This week, Bobby and Steffan are joined by the incredible Raffaella Covino, retired performer turned mental health trailblazer and founder of Applause for Thought.

After a 13 year career spanning the West End, UK, and international stages, Raffaella hung up her performance shoes to take on something even bigger: improving the mental health landscape of the performing arts industry.

Her credits include standout productions like The Sound of Music, In the Heights, Hairspray, On the Town, RENT, A Monster Calls, Peter Pan and A Christmas Carol. Known for her work as a swing, understudy, dance captain and associate, she brings a rare depth of understanding of the industry’s demands and the support it often lacks.

Now, as the founder of Applause for Thought, a multi award winning mental health organisation, Raffaella is driving change from the inside out. 💬

In this episode:

• Her personal journey from performer to mental health advocate

• What sparked the creation of Applause for Thought

• Why mental health support in the arts must go beyond reactive measures

• How companies and creatives can build mentally healthy rehearsal rooms

• What proactive, preventative and passionate support actually looks like

• The future of wellbeing in the theatre industry

Whether you’re a performer, creative, educator or employer, this one is essential listening.

📩 Got questions or want to connect?

Drop us an email at talk@fit-2.co.uk