Life at Open Heart Publishing

Hello Readers!

Our featured author for this post is Melissa Cantrelle.  Enjoy!

So what exactly is life coaching all about?

It depends on the life coach.  The way I approach life coaching, it’s all about helping my client discover their life purpose, create an inspired vision for how to implement their life purpose in all aspects of their life, and removing obstacles along the way.  Life coaching addresses every aspect of your life (career, love, health, etc.) because often the energy drain you have in one corner of your life is impacting your ability to have fabulousness in every area of your life.  Basically, I see myself as a catalyst, helping my clients break through limitations and quickly achieving the quantum leaps they are most desiring in life.

What kind of tools do you use as a life coach?

I use some standard coaching tools for the structure of a coaching session, like “The Wheel of Life” for helping my client create intentions for each area of life.  And then I use my hugely valuable intuition to pick the perfect tool for the moment from many other processes I’ve learned.  My favorites are NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), Theta healing, Eriksonian hypnosis, Sedona Method, Matrix Energetics, and Law of Attraction tools from Abraham-Hicks.

Who or what was your inspiration for becoming a life coach?

Actually, I was pretty resistant to the whole idea for quite a while.  I hired a coach when I was still in the corporate world and considering making the leap to running my own consulting business.  The coach I had wasn’t very good for me.  His suggestion was to just do it, but I didn’t get any help with my fears that were blocking me from being fully resourceful.  A lot of coaches seem to do that: give advice instead of helping you to uncover your own natural resourcefulness.  Anyway, I got another coach a couple of years later and she was good.  By that time I was also frustrated with the consulting model because I really didn’t want to stay a part of the organization – I wanted to offer the inspiration and new ideas that helped the client make their own leap to the next level without any ongoing dependency on me.  I’ve really always been a catalyst…helping people jump to the next level without being a part of the final solution.

I hear you have an awesome book to help people who may not be able to work with you one on one.  It’s called “The Self-Esteem Playbook”, could you tell our readers more about it?

In all my time using the Law of Attraction with my clients and in my own life, I realized that the missing ingredient that makes or breaks the Law of Attraction is self-esteem.  If you aren’t feeling good about yourself, and worthy, you’re not going to ask for the big, juicy vision; you’re not going to believe it’s possible, and you won’t fully accept and receive all the good stuff that is flowing to you.  So my partner and I created “The Self-Esteem Playbook” to help people uplift their self-esteem in many different ways.  We’ve packed the playbook full of information, resources, and exercises tha t can be used in a variety of situations, because sometimes you just need to change your physical state, sometimes you need to address your inner thoughts, and sometimes you need to release the emotional baggage you’ve been carrying around all these years.  When you have a variety of ways to uplift and sustain your high self-esteem, you’re less likely to get down and more likely to stay inspirationally motivated toward implementing your visions.  I’m just a little bit passionate about how important self-esteem is for the visioning process.  You can see it in this interactive talk I gave at our local Wellness Expo: http://www.easyselfesteemnow.com

What is NLP and where did you study it?

NLP is short for Neuro-Linguistic Programming.  It’s this amazing, super-fast tool that was created in the early 70’s by Richard Bandler, a computer programmer, and John Grinder, a linguist.  Basically, Bandler and Grinder reviewed the transformational work of three very successful therapists: Virginia Satir, a family therapist, Fritz Perls, a gestalt therapist, and Milton Erickson, a hypnotherapist.  Using their programming and language skills, Bandler and Grinder took the best methods from these three therapists and created a standard, repeatable tools for people to change their neurological pathways into patterns that are more supportive of their desired outcomes.

NLP is used in a lot of different ways and different scenarios, depending on who’s using it and what their intent is.  This is another one of those life path choices that I was at first resistant to because I saw a lot of people using NLP in very egotistical ways – telling me what was best for me instead of letting me decide what I wanted to create into my life.  When I found Chris Howard, I knew it was time to learn NLP from him because he put so much heart into the process and really allowed the individual to decide what to let go of and what to implement.  The intensive training I went through was very focused on using NLP for enabling personal growth that is defined by the client.  I’m glad I found Chris when I did because he’s not currently teaching in the U.S. and he was definitely the best place for me to become a certified NLP Master/Trainer for the ways I use NLP in my coaching practice.

What other passions do you have in life?

