Cheryl Richardson and The Power of Encouragement

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A Nostalgic Journey with Cheryl Richardson

I recently had the pleasure of revisiting a pivotal chapter of my life at a delightful event hosted by Cheryl Richardson. Held at the Circles of Wisdom in Methuen, Massachusetts, Cheryl’s talk on the “Wisdom Years” took me back nearly 15 years to when I first met her during a transformative period in my life.

Flashback to Movers and Shakers

Fifteen years ago, I attended an insightful event hosted by Hay House in Boston called “Movers and Shakers.” At the time, I was on the cusp of a major career shift. As a web guy working for Cisco, I was just six months away from enrolling in my first coaching program. I had no books, no clients, just a burning desire to make a meaningful impact on the world.

At this event, I met several inspiring figures, including Cheryl Richardson, Hay House CEO Reed Tracy, and, to my amazement, Louise Hay herself. One pivotal part of the event was a contest offering a radio show and a book deal as prizes. Although I felt unprepared for such an opportunity, at the urging of my fellow “movers & shakers,” I decided to submit a video entry. To my surprise, I was named a runner-up and received a coaching call from Cheryl.

The Encouragement That Ignited My Journey

During our coaching call, Cheryl and Louise Hay shared a piece of wisdom that changed my trajectory. They pointed out that while I didn’t have a concrete offer or package to present, my presence on camera was powerful and magnetic. Their advice was simple: keep making videos. This encouragement has stayed with me through the years, fueling my passion for creating impactful content.

The Evening with Cheryl

Fast-forward to the present, and I found myself back at Circles of Wisdom, absorbing Cheryl’s insights yet again. I didn’t check the event theme beforehand; I trusted that it would be valuable. To my relief, Cheryl’s talk provided meaningful guidance that I could connect with, and I was among a diverse audience that included both men and women.

Cheryl remembered me, but true to her longstanding practice, she declined to take a picture with me. This brought back memories of a time when she took a picture of me and Larry the Lizard, a character from a book project of mine. Although Larry the Lizard didn’t dominate the world as I envisioned, it’s one of the many fulfilling endeavors I’ve pursued.

Fasting Reflections and Upcoming Workshop

Additionally, I’m currently on a fasting journey as part of a program called WildFit. On the third day of fasting, the program advises against driving and thinking, which contrasted with my packed schedule. I’m nearing the end of an 86-hour fast, and though my math skills are foggy at this moment, I’m excited to break the fast tomorrow.

Lastly, I invite you to join me on May 30th at Circles of Wisdom’s new location, where I’ll be teaching “The Seven Ancient Mystery Schools.” It will be an experiential class focused on energy and personal experiences, without the pressure of tests or notes. If you’re interested, visit circlesofwisdom.com for more details.

Conclusion

Reflecting on tonight’s event and my personal journey leaves me filled with gratitude for Cheryl Richardson’s lasting impact. Her encouragement years ago still resonates with me, driving my passion for creative endeavors. I hope to see many of you at my upcoming workshop for a fun and enriching exploration of ancient wisdom.

Be well and stay inspired!

 

And here is the video I made long ago that resulted in Cheryl Richardson and Louise Hay saying, “Do more!”

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About The Author
Andy Grant

Andy Grant is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, Transformational Energy Coach, Healer, and suicide prevention activist. He holds certificates in Positive Psychology, the Enwaken Coaching System, Infinite Possibilities, and is a high-level initiate of the Modern Mystery School.

Andy teaches workshops ranging from energy tools to ebook publishing. He is the host of Real Men Feel, a movement encouraging men to come out of the emotional closet. As a survivor of multiple suicide attempts, Andy knows how low we as human beings can feel. He is committed to helping people realize how magnificent life is meant to be.

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Downsizing and New Beginnings

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Downsizing and New Beginnings: The Joy of Letting Go

The past few months of my life have been a whirlwind of boxes, moving trucks, and emotions as my wife and I downsized and relocated. Moving out of a house we had called home for 24 years into our new, more compact abode was no minor feat. We went from 3,200 square feet to 1,160 square feet, which is quite a change!

Facing Career Challenges:
This past April, I was laid off from my position at Cisco Systems, a company I’ve been part of, on and off, since 1999. Once part of a team of five, my role managing online video dwindled down to just me before I was let go. While the layoff was a shock, it also served as a catalyst for change. I learned once again that no matter what accolades are given in the corporate world, you are ultimately dispensable.

My wife, Lori, was caught up in the Steward Healthcare bankruptcy debacle, and the hospital where she worked closed in August.

