JAMMU: In a groundbreaking exclusive online interview conducted by Ajmer Alam Wani, Editor-in-Chief of JK Monitor (www.jkmonitor.org), Iwona Roslonek, hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, unveiled her transformative approach to assisting high-achieving vegan professionals in overcoming the emotional turmoil known as "Vystopia."
With a mission to guide these individuals in healing from Vystopia, coping with social anxiety, and achieving measurable personal and professional success, Roslonek has emerged as a beacon of hope for the global vegan community.
Vystopia, a term introduced to the English lexicon only recently in 2017, is described by Roslonek as an existential crisis or trauma experienced by vegans. It arises from the stark awareness of a world where the majority of humanity colludes with the brutal system of animal slavery, exploitation, and slaughter.
The chilling statistics she presented during the interview are a stark reminder of the scale of this issue: every year, 80 billion land animals and over 2 trillion marine animals are killed, while 80,000 acres of precious rainforest are destroyed daily to make way for livestock pastures and fodder. This environmental catastrophe, along with the associated human cruelty, weighs heavily on the minds of empathetic vegans who strive to eliminate cruelty and exploitation in all aspects of life.
The term "Vystopia" is a fusion of "veganism" and "dystopia," symbolizing the anguish experienced by vegans (often referred to as empaths or ahimsans) living in a world that seems cruel and unjust.
Roslonek emphasized that only 1% of the global population, roughly 80 million people, identify as vegan, leaving the vast majority of vegans isolated in their suffering. Unlike childhood trauma, Vystopia is a constant presence, as it manifests in the everyday sights, smells, and sensations of a non-vegan world, where animal-derived products are omnipresent.
During the interview, Iwona Roslonek shared her multifaceted approach to guide high-achieving vegan professionals through the healing process from Vystopia and its impact on their mental health and relationships with non-vegan colleagues and family members.
Her approach begins with acknowledging and validating the feelings of despair and despondency experienced by her clients, creating a safe space for them to express their emotions, and recognizing these emotions as appropriate responses to the ethical dilemmas faced by vegans.
She then empowers her clients to reframe these emotions as powerful motivators and sources of resilience, harnessing their values for personal and professional growth. Roslonek encourages clients to see the climate crisis as part of Mother Earth's natural healing process, equating it to a fever expelling destructive elements. By understanding the historical context of human civilization and its impact on the planet, clients can gain perspective and motivation for positive change.
Mindfulness techniques play a pivotal role in her approach, helping clients stay connected to their core values even in the face of daily challenges. Roslonek also encourages them to connect with like-minded vegan communities and resources, building a support network that fosters emotional well-being and reinforces their ethical commitment.
In the end, Iwona Roslonek's clients learn not only to survive but to thrive in a non-vegan world. She encourages them to use Vystopia as a catalyst for positive change, turning it into a driving force behind their actions and creating purpose-driven lives full of meaning.
Iwona Roslonek's work is not only a lifeline for those suffering from Vystopia but also a call to action for greater awareness and compassion in a world where cruelty and exploitation persist. As the global vegan community seeks to expand its ranks, Roslonek's innovative approach is poised to make a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals striving for a more humane and sustainable world.
For the detailed interview read questions and answers below till the end:-
1. Can you elaborate on the term "Vystopia" and its relevance in your practice? How do you guide high-achieving vegan professionals through the process of healing from it and overcoming its impact on their success?
Answer: Hello Ajmer and esteemed readers of JK Monitor. Thank you for having me here with you and allowing me to share my passion for Life, self-realisation and human survival on planet Earth. First allow me to explain the word vystopia as it was only recently (2017) added to the English dictionary.
Vystopia is existential crisis or trauma experienced by vegans, arising out of an awareness of a trance-like collusion of 99% humanity with the barbaric system of animal slavery, exploitation and slaughter. Every year 80 billion land animals (equivalent to the human population of 10 planet
Earths) and over 2 trillion marine animals are killed on the orders of âgood peopleâ. Every day (!) 80,000 acres of rainforest are destroyed for pastures and fodder for livestock alongside with wildlife and native tribes pushed into slums.
Term vystopia comes from two words: veganism and dystopia. Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as possible, all forms of exploitation and cruelty to animals for food, clothing, cosmetics, furniture, sport, experimentation etc. Dystopia is a society of great suffering and injustice. Vystopia is the anguish of being a vegan (empath, ahimsan) living in a non-vegan cruel and unjust world.
