers — that’s what we’re creating inside the Thrive Membership.
We’re currently revamping it with monthly activities, guest experts, and more opportunities to share, learn, and grow together.
Inside the Career Hub, you’ll also find:
Professional Development Certificate, THRIVE MEMBERSHIP, lesson and coaching opportunities, support, community, action blueprints, and resources designed for the modern musician.
Scholarship is available — email us to talk.
xo,
Ixi
The Practice with Purpose framework is $99 for 2 6-month planners! It includes:
- the complete framework ($37 system)
- your 2 physical planners included (a $80 value, shipped to your door)
- training modules and ongoing resources
A system built on alignment, connection and flow.
