From Rejection to Broadway: Inside the Mind and Body of a Professional Musical Theater Performer

Broadway demands more than just talent—it requires the physical stamina of an athlete and the mental resilience of a warrior. Alex Joseph, currently starring in the hit musical "The Outsiders," offers unprecedented insight into the daily practices that keep Broadway performers at their peak for eight shows a week.

The Reality of Broadway Rejection and Mental Resilience

The path to Broadway is paved with rejection. Joseph auditioned for "The Outsiders" initially but didn't get the role. Eight months later, when the original actor left for a film project, he was called back and ultimately landed the part—a testament to persistence in the entertainment industry.

"I've dealt with rejection for the better part of 10 years," Joseph explains. "For my own ego, I often say 'their loss.' Because I know what I can bring. I know that I elevate stories."

This mindset shift from personal failure to external circumstances is crucial for anyone facing repeated rejection in competitive fields. Joseph emphasizes that countless factors beyond talent influence casting decisions—producer preferences, director vision, and industry biases all play roles.

The Four Daily Wins System for Peak Performance

Joseph credits much of his success to a structured daily practice called the "Four Daily Wins," a system designed to build consistent self-esteem and combat the shame that often accompanies ADHD and high-pressure careers:

1. Physical Win

Honoring your body through movement—gym sessions, yoga, walks, stretching, or breathwork. Any physical investment in yourself counts as a victory.

2. Creative Win

Making something new each day, whether it's journaling, working on a song, creating social media content, or any form of personal expression.

3. Focus Win

Dedicated, undistracted time committed to learning or practicing a skill. This involves blocking out distractions and giving full attention to one task.

4. Clarity Win

Mental and emotional reflection through journaling, gratitude practice, meditation, or simply taking your emotional temperature.

"Even if these four things only amount to 30 minutes in a day, if I've checked those boxes, I've instilled some self-respect," Joseph notes. "There's something I can look at that I've achieved and say, I grew today."

Broadway's Physical Demands: Training Like an Athlete

Performing in "The Outsiders" eight times a week requires intense physical preparation. Joseph follows a three-day workout rotation designed to maintain strength while managing the show's demanding physical requirements:

Day 1: Chest and Back

• 30-minute extensive warmup including mobility, foam rolling, and light muscle activation

• Low rep, high weight compound movements

• Focus on power generation

Day 2: Lower Body with Glute Activation

• Pilates videos targeting glutes and core

• Compound movements: squats, deadlifts, leg press

• Extended warmup and cooldown

Day 3: Isolation and "Ego Muscles"

• Shoulders, biceps, triceps

• Isolated leg machines

• Focus on muscle pump and aesthetics

The key insight is spending more time on warmup than actual lifting. "The shortest part of the workout is actually the heavy lifting phase," Joseph explains. This approach becomes increasingly important with age and the physical demands of nightly performances.

Understanding Eustress: Controlled Stress for Growth

Joseph introduces the concept of "eustress"—calculated stress that you choose to take on, like working out. Unlike unexpected work stress, eustress involves consciously putting your body under duress while preparing for and honoring recovery.

"You're actively proving to yourself your intrinsic value," he explains. This principle applies beyond fitness to any challenging pursuit where you deliberately choose difficulty to build resilience.

Post-Performance Recovery: The Critical Cool-Down

The physical intensity of "The Outsiders" requires immediate post-show recovery protocols:

• Immediate costume and microphone removal

• Vocal exercises to relax vocal cords

• Progressive muscle stretching and massage

• Mental decompression through breathwork

"The body doesn't know the difference between what is real and what is a performance," Joseph notes. After physically demanding scenes involving fighting and emotional intensity, he must actively give his body permission to release that tension.

Nutrition for Sustained Performance

While Joseph admits his nutrition "could be better," he emphasizes the fundamental principle of eating whole foods rather than processed products. "Anything that is pre-packaged, anything that is in a bag, anything that has nutrition facts on it, you're better off eating the whole food."

For performers doing eight shows a week, consistent meals become crucial—skipping meals leads to performance decline.

Mental Health and Shame Management

Joseph openly discusses his experience with ADHD and the associated shame of incomplete tasks and forgotten responsibilities. His approach involves:

• Recognizing shame without dissociating from it

• Making opposite statements about his capabilities

• Creating controllable daily achievements through to-do lists

• Building evidence of his competence and talent

"I have to make an opposite statement about myself constantly and do things that I can control that reaffirm that I am smart, I am able, I am capable of doing things."

Workplace Dynamics and Professional Growth

Joining an established Broadway show requires careful observation and adaptation. Joseph's approach involves:

• Investigating workplace culture before making changes

• Understanding management and staff dynamics

• Building relationships across departments, not just with fellow performers

• Balancing personal artistic vision with established direction

The Technical Side of Live Performance

Broadway performers must master not just their craft but the technical aspects that ensure safety and consistency. Joseph emphasizes the importance of proper technique in fight choreography, falls, and physical stunts. "There's never, never, never 'I just have to do it.' Never. The question is, how do I do it?"

This technical focus prevents injuries that could sideline performers for months or years. Understanding the "how" and "why" behind every movement creates sustainable, repeatable performance.

Creating Personal Value Outside Commercial Success

Perhaps Joseph's most valuable insight involves maintaining creative practices divorced from commercial pressure. "It's important that people are in the practice of creating things for their own enjoyment, for their own sense of accomplishment that are divorced from the commercial space."

This creates a foundation of intrinsic value that supports you through industry rejection and maintains artistic integrity under commercial pressures.

FAQs

Q: How do you handle rejection in competitive industries? A: Develop a mindset that recognizes factors beyond your control. Focus on what you can bring to the table while understanding that decisions often involve external circumstances, not just talent.

Q: What's the most important aspect of training for physically demanding work? A: Extensive warmup and proper cool-down are more important than the actual workout. Spend 30 minutes preparing your body and prioritizing recovery.

Q: How can someone build daily resilience and self-esteem? A: Use the Four Daily Wins system: achieve something physical, creative, focused, and reflective each day. Even 30 minutes total can build lasting self-respect.

Q: What's the difference between healthy stress and harmful stress? A: Eustress is stress you choose and prepare for, like working out. You consent to the challenge and honor recovery afterward, unlike unexpected external stressors.

Q: How important is nutrition for sustained performance? A: Focus on whole foods over processed products. Consistent meal timing becomes crucial when your body is under regular physical and mental demands.

Q: What's the key to joining an established team or workplace? A: Observe first, understand the existing culture and dynamics, then gradually introduce your contributions while respecting established systems.

Q: How do you manage performance anxiety and pressure? A: Create practices that build intrinsic value outside commercial success. Maintain creative outlets that serve your personal growth rather than external validation.

Q: What's most important for physical safety in demanding work? A: Never just "push through" without understanding proper technique. Always ask "how do I do this safely?" rather than just forcing yourself to do it.

About This Interview

This article is based on an interview from the Guyset Podcast, hosted by Josh Felgoise. The Guyset Podcast features conversations with inspiring men about their journeys, challenges, and insights on personal growth, career development, and life lessons.

Find the Guyset Podcast:

• Spotify: Search "Guyset Podcast"

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• YouTube: Full episodes and highlights available

The podcast focuses on authentic conversations about masculinity, mental health, career challenges, and personal development, featuring guests from various backgrounds including entertainment, business, sports, and entrepreneurship.