It is truly hard to believe but there are only 80 million people or 1% of the human population who are vegan. We vegans suffer every day. Unlike childhood trauma many of us endured, vystopia never ends as everywhere we go we can see, smell (restaurants, workplace cafeteria) and touch (leather furniture) body parts of dead animals.
The awareness of the immensity of human cruelty and its disastrous impact on biodiversity, wildlife, forest, air, soil, water, rivers, oceans and planet Earth can have a profound impact on the mental health of an empath who deeply cares about life on the planet and the tragic legacy our generation leaves to our children.
My approach to guiding high-achieving vegan professionals through the healing process from Vystopia and its impact on their mental health and relationships with non-vegan colleagues and family members is multifaceted.
We start by acknowledging and validating their feelings of vystopia, creating a safe space for them to express their emotions of despair and despondency. We validate those emotions as perfectly appropriate for a vegan, an individual who is governed by his conscience and his ethics.
Together, we reframe these emotions as powerful motivators and sources of resilience, enabling clients to harness their values for personal and professional growth. We find meaning in the process of climate crises as Mother Earth (Gaia) natural healing process which involves fever to expel destructive elements. After all, according to NASA there were 32 advanced human civilizations which vanished before us. We have learned nothing and are repeating history.
Further I employ mindfulness techniques to help clients stay connected to their core values, even in challenging situations they face every day. I help them connect with like-minded vegan communities and resources, to build a support network that fosters emotional well-being.
Ultimately, my clients learn to thrive in a non-vegan world, using vystopia as a catalyst for positive change and a driving force behind their actions so they can create purpose driven life full of meaning.
2. As an Executive Hypnotherapist, you blend the strategic mindset of a CPA with subconscious mind work. Could you share a specific example of how you've successfully applied this unique approach to help a client overcome a significant emotional or mindset block?
Answer: Certainly, here's a specific example of how I applied my unique approach: I worked with a client who had a deep-seated fear of anxiety, rejection and betrayal stemming from traumatic childhood experiences.
Blending my strategic CPA background with hypnotherapy, we embarked on a transformative journey. First we have identified the root causes of the fear, linking it to childhood incidents (sexual abuse within church institution) that had left deep and lasting scars on the client's subconscious mind. Scars which remained unhealed even after 2 decades of therapy.
Hypnotherapy allowed us to access deep-seated beliefs about rejection which had destructive impact on client self-worth, and replace them with empowering and positive self-perceptions.
With newfound confidence and self-assuredness, the client began pursuing career opportunities he had previously shied away from, taking calculated risks. I helped my client set clear, achievable goals aligned with the client's professional aspirations.
Hypnotherapy, in turn, facilitated attenuating painful memory traces, enabling the client to no longer be triggered by challenging conversations and to perform effectively in high-pressure situations. As a result, the client successfully secured a coveted promotion and significantly improved his relationships at work.
At the root of most of my client's problems lies a deep wound of feeling unloved and unworthy that like a seed fructifies later in life into addiction, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, anger problem, social anxiety, powerlessness, depression etc.
While in traditional hypnotherapy practice, a therapist will guide his client into a state of relaxation, eyes closed, reclined position, and will repeat various direct suggestions and commands often using a standard script, I utilise modern hypnosis developed by a renowned American psychiatrist Milton Erickson.
Eyes open, fully present, client provides appropriate suggestions, client is the script and the answer to all his problems as he himself created his problems. Clients communicate with me through unconscious means (we know that words only constitute 7% of total human communication) such as body movement, emotions, shifts in skin coloration, changes in a tone of voice, metaphors.
I provide a safe container and guidance to help my client de-construct the problem he created in his mind and create a range of solutions. This approach is preferable to my professional clientele who want to remain in control of their mental faculties during the transformative process. They do not appreciate being âput underâ through traditional means of hypnotic induction.
This unique approach showcases the transformative potential of blending strategic thinking with subconscious mind work, allowing the client to access their inner resources, take control of their mindset and achieve remarkable personal and professional growth.
3. Working with high-achieving vegan professionals, empaths, and highly sensitive individuals requires a deep understanding of their unique challenges. How do you tailor your coaching methods to address their specific needs and sensitivities?
