something i’ve been thinking about and working on a lot lately!!! since @Peter Liciaga spoke about it it has been a constant in my mind! as a mom, i am a work in progress and rewiring my mind is not easy but this concept of finding clarity in what is, and finding a solution and moving on, as opposed to complaining and getting sucked in that action-less spiral, is powerful to me and on my heart!

Six years ago, I had the privilege of sitting down with a man whose quiet influence shaped one of the most extraordinary theatrical experiences of our generation. Michal Fraley was not just a skate coach. He was a guide. A craftsman. A steady presence in the storm of one of the most physically demanding shows ever created. Born on September 1, 1959, in Santa Rosa, California, Michal’s journey would carry him across continents and into the core of Starlight Express history. What many may not know is that his role went far beyond teaching performers how to skate. He became the resident skate coach for multiple productions around the world — including the United States, the United Kingdom, Las Vegas, touring companies, and the long-running production in Bochum, Germany. For decades, if you stepped into Starlight Express, you likely stepped through Michal’s training. He taught balance. He taught fear management. He taught discipline under pressure. And in a show where speed and spectacle could easily overpower substance, Michal insisted on control, awareness, and artistry. That’s what made him special. He understood that skating wasn’t just technical — it was emotional. Performers arrived talented but often terrified. He guided them through that transformation. He helped them find confidence on wheels. He helped them trust themselves. In our interview six years ago, we spoke about more than choreography and technique. We spoke about the arc of the performer’s journey — how mastering the physical demands of the show mirrors mastering life itself. Fear. Frustration. Breakthrough. Growth. Grace under pressure. Michal later captured many of his reflections in his memoir, Skating the Starlight Express, where he wrote about the deeper lessons hidden inside the work — how the struggle to stay upright on wheels is not so different from the struggle to stay centered in life.

Here's my interview on Travel Expert, @Mark Murphy's YouTube Channel.

It's amazing that this song is still #1 on my Living Strong Radio Youtube Channel! It's been added to inspirational and encouraging spiritual playlists! Very cool. https://youtu.be/wtJhTuFQcJU?si=3Yuz7issM4O0vn8O