Let’s talk about something most coaches won’t say out loud:
Just because you love something doesn’t mean you’re great at it.

I know. It stings. But it’s important.

In this episode, I’m digging into the uncomfortable (but necessary) gap between interest and aptitude—especially in voiceover. Because if you're frustrated that you're not booking in your dream genre, you might be ignoring the thing you're actually great at.

• Why passion doesn’t always equal potential

• How to spot the areas where you naturally shine

• Why ignoring your strengths can slow your career

• What to do when your “boring” voice actually books

• How to balance income work with creative fulfillment

• The difference between fantasy reels and real-world needs

Interest is loud. It’s shiny. It gets excited.
But aptitude? Aptitude is quiet. It’s efficient. It gets the job done with less effort.

That’s your edge.

If you're constantly trying to “break into” animation but clients keep calling you back for corporate narration... maybe it's time to listen.

You don’t have to love every dish at the buffet. But you do need to eat.
Some genres feed your wallet. Others feed your soul. Both matter.
But the key is building a career that includes both—without starving either.

Ask yourself:

1. What do I love to do in VO?

2. What do I actually book?

3. Where do I get the most consistent positive feedback?

If those answers aren’t lining up, that’s your cue to rework your business plan.
Not to quit. To recalibrate.

You can still create that weird fantasy assassin rabbit character (I mean, please do).
Just don’t expect it to pay your rent. Yet.

Instead, learn how to work your income genres well. Use them to build your skills, connections, and freedom. Let them support your creativity instead of crush it.

If you’re feeling stuck between what you want and what’s working, let’s talk. Seriously.

• On-camera actor? Peter’s your person: peter@actingbusinessbootcamp.com

• Voiceover artist? That’s me: mandy@actingbusinessbootcamp.com

We love helping actors figure this stuff out. It’s what we do.

Thanks for being here, and if this episode hit home, share it with a fellow actor who needs to hear it too.

In this episode, I dive deep into one of the most important and misunderstood parts of an actor's journey: confidence.

Without confidence, you're benched. Without humility, you're a liability. Confidence is essential in the entertainment industry, but it has to be real—not performative, not overblown, and definitely not hubris.

I break down how to build real, grounded confidence that will keep you moving forward in your voiceover or acting career, using neuroscience-backed tools and personal experience from over two decades in the industry.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why confidence is essential, and why too much of it (aka hubris) can end your career

• The underrated power of self-awareness and how to cultivate it

• "Talent blindness" and why some actors can’t see where they’re falling short

• Real talk on imposter syndrome and how it rewires your brain

• The difference between self-trust and self-delusion

Three Neuroscience-Backed Tips to Build Confidence:

1. Focus on Small Wins

   • Create a "brag file" with positive feedback, wins, compliments, and proud moments

   • Celebrate progress, not perfection, and let your brain build new confidence loops

2. Use Visualization

   • Imagine your future success in vivid detail to activate the same brain networks as real achievement

   • Rehearse emotionally grounded wins before you step up to the mic or camera

3. Interrupt the Cortisol Cycle

   • Practice intentional breathing to calm your nervous system and stay present

   • Use 4-4-6 breath work to reset stress levels before auditions or sessions

7-Day Confidence Challenge (Free Prompt Series):

• Day 1: Write down 5 wins or moments you felt proud as an actor

• Day 2: Visualize a successful performance, using all five senses

• Day 3: Record and review a short piece of work

• Day 4: Practice calming breath work for 2 minutes

• Day 5: Take a risk with your craft (bold choice, new tone, character)

• Day 6: Write and say 3 affirmations aloud

• Day 7: Journal your growth and what you noticed about trusting yourself

Final Takeaway: Confidence is not just mindset. It's a habit. A neurological pattern. A cycle of self-trust, built one decision at a time.

If you're struggling with imposter syndrome or feel like your confidence disappears when it matters most, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. Try the challenge. Start small. And keep going.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• My TikTok: @astoryredhead

• Actors Index Substack

• Email: mandy@actingbusinessbootcamp.com

Want More? Check out our Monthly Gyms and Weekly Classes at Acting Business Boot Camp for ongoing training, coaching, and confidence tools.

Today I want to talk about something that comes up in almost every coaching session I have with actors.

Fear.

Not just nerves before a big audition. Not just that pit in your stomach when you hit “submit” on a self-tape.

I mean the kind of fear that quietly shapes your entire career. The fear that keeps you playing small, second-guessing yourself, or holding back in moments when you need to be bold. The fear that convinces you maybe this dream isn’t really for you.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “What if I’m not good enough?” or “What if I can’t handle it?”—you’re not alone. And that’s exactly what this episode of the Acting Business Boot Camp Podcast is all about.

Fear is instinctual. It’s wired into us. Back when humans were being chased by saber-toothed tigers, fear served a purpose—it kept us alive. But today? That same adrenaline spike shows up when you’re waiting outside a casting office or uploading a tape for your reps.

And here’s the thing: fear doesn’t know the difference between real danger and perceived danger. That’s why something as simple as a callback can feel like life or death.

But what I’ve learned—both as a working actress and a coach—is that fear isn’t the enemy. The real challenge is how we respond to it.

There’s one core truth I want you to consider:

At the bottom of every fear is the belief that you can’t handle what life throws at you.

That’s it. That’s the root.

Not the audition. Not the agent meeting. Not even the rejection. It’s the belief that if those things happen—or don’t—you won’t be able to cope.

So what do we do? We avoid. We procrastinate. We shrink ourselves.

But I’m here to tell you, you can handle it.

You just haven’t built that muscle yet.

In my weekly mindset class for actors, The Weekly Adjustment, we work on exactly this. We shift from what I call catabolic energy (draining, fear-based, victim-thinking) to anabolic energy (creative, empowered, growth-oriented).

It’s not magic. It’s mindset work. It’s learning how to interrupt those thought loops and say, “Hey, I see you, fear. But you’re not driving the car today.”

Once you do that—once you raise your energy—you start to attract the opportunities, collaborators, and outcomes that match your new level. Not because the world changes. But because you’ve changed.

That’s the question I leave you with. What would you do differently in your acting career if you had full trust in your ability to handle whatever came your way?

Would you submit more? Would you stop apologizing in the room? Would you finally reach out to that rep?

You don’t need to “get rid” of fear. You need to learn how to work with it. To build your handling muscle. That’s how we grow as actors and as humans.

If this resonates, I’d love to invite you to try two free classes of The Weekly Adjustment. No catch, no obligation—just real tools to help you feel more confident, more connected, and more in control of your career.

This work has changed lives, including my own. It might just change yours too.

👉 Click here to claim your two free classes

And remember—you’ll never be given more than you can handle. But you will be given more than you can control. Let’s build that muscle together.

With love and belief in you,
Peter Pamela Rose
Certified Life & Career Coach for Actors
Host of the Acting Business Boot Camp Podcast