I am super excited to have an opportunity to get to know Sean Michael Andrews “World’s Fastest Hypnotist” on a more personal level. I may be slightly biased, but ever since starting my career in hypnotherapy I have watched many of his videos and read many of his articles, and have even personally sought help from Sean himself (to which he kindly obliged)… so for me this is a little surreal and a great privilege: Lets start with a bit of background?Thanks for interviewing me, Chantelle! My early career was with the military (Air Force) and with the US Department of Defense… NOT as a hypnotist! In 1987 they sent me to a course for new supervisors and that course included NLP rapport-building techniques. I was fascinated by Neuro-linguistic Programming and began to study it. From there I studied the career of Dr. Milton Erickson and then eventually the works of Dave Elman. Although I still use some Ericksonian techniques, most of my hypnosis is in the Elman style. It is direct and simple. I like that!You are considered the “world’s fastest hypnotist” – wow! What does that mean to you?It means that nobody is faster than me at hypnotizing however, hundreds of people are just as fast! I tell my students that after completing my training THEY are also the world’s fastest hypnotists… but they don’t own the website :)In truth, instant inductions CAN be performed quicker than I do them BUT it would be unsafe to do them in that manner. I have never injured a subject because I take great care to perform these inductions safely.Despite being phenomenally busy travelling the world, teaching, writing articles and of course your own personal commitments – you still find time to help ‘new comers’ within the industry through email subscriptions and Facebook. You even helped me prepare for a presentation to a ladies gym once, which I again thank you for!! So why are you so readily available to help others within the industry?I like to share! It gives me a good feeling to know that I can help out another human being. I love the quote by Zig Ziglar:“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”I have found this to be absolutely true in my life. My research and travel keep me busy, but when I have time, I am always happy to answer questions. I don’t know how much longer I will be able to answer all the questions that come my way, but while I still can, I do. Sometimes, someone will email me the question, “How do you do instant inductions?” That’s sort of difficult to answer in a quick email, so I can’t really help with those!So true! So what is your main career focus now?My main focus now is on writing and hypnosis research. There are many things that I used to believe about hypnosis that I no longer believe. I want to know what REALLY makes people hypnotizable and what are the best ways to help people make positive changes. Next year I will cut back on my course offerings and concentrate on doing more one-on-one mentoring. As you know, my travel schedule has been crazy lately so I’d like to spend more time at home.Is there anything exciting coming up that you could share, particularly for Australians?I don’t have any training scheduled for Australia right now, but as I always say… Get 20 of your friends together, and we’ll talk :)I might just do that! :) How would you summarise hypnosis and its benefits?My view of hypnosis is quite simple. The trance state is natural and while in trance, people will accept suggestions that are pleasing to them. Anywhere there is a mind-body connection, hypnosis can be extremely useful.If there was only one thing you could tell people about hypnosis, what would it be?Get good training. Investigate prospective trainers. Ask for references and talk with former students. Have they trained with several different trainers? Pay particular attention to their opinions because they have better perspective than students who studied with only one trainer. Are the trainer’s testimonials from real people? Find out! You have one of the most powerful investigative tools at your disposal (the internet). Use it!What is a very valuable lesson you have learned on your own personal journey that you can share with us?Even if you get the best training in the world, you will learn most when you actually do the work. Whether it’s hypnotherapy, stage hypnosis or street hypnosis, when you go out there and DO IT, that is when you really learn.What are some of your greatest achievements to date?As far as personal achievements, I would say along with my wonderful wife, Stephanie, raising our sons, Sean Michael and Ian Andrew (hint at where my stage name came from). We are very proud of them!As far as business achievements I would say performing stage hypnosis (with my good friend and sometimes stage partner, Kenda Summers) at three hypnosis conventions in one year… the last one being in Vegas! Nobody else has done that!You’ve already accomplished so much! Where to from here?I will continue my research and writing. There are three more books in the works. Within the next four years I will reopen my hypnosis school. I haven’t decided on the location yet, but my goal is to have the most prestigious hypnosis learning institution in the world. It will be a world-class facility that will welcome guest lecturers from around the world. I want to turn out super-successful students that will make a big impact on the hypnotherapy and entertainment world.Who are your inspirations?Dave Elman. His works influenced the way I do hypnosis more than anyone else. I wish I could have met him.Gerald Kein. He introduced me to the Elman methods. I wasn’t a REAL hypnotist until I met him.My students. This is what drives me. I LOVE to see them light up as they discover true hypnosis!Any other advice or comments?I believe hypnosis is the most interesting topic in the world. Don’t you agree?!!! :)I certainly do agree Sean! Thank you so much for sharing, it has been a privilege to get to know more about you! You’re an inspiration and one day hopefully our paths cross and we will meet in person! Wishing you continued success & growth. Wishing you all an abundance of health, healing & absolute love.Xx Chantelle Xx