Answer: Tailoring coaching to address the unique needs and sensitivities of high-achieving vegan professionals, empaths, and highly sensitive individuals is essential for their growth and well-being. Here's how I customise my approach:
It begins with empathetic listening to understand each client's individual struggles and experiences. In many cases my clients perceive empathy, introversion, sensitivity, vulnerability as a weakness. We completely demolish that unhelpful belief. According to Forbes empathy is #1 skill of a leader. Empathy is also one of the 5 components of Emotional Intelligence which is critical in a skillful management of organisational change.
I help my clients to discover gifts of their innate sensitivity and ways to utilise it for their success. Further we focus on boundary-setting, vital energy management for those of them who are introverts, and emotional self-care to prevent burnout and emotional overload. I teach my clients assertiveness skills so they can confidently stand up for their beliefs while respecting others opinions.
I teach my clients mindfulness techniques to help them navigate the intensity of their emotions, fostering self-awareness and emotional resilience. My vegan clients benefit from learning coping strategies to ensure they maintain their values while thriving in their professional lives in a non-vegan world.
Throughout my work I focus on creating a safe and supportive environment where clients feel understood, unconditionally accepted and empowered. We celebrate small victories, which builds motivation and self-compassion, two crucial factors in their journey to success.
4. In professions where public speaking and assertive communication are crucial, such as corporate leadership roles, how do you help your clients transition from a place of fear and self-doubt to effectively commanding a room with confidence and authenticity?
Answer: Transitioning from fear and self-doubt to commanding a room with confidence and authenticity is a vital skill in corporate leadership roles. While the popular advice to overcome the fear of public speaking commonly used by various communication coaches is to know your topic, prepare, rehearse, do some deep breathing, know your audience etc, it is entirely useless for those of my clients who suffer from glossophobia - terrible fright of speaking in public.
That profound fear is accompanied by heart palpitations, stomach problems, sweaty hands, brain fog etc. That fear is so strong that one of my clients lost his job as due to social anxiety he was avoiding following up on his prospects. That fear prevents my clients from starting their business and promoting it online via video every day. It prevents them from sharing their ideas at the meetings. It prevents them from negotiating a better pay.
Glossophobia or the fear of public speaking has nothing to do with public speaking. It is related to events in the past when speaking up, expressing their opinion was considered talking back and either punished, or ridiculed or bullied. That fear is my client's protective mechanism not self-sabotage. During hypnotherapy sessions we discover deep seated memory traces which are causing that fear, that protective mechanism to arise. We identify positive intentions for the mind to produce that fear. Then we negotiate with the mind alternative ways to satisfy that intention.
The root cause of the fear of public speaking is negative self-perception. We replace crippled self-perception with empowered one. It is a deep process of restoring oneâs self-worth to factory settings. After all, we were all born 100% worthy on day 1. There was nothing we could do to increase our worthiness. We were maxed out on self-worth. We also were loud and bold and we used our loud voice everywhere without fear. During hypnotherapy sessions we access those inner resources which are buried deep in the client memory bank. Inaccessible through mere reasoning and logic.
Once a client rebuilds his self-worth and self-esteem we introduce gradual exposure to public speaking situations which desensitises fear, and allows clients gain confidence through positive feedback and self-reflection. Through this comprehensive approach, clients transform from fearful speakers to confident, authentic communicators who can effectively command a room and inspire others.
5. You emphasise building emotional connections and relationships based on warmth, caring, and compassion. How do you teach your clients, particularly those in fields driven by professional competence, to balance vulnerability and authenticity with the need to project competence and authority?
Answer: Balancing vulnerability and authenticity with projecting competence and authority is a crucial skill in professional fields driven by competence. Here's how I teach my clients to strike this delicate balance:
Clients learn that vulnerability is not synonymous with weakness; rather, it's a powerful tool for building trust and fostering authentic connections. We explore the nuances of vulnerability, helping clients differentiate between sharing in a meaningful way and oversharing, which can be counterproductive.
Since my clients possess high SQ (Sensory Intelligence), trait they share with such empathetic leaders such as Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Princess Diana they are able to develop advanced empathetic leadership skills.
I teach my clients the skill of unconscious communication which is not taught at any communication courses. They learn how to communicate at the subconscious, non-verbal level, how to spot unconscious moments in the other person, how to stimulate and grow them and how to direct them towards the desired outcome.
They learn that genuine caring and active listening during interactions with others create a space for empathy and emotional connection. Ultimately, clients learn to master the art of blending warmth, caring, and compassion with professional competence and authority, creating authentic and lasting connections with colleagues, clients, and teams.