I love to write (did I mention that yet?).  My mom was always “the writer” in our family and I’m really enjoying taking on that mantle for myself now.  Actually, I was already wearing the writer mantle, I just didn’t fully recognize what that stuff was oozing out of me.  When I’m not coaching, writing, or facillitating a workshop I’m playing in the dirt of my garden.  I love to watch stuff grow.  Hmm, I guess that’s not unlike coaching.  I also love hiking in nature, though I’m feeling a bit deprived of that now that I’ve moved to Texas from Seattle.  Nevertheless, my partner is a nature photographer so we always find ways to get out and find some beauty around us.  I get to play with his fancy camera equipment and that satisfies all the cravings I’ve ever had to be a professional nature photographer.  Hidden deep inside me are my past passions of swing dancing, ultimate frisbee and juggling.  I don’t do these so much anymore, but you never know when I might break one out for a quick demonstration.

What exactly are superfoods and why do you think they are important?

In my world, superfoods are raw, pristine foods that are rich with nutrients, low in calories, and are more easily digestible.  The concept of superfoods seems to be all the rage these days with people talking about the great properties of salmon, blueberries, and avocados.  I’ve come across something even better.  Superfoods like raw cacao (chocolate), goji berries, hemp seeds, and my favorite of all Chocolate Bliss.  When you eat these raw superfoods, you are giving your body all the enzymes they need to be digested and higher concentrations of the nutrients many of us are deprived of due to the condition of our soils.  I’ve been drinking Chocolate Bliss for almost a year now (a pre-made mix of raw, pristine superfoods that tastes like chocolate milk, but without the dairy).  I just added Chocolate Bliss to my pre-existing diet and I stopped craving coffee and junk foods and actually started to crave salads.  I’ve also let go quite a bit of weight and I feel like I’m in my best health ever.  I love that I can increase my health without taking pills.  More importantly, I have a lot more energy for all the other aspects of my life since I no longer have an energy drain from digesting my food or fighting off illness.  I think that’s pretty important.

“The Lifeboat” is a very powerful story.  I hear it made Debrin cry (he’s such a softy).  Is that a real life experience?

Yes, it’s based on a real life experience.  I like what another author called it: a fictography.  I really was in a workshop designed to help us discover our life purpose, and most of the characters interacted about like what I described.  The Alex character really did lie.  And yes, I really did question my sense of worthiness after not getting picked, though I never gave up on the importance of getting my book published.  I think “The Lifeboat” has a strong impact because the real life experience was a powerful turning point for my own life.  I decided I was worthy and once I engaged my own sense of self-esteem, I stayed joyfully motivated toward my vision.  My best stories are often the stories from my own life experience…it’s been quite a ride!

I hear you have a partner named Dan Coppersmith.  Can you tell us a bit more about him?  Is he as creative as you?

If there were a way to measure creativity, Dan would be off the charts.  He is a nature photographer, a poet, a jeweler, and a self-esteem advocate.  He has written a beautiful book of his nature photography and uplifting, inspiring poetry called The Elusive Here & Now.  I think his style is like a Dr. Seuss for adults: easy, lilting rhymes that leave you feeling all yummy inside.  He’s also been combining his nature photography with poems and inspiring quotes into posters and frameable art.  The favorite poster is Hello World, an affirmational poem that is best declared boldly to the world as a way of uplifting your self-esteem.  Dan is also my co-facilitator for all the self-esteem, visualization and life purpose workshops we host.  His grounding energy and wisdom complement my enthusiasm and action to create a very safe environment for growth.  We’re very fortunate to work together every day.

Do you ever feel like your pets hold you in contempt?

You must have read my book, “Conversations With Nature“.  My cat, Merla, used to bring in dead birds when I wasn’t writing.  I tried adding another bell to her collar, but in the end, I just had to get back to my writing schedule.  Now she’s an indoor cat, but I got the message and I stay on track with my life purpose work lest she find some other way to express her contempt.

How did you begin writing?

I have very strong memories of enjoying writing as a kid.  When I was in 2nd grade we watched some film about blood – all about red and white blood cells moving through our veins.  I was so inspired by the movie that I came home and wrote a one page report titled, “Blood”.  That was my first non-fiction pieces.  I also wrote a lot of little short stories, with my own color-crayon drawings of course.  I even had a few of them published in my elementary school paper, minus the drawings.  I may have been inspired from watching my mom sit down at her desk to write, though I suspect it’s just always been in my veins.

What has been the most profound moment in your life so far?

I can’t tell you the most profound moment just yet…I’m saving it up for the next book.  One of my most inspiring moments was the day I fulfilled my burning desire to go hang-gliding.  I’ve always wanted to feel the sensation of soaring like an eagle.  I didn’t realize I’d have to run off a cliff to get that experience, but the anxious build-up was worth all 15 minutes of soaring over the beach above the hawks on the hillside.  I’d do it again in a fast hear-beat.

