Kate Kayaian spent four decades as a professional cellist, performing internationally and sharing stages with Jay-Z, Norah Jones, and John Mayer, before quietly stepping away from the only identity she'd ever known. On the night her performance calendar cleared at the start of the pandemic, an audience watched her voice shake and assumed she was heartbroken. She wasn't. She was relieved, and it took her years to understand why.
In this episode of The Life Shift Podcast, Kate and Matt talk about choosing an instrument at four and a half because of a boy, what it actually feels like to be cheered for a living, and the slow, unglamorous work of giving yourself permission to stop doing the thing everyone has always known you for. They talk about identity, about sitting at a parent's deathbed and asking forgiveness for a choice that never needed forgiving, and about what it means to build a second life when the first one worked out exactly as planned.
Kate Kayaian is an author, speaker, and career strategist for high achievers who want to build lives of impact, purpose, and sustainable success.
A former professional cellist, Kate performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and recitalist in venues ranging from Boston’s Jordan Hall to leading European concert halls. She trained at the New England Conservatory of Music and held a fellowship with the New World Symphony Orchestra under Michael Tilson Thomas.
Today, Kate’s work centers on helping accomplished professionals—creatives, executives, educators, and entrepreneurs—define success on their own terms and create careers that feel as good as they look. Through her 1:1 coaching and her signature group program, the Creatives Leadership Academy, she guides clients to develop clarity, confidence, and the practical strategies needed to lead at the highest level without sacrificing their well-being.
She is the author of Beyond Potential, a practical guide for high performers navigating the next chapter of their professional lives, and the host of Tales from The Lane, a podcast exploring the hidden challenges and unexpected joys of success. As a sought-after speaker, Kate delivers keynotes and workshops on leadership presence, mindset transformation, and redefining what’s possible for high achievers across industries.
Alongside her private practice, Kate serves as President and Artistic Director of the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra, where she continues to champion creativity, collaboration, and innovation in the arts.
She lives on the island of Bermuda, where she spends her days coaching clients around the world, writing, speaking, and tending to her garden.
Instagram: @kkayaian
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-kayaian-852147181/
Website: www.katekayaian.com
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Timestamps:
00:00 Cold open
01:32 Welcome and introduction
03:48 Who is Kate in 2026
07:32 Choosing the cello at four and a half
11:08 Playing with Jay-Z, Norah Jones, and more
14:42 The trained monkey story
20:40 The night the lockdown hit
23:28 Giving herself permission
29:02 Stepping back from teaching
30:53 Losing her mother
40:22 Rebuilding an identity from scratch
47:53 What her life revolves around now
57:43 Where to find Kate