6. The concept of "imposter syndrome" is prevalent among high achievers. Can you share a case where you guided a client to recognize and overcome imposter syndrome, and what specific techniques you employed to facilitate their transformation?
Answer: Certainly, here's a case where I helped a client overcome imposter syndrome: My client, a highly accomplished professional with 28-years of experience, felt persistently inadequate despite his achievements. Based on one unfortunate incident in his professional career 4 years ago he has developed a persistent belief that his clients did not trust him. This belief gave birth to the imposter syndrome which led to difficulties with professional and personal relationships. There were numerous written complaints by his clients to the management about his abrasiveness and condescending communication. Had this situation persisted unaddressed it might have resulted in a loss of job which would be devastating to my client.
During hypnotherapy intervention we have discovered that his present communication problems were unrelated to the situation at hand or even to the incident from 4 years ago. It was tied to his childhood trauma of being brought up by a highly authoritative father and narcissistic mother. His subconscious mind has generated the following resource ""If only I accepted myself unconditionally I would not need connection with others so desperatelyâ. It was the unmet need to be accepted that was causing communication problems with his clients.
(When I first meet with the client I know that the problem is never the problem. It is only the symptom of the problem. The root cause of the problem is buried deep in the client memory bank. In most cases completely forgotten. A client may be beating himself up for his inability to
control his anger and frustration accusing himself of self-sabotage. There is no self-sabotage. There is only our brain desperately trying to satisfy the unmet needs. Need for love. Need for safety. Need for belonging. Need for acceptance).
My work with that particular client centred around building self-compassion and self-love and on healing the persistent fear of rejection and abandonment. We kept demolishing beliefs which were holding him back from creating meaningful connections.
After we unearthed the root causes of unhelpful behaviour and unmet needs that were causing such behaviour it was easy to come up with multiple strategies to satisfy those deep rooted needs. Our hypnotherapy sessions were instrumental in reframing my client's self-perception. My client concluded he was born to be loved and we identified communication skills required to develop deep connection with others.
Gradually, my client started recognizing his achievements and attributing them to his own competence rather than to luck as he had done early in therapy. With each session we were celebrating small milestones and tracking his progress, he gained confidence over time. The client also learned and practiced assertive communication techniques and self-compassion. Ultimately, he emerged from our 3-month journey with a renewed sense of self-worth, ready to tackle challenges without the shadow of imposter syndrome.
7. Your mission is to help 1,000 vegans, empaths, and highly sensitive people achieve personal and professional success. How do you measure the impact and success of your coaching? Can you provide examples of the measurable results your clients have achieved?
Answer: Measuring the impact and success of my coaching is paramount to achieving my mission. As a CPA I adhere to the rule: if you cannot measure it, it does not exist. Success is evaluated through a combination of qualitative and quantitative measures.
Quantitatively, my client and I track metrics such as career advancements, salary increases, and achievement of specific goals. For example for the client who had camera phobia, was afraid to be seen thus unable to promote her business online the metric was 365 daily YouTube vlogs. She completed her assignment in full and annihilated her problem. A client who was suffering from glossophobia had a very specific fear. As the president of the women entrepreneur club she felt comfortable to run presentations for women but unable to present to a mixed male/female audience. Her metrics was a bi-weekly Toastmaster presentation and one Rotary Club presentation during the length of our coaching session.
Qualitatively, we gauge improvements in self-confidence, emotional well-being, and overall life satisfaction. On a scale of 1-10 we measure self-confidence, self-respect, self-love at the onset and at the commencement of our work together.
Client testimonials and feedback provide valuable insights into their transformation. I have 28 video testimonials in my YouTube channel and numerous written testimonials.
At the onset of our collaboration I strive to measure the cost of the problem. For example, what is the $ value of opportunities lost due to social anxiety over the length of her professional career. Other clients have reported significant improvements in work-life balance, reduced stress levels, and improved relationships at home.
The goal is not just achievement but sustained growth and well-being over time. I keep in touch with my clients from time to time to monitor their well being and provide support if needed.
8. Combining your roles as a vegan, yogini, and mindfulness master practitioner, how do you incorporate these holistic practices into your coaching to foster deeper self-awareness and alignment for your clients?
Answer: The fusion of my roles as a vegan, yogini, and mindfulness master practitioner enriches my coaching approach, fostering deep connection and alignment with clients.
Here's how I incorporate these practices:
As a yogini firmly grounded in ancient scriptures such as Upanishads, yoga sutras, Bhagavad Gita I guide those clients who desire a visceral experience of self-realisation as the infinite, vast and unlimited Life Force wearing body container through life.
