We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Claire Marie Kohout. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Claire Marie below.

Claire Marie , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

I started my practice very slowly. It was scary to think of having my own business, even though it was something I really wanted and had been looking for throughout my young adult life. I decided to build my practice as an energy therapist primarily through word of mouth, using it as my main form of advertising. I wanted to work with people who would understand what I was doing and understand the importance of self-care. I didn’t want to put myself in large financial debt to get my practice off the ground, so starting small was the right choice for me. Over time, I had built a part-time business, intending to go full-time as soon as I could. Making the jump to full-time work was the hardest, scariest part of the whole journey for me. Having confidence that I could really make this work, letting go of my security of a regular paycheck, and most importantly, re-wiring my mind to think about money and safety from a different perspective.
I knew I wanted to be my own boss, and helping people was/is very important to me, and I believed in myself. All I had to do was face the fear of potential “failure” and make the leap. After building my practice for 5 years, I had so many clients that I either had to stop growing or switch to full-time. I made that switch and couldn’t be happier or prouder of myself for believing I could make this business happen.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My practice combines energy therapy, spiritual/conscious awareness, and self-actualization to help individuals to live their best, most ecstatic lives possible. Healing happens on all levels when we know we are worthy of healing. When we can allow healing to happen by removing obstacles that keep us stuck and miserable, because we believe there is no other way to live life. Authentic alignment, letting go, and trust in things that may be “unseen”(our intuition) can help us reach that beautiful life goal.
Everything in my practice revolves around this goal. Reaching our purpose in life. I provide loving and compassionate energy therapy sessions for my clients to move stuck energy in their bodies that may be contributing to illness, depression, anxiety, and more. I provide intuitive readings that may help a client see which steps to take if there is a fork in the road, and products to help maintain clarity and insight into the choices they make for themselves.

I lead with love and compassion in my work. I love working with energy, the metaphysical, and conscious awareness, and can talk about it with people forever! Now more than ever, people are waking up to connection, community, and the power of divine and sacred space. I want to support you in that journey of embodying your purpose.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I was taught that to have safety and security, you need a job that could pay you well, advance in that job, and get money to support yourself. My interests were in art and spirituality. I didn’t want to work for someone else doing something that I didn’t really like doing for a majority of my day, and therefore, my whole life. I didn’t want to work in the “grind”, but all I was confronted with was… “how are you going to make a living out of that?” I understand and understood the question, but it wasn’t helpful for my confidence in believing I could do just that. In navigating my way to reaching my goals, I found myself working for a jewelry artist who was making an amazing living from the art that she loved. I asked her once, “How did you do this?” Her answer was, “I needed to make it work.” I realized in that moment that she didn’t give herself the option to not do what she loved. As I watched more people, read articles, and listened to interviews from people doing what they loved, that seemed to always be part of it. They may have had to pivot, but the goal was always in sight. So, I applied that same ethic to my own goals in business and in life, because for me, I couldn’t really separate work and life.
I didn’t give myself the “fallback” option. I knew the fallback option was there, I knew I would do what I needed to do to survive, but I wanted to THRIVE, and I would pursue that goal until I reached it. I made choices and concessions that would help me reach my goal, but I was willing to do that.
Once I made that leap to working for myself full-time, that’s when a lot of relearning had to happen. I had to relearn my relationship with money. I didn’t have a “steady paycheck”, so I had to learn how to look at my finances in a bigger picture. Monthly and yearly instead of weekly or biweekly. It took some time, but it happened. It just took coming from a different perspective.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I would absolutely choose the same profession. I know this now, because if I wanted to change what I was doing, I would, and I know I could. I can apply all the things I have learned about having my own business and apply it creating something different or new if I wanted something different or new. I ask myself this question quite a bit to make sure I am doing the thing I love so I can THRIVE in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cmkenergy.com
• Instagram: cmk_energy
• Facebook: cmk.energy
• Youtube: @cmkenergy5582

Image Credits

https://block-studios.com/