Finding Freedom: Lauren Roth-Gómez's Journey of Self-Worth

S1 Ep #7: A story of reconnection, self-belief, and coming home to your art. What happens when you've spent years feeling like your playing is never good enough, you're disconnected from your art, or unsure whether this music-thing you once loved is still right for you? In this deep and meaningful conversation, violinist Lauren Roth-Gómez — Acting Associate Concertmaster of the Atlanta Symphony — shares the inner transformation that led her back to herself, her artistry, and her love of music. Lauren opens up about: Nearly walking away from the violin The internal pressures and perfectionism that buried her love for music Rebuilding self-worth from the inside out What it means to cultivate an inner coach How freedom became her guiding lighthouse The moment she realized her worth wasn't tied to a single note, run, or result Her career pivot rooted in creating a life aligned with her values How self-compassion — not self-criticism — became her most powerful performance tool Whether you're a musician, a creative, or someone who has ever questioned your path, Lauren's story is a reminder that you're allowed to evolve, to reconnect, and to come home to your art — one opus at a time…   Timestamps (00:00) - Introduction (02:19) - Interview begins (04:01) - Why Lauren chose coaching (07:00) - Ebb and flow of violin journey, and making it her own (11:30) - Tackling feelings of inadequacy, perfectionism and muddy waters (13:35) - Self-compassion (15:25) - Concerto moment: performance shift + self-worth (20:30) - Audition journey: inner coach + critic, resilience amidst obstacles (27:15) - The desire to win, balanced with with releasing any outcome (32:12) - Knowing yourself: self-determination, discipline, perseverance, fierce self-compassion (35:50) - Create the life you want: career pivot, values work, decisions from self-trust and self-love (42:10) - How being yourself is the best way to honor your teachers (45:48) - Rapid fire questions   Also - Come say hi! @mindfulopus on Instagram, or mindfulopus.com