My clients learn the art (practice) and science (scripture) of systematically observing, understanding, accepting and training all levels of their being: their senses, their body, their conscious mind, and their unconscious mind such that they can coordinate them and integrate them into one harmonious whole and dwell in the direct experience of the Center of Consciousness aka their Soul (Atman).
They learn how to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgement, enhancing self-awareness. They learn where their thoughts and emotions originate and how they are formed so they can regulate them and increase their Emotional Intelligence. Yoga meditation practices are recommended to promote physical and mental well-being, to manage triggers, stress and challenges of their busy professional life.
Veganism or ahimsa - non-harming of any living being is the leading requirement of yoga practice and serves as a foundation for ethical alignment and conscious living leading to the Unity with All That Exists. Harmful conduct is a taboo to a yogi. Veganism is the first step on the eight rungs of yoga meditation.
Discussions around plant-based nutrition and lifestyle choices support holistic health. I help my clients optimise their nutritional intake and shift from processed vegan foods to whole, unprocessed vegan foods. Mindful eating practices are encouraged, connecting clients with their food choices and their impact on the world for the benefit of their own health and that of our planet.
Veganism also offers opportunities for value-driven goal setting and decision-making using empathy and compassion as the driver to create healthy corporate culture, improved productivity and a healthy bottom line.
By aligning clients' actions with their values, they experience greater fulfilment and authenticity. The combination of these holistic practices helps clients navigate life's complexities with grace, compassion, and a profound understanding of themselves, ultimately fostering lasting self-awareness, fulfilment and self-respect.
9. Working with clients who are struggling with social anxiety and speech anxiety requires delicate approaches. Can you share a challenging case where traditional coaching techniques might not have sufficed, and you had to draw upon your unique skill set to guide the client towards transformation?
Answer: Certainly, here's a case where my unique skill set was instrumental in guiding a client struggling with social anxiety and speech anxiety: My client, a high-achieving scientist, PHD had debilitating social and speech anxiety. She had also suffered from social phobia, a profound fear of being attacked. As a vegan she suffered from severe vystopia and evil in the world inflicted by people who judged animals unworthy of living and willingly paying for their endless suffering.
Traditional talk therapy she tried for 20+ lies proved insufficient to address the severity of her anxiety. Drawing upon my expertise in hypnotherapy, we initiated a holistic approach.
Hypnotherapy allowed us to uncover deep-seated fears, persistent feelings of shame and past traumas that were at the root of the client's anxiety. Together we have accessed her unconscious mind and have shifted to unconscious communication in language of stories, metaphor and emotion.
My client was able to access her playful Inner Child whom she remembered as cheerful, curious and fearless prior to the occurrence of traumatic events. We have restored and amplified those memories. We have also communicated with what the client described as The Heavy Heart and with several animals and symbols she retrieved from her memory.
The root cause of the social anxiety and social phobia problem was a very negative perception of Self and associated clinical perfectionism which is nothing but fear of making a mistake dressed up as excellence.
Utilising unconscious material we have constructed an alternative map of her identity and her mindset. Working with her personal religious beliefs we have established communication with my clientâs Higher Power and have amplified the visceral experience of His presence. I have trained my client in the practice of self-hypnosis tailored to strengthen her connection with her Higher Power to boost her confidence before high-stakes speaking engagements.
My client also engaged in breath work and autogenic training to reduce physical tension and nervousness. Over time, this multi-faceted approach helped the client not only manage but significantly reduce her social and speech anxiety. She went on to successfully deliver presentations at the vegan trade show where she was promoting her book and engage in social interactions with newfound confidence, marking a profound transformation.
10. Could you delve into a situation where a client's fear of failure significantly hindered their personal or professional growth? What multifaceted strategies did you employ to help them overcome this fear and develop a healthier mindset towards failure?
Answer: Certainly, let me share a situation where a client's fear of failure hindered their personal and professional growth: My client, age 59, was paralyzed by her fear of failure, social anxiety and chronic fatigue which prevented her from taking necessary risks. She had a lifelong history of alcohol addiction and bulimia, depression and anxiety due to severe childhood trauma and abandonment. She failed in creating personal relationships and was living all by herself suffering from loneliness.
She was trying to sign up for a Masters of Writing program at the nearby university over the past 5 years but was unable to do so, frustrated with the lengthy online application process. She was actually afraid she would fail the course of studies and was using technical difficulties as an excuse to not proceed with her plans.
