I had my first encounter with the world of hypnosis at the highly influential age of eight, when an episode of Scooby Doo (15/11/1969) was shown on TV featuring the evil ghost clown who was later to be revealed as Harry the circus hypnotist.
The words he used have always stuck in my mind:
"You will pay attention for a time and soon your thoughts shall all be mine;
Watch the pretty coin of gold and you will do as you are told."
My brother must have been more than fed-up with me making him watch an old button dangling from a string, continually reciting these words over and over to him. I never did get him to hand over his pocket money or do my homework, but it did plant a seed. I bought every book I could afford but something was always missing; I knew that one day I too would learn the secrets of the Master Hypnotist and find that missing link, it was all just a matter of time. Inspired by my Grandfather J. A Laundon, a fantastic Hypnotist (And Psychic: Spiritual Medium) in his own right, and my Great-Aunt Ida (My Grandfathers cousin, Ida Pimm), the most amazing Medium and Spiritual Healer, my journey had just begun.
'When the student excels the Master, the Master has succeeded'
Ancient Teaching Quote
Later in life I studied and achieve my diploma with The National Association Of Holistic Hypnotherapists (DIP: HYP / NAHH / RPHH), formally The John Howard College Of Holistic Hypnotherapy, with one, if not the UK's top Holistic Hypnotherapist / Psychotherapist / Hypnoanalyst trainers, Mr. Alan David Kershaw, who's skill in the transference of knowledge is of an unsurpassable quality. He has allowed me a very successful career for which I am very grateful, he instilled within me to seek to be the best (as he himself is) and for this reason I continue to strive – learn from the best, become the best. But there was still something missing. I had mastered Therapy thanks to the teachings of the NAHH, but I still yearned to be more like Harry the circus hypnotist putting people into the 'Deep Hypnotic Trance State' very quickly, just like the famous and legendary Stage Hypnotists – Paul McKenna, Derren Brown, Keith Barry, Andrew Newton, Head Hacking Anthony Jacquin, Johnathan Royle, Martin St James, Huddersfield Based Grant Saunders, The Mind Persuader; David Knight..... all LEGENDS in their own right.
I then had the privilege of meeting one of these legends, Mr. David Knight, one of the country's top Stage Hypnotists and also renowned as the worlds fastest hypnotist. He passed the secrets of the stage hypnotist on to me (for a few pounds) trusting they will always be used with respect, and then 'SHAZZAN' the two became one! I had found my missing link, now I feel just like Harry! I achieved Master Hypnotist with the British Academy Of Hypnosis (DIP: B.A.HYP / MASTER HYPNOTIST) in 2010 for which I feel very proud and honoured – I call this man my teacher and my friend.