You’ve undoubtedly explored the profound impact words can have on our lives. Can you share a personal experience where the power of words transformed your perspective or the life of someone close to you?
“Most people have no idea what NLP is! Yes, as an NLP practitioner, it’s my job to identify scripts, programming, and patterns in the way people think, and to activate interventions that remaps thought processes in the direction that is most helpful in achieving their mental heath goals. Words are incredibly powerful, especially when spoken. Words are so powerful that your mind naturally dismisses thoughts and emotions that you don’t have a word for. In this regard, lack of language can be harmful to your emotional health and delay the healing process. On the flip side, subscribing to over generalized language that has been assigned to your emotional experiences can make you believe that you’re insignificant. I work with my clients on functional communication, thought corrections, and precision of language to help them capture and process their emotions with confidence and balance. Language programs individuals realities though of funnel by which thoughts become words, then actions, then habits, then character, then destiny. This is why you should be careful how you label yourself on the world, and what you answer to when called.”
Your work as a trauma-informed life coach involves helping people navigate challenging experiences. What do you believe are the key factors in building resilience and overcoming adversity?
“Clinically speaking, we don’t really know where resilience comes from or how it’s built. However, there are extensive studies that show resilience to be a major determining factor of how a trauma will impact an individual overtime. I don’t know that anyone can describe the key factors in building resilience. It’s more of a reflex. We all have it, but at different thresholds. Rather than trying to build resilience, I would encourage people to know their limits and honor them. Don’t welcome adversity in hopes that it will be a good “exercise”. You don’t need more resilience than you already have. You should focus on other tools. Instead of trying to build a rubber band that can hold a brick, just don’t put brick on rubber bands. I hope that makes sense. As far as overcoming adversity, I always advise some form of therapy, coaching, counseling, or support group. It’s harder to overcome adversity alone. Speak to your doctor if you feel like you have mental or emotional issues that impede upon your day to day life.”
You’ve had a successful career as a serial entrepreneur. How do you balance the demands of business with your passion for personal growth and helping others?
“I don’t. I honestly haven’t gotten to the balance part yet. But what has been working for me is integration. I find my passion, my personal growth, and ability to help others through my entrepreneurial ventures. I’m currently merging them all together so that I stay fulfilled even when I’m busy. That way I don’t feel like doing one is taking from the other. The way I maintain this flow is that I don’t do anything that does serve this rhythm. It doesn’t feel like work, it feels soothing and fulfilling. Even the moments of stress is very exciting in a strange way. All of my business projects are things I’ve dreamed about doing for so many years. In some ways, I’m living my dream. When your work feels like that, there is no need to find balance.”
His Unique Approach to Mental Health and Personal Development
Many people find mindfulness practices beneficial for mental health. How do you incorporate mindfulness into your daily life, and how do you recommend it to your clients?
“I am an avid journaling guy. I’ve used absolutely every journaling app ever created. I made a spreadsheet of pros and cons as well as cost comparisons. I am addicted to journaling. As I am no stranger to anxiety, I also use meditation and grounding interventions on myself if I need to. When working with my clients, I provide homework to them based on what may be helpful based on what we discussed in session. I also check in on them regularly between sessions to make sure they are on track. Sometimes I check in and things aren’t going well, so I may provide a sensory activity based on what I presume to be useful to the individual. We also meditate together. For clients who struggle with meditative awareness, I find guided meditation to be helpful. For my patients who are kids, a game of “guess the object in the room based on a description” always comes in handy.”
Can you explain how NLP techniques can be used to facilitate lasting personal transformation and break free from limiting beliefs?
“Yes! I can actually sum things up with a quote from eastern philosopher Lao Tzu: “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” If we can recalibrate the thoughts that we operate on about life, then we can effectively change the entire outcome of our lives. My initial strategy when working with a client is to get an understanding of what I call their “psychological mirror”. This helps me understand how they see themselves and what they interpret their problem to be. This is usually where I find scripts (or schema) that cause the limitation in their mind and behavior. We work in sessions to challenge that script and replace it with healthy beliefs systems. It’s almost like removing a virus from a computer and rebooting it.”
How do you believe community plays a role in mental health and personal growth? What strategies do you recommend for building supportive relationships?
“I believe people heal people. When we find community within shared experiences, we feel safe enough to grow and change. Communities bring visibility to parts of ourselves that would otherwise be erased in mainstream social culture.”
Inspiring Future Generations
You’ve undoubtedly mentored many people throughout your career. What advice would you give to young people who are passionate about personal development and helping others?
“If you’re passionate about helping others, then it’s likely that you’re also talented in a way that enables you to help others. It’s important to learn who you are first, then learn who you can be. The world takes advantage of folks who are passionate about helping others but haven’t yet figured out who they are. Whatever it is that you’re meant to do, is something that you’re already doing and don’t realize it. Once you learn what your gift is, then do some research on how that gift can be useful in helping others. Now that you know who you are and who you can be, the personal development will come naturally because you are clear on what YOU want to develop into. That journey will help you assist others with their personal development.”
As a thought leader in the field, where do you see the future of mental health and personal development? What emerging trends or technologies excite you?
“Mental health is slowly becoming more integrated into mainstream health and wellness. I think we are moving in a direction of making healthy mental hygiene accessible to everyone. We are no longer upholding clinicians and psychiatric practitioners as gatekeepers of information on personal psychology. The emergence of mental health coaches and integration of mental health coaching in noble applications is very exciting. We are starting to think about mental health in the way that we think about nutrition.”
What do you hope your legacy will be? How do you envision your work continuing to impact the lives of others long after you’re gone?
“I want to be remembered as someone who reminded every that humanity within human beings should be preserved. When we lean into our humanity, we are our best selves. I don’t want people to see themselves as broken. I want to help others find their hope and empower them. Now that we live in a digital world, today’s social media will become a historical archive 30 years from now. I hope that my digital contributions hold space as a record of the work I did while I was here.”
What Else Can We Expect From You?
No spoilers. Follow me on Instagram and find out!
How can our readers keep up with you?
Instagram is my main social. Follow me @robertsaintmichael to keep up with all of my initiatives. If you enjoy mental health content then you should check out my podcast The Group Sessions (streaming on all platforms). I also have an advice column with Open Door Magazine which you can on Amazon (Edition 6)! Feel free to visit my website robertsaintmichael.com for more info on my projects, initiatives, bookings, and collaborations!