What exacerbated her pain and suffering was her recent spiritual breakdown upon seeing footage of animal torture at the slaughterhouse gas chambers. She became vegan on that day. She had tried to engage in vegan activism but her social anxiety was preventing her from participating.
Plagued by intrusive thoughts about animals suffering at the slaughterhouse and in death transportation trucks she was unable to sleep ridden with guilt about years of participating in the system of animal exploitation. She was obese and suffered from chronic fatigue. She developed hatred towards people. Full blown vystopia.
At the time she saw me she developed agoraphobia and was unable to leave her home. We initiated a multi-faceted approach to address this challenge: First we have defined the goal: to overcome her emotional turmoil, sign up and complete the Masters program. We have started with hypnotherapy sessions targeted the subconscious mind to identify root causes of her mental and physical breakdown. Over several sessions we have worked on healing her Inner Child by recognizing, understanding and healing that part of her being that was injured by physical and emotional neglect during her childhood.
At some point my client has identified quite spontaneously The Force Within, an energy of sorts. We have worked to amplify it through visceral, sensual experience. The strength of The Force growing within her heart told her that it was always there available to be drawn upon and will always be there.
Now that client resources arose I used visualisation exercises tailored to help the client envision success rather than dwelling on failure. We have reframed what clients viewed as past failures as a valuable learning opportunity and opportunity to develop resilience. The Force Within also assisted my client in connecting with people, understanding that every human was born animal loving vegan but was distorted by the prevailing paradigm of speciesism and unable to heal and restore their original loving Self. This has assisted my client to develop compassion towards people and lessen her vystopia.
Every session ended with a goal focused on setting achievable milestones, reducing the perceived risk of failure. First week leaving her home. Then reconnecting with a family member she has not spoken for years. Developing an exercise routine: riding a bike. Regular self-reflection and journaling allowed the client to track her progress and recognize her successes. We also explored the client's core values and aligned her goals accordingly, providing a sense of purpose.
Through this holistic approach, and weekly progress, the client gradually developed a healthier mindset towards failure, viewing it as a stepping stone to success. Towards the end of our transformative program she has signed up for the Masters of Writing program and has completed it within a year despite numerous challenges. At my one year follow up she was preparing for the trip to Mexico to participate in The Writerâs Retreat.
11. As a transformational coach, how do you help your clients navigate the tension between pursuing their authentic selves and meeting societal or professional expectations, especially when these expectations might conflict with their values as vegans or empathetic individuals?
Answer: Navigating the tension between authenticity and societal or professional expectations is a delicate balance, particularly for clients with a strong need for justice for all living beings. Here's how I guide them: We begin by clearly defining and prioritising the client's personal vision and mission. What are their core values, what drives them, what they want and what is their legacy?
I help them articulate their ethical convictions, both in their personal lives and professional endeavours. Together, we explore ways to integrate their values into their professional roles, seeking alignment wherever possible. One of my clients is presently engaged in introducing vegan meals at the hospital where she works as her long term goal is to create the first vegan hospital in her country modelled on the world first vegan hospital in Beirut.
I am assisting her by connecting her with other vegan professionals in my network who were involved in similar projects for support and collaboration. Through my clients' high Sensory Intelligence and empathy we foster deep understanding of why other people might be reluctant to embrace vegan message and what are the most effective ways to communicate in a calm and assertive way.
Every paradigm shift in the world be it abolishing human slavery or abolishing animal slavery brings tension and we change leaders learn how to be comfortable with tension. Veganism is a great opportunity to develop resilience, conflict solving skills, communication skills and assertiveness skills.
12. Your practice involves addressing deeply ingrained habitual thinking patterns. Could you walk us through your process of identifying, deconstructing, and reframing such patterns to create lasting change in your clients' lives?
Answer: The clientâs presenting problem e.g. his nervousness in social situations, imposter syndrome and panic attacks before each presentation at work are merely symptoms of an underlying problem. Just like a cough is a symptom of underlying disease. Applying surface level solutions such as affirmations or relaxation techniques without identifying root cause of the problem is like putting a band-aid across a patient's mouth to stop the cough without diagnosis if it is related to bronchitis, covid, flu, cold, allergy so as to apply appropriate treatment.
