Creative Flow and Mindset with Ray Leonardus

Creative Conversations at The Granary

Sophia Gray sits down with Ray Leonardus, a violinist, musician, and holistic coach, to explore his multifaceted career and how he combines music, teaching, and mindfulness in his creative journey. Ray shares insights into his musical background, his experiences with burnout, and his approach to maintaining a healthy balance as a creative professional.

🎤 In This Episode, We Discuss:
✅ The Musician’s Journey – From violin to viola, Ray shares how his career in music has evolved and how he’s learned to adapt to different instruments and styles.
✅ The Power of Music and Wellness – How Ray’s expertise in reiki and holistic coaching plays a crucial role in his music teaching and overall wellbeing.
✅ Finding Balance in Creativity – The importance of slowing down, practising mindfulness, and avoiding burnout in a world that often glorifies hustle culture.
✅ Teaching with Empathy – Ray reflects on how he helps his students develop not only technical skills but also a strong mindset to support their creativity.
✅ Reiki and Music – The connection between reiki healing and musical performance, and how Ray integrates both in his work with musicians and clients.
✅ Life Lessons from a Landlady – Ray recalls valuable lessons from his landlady, a fashion consultant, that shaped his career and approach to creativity.
✅ Overcoming Self-Doubt – How Ray encourages his students and peers to embrace their individuality and take up space in the creative world, despite the challenges.

💡 Key Takeaways:
🎻 Creativity and Mindfulness – Embracing mindfulness practices like reiki can help creatives manage stress, enhance performance, and maintain balance in their careers.
🎼 Continuous Learning – Whether it’s mastering an instrument or honing a mindset, the journey of a creative is ongoing and requires dedication.
🌱 Avoiding Burnout – It’s essential for creatives to take time for themselves, prioritise mental health, and avoid the trap of overworking.
💪 Confidence in Your Craft – Embrace your uniqueness and don’t be afraid to push past the “struggling artist” stereotype to claim your worth and space in the industry.
🧘 Holistic Creativity – Creativity thrives when you take care of your physical and mental health.

🎙️ About Our Guest:
Ray Leonardus is a talented violinist, viola player, and holistic coach with a passion for helping others balance creativity with well-being. With years of experience in music performance and teaching, Ray is also a trained reiki practitioner, using his knowledge of energy healing to support musicians and creatives in maintaining a healthy, sustainable approach to their craft.

🚀 Join the Creative Movement!
We want to hear from YOU! 🎙️ Are you a musician, artist, or creative with a story to share? Let’s collaborate! DM us on Instagram at @creative_conversations_pod or email [email protected] to be featured on Creative Conversations.

🔗 Follow & Subscribe
⭐ Love this episode? Rate & review us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!

🎧 Creative Conversations is recorded at Granary Studios and produced by Granary Digital.