Episode 123. From The Moulin Rouge to Meditation: Kristian Crowe’s Spiritual Return
Ep 123. From The Moulin Rouge to Meditation: Kristian Crowe’s Spiritual Return
In this episode, Ash Butterss sits down with yoga and meditation teacher Kristian Crowe, whose story is one of reinvention, dharma, and finding peace after years of striving. From a decade-long career in musical theatre to life in a Melbourne ashram, Kristian shares what it means to walk away from the roles we’ve outgrown and come home to ourselves.
Kristian reflects on his early identity as a performer, living for applause, feeling disconnected, and secretly unraveling behind a perfect smile. He recounts the turning point when, after touring internationally and landing a dream role, he realised that success hadn’t brought the wholeness he expected.
What followed was a complete transformation. In this conversation, Kristian opens up about the grief of letting go, the power of yoga and meditation, and how returning to India for teacher training changed everything. He now teaches from a place of deep inner connection, moving beyond performance and into true service.
The episode highlights are:
00:00 Introduction to Authentic Living
02:58 Kristian's Journey into Yoga and Meditation
06:05 Transformation in India: Immersive Meditation Training
11:55 Navigating Relationships and Personal Growth
17:56 The Struggles Behind the Smile: A Performer’s Story
24:10 Ego Death and Embracing a New Identity
30:10 The Healing Journey Through Yoga and Self-Acceptance
34:15 The Evolution of Teaching and Learning
39:10 Non-Striving in Practice
44:51 The Power of Stillness
49:21 Compassion Through Self-Understanding
53:16 Navigating Intimate Relationships
58:10 Balancing Material Needs and Spiritual Practices
You can connect with Kristian via Instagram and through his website here.
To access your free guided meditations, head to the Freebie Page on Ash’s website https://www.ashbutterss.com/free-resources
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If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (Global)
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