We recently connected with John McGrail and have shared our conversation below.
John, appreciate you joining us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?
Several years ago, a young woman came to me with a paralyzing fear of commitment. Every time she got into a relationship that started to get serious she would find a way to sabotage it and run. The irony is that she really wanted to settle down with a life partner and have children.
We worked together for about five weeks during which time I helped her build her sense of self esteem, confidence and personal power. I also helped her uncover the source of her fear, which she perceived as an abandonment that had occurred in her distant past. She didn’t consciously remember it, or even perceive it as such until it came up in hypnosis. Once it was exposed, it was pretty easy to desensitize her from the emotional pain it had caused her. After our last session, she left my office with a big smile on her face, beaming with self-confidence.
About six months later, she called me to tell me she had a really nice guy and that the relationship was going well; a year after that they were married, and now she is the proud mom of three beautiful children, living happily ever after. Those are the kinds of cases that warm my heart, and give me the inspiration to do what I do.
John, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My path to becoming a clinical hypnotherapist, personal empowerment expert, and founder and president of A Better You, Inc. is the result of a confluence of many factors and events. I’ve been fortunate to have an extremely enjoyable and somewhat eclectic professional life; from serving as an officer and aviator in the United States Coast Guard to flying for two major airlines followed by several years in radio, film, television and multimedia, where I pretty much had a chance to do everything from acting, to writing and producing, to serving as a corporate executive managing a staff of seventy five young professionals.
I have also had a lifelong curiosity about the human condition– how and why we (humans) are the way we are and behave the way we do, and how and why we are where we are in the the universal order of things. As such, I have pretty much always been an avid student of the human sciences– biology, anthropology, psychology, sociology, and philosophy, particularly native and indigenous philosophy. Add to all that the exploration and dabbling into theology, spirituality, quantum physics, even a bit of mysticism. That’s a large part of my fun.
One day, I suddenly and unexpectedly found myself at a personal and professional “crossroad.” I was newly unemployed as a result of the “dot-com” implosion of 2001 and really not sure as to what I wanted to do or which way I wanted to go. After several months of soul searching I decided to give up my career in visual media and find a new direction, but what and where?
I began by reviewing all the jobs I had ever had and realized that the most enjoyable aspect of all my endeavors had been when I was placed in the role of instructor, coach and mentor; helping people grow and develop. So I began to explore the myriad of possible career paths that would provide that opportunity, from divinity school to naturopathic medicine and seemingly everything in between. I ultimately chose hypnotherapy because it facilitates growth and transformation across the human condition–the entire behavioral spectrum– and it relates to all those subject areas I find so interesting. It also would allow me to get established in business relatively quickly, as compared to say medical school or conventional psychotherapy. Finally, I also had first-hand knowledge of how powerful hypnotherapy can be in facilitating personal change and transformation, having worked with a brilliant hypnotherapist who helped me realize my own personal and spiritual transcendence, and in an amazingly short period of time. It just seemed right!
I earned my initial certification as a clinical hypnotherapist from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, (HMI), the nation’s first federally-accredited college of hypnotherapy. After I established my clinical practice in 2002, I went on to earn a PhD in Clinical Hypnotherapy from Breyer State University, during which I developed the precursor models for what I initially called my Psycho-Neuro-Synthesis process, which quickly (and thankfully) came to be just, “Synthesis.” It is the subject of my book, “The Synthesis Effect, Your Direct Path to Personal Power and Transformation.” (N.J. Career press.)
My passion is helping people grow and enjoy a better life. My clinical practice focuses on personal growth and healing, behavioral and emotional modification, spirituality and performance improvement in the workplace, sports, and academics. My clients include people from all walks of life, from about age seven through 85. In addition to my clinical practice, I am a frequent keynote and motivational speaker and I facilitate seminars and workshops for an eclectic variety of civic and social groups, professional organizations, and corporate clients. I love every chance to educate and promote a powerful method for creating and maintaining lasting change, for improving virtually any facet of a person’s life; physically, emotionally and or spiritually.
