Episode 295: The Two Energies of an Actor

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We're going to talk about the two energies of the actor. 

We're going to be talking about anabolic energy and catabolic energy. 

But first, what we're going to be talking about Is the term consciousness. So what is the term consciousness? The term consciousness is your awareness of who you really are, as opposed to the you that you believe you are, and we're taught that you are.

Now, here's the thing. Who you really are is pure anabolic energy.

Who you think you are or believe you are, or were taught that you are, or all of the above, has a bit of catabolic energy in it, which means it's energy that works against you. 

So what we're gonna be talking about today is these two energies and how you can stay more in your catabolic energy than your anabolic energy. 

Let's get into the definitions of catabolic energy. Catabolic energy is isolated. It's lonely. You need everything outside of you to validate yourself. The world is scary, and it's angry. And this is the biggest thing to know as an actor, you have a very low chance of success.

You're working unconsciously, and you have very little faith in yourself or in the Universe.

And then there is the wonderful energy of anabolic energy.

Now, anabolic energy is like mind over so-called reality. 

It's when you're seeing that things around you at the moment, things aren't going well, but you know these truths. 

One, this too shall pass. 

And two, everything I'm seeing now is only preparation for more good to come. 

In this energy, you have real energy.

You have a real awareness. You have, and this is so key, faith in yourself, but also a faith in the Universe. 

This is where you live and where you have high potential. 

You also have a high level of success. 

You live more consciously and this is who you are, whether you believe it or not. 

Ananias Nin says that “we do not see the world as it is, we see it as we are,” meaning that I see the world either with anabolic eyes or catabolic eyes. 

And quantum physics has shown us that the world is a creation of our perceptions. 

So if we want to create more enjoyable life experiences, we want to focus on that anabolic energy, and that's why gratitude is so important.

The more we point out what we are grateful for, the more we will bring into our lives again, like energy attracts like energy. I also want to mention that one of the ways we can move into more anabolic energy is to really change how we speak because changing our language changes our reality. 

And I'm going to show you this in terms of anabolic and catabolic energy. 

Language or words orient our thoughts and our feelings.

And I talk a lot about how we have a thought that then becomes an emotion and that emotion then dictates an action and then that action reiterates the thought. 

So I am good enough, I feel good about me, I go to my auditions, I do a great job, see me, I am good enough. 

Now, notice how I used a real anabolic example there.

Words and the intention or the emotion, which are truly the fuel behind them, are either catabolic or anabolic. 

And they convey a lot. underlying messages to our energy. 

And what that does is that creates a physical, an emotional, a mental and a spiritual response, not only in ourselves, but in others.

So what I'm going to do right now is I'm going to give you examples of anabolic and catabolic language choices. 

And we're gonna look at that. 

So if you are in catabolic, that lonely, isolating negative energy, the words you may use are, should, or might.

Now, the anabolic response or the anecdote to that would be I choose, I desire, I want.

Again, another example. The catabolic word choice would be, I need to. 

The anabolic word choice would be, It's important to me. It's important to me that I do this thing. Not that I need to do this thing, but it's important to me. 

The catabolic word choice on the next one is, I have to. I have to. I have to. I have to all over the place.

Like I should all over myself? I have to all over myself. 

And the, again, the anecdote to that is I desire to. I desire to, I choose to, I desire to. 

Another catabolic word choice is can't. Instead, maybe you're just not willing to. Or I'm choosing not to, but I can't is unconscious. I choose to is conscious and therefore anabolic.

I always, never, those are catabolic word choices. 

The anecdote to those are, I sometimes, I often, I seldom. 

The next one must. Ooh, catabolic word choice there. Must. As opposed to, I choose. I desire, again, making your words more conscious so they are in that anabolic energy. 

Try. Oh my God. How many times have I said try?

What about saying the anabolic word choice of I intend to or I aim to? 

And this one, this is such an improv actor one, which is the catabolic word choices, “but.” How about “and?” And is your anabolic word choice. 

Maybe is catabolic, yes I will or no I won't is anabolic. For goodness sakes, make a decision.

And finally, I think. Oh, catabolic right there. 

How about I know, or I don't know. Be decisive with your words. 

Again, remember these words, whether you choose anabolic words or catabolic words have an effect on you, but also on other people, and that means agents, managers, casting directors, writers, directors, producers.

I want to be someone who an agent, a casting director, a director, a producer wants to have in a room, wants to have on set, because I give off that positive energy. 

Finally, I want you to remember that catabolic energy is disempowering. It is taking away my power. It is me giving away my power. And ultimately, it tears me down.

It tears me down. 

But anabolic energy is powerful. Anabolic language is centered. It is grounded. It is responsible. It is powerful. It is healthy. And I love this word. It is empowering. It builds us up. It heals us. And it helps us to believe in ourselves and in our power. 

Remember, the only constant is change.

And I want to make sure that we are changing towards anabolic energy.