Ask an Expert: Magician and Hypnotist
What is your profession?
“I bring magic to life in the hearts and minds of the people I meet. At least, that’s my aim. I want to recreate for other people the same sense of fascination and mystery I experienced as a child when my grandpop (or grandad if you’re most people) played tricks on me, my brother and my sister. I also help people to find peace, health and happiness through hypnotherapy.”
What is a lesser-known/unusual aspect of your job that the public/average person wouldn't expect?
“Everyone can be hypnotized. People always tell me “I can’t be hypnotized, my brain doesn’t switch off, I’m not easily manipulated.” None of these are relevant. If we think of hypnosis as simply responsiveness to suggestion, this opens up a world of opportunity. A hypnotist will simply offer suggestions to think, feel and act in new ways and the more you engage openly and imaginatively in the process, the better an experience you will have.”
What has been one of the biggest challenges for you, working in your role?
“As a teenager, I witnessed a tragic decline in my mother’s health when depression, smoking and alcohol addiction took their toll and eventually took her life. There are some very serious and complex problems people face around the world every day and I want to know what to do about them. Life itself is a challenge. We have to move forward, grow and evolve. I’ve had to face my own fears and limitations in order to grow and ultimately be in a place where I’m able to teach and help others to do the same.”
What has been your biggest win in this role?
“There have been so many amazing moments working in this field, from performing on cruise ships and at festivals to helping people relieve chronic pain and overcome debilitating anxiety. It’s a real privilege to travel the world creating special memories with the people I meet and incredibly rewarding to see a life-long smoker suddenly stop, or for someone’s chronic pain to disappear from a few simple words. it feels like real magic.”
What is something society/the government/the public should know, or seek to change, regarding your field of work?
“You are powerful. Don’t underestimate the power of your words, your intention, your mind, your imagination, or your actions. They have effects on the world whether you can see it or not, and with just a little imagination you can choose to affect it in really positive ways. You are valuable, your are powerful and you can create of this world whatever you wish.”
Something you wish you knew before starting on this career path?
“I wish I’d known how to hypnotize! Being able to communicate confidently and effectively is a valuable life skill, and so is the ability to manage one’s emotional and psychological state. Essentially, everything I’m learning and practicing now would have been very useful in my early teenage years.”
Something you’d tell your younger self?
“Keep up the karate. I had one lesson and never went again. Nowadays, I’d love to be a good fighter. It’s a great way to keep fit and strong, mentally and physically.”
Why do you do what you do?
“The world needs magic. People need inspiration, possibility, evolution, curiosity, beauty, mystery and passion. Magic, hypnosis, music and art enable me to channel these into the world and into the people I meet.”
One piece of key insider information?
“It’s not all camera tricks. People think the magic they see on TV is all actors and CGI. It’s not. Magicians spend years working to make these illusions possible in real life. Of course there is a secret, hidden underneath layers of misdirection and showmanship, but what you see on the TV screen is what is happening in front of the camera. Unbelievable, I know!”
Interview with David Stewart, Magician & Hypnotist.
Connect with David through his socials, linked here: www.linktree.com/davidstewartmagic
Follow the above link to find upcoming events through David’s website or social media channels.
Are you an expert or a professional with something interesting to share? Then we’d love to hear from you!
At ‘The Room - Psy’, we are reaching out to especially interesting health, psychology/social science, and wellbeing related professionals (or professionals with something else relevant/exciting they do or can offer), who are open to answering some unconventional and thought-provoking questions regarding what it’s really like working in your field; providing insight, advice, information, and perhaps a unique story. The interview will be offered remotely via email and can be published either anonymously or with credit to you (including job title, name, and with something you might wish to promote/contact details). The choice would be yours depending on your preference/comfort. The goal is to learn about what it’s truly like working as a professional in your field, to inspire students, stimulate debate or thought concerning issues or wins in your field.
If you’d like to put yourself forward for this, please email us at theroompsy@outlook.com with a brief highlight of your current/previous job that you would like the interview to focus on.