I am gratified to also be considered a leading media expert on the subject of personal development. My writing and expertise have been featured and quoted in major print and online publications and periodicals like Readers Digest, Time, Cosmopolitan, Self, Redbook, Women First, WebMD, Brain World and many more. I’ve had the opportunity to appear frequently as an expert guest on radio and television shows and major podcasts, both domestic and international.
When I think back on the last 21 years I am most proud of the fact that I have been given an incredible gift. I have had and have the chance to use all my professional and personal experiences and talents and all I have learned in life to help literally thousands of clients and students overcome blocks and challenges and make life changes that they thought impossible. I cannot count the times I have heard a new client say, “You’re my last hope, I’ve tried everything else,” only to find themselves feeling like a new human being just a few short weeks later, and leaving their last session equipped to stay that way; beaming with the joy of transcendence. I literally wake up every morning feeling both blessed and excited about continuing that work for as long as I possible can.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Clearly to be a top professional in any arena, there is no substitute for training, knowledge, and expertise. However, in so many endeavors, there is both a science and an art. I think the artistry comes from being able to tap into natural attitudes, talents, and passions and using those energies to apply the “science.” I also think it’s vitally important in a business to stay curious. Don’t ever think you’ve got it down pat– read and explore and observe what other successful people in your field are doing and it will help you stay at the top of your game.
I have also found and fervently believe that when you’re making a living doing something, you absolutely love and are passionate about, it doesn’t feel like working. It’s fun! And rule number one in the McGrail methodology is, “Life is supposed to be fun!
When you’re in that sort of situation, it also is so much easier to attend to so many of the “chores” and aspects of running a business that may not be as enjoyable as the core business practice. For example, my passion is helping my clients grow and empower themselves, however, I still have to attend to activities like sales & marketing, advertising, accounting, etc. all necessary ancillaries to running a successful business. Many people love their business, but aren’t willing or are unable to attend to those aspects that are required to make the business grow and thrive. So for me, while I don’t really enjoy that part of it, I’ve always been willing to do it because it allows me to do what I love.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I think there are two key factors that have helped most in building my reputation. First, I have always treated every client as my only client; they get every bit of my attention and concentration, and I do my very, very best work with each and every person I work with. So if you want to build a good reputation in your field, do great work and provide great customer service. I promise, word gets around either way.
The second most important factor was creating visibility. I took every opportunity afforded me to to get myself, my methods and my message out there. In the early days of building my practice, I did countless pro-bono presentations to virtually anyone who would listen. I spoke to professional organizations like Rotary clubs, social groups, PTAs, student associations– anybody who was at all interested in the subject of hypnotherapy and personal change and growth. And I always presented myself as if I was speaking to a group of hundreds of people who had paid hundreds of dollars to see me. In other words, I always made it super professional and fun, giving it my very best, from the way I dressed to the media I used in my presentations. All of that gave me a chance to promote both what I do, and also myself because I am a big part of my product. Fortunately, today I get paid to do those things, but starting out you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get yourself seen in the very best light possible. Stand out in your field!
I also actively participated in professional networking organizations, which gave me a chance to meet other independent business professionals from other fields who were interested in cooperating and cross-referring new business to one another. I found that invaluable. When you develop credibility and visibility, with professionals in other fields–who all know people–and you do great work with their referrals, it quickly adds to your reputation as a professional that delivers the goods.
So, love what you do, do great work, get yourself out there and don’t be too proud to do whatever it takes to get you and your business seen and all will be well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drjohnmcgrail.com www.hypnotherapylosangeles.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/drjohnmcgrail/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJohnMcGrail
- Linkedin: /www.linkedin.com/in/dr-john-mcgrail-7677241/
- Twitter: @drjohnmcgrail
- Youtube: Dr John McGrail
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/john-mcgrail-phd-los-angeles-3