Recast and Rise - Career transition stories for artists – Details, episodes & analysis

In this conversation, Sasha Harrington shares her unique journey from being a solo aerialist with Cirque du Soleil, The Beatles LOVE, to pursuing a career in physical therapy. She discusses the challenges associated with her career transition, the importance of self-care, and how her background as a performer has equipped her with valuable skills for her new path.

She found herself ready for a new kind of challenge, one that still honored her love of movement and the human body. This is a story about reinvention, resilience, and rediscovering joy beyond the spotlight.

You’ll hear about:

• Planning for life after performing

• Finding courage through uncertaintyThe power of support systems and self-care

• How transferable creative skills can shape new careers

• Keeping your passion for movement alive, even when it’s no longer your job

If you're a performer wondering "what’s next for me? ", let's connect!

Drop me a message on my socials! And don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories and career tools.

Connect with me: ⁠Instagram⁠

👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

What happens when live performance suddenly stops? For Zach Manzi, a classically trained clarinetist, 2020 became the unexpected spark for a bold career change.

In this episode of Recast and Rise, Zach shares how experimenting with audience-centered concerts led him to discover service design, and how he used curiosity, networking, and transferable skills to make a successful career transition into tech at GoDaddy and Mailchimp.

Zach’s journey is a reminder that the end of one path can open doors to something even more fulfilling.

In this video, you'll learn

• What “service design” really means (and why artists are naturally good at it)

• How Zach broke into tech during 2020

• The step-by-step process he used: networking, entry-level roles, and persistence

• How to reframe “soft skills” from performance into professional assets

• Why creativity and artistry still matter, even after a big career change

If you're a performer wondering "what’s next for me? ", let's connect!

Drop me a message on my socials! And don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories and career tools.

⁠Instagram⁠

Visit my website

👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

In this episode of Recast & Rise, Maria Failla, host of the #1 houseplant podcast Growing Joy with Maria and author of Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) shares how she went from Broadway performer to building a thriving business she truly loves.

What began as a passion project blossomed into a full-time career, teaching her brand-new skills, fresh confidence, and even a new sense of identity.

Maria’s journey is proof that reinvention doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process of growth and rediscovery, and a reminder that performers already have everything they need to thrive beyond the stage.

Takeaways

• Maria transitioned from Broadway to podcasting about plants.

• She initially thought her podcast would be a short-term project.

• The pandemic forced her to fully commit to her new career.

• Support from family and friends was crucial during her transition.

• Performers possess valuable skills for entrepreneurship.

• She learned many new skills, including marketing and sales.

• Maria emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship.

• She encourages gradual transitions rather than abrupt changes.

• Her identity shifted significantly after leaving the performing arts.

• Maria's journey illustrates the potential for personal growth through change.

If you're a performer wondering "what’s next for me? ", let's connect!

Drop me a message on my socials! And don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories and career tools.

Connect with Eve on Instagram⁠

⁠Watch this episode on YouTube

Website; Growing with with Maria

Podcast; Growing Joy with Maria

Maria's Book on Amazon; Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)

👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

What happens when the curtain closes earlier than expected? For Sarah Davison, that moment opened the door to a career she never imagined.

In this episode of Recast & Rise, Sarah shares her journey from a classically trained ballerina in France to performing on some of Las Vegas’s biggest stages—including Celine Dion’s A New Day, Le Rêve, and Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis. When the show closed, an unexpected opportunity led her behind the table as a casting advisor, where she discovered her true passion: finding and supporting the next generation of performers.

We talk about:

• The audition that completely changed her life

• How she managed the identity shift from dancer to casting director

• The skills she had to learn

• The reality of casting—what it is really like behind the scenes

• Why mentorship, connection, and continuous learning shaped her success
  

Sarah’s story is a powerful reminder that the end of one career can be the beginning of something even more fulfilling.

If you're a performer wondering "what’s next for me? ", let's connect!

Drop me a message on my socials! And don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories and career tools.

Connect with Eve on Instagram

👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

From the Met Opera stage to founding a thriving wellness company, Danielle Schulz shows that reinvention can be both bold and fulfilling.

In this episode, she shares how she built The Triangle Sessions, transformed creativity into innovative corporate wellness programs, and faced the real fears that come with asking, “What’s next?”

If you’re exploring your own transition beyond the stage, Danielle’s story is packed with inspiration, tips, and practical takeaways to help you see what’s possible.

Takeaways

• Danielle started dancing at a young age and pursued it intensely.

• She transitioned from a traditional ballet career to a more versatile performance path.

• The Triangle Sessions was launched as a fitness method combining yoga, nutrition, and mindfulness.

• Danielle emphasizes the importance of creativity in business development.

• Networking is crucial for career transitions, as most jobs come from personal connections.

• She offers unique corporate wellness workshops that blend self-care with team-building activities.

• Danielle's journey reflects the importance of mentorship in business growth.

• She encourages others to explore their skills and passions when transitioning careers.

• The conversation highlights the evolving nature of work and the need for adaptability.

  
  

If you're a performer wondering "what’s next for me? ", let's connect!

Drop me a message on my socials! And don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories and career tools.

⁠The Triangle Sessions on Instagram⁠

⁠Website: The Triangle Sessions⁠

Connect with Eve on Instagram

👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

Welcome to Recast and Rise!

Ready to explore a career after the stage? You are in the right place. Eve Castelo (former Cirque du Soleil artist now working in tech), brings you real stories of performers, creatives, and artists who’ve stepped out of the spotlight and into something new. We go behind the scenes of big pivots, career transitions, identity shifts, and the messy magic of reinvention.

Whether you're still performing or freshly retired, Recast and Rise will help you see that you’re not starting over, you’re just starting your next act.