Vanish Magic Magazine no. 39

“In a magic act, a
magician isn’t actually
a magician, of course,
but is rather portraying
or performing as one.
The opposite is true in
a bona fide hypnosis
show.”
Leroy Goodenough
for two to six months at a time. We would
do this for nine to ten months every year
with just a few weeks break between each
ship contract.
Cruise ships are a unique venue in that
constant interaction, day-in and day-out,
with your audience is inevitable. Many
entertainers will not perform on ships for
this very reason. They are not the social
type, go stir crazy and become cabin
hermits. They find their place, as we all do
in this business.
Finding a comfortable interaction
with guests on the cruise ships, you
mentioned that you surprisingly
noticed some negativity with people
on their vacations. Could you tell us
more about that observation?
Fortunately, this social aspect of guest
interaction didn’t bother us and in my
interactions, I listened. I witnessed a
general, underlying dissent and cynical
attitudes resonating with the majority of
people we would meet and come across.
Of course, I’d wonder, “These people are on
vacation! Why so cranky?!”
I am going to step out on a limb and go
‘deep’ in this magic magazine for a moment
to explain that negative thoughts, feelings
and qualities as these stem from one thing:
Fear.
Negativity maintains a solid wall between
our self and those around us. This wall is
one reason to seemingly protect us from
vulnerability. The fear of revealing our
vulnerabilities is very popular.
Recognizing the times we live in and
the events that have occurred in the U.S.
and around the world in the last fifteen
to twenty years, I can certainly justify a
general of fear in most people.
Many of us are afraid to be ourselves, our
true selves, for fear of being judged or
ridiculed. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all
just get along!
From ‘random acts of kindness’ to ‘paying it
forward,’ there are numerous ways each of
us can make small differences in the lives
of others we encounter.
I can see how this affected your
thinking and possibly how you
could make a difference. How
did this lead to your transition to
becoming a hypnotherapist?
It was during these days onboard, show
after show, living amongst thousands of
different and constantly changing people
that my purpose as an entertainer made
itself clear to me. I immediately adopted
this purpose as my life’s mission statement
as well: To elevate the energy in the room.
Whether a singer, musician, juggler,
magician, mime, comedian or hypnotist, I
believe elevating the energy in the room
should be my goal as an entertainer.
All along my journey as an entertainer, I
had never forgotten Leroy’s teachings, his
inspirations. One great piece of advice I
was given many years ago is if your hobby
becomes your career, it’s time to find a new
hobby.
When magic became my career, my
passion for hypnosis stepped up a notch to
‘serious’ hobby.
Finally, in 2006, I received certification
in clinical hypnotherapy as well as in
stage hypnosis and began creating and
marketing my brand of comedy hypnosis
shows, HYPNO-tainment!.
My personal mission to elevate the energy
in the room had expanded. Working with
individuals in the hypnotherapy context
to help them attain their full potential is
most rewarding! I aim my show to bring
to conscious awareness that hypnosis
is a legitimate method of personal
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