Embracing Downsizing:
Initially, the idea of downsizing felt like a reversal of the American dream; it seemed like a step back. However, as we began to give things away, rather than feeling sorrow, I felt a surprising joy. Seeing our furniture find new homes was heartwarming and liberating. It wasn’t easy to let go of certain mementos, like my Metallica concert shirts, but the freedom that came with fewer possessions was incredibly uplifting.

Our economically forced downsizing needed a lot of synchronicity to pull off. We needed to find a new home to pay for in cash as unemployed people aren’t known for getting mortgages. We found a 55+ community in Gardner Ma that had two lots left. The timing and people fell into place, with a couple of weeks in a hotel to bring a new adventure for us and our dog and cat.

Finding Freedom in Simplicity:
I’ve experienced different living situations throughout my life and realized that I find happiness in simplicity. Now, in our new home with a smaller footprint, life feels refreshingly unencumbered. Our one-and-a-half car garage, while not what we initially wanted, has saved us from holding onto unnecessary items, further simplifying our lifestyle.

The Joy of Letting Go:
This forced downsizing was enriching, far more enjoyable, and exciting than I had anticipated. I am genuinely thankful for the layoff because it forced me to release attachments that no longer served me. By owning and embracing change, rather than resisting, my wife, my pets, and I found liberation and new beginnings.

Conclusion:
I want to share a key lesson: be open to change, embrace it, and take control of your life. Challenges might seem daunting, but they often present opportunities for growth and renewal. As we navigate the ups and downs, the more control we take, the smoother our ride will be.

Be good to yourself, and remember that change can lead to unexpected joy.

 

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About The Author
Andy Grant

Andy Grant is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, Transformational Energy Coach, Healer, and suicide prevention activist. He holds certificates in Positive Psychology, the Enwaken Coaching System, Infinite Possibilities, and is a high-level initiate of the Modern Mystery School.

Andy teaches workshops ranging from energy tools to ebook publishing. He is the host of Real Men Feel, a movement encouraging men to come out of the emotional closet. As a survivor of multiple suicide attempts, Andy knows how low we as human beings can feel. He is committed to helping people realize how magnificent life is meant to be.

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Ripples

You’ll Rarely Know Your Impact

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You’ll Rarely Know Your Impact

Which is why it is even more important to leave your mark.

Over twelve years ago, I posted a short video called “The Best Way To Die.” I chose that name because I had repeatedly searched for that phrase for years. I uploaded it to a YouTube account I no longer use and thought I had lost access to long ago.

I wrote about this video in my book, Still Here: How to Succeed in Life After Failing at Suicide. The video has received far more negative comments and dislikes than positive feedback, as people were upset that I didn’t provide an easy option for suicide. That was the intention behind creating the video – I wanted people to momentarily direct their anger at me instead of themselves.

Last month, I unexpectedly regained access to that account and discovered a comment that filled me with gratitude and moved me to tears.

comment on "The Best Way To Die" video


I’ve been contemplating updating my book, Still Here, for a while now. I’m taking this comment as a sign that it’s time to do so. It will be gratifying to revisit the mention of this video and reflect on its impact eight years later. YouTube has also evolved for the better over the years. They no longer display the number of thumbs down a video has received, and multiple warnings and support resources surround the video.

This comment served as a powerful reminder that we should all share our experiences. We can’t predict the ripple effect of anything we create and release into the world. Embrace vulnerability and share more of yourself.

The original “best way to die” video:

Don’t keep your gold to yourself. Please.

 

Be well,
Andy

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About The Author
Andy Grant

Andy Grant is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, Transformational Energy Coach, Healer, and suicide prevention activist. He holds certificates in Positive Psychology, the Enwaken Coaching System, Infinite Possibilities, The Modern Mystery School, and more.

Andy teaches workshops ranging from energy tools to ebook publishing. He is the founder of Real Men Feel, a movement encouraging men to come out of the emotional closet. As a survivor of multiple suicide attempts, Andy knows how low we, as human beings, can feel. He is committed to helping people realize how magnificent life is meant to be.

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Photo by Lucas Newton on Unsplash

Life Activation Anniversary!

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Happy Life Activersary to Me!

I am very excited today because it is the seventh anniversary of my Life Activation. It is my seventh life activersary! I want to thank Shawna Pelton, who activated me, Jordan Bain, who became my guide, and founder Gudni Gudnason of the Modern Mystery School for making this available to the public.

Life Activation is a 1000s of years old healing modality from the Modern Mystery School that turns all of you on. It flicks all these switches in you. It used to be called DNA activation because it brings more light and energy into your spiritual DNA, all of the building blocks that make you, you.

Even better than how you feel when receiving a Life Activation are all the unique ways that your life can improve in the weeks, months, and even years following your activation. My life is so much better now than it was seven years ago. I’ve grown in ways that were unimaginable to me. I’ve met many amazing people, learned powerful skills, and become a healer.

