From the outside, Joel Corry looks like he has it all: six UK top 10 hits, a packed global touring schedule and friends like David Guetta and Jax Jones. But the Head & Heart hitmaker says the pressure of staying at the top never really goes away.

“A gift and a curse”

In a new interview with The Sun, the 37-year-old DJ called his drive to succeed “a gift and a curse” and admitted he is “definitely a workaholic.”

“I put a lot of pressure on myself, because I am super ambitious,” he explained. He said he becomes so focused on his goals that he finds it hard to have a life outside of music, and that setbacks hit him hard. When a song underperforms or an opportunity slips away, he admitted, “I beat myself up about it.”

He also said that despite the success, “I constantly feel like I could lose it any minute,” describing life at the top as a constant chase for the next thing.

Years of grafting

Corry’s attitude comes from how long it took him to get there. Before the hits, he spent around a decade playing pubs, weddings and bar mitzvahs, often for very little money, and he used his time on Geordie Shore to put his DJ skills in front of a bigger audience.

He says those early years keep him grateful. “If I didn’t have those years of rougher gigs, I don’t think I would appreciate what I’ve got now,” he said.

Why the gym is non-negotiable

To stay level-headed, Corry relies on daily workouts. He called them “an anchor for the day” and said the benefit is mostly mental, not physical. They help keep his mind “clear, sharp and in a positive place.”

He believes dance music culture has changed for the better. Many top DJs now talk openly about fitness and sobriety, he said, and the old hard-partying image is fading. He pointed to artists like John Summit, Diplo and Patrick Topping, who share their routines and wellbeing journeys online.

Backing Movember

Corry’s openness ties into his support for Movember this month. The charity’s new short film, The New Bromantics, looks at male friendship and men’s mental health. He said a strong support network has helped him through the loneliness of touring, and that his family and girlfriend Coco Lodge often travel with him.

His own label next year

Looking ahead, Corry revealed he is no longer with a major label and plans to launch his own record label in 2027. It will release his own music and sign other artists. He is also aiming for big club dates in Ibiza next summer.

“I think that’s the next step for me in this music journey,” he said.

Source: The Sun.