When Grace Smith resolved to quit smoking in 2011, she began with the most common approaches: nicotine gum, the patch, going cold turkey (is there a vegan equivalent to that phrase?).
When a single hypnotherapy session led her to quit that same day, she turned from a skeptic into an avid promoter.
She shifted her career from the high-stress world of New York sales, got certified, and made it her mission to share the power of hypnosis with the world – in her words, “to make hypnosis mainstream.”
To that end, Grace founded GS Hypnosis, created a YouTube channel, wrote a book, and has led hypnotherapy sessions on major media and in front of large public gatherings. She founded Grace Method Hypnotherapy School, which trains women to become hypnotherapists. Her clients include CEOs, celebrities, athletes, and government officials.
Grace and I spoke over the phone about her journey, her mission, and the science and art of hypnosis. I'm happy to report that I have not felt a single urge to cluck like a chicken since our call.
We discussed:
- the evidence for the efficacy of hypnosis to help people shed unwanted mindsets and habits
- the damage of the Hollywood hypnosis myth (“the sunken place” from Get Out and stage hypnotherapists engaging in mind control)
- “hypnosis has a PR problem”
- hypnosis is a deeply relaxed state in which the body feels safe is isn't producing cortisol – becoming open to suggestions
- “meditation with a goal”
- surplus energy available to create new dendritic connections
- the Harvard study that showed bones healing faster following hypnosis
- hypnosis is the opposite of mind control – you have to want the result
- hypnotherapy evidence: decreased pain, increased survival rate of surgery, overcoming Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- why focusing on willpower is a fool's errand
- what about the placebo effect? – “If it works, I don't care what the cause is.”
- laying down the tracks, and anchoring new behaviors
- overcoming her fear of public speaking
- “your fears are running the show”
- discovering the reason for her smoking during hypnotherapy: a cloud of protection in the Lower East Side
- the client whose recovery led Grace to “go pro”
- the functions of various brain wave states
- focusing on the issue that's causing the most pain
- helping an employee of The Doctors overcome her sugar addiction – and having it hold a year later
- selling 952 hypnotherapy sessions on Bloomspot in a single week
- “my hypnotherapy school isn't cheap or easy” – how she maintains standards
- and much more…
Enjoy, add your voice to the conversation via the comment box or audio recording box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots.
Links
Close Your Eyes, Get Free – Grace's book on amazon
CBS The Doctors episode with Grace
Support the Podcast
Like what you hear? You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by becoming a patron. Click the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.
Announcements
The new WellStart Health coach training begins in a couple of weeks. Email me
**@pl***********.com
if you'd like to get notified when we open the doors.
Ready to embark on your Big Change journey?
Are you tired of knowing what to do, and still not doing it consistently? The WellStart Big Change Program, led by Josh LaJaunie and myself, will help you take the steps to finally live according to your knowledge and values.
Find out more and apply at WellStartHealth.com/program.
Ask your questions or share your feedback
Comment on the show notes for this episode (below)
Connect with me
Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes
Join the Plant Yourself Facebook Page
Music
The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.
It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.
You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.
Gratitudes
Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons
– Kim Harrison
– Lynn McLellan
– Anthony Dissen
– Brittany Porter
– Dominic Marro
– Barbara Whitney
– Tammy Black
– Amy Good
– Amanda Hatherly
– Mary Jane Wheeler
– Ellen Kennelly
– Melissa Cobb
– Rachel Behrens
– Christine Nielsen
– Tina Scharf
– Tina Ahern
– Jen Vilkinofsky
– David Byczek
– Michele X
– Elspeth Feldman
– Viktoriya Dolomanova
– Leah Stolar
– Allan Kristensen
– Colleen Peck
– Michele Landry
– Jozina
– Julianne Rowland
– Stu Dolnick
– Sara Durkacs
– Kelly Cameron
– Wayne Pedersen
– Leanne Peterson
– Janet Selby
– Claire Adams
– Tom Fronczak
– Jeannette Benham
– Gila Lacerte
– David Donohue
– Blair Seibert
– Doron Avizov
– Gio and Carolyn Argentati
– Jodi Friesner
– RuthAnn Funderburk
– Mischa Rosen
– Michael Worobiec
– Alicia Lemus
– Val Linnemann
– Nick Harper
– Stephanie Halmes
– Bandana Chawla
– Martha Bergner
– Nikole Ramsay
– Susan Ahmad
– Molly Levine
– The Inscrutable Harry R
– Susan Laverty the Panda Vegan
– Craig Covic
– Adam Scharf
– Karen Bury
– Heather Morgan
– Ashley Corcoran
– Kelly Michiya
– DeAnne Norton
– Bonnie Lynch of Plant Happy Oregon
– Sabine Kurtzhals
– Nigel Davies
– Marian Blum
– Teresa Kopel
– Shell Routledge
– Julian Watkins
– Brid O'Connell
– Brian Sheridan
– Shannon Herschman
– Cate Rolls
– Linda Ayotte
– Julie Lang
– Holm Hedegaard
– Isa Tousignant
– Connie Haneline
– Erin Greer
– Alicia Davis
– AvIvA Lael
– Heather O'Connor
– Carollynne Jensen
– Sheri Orlekoski of Plant Powered for Health
– Karen Smith
– Scott Mirani
– Karen and Joe Crabtree
– Tanya Lewis
– Kirby Burton
– Theresa Carrell
– Kevin Macaulay
– Elizabeth Rothschild
– Kelly Baker Miracle
– Ann Jesse
– Sheryl Dwyer
– Jenny Hazelton
– Valerie Pelletier
– Peter W Evans
– Colleen Harrison
– Justine Divett
– Joshua Sommermeyer
– Dennis Bird
– Darby Kelly
– Lori Fanney
– Linnea Lundquist
– Valarie Hummel
– Deb Coscia
– Emily Iaconelli
– Levi Wallach
– Rosamonde McAtee
– Dan Pokorney
– Stephen Leinin
– Patty DeMartino
– Mike and Donna Kartz
– Deanne Bishop
for your generous support of the podcast.
Disclosure
This post may contain amazon affiliate links. I may receive amazon gift certificates from your actions on such links.