A New Chapter: How Hypnotherapy Changed My Life
It was the very first day of the new year in 2020. COVID was still seemed far away at that point, and the possibilities of the year lay wide open.
I remember feeling both excited and a little anxious as I left the house with Paul that morning.
We were on our way to my first hypnotherapy appointment with a friend of his who was certified to help me overcome a lifelong struggle: my fear of food.
You see, all my life I had been what most people would call a “picky eater.”
My siblings teased me, my husband tolerated it, but I often felt ashamed.
The list of foods I wouldn’t eat was long. I said no to: onions, peppers, mushrooms, (most veggies actually), anything with spices, certain foods with weird textures, like lasagna and I never ate casseroles.
I was missing so much!
Even the words onions or peppers could make me cringe.
This fear of food limited me in more ways than I cared to admit.
I would avoid dinner invitations, feel embarrassed at social events, and believed, deep down, that something was wrong with me — that my taste buds were defective and I could never really change.
I had worked on it over the years, and while I had improved a little, I was convinced I’d always be stuck.
Yet I wanted to change! And I was pretty sure hypnotherapy could help.
My First Hypnosis Session
When we arrived, Paul sat in the room as the hypnotherapist guided me into a deep trance.
To my surprise, I was completely aware and I felt in control the entire time, at the same time I was also deeply relaxed. What felt like 20 minutes turned out to be a full hour!
I went on an incredible inner journey as the hypnotherapist made suggestions to my unconscious mind — essentially rewriting the “programming” of my taste buds.
I came out of it feeling incredible and elated! And I felt a deep knowing that it worked!
When the session ended, I was hungry and excited.
We stopped for lunch at the only open restaurant we could find — a small Chinese place.
I ordered a vegetable stir-fry with rice… and I loved it: onions and all!
A Lasting Impact
Since that day, my relationship with food has been completely transformed.
I can eat so many more foods now, and I actually enjoy trying new things.
No. More. Fear.
No more shame. It feels like I have a whole new lease on life.
Of course, when Covid arrived soon after, all those delicious new foods I could eat made it a little too easy to put on those extra pounds. 😉
But the freedom to eat without fear has been one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received.
Why I’m Becoming a Certified Hypnotherapist
As a coach I’ve been witness to massive shifts in my clients as they make there way through my program to reach their goals.
And I believe that incorporating hypnotherapy into my practice can help people who work with me overcome even more, and do it faster.
I’ve seen firsthand the incredible power of hypnotherapy as I was able to release my fear, shift habits, and create lasting change.
That’s why I’ve made the decision to go back to school.
Over the next 4 months, I’ll be training to become a Mindvalley Certified Hypnotherapist so I can offer this same kind of transformation to others. (Accreditation with IAPCP: International Alliance of Professional Complementary Practitioners)
Hypnotherapy works with the subconscious mind — the part of us that stores habits, patterns, and emotional triggers.
Unlike talk therapy, it bypasses the “logical” brain and helps us get right to the root of issues. People use hypnotherapy to:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Overcome fears and phobias (like public speaking, flying, or heights)
- Improve sleep
- Build confidence and self-esteem
- Break unwanted habits
- Manage weight
- Stop smoking
- Increase focus and motivation
I’d Love Your Input
As part of my training, I’ll need practice clients and I’d love to involve my community.
I’ve created a brief survey to understand the challenges people are facing and to identify who might be interested in exploring hypnotherapy with me.
Your input will not only help me with my training, but it could also be the first step in making positive changes for yourself.
Thank you for walking with me on this exciting new path. I can’t wait to see what we discover together.
All my best,
Maureen