Here's is a walkthrough of my 4-parts process for addressing deeply ingrained habitual thinking patterns:
PART 1: DECONSTRUCTING THE PROBLEM: We start with a hypnotic interview to find out how, when and why the client's brain created the problem. What is its positive intention to keep this problem running today? Here I communicate with my client through subconscious communication: body language, tone of voice, metaphors, silence etc. This creates deep rapport and allows the client's brain to access memory bank and identify what is the reason he is doing what he is doing. This provides great relief to the client as he now understands why he has been so powerless in resolving his persistent habits.
Once the reason for the problemâs existence was identified we now have a contradiction or 2 conflicting desires in clear view in front of us: I want to do presentations to a large audience AND I want to remain invisible because.. (clientâs payoff to keep the problem alive).
Example: One of my clients who was struggling with starting his business to leave his corporate job had the belief âI cannot be rushedâ. Through a hypnotic interviewing process he has accessed memory of the event from before his birth. He was born 1 month premature. His brain had associated starting a new venture with the discomfort of being too early and created the belief âI cannot be rushedâ.
My clients are entirely unaware of the deep seated causes of their presenting problems. We continue with hypnotic conversation to elicit insights from the clientâs mind to satisfy both desires. An open, unconditionally accepted, safe mind provides lots of solutions to the problems quite naturally. Thus we collapse the problem. It has no more reason to exist.
PART 2: MOTIVATION: Once the problem was deconstructed and alternative solutions were identified we have to create a very strong motivation for the new habit to persist. We know that any change initiatives which do not have powerful why fizzle over time. For example 95% of diets fail over the long term.
Strategic solutions without visionary purpose is like a bird without eyes. Utilising unconscious communication we access the client's unconscious mind once again where his identity, purpose, meaning, core values and needs are located and identify a powerful reason to continue with the new habit. So powerful that it becomes an irresistible driving force for change. We amplify that reason.
PART 3: TESTING: We test the new habit in various challenging situations and if any obstacles present itself we once again access the subconscious mind to provide solutions to those obstacles. Thus we utilise client innate capacities in full without me ever imposing any advice.
PART 4: STRATEGY: Once the mind is completely on board and there are no more obstacles we decide on an action plan to put new insights in practice. We set specific measurable goals to monitor the impact of the changes. Regular sessions provide accountability and a platform for tracking progress and addressing setbacks. Over time, new thought patterns become integrated into the client mindset, leading to lasting change. From anxiety to inner calm. From self-doubt to self-love. From fear to confidence. From trauma to healing.
13. Building emotional connections and relationships is essential for success, particularly in fields where client interaction is pivotal. Can you provide examples of how you've assisted clients in cultivating these emotional connections while maintaining professional boundaries and integrity?
Answer: Building emotional connections while maintaining professional boundaries is crucial. Here are examples of how I've assisted clients in this aspect: My clients are empaths, individuals with high Sensory Intelligence and high Emotional Intelligence. I help them recognize their innate capacities as strengths and coach them in the art of unconscious communication which utilises non-verbal cues and metaphor. This allows them to connect and understand others on an emotional level.
For example, I coached one of my clients who was a physician in a very hectic medical practice with little time allowed per client, an EVP technique (eye contact, hypnotic voice and hypnotic personality). It has considerably improved his rapport with the highly stressed patients. Then I coached him in the art of reflective communication where he validated others feelings and perspectives of his patients rather than just providing factual information about their diagnosis. I also taught him a quick self-hypnosis framework so he could quickly regulate stress levels. Within just one week he reported vast improvement in his communication outcomes where he was able to successfully defuse crisis situations.
I teach my clients how to set up clear boundaries that protect their well-being while allowing for meaningful connection. We implement conflict solving strategies which help my clients maintain their integrity. Throughout our work together my clients understand that professionalism can coexist with warmth and empathy, fostering authentic connections that endure while maintaining professional integrity.
14. Could you share a case where a client's fear of being incompetent, or imposter syndrome, was intertwined with their vegan beliefs and lifestyle choices? How did you approach the intersection of these psychological challenges and their ethical convictions?
Answer: Certainly, here's a case where imposter syndrome intersected with vegan beliefs and lifestyle choices: My client was a highly accomplished marketing executive and director of training for a large corporation. She has made a commitment to living a vegan lifestyle due to her deep ethical convictions about animal injustice and sustainability of life on planet Earth.
