
Monday Dec 22, 2025
S04 E07 - I Won the Award I Always Wanted, Here’s What Happened Next (with Isabella-Alexis Balisky)
Isabella Alexis, Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year 2023, joins Mike to reflect on what really happens after you win the award you always dreamed of. At just 17, Isabella achieved a milestone many photographers chase for decades, but the moment didn’t bring instant clarity or certainty. Instead, it opened the door to deeper questions about purpose, patience, and what success actually looks like when the excitement fades. In this episode, Isabella shares the quiet reality of life after winning an award, how returning to the same work and showing up day after day shaped her creative identity and why paying attention to small moments matters more than chasing validation. Together they explore awards, burnout, faith, creativity, and building a sustainable creative life rooted in meaning rather than momentum. This conversation is a reminder that winning is rarely the end of the story, and often just the beginning.
Say Hi to Isabella
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byisabellaalexis
Website: https://www.isabellaalexis.com
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Editing and Post Production by Mossy Heart Media
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Music Created by JWPATON
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