Have you ever participated in a Sumo match?

No, but if you get the blow-up sumo costumes, I’ll gladly stomp my feet.

What do you feel is the most important scientific discovery of your lifetime?

Quantum physics and specifically that the act of observing can change the outcome of a scientific experiment.  I think there is so much possibility in the unseen.  One of my favorite quotes is “Only those who can see the invisible can do the impossible.”  – Dr. B. Lown

I’m working on it!

Do you have a sordid past that could be used to blackmail you if my career as a junior editor doesn’t give me the wealth I personally believe I deserve (hypothetically speaking of course)?

Hmm, if I tell you now, what happens if you get all the wealth you deserve?  Sadly for you, i think the only thing sordid in my past is the little figurine I stole from the department store at the age of 3.  My mom made me return it and say I was sorry.

Gulliver’s Travels, a morality play to shame heads of state or simple childhood tales of fantasy?

I’ll always pick simple first…I like to be entertained with fantasy rather than disturbed with politics.

How do you encourage the delinquency of your inner child?

I do what I want to do, when I want to do it.  I eat dessert for breakfast.  I allow myself to get consumed by online video games.  I avoid playing by other people’s rules.

Could you tell us more about “Conversations With Nature”?

“Conversations With Nature” combines my inspiring photos of Yosemite National Park, nature’s messages to us about living joyful, fulfilling lives, and my stories of how I implemented those messages into my own life as I transitioned from the corporate management consulting world to being a full-time life coach.  It’s my first published book and a very heart-driven project with a powerful impact on all your senses.  Like all my writing, “Conversations With Nature” is composed of short chapters that are easy to digest and have a meaningful message that can linger delightfully through your daily experiences.  This book will help you slow down, reconnect, and find direction amongst all the choices available to you now.  I like to think of it more as a companion than as a book.  It can help remind you of the joys of the human experience and to enjoy the journey as your path unfolds in front of you.  Like most things, I think the best thing you can do is experience it to know what it is.  Click here for some book excerpts:

So if I were interested in working with you on getting my life in order and going after my Bliss, where should I begin?

Go get yourself a free copy of “The Wheel of Life” from my website, Catalize, by signing up for my monthly inspirational newsletter.  Once you’ve had a quick look at “The Wheel of Life”, email me to get your free sample coaching session.  In 30 minutes you can have an inspiring vision for one area of your life passionately integrated into your being and doing.  Once you’ve tasted the power of life coaching with hear-centered NLP, I expect you’ll be excited for the even bigger quantum leaps you can make in your life.  Oh, and if you want to taste the Chocolate version of Bliss, check out my superfood website: www.lovingsuperfoods.com

Do you believe in Santa Claus?

Yes, I believe in all kinds of magic!

Melissa Cantrelle is a life coach, NLP master, workshop leader, and author.  She has been writing for pleasure ever since the second grade when she came home from school and wrote an unasked-for report about blood.  Her short stories were first published in her elementary school newspaper and she has since self-published two books.  Inspired most by the works of H.H. Munro (Saki), Melissa enjoys writing short peices with plenty of punch and maybe even an unexpected twist.

After experiencing over 12 years in the corporate arena of management consulting, Melissa transitioned to the entrepreneurial world of life coaching.  She uses her coach training, business background and her heart-centered Neuro-Linguistic Programming skills to help you discover your life purpose, create a vision for the life you desire, and remove obstacles along the way.  She is a compassionate catalyst for you to discover your own inner resources and her passion for causing joyful fulfillment seeps into everything she does.  Melissa now offers life coaching, empowering workshops, and self-study tools from her website: http://www.catalize.com/

Melissa is the co-author of “The Self-Esteem Playbook”, a resourceful guide for uplifting and sustaining your high self-esteem.  She is a sought-out speaker for her message on the importance of self-esteem in your law-of-attraction visualization practice.

Melissa is also author of the recently published “Conversations With Nature”, an inspired book about following your heart even in the daily grind of corporate life.  This book blends Melissa’s own photography from Yosemite National Park with nature’s messages to us about how to live joyfully, and Melissa’s stories of how she applied those messages into her own fulfilling life journey.  In keeping with her style, the chapters are short and packed with powerful, loving inspiration.

Originally from Seattle, Melissa now lives with the love of her life in Carollton, Texas.

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