Before my activation on January 28, 2016, I had this vague sense of needing to do something specifically for men, but I didn’t know what it was. I launched the Real Men Feel podcast just two weeks after my activation. Two months after that, I became involved with the ManKind Project. A few months later, I became a contributor for GoodMenProject.com. And a few months after that, I became a lead editor for the GoodMenProject. Everything just kept building and building, filling me with more purpose, gratitude, expression, and creativity in ways never before.

I’ve become so much more of service, whether through writing, podcasting, teaching, coaching, or healing. It’s been such a gratifying journey. I still remember midway through receiving my Life Activation, thinking I don’t know what this is, but I know I will learn how to do it.

I also want to thank everyone that I have had the honor and privilege to activate since I was certified as a Life Activation Practitioner in 2018. See the videos below that I shot before and after my activation. I made them because I didn’t know what I was doing. So on a whim, I decided to shoot a video sitting in my truck before it happened. And after it, I felt so amazing. I wanted to capture that somehow. All I remember is that I was laughing and laughing, and I don’t know if anything made sense in the video, but you can check those out to see what I thought about the experience during the exact moment.

Just before my Life Activation:

Moments after my Life Activation:

If you want to feel that good, feel more aligned with your talents, skills, and purpose, consider a Life Activation for yourself. You are worthy of this, and you won’t regret it.

These can only be done in person. If you can’t come to me in Littleton, Massachusetts, I’ll help connect you with someone closer to you. Send an email (andy@theandygrant.com) or fill out the contact form, and I’ll get back to you right away.

http://theandygrant.com/lifeactivation

Be well,
Andy

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About The Author
Andy Grant

Andy Grant is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, Transformational Energy Coach, Healer, and suicide prevention activist. He holds certificates in Positive Psychology, the Enwaken Coaching System, Infinite Possibilities, The Modern Mystery School, and more.

Andy teaches workshops ranging from energy tools to ebook publishing. He is the founder of Real Men Feel, a movement encouraging men to come out of the emotional closet. As a survivor of multiple suicide attempts, Andy knows how low we, as human beings, can feel. He is committed to helping people realize how magnificent life is meant to be.

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Taking a Big Leap | SkyJump

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Ending 2022 With A Big Leap

While in Las Vegas for a wedding last month, I jumped at the opportunity to take an 855′ leap from The Stratosphere tower on the strip. I wasn’t nervous at all until I saw someone do it. The time from the 3, 2, 1 countdown to me moving felt like a very long moment. The SkyJump was more thrilling than any ride I’ve been on and even more than parachuting. The only time I did that was a tandem jump, so taking that first/last step wasn’t up to me. You can see the video of my SkyJump here:

Here’s the view from the ground, shot by my wife.

One thing that hit me, which I couldn’t put into words right away, was the difference between taking that leap into nothingness for fun versus taking a jump for my demise. On the SkyJump, my nerves vanished once I jumped from the platform, and I experienced joy, thrills, and fun. Nothing in my being communicated that this was a bad idea. I felt completely safe, even though I had no idea how the mechanism that would slow me down worked. I didn’t even ask about it.

I’ve also had the experience of standing atop a building, believing I wanted to die, and trying to get myself to take a much less fun jump. At that moment, everything in my body and energy was saying don’t take this step. There was tremendous resistance, fear, and trepidation. I ended up calling a suicide support line for the first time.

While plummeting through the Vegas night, full of adrenaline and joy, it struck me how fearless the experience was. There was no concern or desire to go splat on the ground. I felt safe and alive, thrilled to be alive.

Whereas in my attempted doom jump, I couldn’t get myself to take that one step into nothingness. I hated myself then, judging myself as weak and pathetic, but looking back, I was safe in a very different way. My better aspects wouldn’t let me take that seemingly one small step.

The first half of 2022 was a dark crucible. I didn’t feel fully alive until July. I knew I wanted a year-end celebration. The SkyJump was a Leap of Life for me. A victory lap for all I had persevered through. I will never forget it and hope to do it again.

I wish you your own Leap of Life this year, a celebration of you and all you have made it through.

If you are in crisis and contemplating any sort of doom jump, please text or call 988 for immediate support. https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/

 

Be well,
Andy

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About The Author
Andy Grant

Andy Grant is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, Transformational Energy Coach, Healer, and suicide prevention activist. He holds certificates in Positive Psychology, the Enwaken Coaching System, Infinite Possibilities, The Modern Mystery School, and more.

Andy teaches workshops ranging from energy tools to ebook publishing. He is the founder of Real Men Feel, a movement encouraging men to come out of the emotional closet. As a survivor of multiple suicide attempts, Andy knows how low we, as human beings, can feel. He is committed to helping people realize how magnificent life is meant to be.

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