MS: What was your pivotal moment in life that made you take this direction?
AO: It was more a series of moments that lead me to my hypnotherapy training.   As I found more balance within, through meditation, energy work and clairvoyant training, I realized that I could help others the way I was taught to help myself.  Delving into the beliefs, old programming and pain that blocked me, I learned the tools to move beyond these struggles. I felt inspired to show others they could do the same.

MS: What made you want to be what you are now?
AO: The self awareness and self empowerment, I gained from my experiences with hypnotherapy and psychic energy work. I started my professional career as a commercial interior designer.   I was proud of what I achieved, but I wasn't happy, and found that as my life got quiet and routine, my internal struggles got louder.  I believed at the time,that a good career, and success in that career would give me the happiness or fulfillment I was looking for.  It was instead, the deeper, inner work that I ended up doing on the side that really changed my life.          

MS: How did you get started?
AO: I went back to school to become a Certified Hypnotherapist and Life Coach.  I wanted to find a way to make the spiritual and energy work I had been doing more accessible to all people in many different belief systems.  I found hypnotherapy could achieve this by bringing science and spirituality together.    

MS: What are your favorite parts about what you do?
AO: The change my clients and audiences make.  How they learn to help themselves, and how I get to continue to grow as well.   

What are your short-term and/or long-term goals at the moment? Short term - to live more in the moment and appreciate the process / Long term - build a bigger network and platform to share my services and tools.

Do you have advice for people interested in the same field?  Hypnotherapy is a healing profession, don't be afraid to do and continue to do your own growth work, learn healthy boundaries and know your value. 

MS: What is something you wish people learned or knew more about in your industry?
AO: We as hypnotists or hypnotherapists are not controlling our clients, hypnotherapy is a tool of empowerment.  The client is always in complete control and can find so much empowerment if they are ready.   

MS: What is something you wish you knew in the beginning?  I wish I took more time to learn about business, save and build capital before starting AO: my own business.    
 
MS: What is your favorite quote and why?
AO: Love with your mind, and think with your heart.

MS: What are some things that keep you going?  Having a set goal in mind, whether it's professional or personal, having a clear, attainable vision of AO: what I want to accomplish helps inspire me to keep moving forward.

MS: How do you approach a work life balance?
AO: Honestly, not always successfully, but I have learned that no matter how busy one area of my life gets over the other, I am most balanced when I am able to stay in the present moment with what I am doing. I know how to work hard, which isn't always a bad thing, but can easily get me overwhelmed if I'm not paying attention.  I am most successful at work/life balance when I allow myself to notice when I am feeling tired, overwhelmed, or frustrated, so I can give myself the room to slow down and get back to a healthier and balanced place...and go play for a bit.  

MS: Do you have advice or encouragement for ways to support local?
AO: Don't be afraid to explore what's around you, even if it's different from what you are used to.  You may be surprised by who you meet and what new experience you get to have.

MS: How do you align you business decisions with your values each day?
AO: By reminding myself to stay aware of my personal value.  If I'm not healthy, then helping others become healthy is much more challenging and a lot less authentic.  

MS: What is the most valuable advice you received?
AO: Know your value

MS: What is your definition of success?
AO: A positive impact

As I found more balance within, through meditation, energy work and clairvoyant training, I realized that I could help others the way I was taught to help myself.  Delving into the beliefs, old programming and pain that blocked me, I learned the tools to move beyond these struggles. I felt inspired to show others they could do the same. 

09.01.21

Don't be afraid to explore what's around you, even if it's different from what you are used to.  You may be surprised by who you meet and what new experience you get to have.