Despite her professional success she felt like an imposter advocating ethical choices in her marketing role, fearing she lacked the competence to effectively promote a vegan lifestyle. With time she developed panic attacks before presentations at work and resorted to taking Propranolol medication to help her cope with heart palpitations. Before she met me she tried 4 years of psychotherapy, Toastmasters, meditation, cold showers etc. Her goal was to get off meds and for the panic attacks to stop so that she could become a powerful voice for veganism while continuing a successful career in her field.
We began by delving into my client's subconscious mind to identify the genesis, the architecture and the benefits of my client imposter syndrome. As usual the problem had nothing to do with public speaking anxiety nor with veganism but with being raised by a very strict and controlling mother with rage problems. Through the imposter syndrome her brain wanted to keep her safe from being hurt like she was during her childhood.
We have addressed the root cause of the problem identifying all false identities and irrational beliefs such as: âI always feel like Iâm doing something wrongâ, âI always feel like I am not enoughâ, âI do not accept myself the way I amâ, âI always have to please my momâ etc which were created during her childhood and were running her life today.
Then delving deeper into the subconscious mind we have accessed her true identity as a 100% worthy, lovable, capable person with great value to offer to the world. This new Self has generated a range of empowering beliefs which were repeated and reinforced in a deep and long trance my client chose to sink in. We have also identified numerous experiences in my client life which have invalidated prior irrational beliefs.
We have acknowledged the protective role of the Imposter Syndrome whose function was to keep my client safe from her mother's wrath even though her mother was long deceased. We have reframed the Imposter Syndrome into The Champion of The Vegan cause and have connected it to new insights, new empowering beliefs, We explored the ethical underpinnings of my clients vegan lifestyle which was her innate empathy, high Sensory Intelligence, high IQ and her spiritual beliefs. She realised that her veganism was a source of strength and authenticity, not a hindrance.
Mindfulness techniques were implemented to help my client stay grounded and resilient when encountering challenging situations. My clients results were remarkable, she gained confidence to not only advocate for veganism in her marketing role but also excel in it. She became self-assured which has led her to taking on leadership roles and contributing significantly to her company success.
15. The journey towards self-discovery and authentic living can be challenging. How do you support your clients in sustaining the growth and transformation they achieve during your coaching sessions, especially as they face ongoing professional demands and personal pressures?
Answer: Sustaining growth and transformation is a vital aspect of coaching. Here's how I support clients on this journey. We co-create personalised plans that include ongoing practices and strategies to sustain their growth. Clients set both short-term and long-term goals, fostering motivation and a sense of purpose. Regular coaching sessions provide accountability, where clients can reflect on their progress and address challenges. We integrate techniques for stress management and self-care into daily routines. Clients develop emotional resilience through mindfulness practices, enabling them to navigate professional and personal pressures.
We recognize and celebrate achievements, no matter how small, to reinforce motivation and self-confidence. It is very common to overlook personal achievement. Old mental habits once overwritten by new empowering beliefs become like words erased in a Word document. They are no longer present in the mind. A client mentioned previously who suffered from âtremendous stage frightâ represented herself in court at the divorce proceedings. She just briefly mentioned this achievement at our subsequent session as if it was a normal occurrence.
Clients are encouraged to seek support from vegan peers, mentors, or like-minded communities. I facilitate such connections within my own vegan network. Even after our therapy/coaching sessions end, I continue with periodic check-ins to help clients stay on track and address any emerging challenges. Ultimately, the goal is for clients to carry the tools and insights gained during coaching into their everyday lives, enabling them to sustain their growth and transformation amid ongoing demands and pressures.
What is unique to my transformation approach is that unlike the self-improvement industry which imparts into the minds of its customers that there is something inherently wrong with their present self, that it is deficient, disordered, broken, fixer upper.
I see my clientâs true nature as perfect, unlimited and infinite. I see him unaware of his potential and his abilities because his mind is subject to conditionings and because he falsely identifies himself with his personality and with who he was told he was early in life. Perhaps a sinner. Too wild. Too quiet. Too shy.
This false identification, in turn, makes him think he is flawed and limited. During our work together we cast off these unhelpful beliefs so he becomes aware of his own true Self which is pure and free from all imperfection. He merely operates based on obsolete thinking habits and he may be lacking certain skills e.g. conflict solving skills, assertiveness skills etc.
His life purpose is to express his true Being out there to the world while learning skills to do it effectively. We reframe self improvement to skill improvement. We allow self to shine bright out there to the world through the mind purified from any limitation. Empath. Compassionate leader. Vegan. Ahimsan. Visionary of the future where all lives matter. Change agent. An asset to any organisation.
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