Being an actress might sound glamorous, but it’s also easy to lose yourself in a world that prioritizes performance over peace. For someone who moves between film, Broadway and coaching with grace and purpose, staying grounded requires more than just talent, it takes intention. This conversation isn’t just about career milestones though; it’s about the clarity, faith and wellness practices that keep actress, Tryphena Wade, rooted in the midst of a fasting moving industry.
As a seasoned performer and spiritual creative, she navigates her work with depth, humility, and an unwavering commitment to self-awareness. Whether she’s standing by to step into a legendary Broadway role or walking alongside a client through personal transformation, her presence is rooted in something much deeper than ambition. It’s a devotion to integrity that requires her to show up fully without losing herself in the noise. Her perspective offers something rare in the entertainment industry; a blueprint for how to thrive without burning out.
In this thoughtful Q&A, Tryphena opens up about mental clarity, the weight of comparison, the power of choosing peace and the unique challenges Black women face in high-performing spaces. It’s a candid, soulful reflection on what it means to succeed on your own terms, and a reminder that legacy is built not just in what we create, but in how we LIVE while creating it.
Your work spans film, stage and coaching. How does mental clarity play a role in how you show up in each space?
Mental clarity plays a huge role! As a coach, my job is to show up as myself and be a mirror, an ear, and a guide for my clients. As an actor on film and stage, my job is to bring myself to the table and allow for a transformation into a character who is not me at all. The first step, which seems pretty obvious, is to have an awareness of where I am and what gig I’m doing: coach or actor. Both roles require a level of creativity, but there’s not much overlap.
As an actor, I have to be clear about the story I’m telling. As a coach, I have to be clear about the goals and challenges of a client. Once I have clarity in each space, I’m free to let my knowledge and gifts take over.
As someone who is the standy for the most Tony-nominated Broadway performer, Audra McDonald, how do you mentally prepare to step into such big shoes at a moment’s notice?
Well, I start by banishing comparison. This is huge for me because I came of age listening to Audra McDonald, loving her voice, and dreaming about having a career like hers. In those early years, there was definitely a lot of comparison; wondering if I’d ever be “good enough”. Now, I’m standing on the same stage and I’m the one they call if she’s not able to go on. It took a lot of work on myself, before this opportunity came, to be confident in what God gave me; both the gifts and the opportunities. These days, I am firmly planted in the fact that the gifts God has given me are just as valid and just as beautiful as the gifts He’s given another. And I know that anything God brings to me is meant for me. Some jobs I pursue. Others, He brings to me. This job is the latter. I was not looking for it. God put it in my lap. So I know it’s not a mistake. He doesn’t give gifts and blessings by mistake. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
How do you integrate wellness practices into the high-stress environments of entertainment and entrepreneurship?
Integrating wellness practices into those spaces is just about integrating wellness into my life. I really make an effort to make my mental wellness a natural part of my life. These days, it cannot be ignored. Movement is a big help for me. Daily walks help me process my thoughts and work off steam. I’m a member of the 10,000 steps a day club! And in NYC, that’s very easy! And daily workouts help me stay physically and mentally strong. Having good friends to bounce things off of is monumentally important. It’s important to know who’s truly in my corner, and who can be a listening ear or an encouragement when I need it most. For me, having a faith community is very important. Having people who share my Christian beliefs and can encourage me and pray for and with me when things get rough goes a long way. I also believe in coaching or therapy, especially if I’m working through a particularly difficult time. And physical pampering is a must as well; facials, massages, and the like keep me feeling good.
Oh! And I take my days off very seriously! Those are mine, and I only do what I actually want to do on those days.
Have there been moments in your career where clarity or lack thereof changed your direction?
Absolutely! Making the move from NYC to LA in 2020 was the result of complete clarity. That was partially a career move. But more than that, it was a lifestyle shift that I knew I needed to make. This might sound funny, but the older I get, the more I need sun! The cold, grey days on the East Coast were weighing heavily on my mental health. I knew I had to make a shift, and I did. Of course, now I’m back in NYC for this Broadway gig. But my body and mind are fully aware that it’s just for a season.
Do you think Black women in entertainment face unique challenges in prioritizing their mental health and overall wellness? If so, how do you navigate that?
From my experiences and my observations, our challenges are unique in that we often have to work harder and longer to show and prove. Because of that, we often feel obligated to put our whole selves on the back-burner and take on the identity of a fighter and prover. There’s a fear that we won’t be received or fully seen if we don’t keep proving. It causes us to take on the belief that we must constantly be fighting, pushing, resisting, showing, and convincing; and that can lead to self-neglect. So, yes, that takes a huge toll on mental well-being and overall wellness. I make an effort to remind myself that my worth isn’t determined by any outside factors; no gig, no outside opinion, no person determines my value. God has given me my value. Full stop. I am valuable because I am. And I get to decide what thoughts I listen to and hold on to. Much of mental wellness is choosing what you’re going to believe. You get to choose. You get to choose yourself. You get to choose what’s good for your mental health. You get to say “no, not today”. And you get to let everyone else deal with how they feel about your choice.
What advice do you have for women trying to juggle their purpose, their passion and their peace?
Choose peace first. Any choice that doesn’t align with peace will be difficult to maintain. And to clarify, when I say choose peace, I don’t necessarily mean make the easy choice or the choice that comes with no challenges. What I mean is that even in the midst of difficult or challenging seasons, when you sit in stillness, there has to be a sense of peace that the course of action is in alignment with what is right for you.
What are some non-negotiables in your day that keep your mind clear and focused?
Well, I start everyday with a prayer of gratitude. Worship music helps me get going in the morning so that’s always what I’m listening to as I’m shaking the sleep off. And a morning workout is a must. Now that I’m back in NYC, lots of walking is once again part of my life. And I absolutely love it! Walking helps me clear my mind and process thoughts so I make an effort to take a couple walks throughout the day.
What does success look like to you now versus five years ago and how has wellness shaped that evolution?
I think success now and five years ago looks about the same. A while ago I let go of the idea that success would come with external trappings (trophies, recognition and acceptance by certain people, etc.). For me, success means that I have freedom of choice; that I don’t have to make choices from a place of desperation, but from true desire and the knowledge that my life is in alignment with what God has for me. I know what it is to be mentally and physically weary and to be doing things out of a sense of obligation. I prefer not to live that way. My desire to be well weighs into every decision I make, every “yes” and every “no”. Every choice isn’t perfect, but every choice is at least a lesson.
What’s the legacy you hope to leave in art and in how you live?
I hope to be able to live the life that God has for me; whether I’m creating art or doing something else. I want to live and show up honestly in everything I do.
What is your morning routine must have?
Warm lemon water and sea moss.
What’s a mantra you live by?
Fear is Stupid
Coffee, tea, wine or green juice?
Wine. Red, please!
Who is the role model you turn to for inspiration?
These days I’m just asking God what choice He would have me make.
What’s the next big vision on your mind?
I’m looking forward to a once in a lifetime trip to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.
